Japan (Spring 2025): SAPPORO

[Google_Gourmet]

Our spring trip starts on Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island. Sapporo will be our home base for day trips and in-city exploring.

We were tired after the 20 hour flight, but fatigue ain’t gonna stop us from diving into our first seafood of this trip.

Sushi Seafood Donburi Restaurant
https://maps.app.goo.gl/w7Yn7vZ7uW4sEPDH9?g_st=ic

House Special Chirashi Donburi Scattered seafood and vegetables on seasoned sushi rice

Ebi, Chutoro, Tuna, Chopped Tuna, Ikura and Tobiko.

Tempura Combination Set

Tempura’d Sweet Shrimp, Oyster, Shitake, Sweet Onion, Shisho and Pumpkin.

The set came with a good sized Chirashi bowl. Tuna, Salmon and Scallops.

The seafood was absolutely fresh and pristine, as should be on the island of Hokkaido.

Some Miso Soups to round out our first Sapporo meal.

Alcoholic beverages are priced quite reasonably in most of Japan. Approximately usd$5 for beer, usd$4 for hi-balls.

All You Can Drink is always the Go To Option!!

¥1100 (usd$7.50) for 30 minutes all you care to imbibe.

Help yourself bar with Suntory Whiskey (of course), Dewar’s White Label, Bombay, and more. Some interesting Sapporo regional mixers also at hand.

Love, love the Japanese Beer Machines. Perfect head, every time!!!

A Sake dispenser for the sake drinkers.

The pour spouts metre out exact one shot portions. Makes it easy to build our triple Hi-Balls.

A light dinner for us, as we had marked an oyster bar for dessert. Alas, jet lag hit, oysters will have to wait for another time.

[Presunto (--> Back in Athens - Goat's/Sheep's Yoghurt every day ... [Fleeced Taxpayer :@)) :@)) ])]

Where I started my first 6 week trip, north-to-south by Shinkansen, a bunch of years ago. Sapporo remains under the radar. The vast majority of foreign tourists only go to the big 3 (Tokyo, Osaka/Kyoto). We hardly saw other foreign tourists in September.

Hokkaido is Japan’s top dairy producer and you will probably see giant adverts for cheese in busy areas. Of course I had to try a few types. Unfortunately, would not recommend any. There was a big annual food festival in September when were there. Got to try some northern regional foods, and even a beer made on the northernmost island (Rebun).

In Hakodate I discovered (smoked) salmon jerky. So good. Never found it again anywhere else after leaving Hakodate. Bought enough of it and shredded dried squid to last me the entire trip and many months later back at home.

Enjoy your trip!

[linguafood (Natascha)]

Wow! I am in awe of your stamina and the amazing first meal. Looking forward to your upcoming installments

[kobuta (The Original Passionate Cucumber)]

Agreed. I went there for a few days, only because I had a friend who lived there and my purpose was to visit her. The city definitely has a little bit more of a Western feel. The train ride up would have been a blast, but since I was staying for long with my friend, I opted for the plane. Also had a great meal of chankonabe while I was there.

[Google_Gourmet]

Our hotel is smack dab in the midst of an exciting food and club scene. Hordes of salary women/men doing what they do after work: hopping (staggering) from bar to bar, restaurant to restaurant. Great fun to just go with the flow.

We roamed around and peeked thru low hanging curtains into secretive Izakayas, Ramen joints, Gyoza bars, Shabu Shabu places, Yakiniku Specialists and more. The smells and sights stimulating our appetites mightily.

Finally , could not resist the draw of a tiny local restaurant advertising an Oyster special that we had passed by earlier in the afternoon.

Couple of Dewar’s Hi-Balls to start. Otoshi was Edamame.

A dozen HOKKAIDO OYSTERS. Fresh shucked and brimming with briny goodness.

Tempura Eggs

Deep Fried ASPARAGUS

Grilled Fish unknown species.

We’d had a huge lunch, so couldn’t go full hog on their menu.

SALMON and IKURA DONBURI

A thoroughly enjoyable light meal. Saved just enough stomach for a couple of 7-11 sandwiches for in room dessert.

Lovely service and food. I had ordered some Wagyu Nigari, but they apologetically advised that the beef was already sold out. Might just have to return for more oysters and some wagyu.

[kobuta (The Original Passionate Cucumber)]

Is that just the angle in the photo, or is that somehow a 2ft long asparagus spear?

[Google_Gourmet]

@kobuta

somehow a 2ft long asparagus spear?

Not quite, about 9”.

Must be asparagus season. Had some glorious steamed ones at lunch.

Beautiful display at Mitsukoshi.

[GretchenS]

Everything you have been eating looks glorious!!! Love your reports!

[Google_Gourmet]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/HXuUeC81yXKc72hE6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

SAPPORO BEER MUSEUM

Beautiful Hokkaido day to visit the Sapporo Beer Museum and maybe sample some fresh Sapporo beers.

Cannot read Japanese, but I think we’re almost there.

Very impressive Fermentation Vat welcomes visitors to the museum.

A comprehensive gallery tells the beer’s story from the founding in 1875 to Sapporo’s current position as one of the world’s premier brews.

Onto the tasting room!! We bought Tasting Flight tickets from the vending machine, so Japanese.

• Draft Beer - Kuro Label
• Classic
• Kitakushi

The lovely Beeristas were ready for us.

I’m a simple drinker. The Classic worked best for me.

As with most museums (even at the Vatican), one must exit through the gift shop.

The Bier Garten was calling us, so no cute Sapporo trinkets today.

Next: Japanese Lamb BBQ!!

[Google_Gourmet]

SAPPORO BIER GARTEN and JINGISUKAN

The Sapporo Beer facility contains a few F&B outlets. We were there for the Ghenkis Kan Yakiniku!!!

Lamb is not so common in restaurants here in Japan, mostly limited to Ghenkis Kan (Jingisukan) stores. Whereas the traditional Yakiniku is Korean derived, Ghenkis Kan are Mongolian based and thus Lamb focused.

The Bier Garten’s huge halls are Ghenkis Kan’s. Large elegant well appointed rooms centered around beer-centric decor and stations.

There are All You Can Eat and All You Can Drink options.

We ordered ala carte, to keep from over indulging in both food and liquor.

A conservative 500ml Sapporo Classic for me. A chilled Sake for my wife.

The ever so thoughtful restaurant provides bibs. In addition to the usual tableside handbag and coat basket, guests are also offered large plastic bags to protect one’s personal items from smoke intrusion.

Server takes your initial order and answers any questions. You can then easily add any additional items via tablet. A robot cruises the dining room to supplement the quite efficient service.

Minutes after placing our order, the hits started coming fast and furious.

Tender succulent lamb cooked and enjoyed ala minute, way to go!!

We passed a table that obviously went the All You Can Eat route. Must have been an inch thick PILE of lamb covering their straining grill. Full Litre steins of fresh Sapporo to wash.

Saved room for some famous Hokkaido Ice Cream and Blueberry Cheese Tart on the walk back to our hotel.

Life is good!!!

[GretchenS]

Sigh. Completely fabulous!

[Presunto (--> Back in Athens - Goat's/Sheep's Yoghurt every day ... [Fleeced Taxpayer :@)) :@)) ])]

Sapporo was where I ate Icelandic lamb for the first time (though not at this Sapporo beer hall). Same time the following year I ate Icelandic lamb every day during my stay in Reykjavik.

I also really enjoyed my meal and beer at Sapporo beer hall. Things were simpler then.