This was the last sushi lunch of the year. I went to a sushi restaurant next to a bakery where they served a delicious sandwich with Sagano eggs. The restaurant was a traditional sushi place with tatami seating, frequented by residents of Maruyama for many years. The sushi restaurant must be very busy during the New Year period, with the chef busy preparing everything. The chef single-handedly served beer and took orders. I ordered the Special Omakase for 3500 yen and a beer. The chef recommended some snacks, and I tried the tachipon with a beer, which was a perfect match. The chef then offered me a tamagoyaki, which was delicious. The meal continued with shrimp, chutoro, and flounder. The shrimp was crunchy, and the chutoro was a must-try. Then came scallop, akami, and kazunoko. The scallop was also crunchy. I enjoyed uni and ikura, which were both delicious. The meal ended with a fatty tuna, which was the perfect finale. I also tried the grilled shrimp head, which was surprisingly tasty. The chef's presentation and the balance of flavors were exquisite. The sushi rice was small, and the fish was thick, creating a delightful combination. The miso soup was rich and comforting. The chef mentioned the challenges of rising fish prices due to fuel costs for fishermen. Despite the higher prices during the New Year period, I felt grateful to enjoy such delicious sushi. It was a satisfying way to end the year with this sushi lunch. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

Visited a restaurant near the company that I had been curious about for a while. Arrived around 12:30 on a weekday with no other customers. Was seated at the counter and ordered the "Takeo Set" for 2,200 yen. The set included yellowtail, tuna, shrimp, scallop, salmon, squid, shad, salmon roe, and flying fish roe. It also came with miso soup (mushroom). The sushi was well-made, but the toppings were nothing particularly special. It was still delicious though. Thank you for the meal!

A long-established sushi restaurant located near Maruyama Park Station. I visited for lunch on a holiday. The chef here trained at "Sushizen" in Maruyama before opening his own shop. Since it was lunchtime, there was no option for omakase, but a set menu was available. I ordered the "Special Premium" (2,500 yen, excluding tax) and also requested a "draft beer" (550 yen). Even though they don't serve appetizers during the day, I asked for the "fuki vinegar miso salad" (300 yen) that was planned for the evening. The Special Premium included 10 pieces: flounder, fatty tuna, button shrimp, ark shell, salmon, lean tuna, scallop, kazu-no-ko (herring roe), sea urchin, and salmon roe. The homemade herring roe was made from freshly caught herring. The scallop and ark shell were thick and satisfying. I was particularly impressed with the tuna. The fatty tuna was sweet and flavorful, while the lean tuna was surprisingly fatty and had a great texture. The chef humbly mentioned that they happened to get good tuna that day, but all the ingredients were top quality. The rice was slightly firm with a good balance, and the button shrimp head was seared before serving, which was a nice touch. The miso soup with enoki mushrooms and green onions was also delicious. The chef's service was friendly, and overall, it's a great place to enjoy delicious sushi in a casual setting!

I visited this restaurant last year and it became one of my favorites! I forgot to write a review last time, but I visited again after visiting the shrine, so I'll write a review this time (*'ω'*). It's not a conveyor belt sushi restaurant, but you can choose sushi sets ranging from 1,100 yen to 2,500 yen. Last time, I ordered the Takeo set (1,500 yen), but this time, since I got a bonus, I decided to splurge a bit and ordered the Matsuo set (2,000 yen). It includes Shimaaji, Chutoro, Ebi, Hokki, Shake, Hotate, Kazunoko, and Ikura. Everything is delicious!! Especially the Chutoro~♡ The chef is friendly and talkative, which adds to the great atmosphere! The portions are not big, but it fills your heart♡ The top-tier set even includes Uni. I'll go for the top-tier set next time♡

I visited Sapporo for 2 nights and 3 days during the snow festival. This was my third time visiting this restaurant, which is located near Maruyama Park. In the past, my friend who was stationed in Sapporo used to live nearby and would make reservations for us as regular customers. However, this time, we made a reservation ourselves two days in advance. Since neither of us drinks alcohol, we booked a table for 6:00 PM to enjoy sushi early in the evening. We had a great time chatting with the chef and enjoyed delicious sushi. We ordered the omakase course, so I don't remember all the dishes, but some highlights include the sea urchin, fatty tuna, and octopus with roasted green tea. The atmosphere of the restaurant is cozy and popular with regular customers, so it's recommended to make a reservation, especially for dinner. We were done by around 8:00 PM. Overall, everything was delicious, but the simmered abalone and sea urchin, as well as the fatty tuna, left a lasting impression. I highly recommend informing the restaurant of any dietary restrictions or preferences when making a reservation. We didn't take photos of all the dishes, but I would love to visit this restaurant again when I return to Sapporo.

In the past, I used to come to this restaurant many times. This time, it's been about 5 years since I last visited. I dropped by without a reservation because I had some errands nearby. It was 6:30 pm. There was no one in the restaurant. Maybe it's still early... I ordered the chef's choice. I started with a bottle of beer. The appetizer was pickled mushrooms. Then came sea urchin in seawater. Honestly, it had a bit of a fishy smell... Next, I had sashimi including fatty tuna, hairy crab, flounder with green onion and liver dressing. It was not very impressive. The sushi included shrimp, tuna with sauce, scallop, Hokkaido scallop, rolled egg, conger eel with green onion, Ezo abalone, salmon roe, sea urchin, and horse mackerel. I also added dried gourd roll (no photo). I had two servings of sake. Even after staying for about 2 hours, there were still no other customers. The quality of the food was hard to evaluate, whether it was my refined palate or the declining taste of the restaurant that used to be bustling. Despite that, the conversation with the head chef after several years was very enjoyable. However, I couldn't help but feel that the presence of the stern-faced female owner sitting at the end of the counter might be the reason for the declining business of the restaurant.

Visited the restaurant around 9 pm, with a counter seating for 7-8 people and 2 small raised tatami tables. There was a couple of customers before me, but no one after. I finally got the chance to visit after planning for a while. I had a light Japanese sake without knowing the brand and ordered a sashimi platter with flounder, medium fatty tuna, crab, surf clam, sea urchin, and marinated mackerel. The appetizer was edamame and the sushi included lean tuna, ark shell, sweet shrimp, squid, flying fish roe, and egg (without rice). The sushi rice was slightly undercooked and loose, with a mild vinegar taste. I don't dislike the taste, but I prefer the rice to be a bit firmer. The highlights were the ark shell and sea urchin. The couple before me left after about 10 minutes, leaving me alone throughout the meal. The chef was friendly and easy to talk to, making me want to stay longer. The title mentions that smoking is allowed at the counter (and throughout the restaurant), making it a great place for cigarette-loving individuals. It's a place to avoid if you don't like smoke.

It's a bit old-fashioned restaurant within walking distance from Maruyama Koen Subway Station. I ordered the special premium sashimi set for 2500 yen. The botan ebi was grilled, but the head was not edible. The hotate was tender, and there were also ikura, salmon, otoro, chutoro, hirame, shio suzuki uni, and ikura. The sushi was delicious but some had a bit of sinew. The chef is originally from Sushi Yoshide but has a Yezo Mae style. I had heard about this place from other reviews. The chef was witty. It's good for casual sushi dining. If you enjoy good appetizers, it might be worth visiting for dinner as well.

At the end of the year, I visited Sushisho Sagano, a sushi restaurant with consistently high ratings, for a special sushi meal to close out the year. The restaurant had a traditional feel with a clean and upscale interior. I opted for the Matsuo course, which was slightly more expensive than their usual lunch options. The first piece of sushi I tried was a taro kombu, which had a seasonal flavor. The texture was not as expected, but it was still enjoyable. The restaurant had about 24 seats in total, with a mix of counter seats and table seating. Unfortunately, the cleanliness and organization of the seating area left something to be desired. The scallop I tried had a shell fragment in it, which was quite unpleasant. The rice texture was also not great, and the tea was not particularly tasty. However, the shrimp and fatty tuna were excellent, with a great balance of flavors and textures. The salmon was also delicious, and the ikura was well-prepared. Overall, the meal was a mix of highs and lows, with some dishes standing out more than others.

I had the opportunity to have a meal with someone who took care of me during my stay in Sapporo after a long time. This person is a food connoisseur, so I always leave the choice of restaurant to them when dining together. This time, they took me to Sagano, located in a corner of Maruyama. While I am familiar with restaurants in Susukino and Kuwazono districts, I had never been to the Maruyama area before. Sagano has a charming atmosphere from the outside. Feeling a bit nervous, I entered the restaurant. Inside, the master and the staff were very friendly and welcoming, which helped me relax a lot. The restaurant has a lovely counter seat and a raised seating area suitable for group gatherings, making it quite spacious. We started with a draft beer, which helped me loosen up gradually. We began with some appetizers, and when asked about any food preferences or dislikes, I left it up to them. This kind of thoughtfulness from the restaurant is great. We were served items like medium fatty tuna, crab meat, tamagoyaki, and sea urchin, one after another. The sea urchin had a strong sweetness in saltwater, making it very delicious. The medium fatty tuna was as beautiful as otoro, melting in the mouth with just the right amount of fat. The other dishes also showcased the master's excellent skills. With such delicious food, the drinks naturally flowed. While they had a variety of sake available, I just mentioned my preference and let them choose the brand (although I forgot the name after getting a bit tipsy). Then we moved on to nigiri sushi. The kombu-cured flounder was so flavorful! From there, we had several nigiri sushi, but all I remember is how delicious they were. I was a bit nervous, enjoyed the drinks too much, and lost track of the details. Unfortunately, due to my schedule, we had to end the meal a bit early. I couldn't even pay for the meal as I was treated by the kind host. I estimated the cost based on my conversation with the staff, so I apologize if it's incorrect. Nonetheless, I had a wonderful dining experience at this restaurant. Reading other reviews, I learned that the master here is from Sushi Zen. Although I haven't been to Sushi Zen, I've heard of it. It's impressive that the master trained and gained experience at such a renowned restaurant. I look forward to visiting again. Thank you for the delicious meal!

Both the owner and his son seem to have trained at Sushi Zen. It seems that opinions are divided on independent sushi restaurants that come from Sushi Zen. I personally like it, but I wonder if the reason for the mixed reviews in Hokkaido is the not-so-subtle shari (sushi rice) or something else. This time, I had a late lunch, so the restaurant was empty. Today, I was served by the son. I usually add a little extra to the premium nigiri. I had flounder, fatty tuna, botan shrimp, hokkigai clam, lean tuna, shirako (cod milt), scallop, salmon, uni (sea urchin), ikura (salmon roe), and a grilled shrimp head. It came with miso soup with seaweed. I also ordered saury and dried gourd roll as extras. The nigiri was average, but the saury was delicious! Also, there was something nostalgic about the shari. Lately, I've been weak for nostalgic things. In this area, I often go to this place and Sushi Zen Maruyama branch for lunch sushi. But recently, I've been exploring new places more, so this visit was after a long time. Thank you for the meal. The special premium sushi cost around 2625 yen plus a little over 3000 yen for the extras. The service is always pleasantly moderate. It's a hidden gem, isn't it?

The friendly nature of the owner makes it easy to relax even at the counter seats. The wife also greets you with a smile. The sashimi and snacks are thoughtfully prepared and go well with the drinks. The sushi is delicious with fresh ingredients and carefully made. They even serve one piece at a time, showing attention to detail. I ordered sake, but they only had cold or hot sake (no specific brand) which didn't suit my taste, which was disappointing considering how delicious the food was. However, I don't think it's a big issue as not everyone may have a preference for local sake. Despite being in Maruyama, the restaurant has a welcoming atmosphere and serves delicious sushi.

I recently had sushi from a friendly owner at a sushi restaurant near Maruyama Park in Sapporo City. The owner welcomed me warmly and suggested starting with beer and some appetizers. The appetizers were delicious, especially the flounder and snow crab. The medium fatty tuna was not too rich, and the grilled tuna neck skewers were tender and flavorful. The sea urchin was creamy and indulgent, and the pickled herring and simmered octopus were unique and tasty. The roasted ginkgo nuts were large and hot, so be careful when eating them. The shrimp nigiri, uni, and grilled shrimp head were all excellent. The owner also served mackerel sushi rolls and fatty tuna sushi, both of which were delicious. Overall, it was a great experience at this longstanding sushi restaurant in Maruyama.

This is a shop I have been visiting whenever I go to Sapporo. It is located in a calm area and the storefront looks clean and welcoming. When you enter the shop, the friendly master greets you from behind a large wooden counter. Most of the customers are regulars, and the atmosphere is just right. You can enjoy seasonal sushi and vegetables at a reasonable price, and the conversations are always interesting, making you want to stay longer. Personally, I highly recommend the grilled conger eel, which has a crispy surface and tender inside, served with a well-balanced sauce and cucumber. It is very delicious. In addition, enjoying seasonal sushi recommended by the master for around 4,500-5,000 yen is a steal! This is a highly recommended shop, but it seems to be quite popular, so making a reservation is a must.

The underground Maruyama Station used to be in Maruyama Village, which had a good environment despite being close to Sapporo. Sapporo is a city with factories in the east and upscale residential areas in the west. The city has trendy and relatively high-end shops, catering to the high-income individuals living there. The restaurant near the subway exit is popular among locals for its high-quality sushi and sake selection. The sushi is fresh and delicious, with a unique texture to the rice. The octopus simmered in tea is a must-try dish. The bill is surprisingly affordable, making it a great dining option in Maruyama. Overall, highly recommended for sushi lovers, except for those from the Kanto region.

Located just a 2-3 minute walk from Maruyama Koen Station, this restaurant has the appearance of a standalone house despite being on the first floor of a building. With around 10 counter seats and a spacious tatami room that could fit about 20 people, the atmosphere is always relaxed and welcoming. The owner, who trained at Sushi Zen, runs the restaurant with his wife and their son, who has become more skilled after his training. You can enjoy sushi in a casual setting, starting with a thoughtful appetizer and tender octopus simmered in soy sauce. Pair it with a beer, then switch to Hakkaisan sake and enjoy some thinly sliced flounder with ponzu sauce. Don't miss the crab miso salad, seared surf clam or grilled squid, and seasonal vegetables. By the time you're ready for the final dish, you'll already feel satisfied and happy. The eel is a must-try for dessert - lightly grilled, wrapped in seaweed with thinly sliced cucumber, and drizzled with a sweet sauce. It melts in your mouth and leaves you wanting more. With the rising cost of sushi ingredients and the popularity of conveyor belt sushi, it's challenging for traditional sushi restaurants to maintain their standards. However, this restaurant, which also welcomes tourists, has firmly established itself in the local community, and I hope it continues to thrive happily.

It was delicious.