When I went there twice, the old man who runs the shop came out of the store saying, "Sorry, we don't have any!" or making a cross sign with his hands, which made me want to eat there even more! When I went at 11:10, there were 6 customers in total, 3 groups. I hesitated, but decided to go in and the old man opened the rice cooker and said, "It's okay, you can eat." There was no menu selection, they just serve crab rice based on the number of people. The glasses and teacups on the counter made me wonder if it was self-service, but no one was drinking tea or water. The crab rice and miso soup were served, and the miso soup had cucumber pickles in it, giving it a unique taste. The crab rice had bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms, and plenty of pickled ginger, and it was only 500 yen. There were no side dishes today, not even for us or the other customers. When we paid, we were asked to bring back the empty containers, and the old man thanked us for coming to eat. The place was a bit messy, and the old man even ate in front of us with rice stuck to his fingers. It was a surprising experience, and although I probably won't go back again, the honesty of the 500 yen price and the casual customer service made the place unique. It seems to thrive on the old man running it alone, not trying to impress anyone, and the customers' understanding, even when there's no water and they suggest buying some at the convenience store later. I hope the old man stays healthy and keeps up the good work. Thank you for the meal.

I had been curious about this place for almost 30 years. Or rather, I found out that it was operating as a "ruin" from a video by Kossy from the YouTube channel "Showa Spot Research Institute." It was eye-opening! And finally, I was able to visit this place. Up close, the impact is incredible! The interior of the restaurant is like a real ruin. And the owner, who looks like the rightful master of this building, greets you. He seems quite elderly. His hearing may be a bit impaired. But he is still running the business properly. Don't expect too much from the food at this restaurant. Whether it's delicious or not, clean or not, those things don't matter. Yes. This is a place to be grateful for just existing. To me, everything looks like art. I think there might be only one of these kinds of dining establishments in Japan. A unique drive-in. I hope you visit while the owner is still healthy. And I am grateful for the generosity of the Tomakomai Health Center.

Established in 1968, Kani Tarou is a rare half-century old establishment in this area! Their menu consists solely of a 500 yen crab bento box! I was surprised to find out that the seemingly abandoned restaurant is still in operation! The owner is quite elderly, making this place a part of the "endangered food" category in town! If you're curious, you should definitely visit soon! During my stay in Noboribetsu, I wanted to try out various foods, and this place was my top choice. Located about a 10-minute drive from Noboribetsu Station on Route 36 towards Sapporo, the hexagonal building serves as a landmark. The exterior looks completely abandoned, but it's actually open for business! The building used to have a very futuristic feel with a central counter surrounded by hexagonal walls, resembling a stylish bar. It's interesting to see how it has turned into what looks like a ruin over time. I had assumed it was abandoned until a few years ago when I noticed the door open and a sign indicating it was open for business. I was surprised to find out they were still operating! I parked my car in front of the restaurant, entered, and was greeted by a unique and somewhat quirky atmosphere. The menu hangs from the ceiling, and currently, they only offer a 500 yen crab bento box. Once seated, your order is automatically placed! Half of the interior is used as a storage area, while the other half is a tatami seating area with a beautiful ocean view. The staff brings you water instead of it being self-serve. While enjoying the view of the ocean outside, the crab bento box set arrived in just 10 minutes! The aged bento box contained crab meat, chopped simmered bamboo shoots, and pickled ginger. The appearance was quite decent! The miso soup served was made with daikon radish. The amount of crab wasn't substantial, but considering the freshly made crab bento box set with miso soup and pickles all for 500 yen, it's quite impressive!

【08】Kani Tarou (Shiraoi-cho) and Chikyu Misaki (Muroran City) ◆ Hokkaido 2022GW ◆ Now, enveloped in the color of the earth. Muroran Highway Curry Detective, Yamichan here. From April 29th to May 6th, 2022, I went to Hokkaido! Fisherman & Curry Expedition 2022GW Hokkaido (Hakodate, Muroran, Sapporo) Edition【08】Kani Tarou (Shiraoi-cho) and Chikyu Misaki (Muroran City) YAMI STEP.20 Shouting out the love for curry at Chikyu Misaki (Muroran City) (omitted) YAMI STEP.21 Legendary Kani Tarou (Shiraoi-cho) *Route this time The National Route 36, also known as the "Muroran Highway," runs from Sapporo through Tomakomai to Muroran City. (*I traveled from Muroran to Sapporo) Just before my Hokkaido expedition, my friend S recommended, "If you're going to Muroran, you should try 'Kani Tarou'." I remembered that a super cool crab restaurant had been a hot topic on Twitter, so I thought it would be interesting and kept it in the corner of my research list (if I had time to spare). The restaurant was surprisingly located along a main street, not in a remote area, and it stood there with an indescribable overwhelming presence. Crab cuisine Kani Tarou (Shiraoi-cho) Yamichan "Is it open for business...?" ...In times like this, don't panic. First, I observed the surroundings before entering the store. First, the store is located along the Muroran Highway, so many cars were passing by at high speed. Across the street was "Hotel Oushou." Super cool. To the right was a wholesale crab business. In fact, there were many crab dealers and crab restaurants lined up in this area, and Kani Tarou was not the only one serving crab dishes. There were also some nice large stores, and I could see many customers going in there. A tied-up old dog was dozing off. To the left of Kani Tarou was a pile of waste materials!! What on earth is going on here? Kani Tarou, main gate The official opening time was set for 11:00, but I arrived at 10:30 and noticed that there was already one customer ahead. What, can we go in already!? Store interior So, I entered the store a bit prematurely. The menu consists of their proud crab dishes only. The store owner (estimated 83 years old) in a white chef's uniform said, "We only have 'crab rice' now, is that okay? It comes with miso soup for 500 yen. If that's okay with you, please have a seat." There seemed to be no set meals or hot pots at least during lunchtime. Since I was originally interested in the famous "500 yen crab rice," there was no problem. While the owner was cooking, I enjoyed the retro interior of the store. The building is octagonal, and you can go around it once. The central part is the kitchen, but there is a wall, so you couldn't see the cooking process. I heard the sound of radish being grated from inside, but it was for the miso soup ingredients. Crab rice 500 yen When I opened the plastic tiered box, there was red pickled ginger. When I dug through the bamboo shoots, the shredded crab meat came out! Surprisingly, there was quite a lot of crab in it. I ate it with gusto! The radish that the owner diligently grated. Although it's called "crab rice," it's a miracle that it only costs 500 yen and has plenty of shredded crab meat in it. I hope the owner stays healthy and continues the store for a long time, as I headed to the next destination. I could confirm that tourists who had heard the "rumors" were coming here occasionally. By the way, after returning from Hokkaido, I noticed that "Kani Tarou" was on the cover of a book I had. Haha. And it was the first one to be introduced, too...wow. For people like me who love Showa retro, World Heritage Sites, alleyways in front of stations, quaint hot springs, ruins, and drive-ins, this is a must-visit place, like a holy land for such establishments. (To be continued in episode 9/Total of 12 episodes) Yamichan "The next curry activity will be at that store in your town." ***【08】Kani Tarou (Shiraoi-cho) and Chikyu Misaki (Muroran City) ◆ Hokkaido 2022GW ◆ Now, enveloped in the color of the earth. Muroran Highway https://ameblo.jp/yamikomon/entry-12745875604.html

I always thought it was an abandoned building (sorry). It's a building that looks old and messy. There are remnants of the past when there used to be quite a few customers, but now an old man quietly runs the place. We had made a reservation elsewhere for lunch, so we decided to visit for dinner takeout, but they only offered dine-in and not takeout. We were about to leave, but hesitantly asked if we could share one meal, and they kindly agreed, so we decided to stay for a chat. They provided small plates for sharing, which is a common service in thoughtful restaurants, but they also served two bowls of miso soup. At first glance, the crab rice seemed to be filled with mushrooms and bamboo shoots, making us wonder if it was really crab rice. However, upon closer inspection, we noticed that the crab meat was sprinkled on top of the rice. Although the portion was small, the crab flavor was excellent and delicious. When we tried to order crab vinegar salad, we were told that they unfortunately do not serve it. It seems like they only offer crab rice on their menu. The restaurant is run by an elderly man as a hobby. We don't know how long it will last, but we hope it continues for a long time.

Wow! Are they really open for business!? I remember passing by a rundown building on Route 36 a few years ago, and I wondered if it was a retro Showa era and occult-themed store. So, in January 2022, full of curiosity, I made my first visit to "Kani Taro," located just a little past Kojohama Onsen in Shiraoi-gun. The menu is available, but what they serve is the "kani-meshi" for only 500 yen, which comes with miso soup and pickles. The elderly owner, working alone, handles everything from serving tea to cooking, billing, and cleaning up in a seasoned and efficient manner. The "kani-meshi" served is simple and likely has remained unchanged for decades. Honestly, it transcends the level of taste critique and is a legacy of the seaside on Route 37 in Shiraoi-gun. I'm glad I was able to visit. ☺️

The store's exterior and interior are not particularly clean, but the atmosphere inside is exciting. When our group of six entered, the crab was almost sold out... Lucky! We managed to get six crab bentos. As a result, the crab portion was a bit small, but for 500 yen, it was worth it. The vinegared rice was just right and delicious. The miso soup was a bit watery, but overall, we were satisfied! Thank you for the meal. ☺️

"Kani Taro" is a crab cuisine specialty restaurant located overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This place is not just a restaurant, but a cultural asset that White Horse proudly boasts, according to a friend. The distinctive polygonal building, the overwhelming kindness of the owner towards customers, and the nostalgic taste of "crab rice," "miso soup," and pickles offered for only 500 yen. There are many surprising things, but every time I go, I feel like my heart is being purified. It's like the feeling you get after visiting an old temple or shrine. By the way, I heard the following story from the owner: "This year marks the 53rd year since opening. In the past, we had a lot of customers and offered various menus, but now I run the place alone, so I only serve crab rice. It's a run-down shop and I don't put up a sign, so many people don't notice us. We prepare about 20 servings on weekends, and they sell out quickly, so weekdays are recommended. I'm getting older too, so I wonder how long I can keep this up." The most touching part was when a car parked next to the shop, and the owner joyfully said, "Oh, they're here!" and prepared tea with care. The owner's overwhelming kindness towards customers is the best hidden flavor. I hope the shop will continue to thrive for a long time.

I have passed by this restaurant many times, but I finally visited it for the first time the other day. I arrived a little after 10 o'clock, misunderstanding the opening time, and the kind owner came out and said, "The rice is not ready yet, so please wait about 30 minutes." While killing time at a nearby seafood souvenir shop, I returned to the restaurant and saw people already eating even though it was before opening time! ^_^ The weather was nice, so I waited for my order while gazing at the sea. Considering the portion size for 500 yen, the cost performance is good. If I have the chance, I would like to visit again. Thank you, Kanitaro.

During the high economic growth period of the Showa era, there were many drive-ins lined up in this area. Not only here, but also famous places like Shiretoko and Kamuiwakka, where people from outside Hokkaido used to come as tourists, arguing over tickets from Aikoku Station to Kofuku Station. Lakes such as Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, Lake Toya, and Lake Shikotsu were bustling with activity. At that time, the young owner apparently started a crab specialty shop here. For over half a century since then, they have been providing incredibly delicious and cost-effective crab rice dishes. The dish has a lot of bamboo shoots but the crab is also flavorful and delicious! The father is currently 85 years old (self-proclaimed) and has been in business for 52-53 years. However, he says, "I forgot how many years it has been." It's probably best to avoid touching anything inside the store. It would have been nice if they appeared on "Kitanai Tran" by Tunnels. Many people find it difficult to enter, but the father is friendly and the food is good, so please visit while the father is still healthy!

If it's 500 yen, that's not bad. This is my honest opinion. It's rare to find a place where you can eat crab rice (with miso soup) for 500 yen, even in Hokkaido. The crab meat on the rice is decent, but not generously portioned. That's probably why they can offer it for 500 yen. The rice is topped with crab, bamboo shoots, and shiitake mushrooms, all finely chopped and seasoned wonderfully. The miso soup is a bit bland, though. The restaurant is located in an old round building along Route 36 by the sea. It may look like a ruin at first glance (sorry!), but it's actually open for business. However, they tend to sell out quickly, so it's best to go early.

Is it still in business? I wonder how many years it's been. Unchanged old-fashioned feel, almost like a deserted place. It's just before noon on a weekday, and there are two cars parked in the parking lot. Another car arrived after us. When we entered the restaurant, they said they could accommodate two people and showed us to our seats. The elderly owner, a man, was handling everything from serving tea to taking orders. I've been here a few times in the past, but due to items being sold out, this visit after several years is only my second time here. I think there used to be a lady here as well... I ordered the crab rice. It came in a square bowl, with warm white rice topped with crab meat, bamboo shoots, simmered shiitake mushrooms, and a dollop of pickled ginger on top. I think it used to come with shredded omelette on top as well? It also came with miso soup with daikon radish and pickled Chinese cabbage. I took a big bite, it was a bit salty but I couldn't stop and had two, three more bites. Haha, it's delicious! The miso soup had finely sliced daikon radish that was soft and sweet. Aside from the appearance, those concerned about hygiene might not be too pleased. The price was 500 yen including tax, and I enjoyed it, thank you for the meal.

When driving on Route 36 from Tora-ashihama to Takeura, you will come across a very catchy building. With a unique shape resembling a crown, and a somewhat dilapidated feel... that's this place. I've been curious about it for about 30 years, and finally had the chance to visit. It was just before opening time on a holiday (around 10:50 am). As mentioned, the restaurant is located along Route 36 (on the seaside), about 100 meters west of the delicious seafood barbecue place "Kitano Lamp Tei." There are no signs, but the building stands out so you'll notice it right away. The crown-shaped building and its dilapidated feel evoke images of the high-growth period of the Showa era. The large glass windows allowed a good view inside. Up close, it had more character than expected. I ended up taking several photos (laughs). There is a spacious gravel parking area around the building. The interior is almost circular, with an open kitchen in the center and sunken seating areas around it. About a third of the interior is used for storage, and there were about 5-6 usable sunken tables. Despite its dilapidated appearance, it didn't feel particularly dirty. The restroom seems to be located underground (now I realize I should have gone). The friendly owner was running the place alone. Three groups of customers, including us, entered as soon as it opened, and by around 11:10 am, there were already people waiting. It seems to be quite a popular place. I was a little surprised. The other customers were a group of two young men, a middle-aged group of men and women, and a middle-aged man dining alone, with locals and tourists making up about half of the customers. The menu lists various crab dishes, but the only one actually served is the "Crab Rice Bowl 500 yen (tax included)." Even though we didn't order anything, the "Crab Rice Bowl" was brought to us (laughs). It arrived about 15 minutes after we sat down. The "Crab Rice Bowl" is served in a seasoned square bento box with a lid. It came with miso soup with seaweed and pickled cucumbers. The warm rice had flaked crab meat, bamboo shoots and shiitake mushroom stew, and pickled ginger on top. The crab meat was soft, the bamboo shoots had a light crunch, and the stew had a perfectly balanced soy-based sweet and savory flavor. The crab flavor was subtle but pleasant, and overall, it was quite enjoyable. The homey miso soup and pickles were also good. I was very satisfied to finally visit the place I had been curious about for so long! The "Crab Rice Bowl" was even tastier than expected! I hope this place continues to thrive for a long time!

Along Route 36, near "Torazōhama"… no, technically it's "Takeura" in terms of address. I had stopped by before asking for a bento box, but they said, "Sorry, we stopped making bento boxes," and at that time, I didn't have time to eat inside and had to leave disappointed... I pass by the old national highway a lot, but this is only my second visit since then. The opening time is 11 o'clock, but they are willing to accommodate a little earlier, which I had checked beforehand. I visited about 10 minutes early and was welcomed with "Please, please," by the usual owner. The seating is only in a small raised area by the window, with the kitchen in the center of the floor, where you can see the Pacific Ocean from the window. The menu has various items written on it, but almost all customers order the "Kani Meshi @ 500 (tax included)." There are rumors that they only serve this dish... They brought me brown rice tea and asked, "Is the Kani Meshi okay?" to which I happily agreed. In the kitchen, you could hear the sound of a frying pan, and after about 8 minutes, the dish arrived. On the tray, there was a well-worn jubako box and a miso soup with seaweed, along with a side of cucumber pickles. The Kani Meshi had plenty of crab meat for the price, along with chopped bamboo shoots and pickled ginger. The seasoning seemed simple, with soy sauce, sugar, and ginger. The crab meat had a firm texture and no unpleasant smell, similar to the "Kana○" brand. The only downside was that the rice was softer than my preference. The miso soup with seaweed was thick and reminded me of something I had eaten at home in the past. The cucumber pickles, which I had thought were lightly pickled, turned out to be just sliced cucumbers without much saltiness. While eating, I thought that this type of bento box would be even better if it could be taken to go. It seemed like the owner, alone, couldn't keep the interior clean to meticulous standards, so those who are particular should take note. Thank you for the meal.

Every time I passed by the shop, I wondered if it was open, but when I visited after about 3 minutes of opening, the old man looked troubled and said they were sold out. The next week, I went about 15 minutes earlier and was able to get a seat in the shop. It seems like they have a menu, but it looks like it's definitely crab rice. There were a lot of bamboo shoots, but I could also see crab at the bottom. The shop has been in business for 51 years and the owner is 83 years old. He seems to be in good health, which is great!

I tried many times to visit, but the restaurant was either closed or temporarily closed, or they were sold out, so I couldn't eat the "phantom crab rice" for a long time. Finally, last fall, I was able to eat it after aiming for the opening time. When we arrived at 11:05 am at the restaurant, which opens at 11 am, there were already 2 groups of customers inside, all of them were already eating. Isn't it too early? After we ordered the crab bento, two elderly ladies arrived and ordered 4 bento boxes to go, and right after that, a group of two women arrived, and the owner immediately said, "I'm sorry! We're already sold out for today!" It was only 11:15 am... Maybe they only serve 10 meals a day (sweat). The crab bento, which was served in about 10 minutes, came with miso soup with mozuku seaweed and pickles. The vinegared rice was sweet and salty, topped with plenty of shredded hair crab meat and bamboo shoots simmered in sugar and soy sauce. And all of this was only 500 yen including tax! The interior of the restaurant was messy and not exactly clean, but the view from the large window was amazing! Some people call it a dilapidated restaurant, but the owner said, "We're open unless we have something else going on, so please come again!" I hope the owner stays healthy and continues to run the restaurant for a long time. Thank you, "Kani Taro"!

I heard they were open for business so I decided to go. It was early but when I asked, the old man said I could wait a bit and they would be able to serve me. It was great! The crab rice, seaweed miso soup, and pickles were delicious (*≧∀≦*). It would have been nice to see the beautiful sea if it had been sunny.

Visit date: Around 11:00 am on September 28, 2018. It's a bit early for lunch, but I decided to have lunch at this restaurant "Kani Tarou". It's a bit far from Takeura and Torazouhama. I parked my car in the restaurant's parking lot and as I checked the exterior, there was a building that could be mistaken for a ruin. I wondered if they were open, but there were cars that seemed to belong to customers, so I thought it should be fine! I entered the restaurant and the manager guided me to a table. I ordered the "Kani Meshi (¥500)". The menu was displayed in the kitchen, but the only available menu was this one! In my case, the manager decided for me, saying, "Yes, one Kani Meshi!" haha I had done some research beforehand, so I understood the system, but if I had entered without knowing, I would have been surprised for sure... After waiting for about 10 minutes, the Kani Meshi arrived. It was served in a square bowl. The ingredients were crab meat and bamboo shoots. Pickles and miso soup were also included! The Kani Meshi was delicious, but the only thing that bothered me a bit was that the bamboo shoots were quite strong. It might be a concern for some people because there were a lot of bamboo shoots as toppings to complement the crab. However, it didn't bother me much. I visited this restaurant with my family last year, so I will write about that another day! Thank you for the meal.

It looks like a ruin. The pickles are not particularly appealing in presentation and the miso soup has some unnecessary floating items that make it look unattractive. However, I can guarantee the taste. The crab rice bowl is delicious, and the side dishes like pickles and miso soup are also flavorful. The fact that you can enjoy all of this for 500 yen is a great deal. If it were based on taste alone, I would give it a higher score, but due to the restaurant's rundown appearance, lack of cleanliness, and poor presentation of the dishes, it's hard to recommend to others. Therefore, I rate it 3.3 stars.