Visited a restaurant in Otaru with some dear friends who have since passed away two years ago. It was the original location of "Sakagura Fujirin," a renowned establishment located under the Hanazono JR overpass. Despite its high reputation, there was a shortage of sake, and due to a private party in the tatami room, we couldn't even talk to the proprietress. I wanted to revisit and truly assess its worth. However, last July, they relocated from Hanazono to Tsudori due to the pandemic, and I couldn't visit. On this day, after enjoying delicious hot sake, we decided to check out the new location. There was an available table, so we went in. We started with croquettes, which were like house asparagus with mayonnaise. The oden with tofu, beef tendon, white konjac, konnyaku, and rock seaweed was perfect for the slightly chilly April weather. Of course, we also had ankimo and shiokara to pair with the sake. And who ordered pistachio ice cream at the end? What a shameless drinker. The proprietress, who had finished cooking, graciously attended to us at the counter. The hospitality of the female staff was excellent, but the dignified proprietress's service was truly exceptional. It's no wonder the local regulars are so devoted. I revisited and truly appreciated the restaurant's value. Good food, good service. A hidden gem in Otaru. I would like to raise a toast to my friend, a reviewer who passed away in March, and remember him by sharing a drink here once again.

Visited alone at 19:30 on a regular day. Made a same-day reservation. The restaurant is located very close to Otaru Station and has a lively atmosphere with regular customers. All the staff are women, and they are all beautiful! Even though I went alone, I was happy that the owner engaged in conversation with me. There were many dishes I wanted to try, but being alone, I couldn't eat a lot. Among the dishes I tried, the sashimi was the best...! The freshness and flavor were amazing... It's impressive that such high-quality food is served in Hokkaido at a casual restaurant like this. The seaweed oden, which I ordered because it's popular, was also delicious! At first, I thought it was a bit light, but when paired with alcohol, it had a finishing touch that made me want to sip it with every drink, creating an addictive feeling. The sake menu was also extensive! I was satisfied with the tasting set of three Hokkaido local sakes! The bill was around 5000 yen, which felt reasonable! Thank you for the meal. ▪️Items Ordered Daikon and Seaweed Oden Sashimi for one Grilled Salmon Belly Three kinds of Sake tasting set The appetizer of sweet and sour fish was also delicious.

I walked 5 minutes from Otaru Station to a local izakaya, and it was fully packed with locals. Everything I ate was delicious, even though it's not shown in the photos, the oden was amazing. Because it's not a touristy place, there are things you can eat here that you can't find elsewhere. The atmosphere is welcoming, so you can easily visit alone during your travels.

Once again, I headed to Fujirin by bullet train. This time, the main dish was hairy crab! It's great that there's no need to pick apart the meat. Enjoying it with Hokuto Suiso (Japanese sake) is pure bliss. The sashimi, sea urchin, and oden all make the drinking experience even better. This place is a wonderland for drinkers!

I found a restaurant in Otaru while looking for dinner at night, and it seemed like reservations fill up quickly, so I made a reservation well in advance and was able to secure a spot! The sashimi was delicious, maybe because it's in Otaru, everything I ate was surprisingly tasty. The oden had ingredients like fresh wheat gluten and rock seaweed that I had never seen before, and they were all delicious! However, I was surprised by how not tasty the Hokkaido sake was... I guess it's because there aren't many famous ones, so it's better to stick to well-known sake brands. The restaurant is run entirely by women who were kind and beautiful, and I felt very relaxed and soothed!

A whirlwind 2-day, 1-night tour! Finally made it to Fujirin for a sashimi platter with half-size uni, oden, and Hokkaido local sake! The creamy uni was a first for me, and the oden with oysters was exquisite! The wasabi went well with the sake. I tried 3 types of local sake, but my favorite was the Kuriyama's Hokuto Zuiso! Ended up drinking 5 cups in total! Normally I can't handle 5 cups of sake, and I don't eat much when drinking, so it was a precious time for me to enjoy both food and drinks! Slowly savored the local sake and dishes! Will definitely visit again...

I visited this restaurant after researching on Tabelog and the atmosphere was lovely. The counter is wonderful and very calming. I had a plate of assorted sashimi for one person, as well as various items from the oden menu such as fish cakes, hanpen, nama-fu, shirataki noodles, mochi pouches, Inca no mezame, and grilled shishamo. The sashimi was fresh and delicious, as expected from Hokkaido. The crab was particularly tasty and went well with the alcohol. The squid was very sweet. I tried the oden's fish cakes for the first time and they were a perfect match with the oden broth and grated yam. The gentle flavors of the ingredients were delightful. The Inca no mezame from the oden menu was sweet and fluffy, incredibly delicious. The shishamo had a firm texture. The staff at the restaurant were warm and lovely. I would love to visit again when I come back to Otaru. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

This is a restaurant that is friendly to solo diners. I made a same-day reservation and luckily there was a seat available at the counter. Everything I ate was delicious, and the staff were energetic and made the atmosphere very comfortable. The selection of Japanese sake in particular was impressive.

I was recommended by a local guide to visit this place for a light Japanese dinner with drinks. I visited on a Sunday night without a reservation. The oden was not too salty, but rather light and delicious. The sashimi platter was also good. They had a nice selection of sake, including famous brands. After a day of drinking whiskey in the morning, 8 glasses of wine at lunch, and wine tasting at a winery in the afternoon, this place was the perfect choice for a gentle end to the day.

Today I went on a solo trip to an izakaya in Otaru. After checking into the hotel in Otaru, I took a nap. The two-hour wait at a soba restaurant seemed to have taken a toll on my mental state rather than my physical body. I woke up without setting an alarm, following a laid-back lifestyle. It was already almost 7 PM. Was it time for the second round? I headed to the popular izakaya in Otaru called "Sakadokoro Fujirin." I started with a bottle of Sapporo Classic beer. The appetizers were pickles and edamame, which were refreshing and delicious. I don't usually make reservations even at popular izakayas, as I'm afraid of disappointing them by going solo. I also don't want to set a timer for my nap. Now, the beer was finished, and it was time for sake. I tried a special junmai sake from Aomori called Toyobai. It was a rich and delicious sake. The sashimi arrived, including the morning's eaten scallop sashimi. It may be a sign of forgetfulness, but life is full of painful moments. Let's enjoy the delicious sashimi of my favorite shellfish. Next was sea urchin sashimi, which I also had for breakfast. I love it, so I had it again. The portion was generous, so I needed more sake. I ordered a junmai ginjo nama sake from Tochigi called Hoo no Tomo. It was a well-balanced and tasty sake. "Sakadokoro Fujirin" offers a variety of delicious side dishes, but I can't eat much lately due to diet restrictions. I control my weight to manage blood sugar levels and extend my lifespan, all for the sake of drinking longer. Let's continue. I tried a junmai ginjo sake from Yamaguchi called Tenmi, which was a clean and beautiful sake. Perhaps the landlady's advice was to drink it elegantly. Lastly, I had salted fish roe and savored the moment. It was a blissful time. Now, I can't stay solo for too long. It's time to move on to a snack bar. Thank you for the wonderful meal. "Sakadokoro Fujirin" 2-11-21 Inaho, Otaru, Hokkaido 7:00-22:00 Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays

It's been a while since I visited with my mother! The staff at the restaurant had the same kind atmosphere as always, and we enjoyed fresh sashimi and delicious side dishes. It was a fun time. The place was as crowded as ever! Customers kept coming in one after another, and some couldn't even get a seat. The sashimi was fresh and delicious! It had been a while since I had sea urchin and mantis shrimp. The seaweed oden was as good as always, a taste that's hard to find elsewhere. My mother was also satisfied with her favorite potato mochi. I want to visit again soon.

April 2022. First visit after relocation Decided to stop by this neighborhood robatayaki for a light snack before heading to another place, and ended up visiting "Fujirin" for the first time since the move. We didn't have a reservation, but luckily there were two seats available at the counter. However, at the table next to us, the director of a major food distribution company was having a business dinner. When it comes to Fujirin, they are known for their delicious dishes centered around oden and a top-notch selection of Japanese sake. Plus, the mama here is famous for being beautiful! This time, we ordered: - Oden (seaweed, tofu, tsukune, white konjac, konnyaku) - Ankimo (monkfish liver) - Shio-kara (salted squid guts) - Hiyayakko (cold tofu) Please refer to the images for the sake we ordered. By the way, when I ordered the mama, she said, "She's past her expiration date," which was funny. The mama here is friendly and attentive, making the place feel like a mix of an izakaya and a snack bar. If you're going to have oden here, you can't miss the seaweed, which they even split into two servings for us. The homemade ankimo was delicious, and although we didn't order it this time, they always have my favorite horse sashimi available. They have recently introduced gelato as well, so we ordered pistachio for dessert, which was served in a masu cup, a nice touch! Since the relocation, the restaurant's rating on Tabelog has reset, which has been bothering the mama, but I'm sure it will return to its previous high rating in no time, given the number of regular customers here. The new location is close to Otaru Station, making it easy for people from Sapporo to visit. Thank you for the delicious meal.

I went to a famous yakitori restaurant in Otaru. I heard about this place as a recommendation, where everything you eat is delicious. It's a weekday, but it seems to be quite popular as reservations are essential. By 8 pm, the restaurant was already full. They received many phone inquiries, but had to turn them down as they were fully booked. I ordered an Asahi Super Dry beer, which was served in a double glass. The attention to detail in serving the beer really made it taste delicious. I also ordered some sashimi, kuzu cutlets, yuba, and shishamo. Everything was delicious, including the seasonal appetizers. The kuzu cutlets and yuba are not commonly found on menus, but they were exceptionally tasty here. Oh, it turns out it's a tempura restaurant... I forgot to order tempura. Nevertheless, both the drinks and food were delicious, and the service and atmosphere were great. I'm glad I came here. Next time, I'll have to remember to order tempura. Thank you for the meal! (^-^)

Otaru Drinking in March 2022 (*´ω`)o∪5 minutes walk from JR station in Otaru. A popular local recommendation for fresh seasonal dishes and delicious sake. Be sure to check for availability before visiting. The exterior is lovely with warm lights and a brown noren curtain. This is a Japanese-style izakaya that is a hidden gem for adults, with a focus on sake. However, they also serve Oolong Highball as always. The appetizer costs 500 yen and includes a dish of bamboo shoots and butterbur sprouts, perfect for spring (๑´∀`). The sashimi platter was sold out, so we only had flounder and scallops. The scallops were thick and fresh, while the flounder was delicious with just salt. The daikon radish garnish was also fresh and juicy. Oden starts from 180 yen, with a delicate and tasty dashi broth. The tofu skin is delicious (*´艸｀*). The grilled local smelt fish includes 4 females, perfectly seasoned with a plump and juicy texture. A cozy space with great hospitality to enjoy a leisurely drink (^^)b Thank you for the delicious meal (^ω^)

Today I went on a solo trip to izakayas in Otaru. I started at "Naruto" with beer and fried chicken wings, then headed to "Sakadokoro Fujirin". They called to let me know a seat was available, so I rushed over. There was only one seat at the end of the counter, and it seemed like another solo customer had left early to make it available. How thoughtful! I've already finished my beer, so now it's time for some sake. I'll try a Junmai Ginjo sake from Fukushima called Hitoriki. I enjoy some appetizers while taking a breather. I love beer, but nothing beats sake, especially high-quality sake. I was able to enjoy a top-class brand this time. As a solo drinker who often feels lonely and cold, this moment is like a ray of sunshine. I'm quite full from the fried chicken wings, so I'll pass on any more beer and just stick to sake. Let's have some delicious cod roe next. The rich flavor is irresistible. I'll pair it with another sake that I love. I'll try a sake from Mie called Ho no Tomo. It's a beautiful sake that isn't too light, with a wide range of flavors. I'd love to go on a solo izakaya trip to Mie Prefecture as well. They have Sasa no Gori, Eikun, and Kinmiya too. I'll finish with a Nihonshu called Ichihakusuissei from Akita. It's a rich sake that I enjoyed thoroughly. Delicious food, sake, and a cozy izakaya atmosphere. The local izakayas in my neighborhood are closed for an extended period... I envy the people in Otaru. Now, let's head to a bar. Thank you for the wonderful meal! "Sakadokoro Fujirin" 2-11-21 Inaho, Otaru, Hokkaido 7:00-22:00 Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Today was a day in Otaru. In the morning, I did some laundry, and in the afternoon, I went to a hot spring. I enjoyed the outdoor bath, sauna, and sleeping bath. After relaxing, I took a nap. I could become a nap master at this rate. In the evening, I went on a solo trip to a izakaya in Otaru. I sat at the counter at "Sakadokoro Fujirin" for a second night in a row. I started with a draft beer. Otaru will also be under an alcohol ban starting tomorrow. It's a sudden change. I feel sorry for the alcohol. While enjoying some delicious appetizers, I contemplated about tomorrow. Well, tomorrow I will be saying goodbye to Otaru... After the beer, I switched to sake. I had a Junmai Ginjo Namazake from Hyogo, called Tosajo Sen. It was a rich and flavorful sake made from Yamada Nishiki rice. I ordered a sashimi set with flounder, octopus, and scallops. They were all delicious, but the octopus was particularly amazing. For a fried dish, I had shrimp spring rolls. The portion was generous. One of the challenges of solo izakaya trips is the amount of food. As I get older, I can't eat as much. I planned to open a bottle of Juyondai next, but due to the alcohol ban, I had to choose from what was available. I started with a Junmai Ginjo from Hiroki called Hitori. It was a delicious sake with a strong flavor. I hope I can finish all the drinks. Next, I had Sakuho no Tomo. It was a well-balanced and tasty sake. It's one of my favorites. I enjoyed it with some fresh wasabi leaves. It's Friday, and it's the last day to drink alcohol, so more and more customers started coming in. I had to turn down calls and walk-ins. The restaurant was not doing bad, but I felt sorry for turning people away. Let's give up the seat to the next person. Otaru is a port town, so how about going to a snack bar? Maybe I should go to Rice Shower and sing my modest prayer. My modest prayer is to be able to enjoy delicious sake. Thank you for the meal! "Sakadokoro Fujirin" 2-11-2 Inaho, Otaru, Hokkaido 17:00-22:00 Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Today's solo trip to an izakaya in Otaru. I took the high-speed Pegasus bus from Shizunai to Sapporo, then a train to Otaru. After a short break at the hotel, I headed out. I found out that "Fujirin" from Otaru Hanazono had moved to near Otaru Station. Luckily, there was one seat available at the counter. I started with a draft beer. The restaurant was fully booked through reservations, even though there were still some empty seats. As more customers arrived, I enjoyed some appetizers with my beer. When the beer ran out, I switched to sake. I started with Imada from Mie, a rich and delicious sake. I had some tuna sashimi as a snack, mixing fatty tuna with lean tuna. It was incredibly delicious. Then came the sea urchin, a concentrated taste that paired perfectly with the sake. I continued with Juuyon Dai, a top-quality sake from Yamagata, followed by Junmai Ginjo Namazake from Akita, a full-bodied and flavorful sake. I also ordered grilled salmon belly as an additional dish. There were still many sakes I wanted to try, but I decided to head back while I could still appreciate the flavors. I heard that a prohibition on alcohol would be expanded in Otaru starting the day after tomorrow, so it might get crowded tomorrow. I made a reservation for tomorrow and left for today. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

It was delicious! It had been about a year and a half since my last visit, but the food was just as tasty as before. The oden and sashimi were both delicious. I will definitely come back again.

Great value for money, and the female owner is also fantastic.

The landlady was friendly, the atmosphere of the restaurant was very nice, and of course, all the food was delicious.

The mother's service was great and the unique oden (with sea lettuce) was delicious. The assorted sashimi was also good with all the different types of fish.