Nantaru Sushiya - a place like Nantaru Market, it's kind of intriguing. Seems like I'm really sleep-deprived. The wasabi sushi named after the restaurant caught my attention. Located in a corner of Nantaru Market, this sushi place, Wasabi, is quite interesting. There are many intriguing restaurants in Otaru, but they are likely to be crowded today. This one wasn't as busy as I remember, so I decided to check it out. It's somewhat crowded, but no waiting. The pre-packaged sushi at the storefront seems to be selling well, and though the shapes of the sushi are not perfectly uniform, the rice is deliciously fluffy. Nantaru Market has a different atmosphere compared to the touristy areas. One interesting aspect here is the decorative vegetables, resembling butterflies, which are not only visually appealing but also edible. The sushi includes tuna, medium fatty tuna, salmon roe, salmon, scallop, crab, sweet shrimp, white fish, all of which are decent but not exceptional. The miso soup is a nice touch, and sipping on it brings a sense of gratitude for Japanese cuisine. The pickled ginger was a bit overpowering and affected the taste of the other sushi. Overall, the sushi was predominantly raw and satisfying to eat.

I got off at JR Nishi-Otaru Station and took a leisurely walk to Nantaru Market. It was my first time visiting and I was excited. I walked around and then stopped by a sushi restaurant called Wasabi. The eat-in space had about three tables. It was around 4 pm and they only had four packs of nori rolls left for takeout, so I bought a pack of natto rolls for 360 yen. The rice was cooked well, there was a lot of grated natto, and the vinegar was a bit strong for my taste, but my wife enjoyed it. I was puzzled because the pack had 8 pieces instead of the usual 9 pieces in three rolls. One piece seemed to have disappeared. Sorry for not taking a photo. I visited a few more shops in Nantaru Market that day, but there are still many more places I want to try. Thank you for the meal.

This time during the Bon festival, I was hoping for a 9-day consecutive holiday, but unfortunately, it seems like I will only have a regular weekend off. On the first day of this holiday-like period, I went to Ryotoku-ji Temple in Otaru to clean my father's grave with my mother. We tried to polish it until it sparkled, but the grave was too old to shine like new. We did our best to make it clean and replaced the old Buddhist altar tools with new ones. With this, we can welcome the Bon festival safely. After our hard work, we went to the nearby Minami-Otaru Market. We bought some kamaboko at Kurihara Shoten and then enjoyed some sushi. At 1 pm on Saturday, there were 2 customers before us and 3 after us. We ordered two servings of wasabi sushi for 1,700 yen each and one glass of wine for 600 yen. The "glass of wine" doesn't have specific types or brands, they just pour "Otaru wine - white" from a bottle. Just like last time, they poured generously, which made me happy. The "wasabi sushi" had uni, ikura, crab, shrimp, scallop, squid, tuna, salmon, and two white fish pieces, totaling 10 pieces. The ingredients seemed fresh, especially the uni and squid were delicious. The wasabi was quite strong, giving a tingling sensation. Some pieces were too overpowering with wasabi, making it hard to taste the fish. The plate was decorated with radish and carrot cutouts, which felt a bit too busy. The soup was fish head soup. We spent 40 minutes there and paid a total of 4,000 yen for two people. The Minami-Otaru Market was bustling and lively, perhaps because of the holiday season. Since the temple is closed on Sundays, we decided to visit on Saturday instead.

On the day of the Vernal Equinox, I took a highway bus from Sapporo to Otaru and got off at Okusawaguchi. I visited the temple "Ryutokuji" where my ancestors rest. After the visit, I went to Nantaru Market across the street. I bought kamaboko from Ohyakurikurihara Kamaboko. As I turned around, I noticed a sushi restaurant! It was around 11:00 on the Vernal Equinox day. There were no customers before or after me. Occasionally, there were deliveries and takeout orders. When I entered, only the female staff was there. The owner was out for a delivery but would be back in about 10 minutes. I sat at the counter, reading the Yomiuri Shimbun while waiting. As planned, the owner returned in about 10 minutes and I ordered the Special Sushi for 1200 yen. I also found a sign for wine priced at 600 yen! "I'll have the wine!" I thought it was a great deal. The wine poured generously into the glass was a local white wine from Otaru. Lucky me! The Special Sushi consisted of 9 pieces. For the crab, cod, and tarako gunkan, no soy sauce was needed as they were already seasoned. The tarako was particularly unique! It was homemade and the winter batch was running out soon. The owner mentioned that it was lucky to have it. The rice was slightly smaller and had a slightly stronger sweetness and vinegar flavor. As the restaurant's name was "Wasabi," the sushi had a strong wasabi flavor. I love wasabi, so it was perfect for me. The decorative red radish was lovely! Although I have been visiting Nantaru Market about twice a year recently, I had never noticed this restaurant before! The owner mentioned that they had been in business for over 15 years but were often overlooked. Perhaps I always arrived too early when the sushi restaurant was not open yet?! While enjoying the sushi, I had a great conversation with the owner. I promised to visit again on my next visit after visiting the temple. Total time spent: 30 minutes. Total payment: 1800 yen. I lied to someone. I told someone that there was no sushi restaurant at Nantaru Market. But there is one, and it is still open for business!

I felt like eating delicious Okhotsk Atka mackerel, so I went to Minatomaru Market in Otaru to buy some. I thought it was near the marina, but it turned out to be the "Shin-Minatomaru Market." With the help of my smartphone, I finally found my way and entered the market, where fishmongers were lined up. The atmosphere was nice. When I looked at the fishmonger's display, I saw some Okhotsk Atka mackerel with heads still on. The thickness of the flesh and the striped pattern on the skin unmistakably identified it as Okhotsk Atka mackerel. Okhotsk Atka mackerel is mainly imported from Russia, and due to transportation costs, they usually come without heads. The back part without much fat is the thick part, a characteristic of Russian imports. When I asked the shopkeeper if it was from Russia, he said, "No, it's from Rausu. Russians usually bring them without heads. Hey, buddy, it's 1,300 yen, but I'll give it to you for 1,000 yen, so buy it." I couldn't resist buying it when he called me "buddy." As I bought the mackerel, I started to feel hungry. There was a sushi restaurant across the street. I had high hopes for the market's sushi restaurant. So, I went for the top-grade sushi priced at 1,200 yen. The restaurant had four counter seats and two four-person tables. It's a small place that can seat ten people. I sat at the counter. I ordered the top-grade sushi. Even though it's the lowest rank in this restaurant, it's called top-grade... The sushi arrived in about 10 minutes. It was served on a not-so-appealing curry plate-like dish, with 9 pieces of nigiri. Among those 9 pieces of nigiri, there was no octopus head or fish roe. (Maybe it's just me, as I usually go to conveyor belt sushi restaurants?) After taking a photo, miso soup made with shrimp head broth was served, with ingredients like wakame seaweed, green onions, and the taste was good. The taste of the sushi was quite ordinary. I was expecting some unique features like large portions or great value at a sushi restaurant in the market. Maybe this is what you get for top-grade. Perhaps if I had left it to the shopkeeper, I would have had a better meal. Oh, I'll upload a photo of the Okhotsk Atka mackerel. Should I upload it to Minatomaru Market?

This is a sushi restaurant located inside Nantaru Market. I always come here for groceries but never tried their sushi until now. I ordered the special nigiri, which cost 1200 yen. Surprisingly, the special was the cheapest option on the menu. In most places, it would be considered regular, but I went ahead and ordered it. As for the sushi itself, it was good but nothing extraordinary. The fish was fresh, but it didn't stand out from other sushi places. However, the sushi chef's skill in shaping the nigiri was impressive. The miso soup, with the fish broth, was also delicious.

On August 20, 2015, I visited the Nishin Goten Market again. I had intended to eat here last time, but my body ended up going to the "next door shop" on its own. This is not cheating, it's just wandering around (^^;) I heard that the sushi chef here has been making sushi for about 15 years! I decided to splurge a bit and ordered the most expensive "chef's special bowl" priced at 2,800 yen. The toppings included botan shrimp, surf clam, medium fatty tuna, fatty tuna, salmon, snow crab, amberjack, flounder, scallop, horsehair crab, egg, and more. All of them were of good quality, but the surf clam stood out with its great texture. The crab was red, but seemed different from the usual, lacking a bit of richness. The egg was homemade and had just the right amount of sweetness. The rice was lightly seasoned with vinegar, slightly sweet, and had a good texture when eaten, but I would have preferred it a bit cooler. It's just perfect when it's slightly warm, isn't it? The portion might be a bit small for those who want a hearty meal. I was served miso soup halfway through, but it was crab soup without any meat. It was a bit thick, but I appreciated it. After the meal, I chatted with the chef about the old and famous sushi restaurants in Otaru, and then I got his business card and left the restaurant.

Located inside the Minato Market, this restaurant stands out from the numerous dining options in Otaru's popular Sankaku Market. The quality here is significantly higher, while offering local prices that cater to the residents. I ordered the Chef's Choice Nigiri for 2800 yen, while my companion opted for the Chef's Choice Donburi for the same price. The highlight of the day was the Uni and Ikura served in a small dish, which tasted delicious when eaten with a spoon. Additionally, the hand-rolled sushi with the rice and nori provided was also a delightful experience. The ingredients, flavors, and overall value were all top-notch. This sushi restaurant is a great place to stop by for a quick and satisfying meal.

I had tempura soba at Akigawa Michi no Eki on my way back. The outbound route was the Fruit Highway, so the return route was through Kenashimadake; I descended to Okusawa and parked my black pony at Minamitaru Market. I replenished my coffee beans at the usual outlet, then took another ride home, but... I was still a bit hungry after just having the tempura soba (and the tamago kake gohan I was aiming for was sold out). So, I decided to stop by the sushi restaurant I had been curious about before heading home. It was just before 2 pm; when I entered, there was a group of three customers seated at the table in the back. The chef, who seemed to be around the same age as me, and the waitress were in charge of the kitchen and the dining area. I settled at the table in the front and checked the menu. Since I was just looking for a snack, I ordered the second cheapest option, the "Special Fresh Nigiri." It was served with a miso soup after about 10 minutes. The Special Fresh Nigiri included 10 pieces (8 nigiri, 2 gunkan) and a miso soup (on that day it was flounder miso soup). The nigiri consisted of salmon, hirame, zuwai crab, madai, maguro akami, scallop, sweet shrimp, and squid, while the gunkan were filled with ikura and tobiko. The fish was all well-aged, and combined with the perfect sushi rice, it was delicious. I particularly enjoyed the hirame nigiri and the well-seasoned ikura gunkan. The only downside was that the flounder miso soup was a bit overcooked as it was already past lunchtime. It was a bit disappointing because the simple preparation was evident. Overall, the "Special Fresh" set did not include any expensive ingredients, but the sushi rice and the way the sushi was made suited my taste, making it a nice light meal. If I have the chance, I would like to try their take-out rolls or battera as well. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal!

On September 26th, I came to Otaru to buy ingredients to pickle salmon roe to send to an acquaintance in Tokyo. The Minami Otaru Market is not only known for its fresh seafood, but also for its affordable meat, vegetables, fruits, and various other ingredients. On this day, I purchased fresh sashimi, salmon roe, and meat, and then decided to visit a sushi restaurant in the market with my wife and mother. The chef recommended the "Wasabi Nigiri with Uni" which we ordered. The sushi included white fish (possibly sea bream and amberjack), red fish, salmon, herring, sweet shrimp, scallop, crab, sea urchin, and salmon roe. Considering the cost of crab, sea urchin, and salmon roe, the variety of sushi was decent for the price. The freshness was average, probably due to the lack of local seafood. The rice was not well seasoned, possibly due to the early opening time. Throughout our visit, there was a constant stream of locals purchasing takeaway items like sushi rolls. It was heartwarming to see a sushi restaurant deeply rooted in the local community, and I hope the husband and wife continue to run the business for a long time.

I was taken to a restaurant that my friend often goes to! It's located inside the Minatomaru Market, so the atmosphere is great and it's convenient to visit while buying souvenirs! I ordered the chef's recommended sushi set for 2800 yen. The freshness and taste were unbelievable at this price, especially the sushi rice was delicious, not just the toppings. The miso soup that came with the set was also amazing, light yet flavorful! I took my time and enjoyed the rich and gentle flavor. It was so delicious that I couldn't help but ask for a second serving of the sea urchin and salmon roe in the set with a spoon! It was about half the price of the set, around 1300 yen for a single serving (lol) but it was definitely worth it! This place is sure to get more reviews and ratings as time goes on. I'm glad I got to visit before it becomes a popular and busy spot, even being featured on TV.

At the Nishin Goten Market, there is a hidden gem of a sushi restaurant called Sushi Dokoro Wasabi. It's a local favorite and offers amazing dishes. The sujiko (salmon roe) they served was incredibly delicious, marinated in a special sauce made with bonito broth. The assorted seafood bowl they served was also outstanding, filled with fresh local seafood like botan shrimp, tuna, scallops, snow crab, scallops, sea urchin, mackerel, salmon, ikura, and egg. The chef even taught me the proper way to enjoy the seafood bowl, advising me to mix wasabi with soy sauce and savor each piece individually. Overall, the food was amazing and a delightful dining experience.

This is the only sushi restaurant in the Nishiaru Market, which has been protecting the food of Otaru citizens for many years as the "kitchen of the citizens" with a long history in Otaru. It is located in the central part of the market, facing the fresh fish corner, making it a perfect location. During the day, the market is lively with tourists and housewives coming to buy dinner, and by the evening, the sashimi is almost sold out! This sushi restaurant is located in such a vibrant market. It seems to be featured as a hidden gem, but I mainly use it as a takeaway sushi shop for the common people. The shop has a blue noren curtain with a design of Fukusuke and a beckoning cat. The name "Wasabi" is not written anywhere for some reason. However, the shop had newspaper articles displayed conspicuously at the storefront, which was interesting. The interior of the shop has a counter and table seating for about 13 people. The shop is right in front of the fresh fish corner, giving a sense of freshness as if the fish being sold there is being prepared right in front of you. Of course, eating sushi in such an atmosphere makes it taste delicious! The recommended nigiri and seafood bowl can be eaten for 2,100 yen, making tourists very satisfied. However, what I recommend is the various sushi rolls made for takeaway, which are more affordable for the common people of Otaru. The "Special Sushi" I ordered this time, 9 pieces for 1,050 yen, passed with flying colors due to its freshness. In addition, there are inari (378 yen), extra-large futomaki (525 yen), thin rolls (150-168 yen), one-coin sushi (500 yen), etc., all priced to be accessible to housewives. In that respect, I think this sushi restaurant is satisfying for both tourists and the common people of Otaru. Finally, when I asked the master if all the ingredients here are sourced from the Nishiaru Market, he replied, "Not everything gathers here! I have a proper route for that. Don't worry!" This honesty is something I really like. I immediately enjoyed the takeaway sushi, which was of decent quality. The sushi rice and vinegar were to my liking, and the nigiri was well done. Among the ingredients, the scallop was particularly fresh and delicious, with a plump texture that made me smile even before dipping it in soy sauce! In any case, I think this is an interesting sushi restaurant that offers a good balance, suitable for both tourists and the common people to buy sushi.