In Kushiro, I walked with a friend to a restaurant called Toraya without a reservation on the weekend. Toraya is known for its robatayaki, where you can watch seafood being grilled right in front of you. They also serve yakitori and other grilled skewers. We ordered a sashimi platter, grilled skewers, and tamago-yaki sushi. Looking back, we somehow left without trying any of the grilled seafood. My friend was more focused on drinking and chatting, forgetting about the food. I now feel disappointed and determined to have a rematch next time! It's a wonderful restaurant. I highly recommend it if you ever visit Kushiro. By the way, Toraya is a Hanshin Tigers fan, but I'm not good at baseball! But that doesn't matter!

I visited this restaurant on the first day of my trip to eastern Hokkaido. I will be exploring eastern Hokkaido for the next few days, starting with a stay at a hotel in Kushiro after arriving at Kushiro Airport. Kushiro used to be prosperous in the past, but now it seems like many commercial facilities have closed down, leaving buildings in a state of ruin. It is sometimes referred to as the "dead city," but the city center is quite lively at night. I have been to this restaurant before when I visited Kushiro. The food is delicious and the atmosphere is vibrant. This restaurant prominently features the Hanshin Tigers. While it may be intimidating for fans of other teams to enter, as a die-hard Hanshin fan from Osaka since I was young, I find it welcoming. The first meal of this trip in Hokkaido was a great choice with consistently delicious food. The only slight disappointment was that the grilled "shishamo" was slightly undercooked. But it was still delicious.

I escaped the heat of Sapporo and came to Kushiro. However, Kushiro is also scorching hot. It's humid and sticky. In such conditions, I visited a local recommended restaurant near the hotel. The inside of the restaurant was cool and comfortable. And for some reason, all the staff were Tigers fans! I always eat oysters in Sapporo, but when in Kushiro, it has to be oysters. I ordered the grilled oysters, which were plump, large, and rich in flavor... absolutely delicious. I ended up ordering it twice because it was so good. However, oysters are quite filling. Besides that, I only managed to eat the sake-steamed clams. Of course, the clams were delicious too. I got quite drunk with two cups of sake, but I was very satisfied. Now, on to the next bar for round two!

Kushiro is famous for its robatayaki, and it's unclear why there are Tigers fans in Kushiro. Nonetheless, we went to a robatayaki restaurant where the staff, wearing Tigers happi coats and t-shirts, served us. The dishes such as hokke, shishamo, salted mackerel, and fresh oysters were all delicious. Especially the salted mackerel was incredibly tasty. Have you ever felt something so delicious before? No, you probably haven't.

From Kobe Airport to New Chitose Airport, we went on a 2-night, 3-day trip to Tokachi and Kushiro, with the second day exploring Tokachi's gardens and Kushiro Marsh, and having dinner at the Robatayaki Toraya restaurant. The restaurant was conveniently located near our hotel and was known for being a fan of the Hanshin Tigers baseball team, as the staff were wearing Tigers uniforms. I was looking forward to the seafood dinner in Kushiro, a prominent fishing port in Hokkaido. I don't drink alcohol, so I ordered a ginger ale. The ordering system was retro, where you write your order on a piece of paper. I was disappointed to find out that they didn't have fresh scallops available when I tried to order scallops and scallop butter. It seems like the restaurant has a commitment to serving only the best quality ingredients. I ended up ordering a recommended set meal of three robatayaki dishes, fresh oyster yakitori, crab salad, octopus tempura, crab sushi, and buttered potatoes. The first dish that arrived was the robatayaki set with three types of fish, all freshly grilled and delicious. The oysters were plump and juicy, and the octopus tempura was crispy. The crab salad was tasty, but by the time the crab sushi and buttered potatoes arrived, I was already quite full. The lively atmosphere of the restaurant lifted my spirits, but I should have come with a bigger appetite. Overall, it was a satisfying meal. Before leaving, I gave the head chef a product collaboration between Bunsen Seaweed Pickles from Tatsuno City, Hyogo Prefecture, and a local TV station, the Nori Pickles Ale. He mentioned that he had already tried it before, which was impressive!

This is a shop run by a father who loves the Hanshin Tigers! Inside and outside the shop, there are Hanshin Tigers goods and pictures of the Tiger...♡ The staff are energetic and lively! The food, including seafood, deliciously fluffy potatoes, and piping hot horumon, was all delicious! Thank you for the meal!

This is a charcoal grill restaurant located in the bustling district of Suehirocho, about a 10-minute walk from JR Kushiro Station. When I entered, I was seated at an empty table. As expected from the name of the restaurant, it was a place that strongly supports the Hanshin Tigers. All the staff were wearing Tigers shirts. I looked over the menu on the table and once I decided on my order, I wrote it down on a piece of paper and handed it to the staff. I ordered a "5-piece sushi set" and it arrived in about 5 minutes. The octopus, salmon, mackerel, shrimp, and other 5 pieces of sushi were very thick and satisfying to eat. The rice was fluffy and had a good vinegar flavor that stimulated my appetite. In addition, I also ordered "shishamo" and a "medium beer mug." After finishing the meal and paying for these three items, the total came to 3,520 yen including tax. The actual amount was a bit surprising compared to what I had expected. ٩( ᐛ )و

When we went on a business trip to Kushiro, my boss, my subordinate, and I visited a restaurant together. The seafood from Hokkaido was delicious as expected, and the local specialty, young chicken Zangi, and Hokkaido's classic buttered potatoes were also very tasty. Despite being in Hokkaido, the chef was not a fan of Japan Ham, but a die-hard Hanshin Tigers fan. As a Tigers fan myself, it was the perfect restaurant. The chef even recommended a second restaurant for us to visit.

A wide shop filled with the scent of the hearth. The staff are friendly and welcoming. This wonderful shop warms my freezing heart. The drinks are cheap and the fish is delicious, of course. The teppanyaki is brought directly by the manager, who is a Tigers fan, and even gives recommendations for recommended spots in Kushiro. Well, it's definitely a reliable teppanyaki restaurant. I wish I could have ordered another plate of shrimp!

In mid-February, a time service is available from 17:00 to 19:00, offering one glass of draft beer or highball for 200 yen each. I ordered two glasses of draft beer (Sapporo Classic) for 200 yen each and one highball for 200 yen. In addition, I also ordered tachipon, raw oysters (using Maruemon from Akkeshi), grilled oysters (using Maruemon from Akkeshi), and chicken tenderloin with wasabi. The total came to 4,675 yen for the above order. This restaurant may not be cheap, but the quality is definitely top-notch. It serves as a great entrance to the izakaya scene in Kushiro. The service is a bit serious, but if you don't mind, it's a great place for robatayaki and izakaya dining. (#´ᗜ`#)

Visited on a Sunday night without a reservation. Since I was alone, I was worried I wouldn't be able to try many things with just the robatayaki. But this restaurant had a set for one person with Komai, shishamo, and small hokke robatayaki, which made me happy. The fresh oysters were also delicious! It was nice to have them grilled right in front of me, and the atmosphere was great too.

I visited the restaurant on a Saturday night in November. The entrance of the shop is in Tigers colors, and you can also see tiger motifs inside the shop. Another group of customers asked the staff, and when they found out that the owner and members are Tigers fans, the name of the shop made sense. Now, it's the first night of my trip to Hokkaido, so I ordered enthusiastically. I ordered everything I wanted to eat - steamed oysters, locally caught shishamo (not Karafuto shishamo), matsutake mushroom tempura, tsubugai (whelk), extra-large hokke (Okhotsk atka mackerel), and draft beer. The steamed oysters were reasonably priced at 1300 yen for 5, and even when steamed, the meat was large and juicy, with a rich flavor spreading as you eat. I enjoyed the oysters that are currently in season. Additionally, I tried the grilled shishamo, which I had forgotten the taste of since the last time I had it. I had both the female and male shishamo, with the female naturally being pregnant. The difference between this and Karafuto shishamo is the tenderness of the meat. It may be due to the way it is dried, similar to dried overnight, but it is not tough at all, and the meat easily comes off the bones. And then, the extra-large hokke. It was so large that it overflowed from the plate, providing a satisfying eating experience. The fat was also delicious. I ate just a small part of Hokkaido's seasonal dishes and was completely satisfied. This restaurant by the hearth was not to be underestimated. Thank you for the meal.

Second time in Kushiro! Starting to get a little more familiar (^^) I had grilled food last time as well, and it turns out Kushiro is the birthplace of this style of cuisine. There are indeed many grilled food restaurants here (^^) However, it seems like there are not many open on Sundays (^_^;) We waited a bit for this prominent restaurant to open at 5 pm and managed to get a table. But within 30 minutes, it was fully packed. Good thing we came early ＼(^o^)／ First, we had Pacific saury sashimi. We wanted to order both sashimi and grilled dishes, but they recommended against the grilled one as the fish was not fatty enough yet, so we stuck with sashimi only (^_^;) Even though the menu said they also offer grilled dishes. Oh well (^_^;) We had the Kushiro grilled platter, live oysters, and marinated mackerel, and couldn't resist ordering some Zangi (deep-fried chicken) too (^^) I wish they had a half portion option for the Zangi (^_^;) To finish off, we had a salmon rice ball. Enjoyed the night in Kushiro (^^)

In the bustling district of Kushiro, there is an izakaya called "Korya," known for its unique exterior. The owner is a fan of the Hanshin Tigers, and on the day after their victory, you can get a discount of 1,000 yen off a bottle of shochu, reflecting the spirited atmosphere of Osaka. I ordered their signature dish, the "Grilled Oysters in a Can." This dish involves steaming oysters in a can over direct flame. Being close to Akkeshi, I had high hopes for delicious oysters in Kushiro, but unfortunately, the taste was just average and not particularly special.

When it comes to Kushiro, it is said to be famous for robatayaki, so I went to experience it. I was intrigued by a shop called "Robatayaki" which is said to be the birthplace of robatayaki, but after reading reviews that were mixed and with no prices listed, I was worried about the risk of being overcharged at an old shop. The atmosphere was like a chain izakaya I used to go to during my student days. The staff at the restaurant were kind, but I decided to leave soon after. I would rate it 6.5 out of 10. When I entered the restaurant, there was a large counter where the head chef and others were grilling robatayaki one after another. I ordered the Kushiro Port Whole 3-Item Set which included a variety of robatayaki. The grilled smelt was rated 7, half a grilled Atka mackerel was rated 6.5, and the small fish was tough and lacked flavor, rated 6. It was just an ordinary izakaya with normal prices and dishes. There was no special feeling of Kushiro's robatayaki, it was just ordinary grilled food. However, the mayonnaise served on the side had a rich egg yolk flavor and was delicious, like Dutch mayonnaise. The grilled oysters from Senpouji by Suzuki Fisheries were rated 8, and the grilled fresh oysters were rated 7 with a slight fishy smell.

In mid-July 2022, I went for a solo drink. I was craving Kushiro-style grilled dishes for dinner, so I looked for a restaurant. It had been 3 years since I last visited this place. It's a Tigers-themed restaurant, which is quite rare in Hokkaido. I arrived around 6:20 PM and was told that the counter seats were fully reserved, so I was seated at a table near the entrance. The restaurant seemed quite lively, although I couldn't see the back clearly. I ordered a beer and checked the menu. You write down your food order on a paper at the table and hand it to the staff. I started with some marinated mackerel, which was thick and rich in fat, absolutely delicious. It wasn't overly strong, allowing the flavor of the mackerel to shine. Next, I had grilled oysters and shrimp, both of which were fantastic. The oysters were from Akkeshi, plump and flavorful, while the shrimp had a strong umami taste. The grilling technique was just perfect. I switched to a half bottle of good white wine and ordered grilled mushrooms and chilled tomatoes. I ended the meal with a lemon sour. Being able to enjoy such high-quality seafood while drinking is simply the best. This is why I can't stop traveling to Hokkaido.

While in Hokkaido, this popular bar exudes the atmosphere of Osaka. The lively interior is spacious with ample seating. The menu offers a wide variety of choices that may leave you indecisive. There are also items unique to Hokkaido and Kushiro. After enjoying a satisfying meal, it's time to leave the restaurant. After spending three hours here, my stomach is full. Thank you for the delicious meal.

I visited alone and sat at the counter seat. Started with a draft beer. The appetizer was probably young scallops. The chef was grilling various dishes inside the counter. While I was deciding on the menu, I could hear the staff saying, "〇〇 is finished" or "〇〇 is out." Feeling a bit rushed, I ordered some delicious looking items. First, I had some shellfish sashimi. The scallops were huge and delicious! The oysters and whelks were also very tasty. The scallop butter was so rich and flavorful. I had seen dried konoshiro fish at an antenna shop before, but here I could enjoy one that was grilled after being dried overnight. This konoshiro was also incredibly delicious. Everything was just too good. I ordered an ice-cold highball, finished it, and then asked for the bill. Thank you for the meal.

I came to Kushiro, the destination of this trip. The night in Kushiro is beautiful! The famous Heiwa Bridge area is lit up and has a fantastic atmosphere. I wandered around looking for a restaurant to enjoy the local specialty, robatayaki. I chose this restaurant from a few options I had picked out in advance. The restaurant was almost full and full of energy. I managed to get a seat at the counter, but it seems like making a reservation would be a good idea. The interior of the restaurant is all about the Tigers baseball team. As a baseball fan and an anti-Giants supporter, I felt very comfortable in this space. There was also a panel of my favorite player, Nomi. The head chef cooking was really cool to watch. I ordered mainly grilled dishes. The grilled fish trio consisted of safflower, kelp, and shishamo. I was surprised by how delicious the shishamo was! I learned that the males taste better when eating the meat. The buttered potatoes and potato salted fish were also delicious. The staff were all lively and worked efficiently, providing polite service. If there was a restaurant like this nearby, I would go there every day. Finally, I took a commemorative photo with the head chef and left the restaurant. The head chef may look wild, but he is fun, kind, and has a great sense of humor. I really appreciate their hospitality. It was a wonderful memory of Kushiro. Thank you for the meal!

If you come to Kushiro, you definitely have to go to Toraya (because my husband is a Toraya supporter...). We went at 7 pm and were surprised to see a large crowd already finishing their meals and leaving. It's recommended to make a reservation. As we were ordering, items were quickly selling out, so we were lucky to get what we wanted. The chef, who looks like Yoko Yamakatana, serves amazing dishes. It was delicious, my husband was also very satisfied.