Before your trip to Hokkaido, take a moment to explore what each season has to offer. While many of us picture Hokkaido covered in a beautiful blanket of white snow, the region is just as stunning in its green season! Let's look at what makes each time of year special, and figure out which season is calling your name.

Sapporo is the culinary heart of Hokkaido, celebrated for its rich, deeply satisfying local flavors. We've put together a list of dishes that are hugely popular not only among international visitors but also among locals. Organized by food category, we'll be covering top spots for yakiniku (grilled meat), crab, soup curry, sushi (omakase), and Jingisukan (Mongolian-style lamb BBQ).

Located on the 3rd floor of the Kutsumi Building, just a 1-minute walk from Susukino Station and 5 minutes from Odori Station, this yakiniku restaurant offers fully private or semi-private rooms with powerful ventilation and stylish counter seats with under-seat storage.

The menu features premium Hokkaido Kuroge Wagyu, with half-size single portions starting from 660 yen and a whopping 88 menu items exclusive to the main branch. There's also an all-you-can-eat-and-drink plan at 7,700 yen per person for 90 minutes.

Advance reservations are required, and the restaurant welcomes families, solo diners, and groups alike — perfect for celebrations and special occasions.

Just a 1-minute walk from Susukino Station, this charcoal-grilled yakiniku specialist lets you savor a wide variety of premium cuts. Smoking is not permitted inside the restaurant.

Just a 5-minute walk from Susukino Station, this stylish, modern restaurant stands out with its illuminated signage on the 1st floor of the 6th Asahi Kanko Building. The sleek interior welcomes a diverse crowd and has a relaxed, comfortable vibe.

Serving carefully selected cuts including Shiraoi beef and Wagyu chosen by the owner from across Japan, this innovative yakiniku restaurant lets you order as little as a single slice — a refreshing change from the usual format.

Sapporo's longest-running traditional crab restaurant, with a distinguished history that speaks for itself. The menu always features top-quality king crab, snow crab, and hairy crab, with around 30 different crab preparations to choose from — including sashimi, charcoal-grilled, shabu-shabu (hot pot), and tempura.

A quick introduction to hairy crab: while Esashi-cho in Hokkaido claims the top spot for hairy crab production in Japan, the molting and spawning seasons vary by water temperature and climate — so crab is harvested from different coastal areas throughout the year.

Here's a seasonal breakdown of where it's sourced:
- Spring (Mar-Jun, after ice floes recede): Sea of Okhotsk coast (Omu, Mombetsu, Abashiri, Shari, etc.), Soya (Wakkanai, Esashi, etc.)
- Summer (Jul-Aug): Uchiura Bay area (Shiraoi/Gojo-hama, Oshamanbe, etc.)
- Autumn (Sep-Dec): Shiranutka, Kushiro, Nemuro coast
- Winter (Dec-Feb): Hidaka, Tokachi coast

About a 2-minute walk from Susukino Station on the Nanboku Line, this crab specialist offers an impressive variety of crab dishes. If you're looking for a crab restaurant in the Susukino area, this is one to check out. With course menus available at various price points, there's something to fit every budget.

A dedicated crab restaurant where you can enjoy a wide variety of crab preparations. The menu goes beyond just set courses — there are also individual a la carte dishes, giving you plenty of options no matter how hungry you are.

Sapporo is packed with fantastic soup curry spots, but GARAKU is in a league of its own. Lines start forming before the doors even open — and trust us, it's worth the wait! The main branch is centrally located, just 3 to 5 minutes on foot from Odori Station (on multiple subway lines) and Susukino Station on the Nanboku Line.

*In a nutshell: rich spice aroma, legendary queue

Located in the heart of Sapporo's bustling city center, the main branch of "Suage+" (Suage Plus) is just a 3-minute walk from Susukino Station on the Nanboku Line.

What sets it apart? Beyond the deeply flavorful broth, the restaurant lives up to its name with deliciously crispy fried vegetables and meats — and the rice is absolutely not to be missed either.

Just a 3-minute walk from Odori Station, Syabazo is a soup curry restaurant that opened in 2019 — and it's a rare find even in Hokkaido. Their specialty? A slow-simmered lamb bone broth that's unlike anything you'll find at most other soup curry spots. Chicken is also on the menu. While many popular soup curry restaurants draw big tourist crowds, this one still has a local, neighborhood feel to it.

About a 3-minute walk from Exit 3 of Susukino Station on the Nanboku Line, this omakase sushi spot takes reservations via Instagram DM. With the freshest Hokkaido seafood as its backbone, every visit is a genuine treat.

About a 5-minute walk from Nishi-28-chome Station on the Tozai Line, Sushi Miyakawa holds the prestigious distinction of a Michelin 3-star rating — one of Sapporo's most celebrated sushi destinations. Alongside masterfully crafted sushi, the restaurant also offers sake pairings to complement the experience.

Just a 1-minute walk from Maruyama Koen Station, this Michelin 2-star sushi restaurant is an intimate gem. Counter seating only, with just 8 seats in total — a quietly focused space dedicated entirely to showcasing the finest Hokkaido seafood.

Located about a 7-minute walk from Susukino Station, this popular Jingisukan spot does not take reservations. Unlike most places, the walk-in-only policy means you can beat the queue by arriving just before opening time. Wait times will of course vary depending on the season.

About a 6-minute walk from Susukino Station, this intimate Jingisukan spot is on the smaller side, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in charm. Lamb is grilled on a portable stove over a hot stone plate — a casual, fun way to enjoy Jingisukan. It tends to attract more locals than tourists, and reservations are recommended.

Just a 2-minute walk from Susukino Station and perched on the 10th floor, this Jingisukan restaurant serves carefully selected fresh lamb alongside crisp, vibrant seasonal vegetables. From the panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, you can take in the stunning Sapporo night skyline while you dine — making it a truly special local experience. The crowd tends to be mostly working professionals and residents rather than tourists.

*In a nutshell: the ultimate local hangout spot

Hokkaido's abundant nature — its sweeping meadows, pristine seas, and some of Japan's finest produce — makes it a true paradise for food lovers. Why not make culinary exploration a highlight of your trip?

Beyond the yakiniku, crab, soup curry, sushi (omakase), and Jingisukan featured in this article, there's so much more to eat in Hokkaido. Think kaisendon (fresh seafood rice bowls), silky-smooth ice cream loaded with rich milk and cream, and fragrant sake brewed from Hokkaido-grown rice. With local specialties that change by the season, every visit brings new flavors to discover.

A Hokkaido trip paired with incredible food is sure to leave you with flavors and memories that linger long after you head home. We hope this guide helps make your trip truly unforgettable!


*The "Highlights from Google Maps Reviews" sections were compiled based on Google Maps reviews gathered by LIVE JAPAN. These reflect individual opinions, so please note that experiences may vary.

*Originally written in July 2024; some content updated in April 2026.