I visited a restaurant in Hakodate for sightseeing. When we arrived, there were no other customers, and the tough-looking chef was watching TV. We sat down, and the lighting in the restaurant turned on. We ordered the chef's recommendation, and the sushi served was incredibly fresh and delicious, a taste that is hard to come by. The sea urchin served at the end was the best I've ever had. As we ate, the chef became more talkative and shared many interesting stories. As a bonus, he grilled some squid for us. I would definitely want to visit again when I return to Hakodate.

I was planning to visit a sushi restaurant from the guidebook that was located near Hakodate Airport, but I ended up going to Kantaro, a roadside restaurant, because I was hungry. I didn't make a reservation, but it was not a problem. There were no other customers. The place had a somewhat run-down feel to it, with handwritten menus and prices pasted on paper. I debated between the Omakase sushi for 4,000 yen and the premium sushi for 3,000 yen, and decided to order the premium sushi. The menu displayed on wooden plaques on the wall and the selection of sushi in the showcase seemed a bit limited. The first dish was flounder, served with soy sauce on the fish. It had a nice texture and was delicious. This was followed by tuna, squid, kanpachi, scallop, and scallop, and then sweet shrimp. The sushi pieces were large and had a good thickness, and they were all tasty. The medium fatty tuna didn't have much fat. The meal ended with salmon roe, sea urchin, and fish roe. The sushi was safe and delicious, but it was a bit disappointing that there was no soup served with the set. In the end, there were still no other customers. Perhaps this restaurant is more popular in the evenings. It seemed like an old-established restaurant, but it gave off a sense of desolation in Hakodate.

On the second day of my business trip to the southern part of the country, I consulted with a friend about where to go at night. He suggested going to a sushi restaurant that I had visited before, so we headed to Yu Sushi for the first time in four years. We started with a cold beer, which was deliciously refreshing. We ordered squid sashimi, but the chef convinced us to try a sashimi platter with herring, squid, and rockfish. I didn't like the rockfish, but my friend enjoyed it. The chef didn't seem to remember me from four years ago, but he kept serving us delicious dishes without us asking. He even made a special dish of squid guts cooked in broth, which I bravely tried and finished with some shochu. We also tried a special dish of grilled squid legs and ears with butter, which was incredibly flavorful. We continued drinking with hot water and shochu, and at some point, I lost my memory. My friend later told me that I had an unusual ratio of hot water and shochu. We ended up drinking a lot of sake, and I vaguely remember eating some sushi, including flounder, eel, salmon roe, and tuna. I don't remember how we got back to the hotel, but I woke up in my bed the next morning. Overall, it was a great dining experience at Yu Sushi!

This is a sushi restaurant located in the historic town of Takarai. I had visited this place before during a bar hopping event, but this was my first time coming for regular business hours. I tried the special nigiri sushi and it was delicious. The interior of the restaurant felt a bit old, but the sushi was tasty.

During my trip to Hakodate, I visited this sushi restaurant because I was craving sushi. It's located a little off the main street. This time, I chose my favorite toppings at the counter. They were all very delicious, especially the sea urchin and fatty tuna, which melted in my mouth. The crab was also very tasty. The rice was served slightly warm, which I think is gentle on the stomach in cold regions. The prices were reasonable and the food was delicious.

Founded in 1936, this sushi restaurant in Hakodate is one of the oldest establishments still in operation. Upon entering, you are greeted by a simple and spacious interior with a counter lined with round stools. The head chef, who appears younger than expected, is a reserved and serious artisan. The soy sauce is mixed with kelp dashi, and they use well water for the sushi rice and tea, showcasing their dedication to quality. I visited during lunchtime and enjoyed the sushi rice seasoned with black vinegar. It's a place where you can experience the atmosphere of a long-standing establishment.

For lunch in Hakodate, I went to a sushi restaurant on the second and third day. The first place I visited was "Yusushi," which is said to be the oldest sushi restaurant in Hakodate. The entrance fee was not high, with lunch options starting at 1,000 yen, and I heard that the inari sushi was delicious, so I had high expectations. However, when I arrived, there was a sign in Chinese at the entrance saying "Today is reservation only." I tried to translate it with my limited Chinese skills and it said "Reservations only today." Just to be sure, I opened the sliding door and asked, "Is it okay for two people?" and they said, "Please come in." There was no lunch menu available, and the options for regular sushi and inari sushi were also removed, so I reluctantly ordered the premium sushi. The sushi was served one piece at a time, which was nice, but the rice was too warm, making the vinegar taste strong and the flavor of the fish less pronounced. It was a shame. The amberjack with a light layer of fat was good, but the rest of the sushi left a weak impression. Perhaps because this is not a business district, they may have been overwhelmed by the influx of Asian tourists, causing local customers to avoid the place. I speculated that they may have changed their policy and put up the aforementioned sign. I felt like I saw the reality that not all inbound tourists are welcomed with open arms.

I had a very delicious meal. The chef was also very kind. Thank you for a great time!

Hakodate's sushi is truly amazing! It was fresh and delicious! The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere. They even served grilled squid with butter as a service, and it was also delicious. I would love to visit again when I go to Hakodate.

I visited this place a long time ago when the old man was still running it. This time when I revisited, it didn't have the same energy as before. I felt a bit anxious sitting at the counter, wondering if it would be okay. However, the sushi was delicious and satisfying. The place is run by just one person, so the service may not be top-notch, but I want to support this restaurant. It may be a bit intimidating to enter, but muster up the courage and give it a try.

Unfortunately, I was disappointed as soon as I entered the restaurant because the smell of the toilet air freshener was too strong.

Hidden Gem Restaurant ===========

A group of friends from Honshu visited Hakodate in Hokkaido and decided to dine at a sushi restaurant called "Yusushi". The restaurant was reserved for them in the morning, and they enjoyed a variety of sashimi and sushi dishes, with the option to add more sushi as they pleased. The Tokyo group, who had done some research beforehand, recommended the place and everyone was impressed by the quality of the sashimi and sushi. They had a great time chatting with each other over the meal, but unfortunately, they ended up drinking too much and didn't eat much sushi in the end. It was a luxurious experience to have the sushi restaurant all to themselves and enjoy all-you-can-eat sushi, and they doubted they would have a similar experience again in the future.

Hokkaido 1 night 2 days "Movie: A Journey to Explore Hakodate Coffee" Part 1 Following last year, I came to Hokkaido again~ yay! I visited Sapporo, Otaru, Asahikawa, and Furano last year, but this time it's all about Hakodate ♥ To prepare for my trip to Hakodate, I watched a little-known movie called "Hakodate Coffee." It was released nationwide in September 2016 but was only shown in minor theaters and not widely advertised, so not many people know about it. However, it's a great movie that showcases the charm of Hakodate. It's not a big promotional film for Hakodate, but rather a human drama. The movie is well-made and captures the essence of Hakodate beautifully. This tour is about visiting the shops featured in the movie. I rented a car from New Chitose Airport and drove for about 3.5 hours to reach Hakodate! I arrived around 3:30 pm, a bit late for lunch, but I decided to dine at Sushi Yu, a sushi restaurant that has been in business for 82 years. It's the oldest and most prestigious sushi restaurant in Hakodate. I had the "Omakase" course (3,500 yen) at the same table where Yoko Natsume and Reiko Kataoka sat in the movie. The sushi rice is cooked with well water, which is mild and smooth, perfect for sushi. The rice is seasoned with black vinegar and topped with fresh and large pieces of seafood. The amount of wasabi varies depending on the topping, and some pieces had a lot of wasabi, which was a bit overwhelming. The head chef, who is the third generation, may seem quiet at first, but he is actually very friendly and even appeared in a commercial for JACCS Card. I learned that JACCS Card is a company based in Hakodate, which was news to me. When I asked about the movie, the head chef admitted that he hasn't watched "Hakodate Coffee," which was a bit disappointing. Nevertheless, it was a great first meal in Hakodate!

Welcome.---------- August 2016 ----------When you walk through the original main store, you'll see a traditional façade with a high rope curtain. A single person in a white coat manages the lunch situation, with regular customers exclaiming "Hirukara sushi!" It seems like something foreigners would say, as everyone is enjoying their sushi bowls. The restaurant has a long history of 60 years (I think) and the third generation owner is a calm and reassuring presence. Sushi restaurants vary, so if the regulars are ↑, then Tom and the others are "Hirukara Ruby!" Lunchtime goes until around 2:30 PM for about an hour, allowing you to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of early afternoon. Starting with the "Squid Somen," which is sliced squid sashimi, the texture is outstanding. If you seek umami, then the squid that's been prepared just right is the best choice. For those who prefer a bit of crunch, go for the fresh squid. The small, sweet sanma sashimi was also delicious. The assorted nigiri, including crab, button shrimp, saltwater sea urchin, ikura, scallop, surf clam, abalone, squid, soy-marinated fish, yellowtail, mackerel, and fatty blue fish, were all tasty. The tuna melts in your mouth, and the shellfish are crispy. The large ikura bursts with flavor, and the nigiri is top-notch. Traditional restaurants have a unique taste, and the variety of dishes and tableware adds to the experience. It would be nice to have more options for drinks and side dishes, thank you for the meal.

After taking a bath, I resisted even water and walked to Takarai Town despite my knee pain. But to my surprise, the sushi restaurant I was aiming for was temporarily closed. Panic set in as I didn't have insurance and had come unprepared. So I thought, well, curry and beer will do, and when I went around to the back, the electronic signboard indicated that they were closed at night. My throat was dry and I was about to collapse, but then I found Yu Sushi Main Store right in front of me! I had never heard of this place before, but I couldn't resist the urge to quench my thirst. As soon as I entered, I was greeted by someone from the back saying "welcome". The chef (I think) was taking a break in a private room, and I felt a bit put off by the lack of warmth in the welcome. I quickly ordered a cold glass of draft beer. The beer was refreshing and I quickly asked for another one. With no prior knowledge, I decided to go with something safe for Hakodate, so I ordered squid sashimi. The squid sashimi was served on a bed of bamboo leaves, with plenty of grated ginger which was delightful. It was a far cry from the breakfast at the hotel where I was staying. Next, I ordered a hot water split with sweet potato shochu, and as a snack, I requested an egg. The chef brought two bottles, one regular and one red, and asked me to choose. I went with the red without hesitation. The egg was sweet like castella, which surprisingly paired well with the shochu. After a few glasses of shochu, the chef asked if I wanted another snack, and recommended horse mackerel. I left it up to him, and was served horse mackerel tataki. He instructed me to pour plenty of soy sauce over it, and I enjoyed the refreshing taste with green onions and ginger. I'm not a big fan of horse mackerel, but this dish was delicious. By the time I had finished a few glasses of shochu, I had become quite friendly with the chef. I couldn't help but feel that the chef was missing out on something with his reserved demeanor. Finally, it was time for sushi. - Flounder: The perfect size of sushi rice, you can't go wrong with flounder. - Baby amberjack: It was tightly packed and a bit too strong for my liking, but the thick flesh was tasty. - Flying fish roe: The pickled flavor was strong, and the seaweed added a nice aroma. - Eel: A mouthful of incredibly delicious eel. The texture was great too. - Miso soup: I'm not a fan, but it was a scallop miso soup served as a complimentary side dish. - Crab: The snow crab spilling out of the sushi rice was fantastic. - Natto roll: Look at the uniform cut! It was surprising, and the filling was perfectly placed in the center. I was amazed by the deliciousness of the eel, and when I looked at the chef, he was smiling broadly. He was confident in his ability to select eel, and I was impressed. I fell for you, chef. The total bill for all the food and drinks came to just over 6,000 yen. The cost performance was excellent, and I found a great restaurant. But now, I've added another regular customer in Hakodate. Thank you for the meal!

A snowy night. Feeling lazy to go outside, so I ordered delivery. Omakase (chef's choice) 12 pieces for 3500 yen, and premium nigiri sushi 10 pieces for 2500 yen (excluding tax). They are known for their traditional taste with 60 years of history. The food arrived in about 40 minutes. In the photo, the premium nigiri sushi is in the front, and the omakase is at the back. The red clam has a chewy texture, the tuna is tender, and the sweet shrimp and scallop have a nice flavor. I heard their lunch menu is a good deal, so I want to try it next time. The rice is cooked with kombu dashi and black vinegar for the sushi. They serve soy sauce mixed with kombu dashi. This is the traditional taste passed down from the previous generation. The delivery comes with instant miso soup.