4 Best Restaurants in Otaru, Hokkaido

Ajidokoro Takeda

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Claws emerging from a bed of fresh-cut crab and darkly gleaming red salmon eggs piled high on a bowl of rice are just two of the famous raw-fish options at this 50-year-old family restaurant in the middle of the noisy fish market. They also have lighter options like fresh shellfish and simple grilled fish, rice, and miso lunch sets. The menus have plenty of pictures and a bit of English to make ordering easier. The restaurant also houses a fishmonger known as Takeda Sengyoten.  

3--10--16 Inaho, Otaru, Hokkaido, 047-0032, Japan
0134-22–9652
Known For
  • the well-priced omakase-don
  • fresh crab
  • half-shell oysters
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: No dinner

Otaru Beer Otaru Warehouse No.1

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Located in one of the warehouses beside the Otaru Canal, Otaru Beer a great place to try the local Weiss, Pilsner, and Dunkel. The food is also international with a menu that includes such wildly differing foods as pizza, paella, german sausage, and roast pork. The shiny copper brew kettles, brick walls, and wooden beams help create a great atmosphere. Otaru Beer has been a favorite amongst locals and visitors for nearly three decades. 

Minato Machi 5--4, Otaru, Hokkaido, 047-0007, Japan
0134-21--2323
Known For
  • great house-brewed beer selections
  • fun atmosphere that draws locals and tourists
  • good pizza

Otaru Kita Togarashi Restaurant

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Standing apart from all the sushi joints in Otaru is this lamb barbecue heaven at the easy-to-find branch of a famous jingisukan restaurant. Purchase a plate of tender, succulent lamb, which you cook tyourself on a dome-shaped griddle with side orders of alfalfa sprouts (moyashi) and leeks (negi). If you're still hungry, pick up a crepe or a treat on your way out from one of the shops in the cute collection of buildings. Reservations are required on weekends.

1--1--17 Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaido, 047-0024, Japan
0134-33–0015
Known For
  • lamb steaks
  • charcoal cooking
  • bustling vibe

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Otaru Masazushi

$$$

In the middle of Otaru's famous strip of sushi restaurants, Masazushi serves up the morning's catch of herring, tuna, abalone, salmon, and more perched on quality vinegared rice. The staff will check your wasabi horseradish tolerance levels when taking your order. A good, quick lunch is the basic 10-piece akane set. The restaurant is quiet and removed from the day-tripper crowds, and in the evening it's where local business leaders hold court in private rooms, but there are English menus.

1--1--1 Hanazono, Otaru, Hokkaido, 047-0024, Japan
0134-23–0011
Known For
  • uni-ikura don (donburi of sea urchin and salmon roe)
  • good-value lunch sets and children's meals
  • indulgent evening courses like the super-expensive omakase
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed.