Family trip to Hokkaido! While French and Italian cuisine are nice, I also want to eat sushi! However, having French for lunch in Hakodate and sushi for dinner is a bit challenging for someone like me who doesn't eat much. What should I do? Luckily, my family introduced me to a good restaurant. There is a sushi restaurant at the Yunokawa Onsen where we are staying, called "Sushidokoro Kihara". The Tsubaki Nigiri set costs 4950 yen (tax included) for 11 pieces. The Hokkai Hakodate Nigiri set costs 6600 yen (tax included) for 13 pieces. Both are reasonably priced. However, the restaurant has a surprisingly high-class atmosphere. And the counter is fully booked. About half of the customers are ordering the course menu (11000 yen) which includes sashimi, grilled dishes, steamed dishes, and sushi. They seem to be from Tokyo or Osaka. The chef is serving the course customers. On the other hand, we ordered the Tsubaki Nigiri set for 4950 yen. The couple next to us ordered the Hokkai Hakodate Nigiri set. And the man next to them also ordered the Tsubaki Nigiri set. They all seem to be locals. Although the customers arrived at different times, the second chef managed to serve us all smoothly. The counter is divided between course customers and those ordering just nigiri, but it doesn't feel awkward. ● We started with Hokkaido's own conger eel sashimi. The conger eel was delicious and tender! ● Flounder marinated in kelp... eaten with kelp salt. ● Bluefin tuna... tender with good fat content. ● Fresh squid... after removing the shell, it turns into squid. Just recently became available this month. Served with hot radish and ginger. On the other hand, my family had scallops. ● Spot prawn... sweet and tender. Eaten with salt. ● Herring... eaten as is, as it is already seasoned. ● "Masunosuke" King Salmon caught in Hokkaido ● Soy-marinated salmon roe ● Botan sea urchin... sprinkled with salt. Enjoyed a couple of pieces as is, then the rest melts instantly in the mouth like juice. Sea urchin is definitely best as Botan sea urchin! Surpassed the Murasaki sea urchin we had at a sea urchin specialty shop in Hakodate the previous day. Truly impressive! ● Snow crab ● Seafood soup... apparently changed to seafood soup as they ran out of miso soup. Lucky us. ● Medium fatty tuna Just the right amount for me. With this quality at this price, I want to come here often! It makes going to expensive and time-limited high-end sushi restaurants in Tokyo seem silly. Hokkaido is amazing, after all.

I made a lunch reservation in advance and was seated in a private room with a fantastic view of the sea. I ordered the seasonal Hakodate nigiri sushi set with 13 pieces. Each piece was made with fresh seafood and was delicious. I recommend this place for those who want to enjoy a luxurious and relaxing sushi meal in Hakodate.

A few years ago, I saw a follower's review and ever since then, I had been intrigued and secretly decided in my heart that I would definitely visit when I go to Hakodate someday. I was lucky to secure a counter seat just four days before my visit, on a weekday afternoon. I ordered the seasonal Hakodate sushi course of 13 pieces (6,600 yen). I focused all my attention on the sushi in front of me at the splendid counter. Each piece was carefully crafted by the chef and presented to me. It was a luxurious experience to enjoy local ingredients in such fresh condition. I truly felt like I was in Hakodate... a dream moment indeed! Everything was delicious, but I particularly liked the following: - Yellowtail: Slightly refreshing taste from the current season's Hakodate catch - Herring: Familiar even at a conveyor belt sushi restaurant, but even more delicious here - Hair crab: Fluffy meat and rich crab miso made this a luxurious treat The finale of the omakase sushi, the marinated fatty tuna, was a revelation... the flavor was so intense, it was truly moving! I vowed to come back next time with a fully prepared stomach, and enjoy the omakase course with local sake! This is a place I want to visit in every season. (^^) *I was too excited to take a photo of the first three pieces... haha

Whenever I visit Hakodate, I always make sure to stop by Kihara-san's restaurant. It had been a few years since my last trip to Hakodate, so this visit was long overdue. I ordered the Hokkai Nigiri and the live squid. Every piece of the Hokkai Nigiri was of high quality and there were no disappointments. It's true that when it comes to Hakodate, Kihara is the place to go.

Hakodate Yukawa Onsen Sushi offers a variety of delicious sushi options such as Hokkai Hakodate Nigiri, Hirame, Hon Maguro, live hotate scallops, live surume squid, botan shrimp, masu no suke, fresh squid, nishin, ikura soy sauce marinated, black hokkigai clam, purple sea urchin from Okushiri, hair crab, pickled toro, Ezo tsubu, shishamo, Parrotfish, homemade masuko, nishin name roll, raw shichimi tarako, eruptive bay eel, natural child-bearing kelp, rolls, Kihara Special Roll, grilled, Toro Tekka, KinKi.

A popular sushi restaurant in Hakodate that is also featured in guidebooks. We had to dine in a private room as the counter seats were fully booked. The 10,000 yen course provided a sufficient amount of food and the taste was delicious. However, in terms of service, despite dining with people of varying ages, dishes were served from the lowest seat, the ordered drinks were forgotten, and the bill was handed to the lowest seat person. While I understand that it is not a super high-end restaurant, it was a bit disappointing as we had higher expectations.

Investment horses sometimes race and travel to Hakodate. Learning from a past mistake at a sushi restaurant in Goryokaku during winter, I decided to explore a new place and made a reservation at this restaurant. Reservations are required only for the course menu, but for nigiri sushi, you can choose on the day. This time, I chose the Hakodate Nigiri, which includes plenty of local ingredients. Here is the order in which they were served: 1. Flounder marinated in kelp 2. Marinated tuna 3. Dried squid 4. Salmon roe 5. Botan shrimp 6. Pacific herring 7. Scallop 8. Alfonsino 9. Sea urchin (from Okushiri) 10. Marusuke (type of fish) 11. Yellowtail 12. Fatty tuna 13. Crab egg soup. In addition, I also ordered the marinated silver cod and deep-fried scallop. All the nigiri were excellent. It's hard to choose the best among them, but the Pacific herring, sea urchin, and crab were exceptional. Considering the quality, the price was also very reasonable at less than 10,000 yen. I would definitely want to visit this restaurant again when I come to Hakodate next time.

I was looking forward to visiting this restaurant during my trip to Hakodate. Unfortunately, I couldn't reserve a spot at the counter, so we had a private room instead. Dining at the counter and chatting with the head chef is one of the highlights of a sushi restaurant, so I definitely want to sit at the counter next time. The sushi was amazing, each piece was fantastic. The most impressive dish was the herring sushi. It was the best herring I've ever had. While it may not be a place you can casually drop by, I would love to visit again when I'm in Hakodate. The hostess was incredibly friendly and made our experience even more enjoyable.

On a certain day in 2023, I revisited a certain event that I also attended this year. <Appetizers> Dried squid - very tasty Delicious ika isobe (grilled small fish) - incredibly delicious Delicious ankimo (monkfish liver) - quite delicious Chawanmushi (savory egg custard) - quite delicious Steamed abalone (with liver sauce) - quite delicious Sea urchin - quite delicious <Nigiri Sushi> Botan ebi (spot prawn) - decent Tsurikinki (golden eye snapper) - incredibly delicious Ikura (salmon roe) - decent Masunosuke (trout) - incredibly delicious Herring - quite delicious Tuna akami (lean tuna) - quite delicious Tuna chutoro (medium fatty tuna) - quite delicious Tuna otoro (fatty tuna) - quite delicious Purple sea urchin (in saltwater) - quite delicious Tamago (egg) - decent I would like to visit again.

Visited "Kihara" after 4 and a half months on April 14, 2023. This restaurant has a rating of 3.59 on Tabelog, was selected as one of the Best 100 Restaurants in 2021, and received a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2021. I love this sushi restaurant. I always order the omakase course starting with appetizers. The sushi chef for the day was Ebiko, the second in command. Here is what we had: - Assorted appetizers including tuna, ankimo with shirako ponzu jelly sauce, spear squid with spicy radish and ginger, hairy crab with sea urchin sauce, seafood chawanmushi, oil-marinated oyster, scallop grilled on seaweed, seafood mizore-yaki, steamed Ezo abalone. - Nigiri sushi such as flash-frozen hokke with salt, marinated lean tuna, masunosuke fish from Funkawan, seared North Pacific giant scallop, marinated minke whale from Hakodate, Pacific herring, botan shrimp with salt, seared alfonsino with liver, seafood soup, soy-marinated salmon roe, brine-cured sea urchin, marinated fatty tuna with mountain wasabi, ankimo and dried gourd sushi roll, tamagoyaki, pickled mackerel, true sardine, scallop with salt, grilled squid fin, conger eel from Funkawan with sansho pepper, wasabi sorbet, and more. The meal was delicious from start to finish. #Sushidokihara #Hakodategourmet #Hokkaidogourmet #hakodate #hokkaido #Tabeloghighrating #Michelin #michelinstar #fullybookedrestaurant #sushi #sushitime #sushilovers #gourmet #gourmetlovers #gourmetgram #foodstagram #foodie #foodiegram #foodporn.

I decided to go on a bullet tour to Hakodate on the Shinkansen. I was worried about where to have a meal, and the only reservation I managed to get was at "Sushidokoro Kihara." It was about a 20-minute drive from Hakodate Station. The interior of the restaurant was a sophisticated and high-quality space. I imagine that local people come here for special occasions. There were about 14 seats at the counter, and it seemed to be a mix of tourists and locals. I decided to try the "Hokkai Hakodate Nigiri 13 pieces for 6,600 yen," which offers Hokkaido and Hakodate specialties. The meal was very fulfilling, and at 15,600 yen for two people, it was quite cost-effective. The squid sashimi was also very cheap at just over 2,000 yen. In Tokyo, it would probably cost 1.5 times more. If they were to serve the same dishes in Tokyo, it could easily be twice the price. I will definitely visit again when I come to Hakodate. It was very delicious.

Asuka Asuka 16,500 yen. I arrived at 18:30. The counter was full, but since I had reserved a private room, I was able to relax. The private room was quite spacious, and during the day, you can see the Tsugaru Strait from the window. This time, I chose the best course, but they also have a nigiri-only course starting from 4,950 yen, so it might be good to choose that and order other things a la carte. The dishes were all delicious, but my favorites were the scallop isobe-yaki and the abalone risotto. I also ordered additional items like karasumi, namako vinegar, and small inari sushi, but the karasumi was especially delicious. I paid with PayPay.

Sushidokoro Kihara: Personally, I was surprised by the combination of squid and spicy daikon, as well as the thick meatiness of the surf clam. Every time the seafood chawanmushi and marinated tuna came out, I couldn't help but think, "This is it for today." The wasabi sherbet was spicy yet sweet and incredibly delicious. Despite using top-quality ingredients, the sushi was reasonably priced. I was treated to a feast, and it was the highlight of my visit to Hakodate. When I come back to Hakodate, I will definitely visit Sushidokoro Kihara again. #Hakodate #HakodateGourmet #HakodateSightseeing #HakodateSushi #HakodateSushi

I visited Hanakawa Yukawa Sushi Restaurant in Hakodate for sightseeing. When it comes to Hakodate, fresh seafood is a must. I went to Kihara, a popular restaurant known for its seafood, and it was fully booked. The impressive counter seats surrounded the bustling kitchen. The atmosphere alone was enough to captivate me. That day, I ordered various dishes such as dried sea urchin, monkfish liver, snow crab ovaries, etc., which were prepared in a unique way that I rarely encounter in Tokyo. The freshness of the ingredients was truly remarkable. The ingredients were delivered directly from nearby fishermen, which added to the quality of the dishes. I ordered light and delicious nigiri sushi such as scallops, hairy crab, herring, sea urchin, and marinated fatty tuna, all of which had a great balance of richness. It was a wonderful sushi experience that showcased the flavors of Hokkaido. Thank you for the delicious meal! Average spending per customer: ¥15,000 Seating: Counter, private rooms

"Sushi restaurant Kihara in Yunokawa Onsen is one of the must-visit famous restaurants in Hakodate! Enjoy the blissful time of eating local seafood at the counter as a reward for your hard work. Determined to work hard so I can come back again! LOL Course contents: All dishes were delicious and gone in no time. Includes Tsugaru Strait bluefin tuna, mountain octopus with ponzu sauce, spear squid with spicy daikon and ginger, Tsugaru Strait tuna, sweet shrimp with kelp, marbled flounder (delicious including the crunchy texture), seafood chawanmushi (luxurious ingredients like shrimp, salmon roe, crab, abalone), grilled silver cod with sweet miso glaze (perfectly melted), scallops with miso glaze and sauce (first taste in my life), flounder with kelp, marinated Tsugaru Strait tuna, scallops (thick and eaten with salt), buffoon sea urchin with herring and botan shrimp (rich sweetness), Hakodate salmon roe (good seaweed flavor), grilled surf clam with seaweed wrap and clear soup, seafood soup (soothing taste), wasabi sherbet (rare and refreshing)."

The fatty richness was amazing, and every piece of sushi was so impressive that it made my body tremble with excitement. The rice was unique, almost erasing its presence to highlight the freshness of the fish. I visited this sushi restaurant near Yunosawa Onsen. Normally, when you visit a hot spring inn, you have the inn's meals, but this time, due to the presence of two elderly people and one senior citizen, it would have been difficult to finish the inn's kaiseki meal, so they requested to eat nearby. After searching, we found this sushi restaurant, which turned out to be an incredible encounter. Honestly, it was the best sushi I've ever had in my life. I've dined at some good sushi restaurants before, but I believe this place surpasses those in Tokyo that charge 20,000 yen or more. And yet, the set menu we ordered, the Hakodate nigiri (6,600 yen), was only 6,600 yen. A steal. I wouldn't have discovered this place if it weren't for the elderly people wanting to eat outside the inn. I'm grateful for their selfish request. The fatty tuna was amazing, but even the lean cuts were outstanding. Despite being lean, they felt incredibly fatty. Is it not fat but umami? Still, it feels like fat. It's strange. Is this how really delicious lean cuts should taste? I had a type of sushi with herring, which you wouldn't find in Tokyo. It was also rich in fat and sweet. The standout feature, however, was the rice. The red vinegar rice. Red vinegar rice usually emphasizes the sourness, but not here. There was no presence of the rice at all. Not in a bad way. It didn't interfere with the flavor of the fish at all. And yet, it didn't feel like just eating sashimi. I felt like I was truly enjoying sushi. But the rice was "unnoticeable." This strange feeling was a first in my life. Without a doubt, it was the best sushi I've ever had. I would come to Hakodate just to visit this restaurant. I hope it doesn't become too popular.

Sushi Kihara is located in Yunokawa-cho, Hakodate City, Hokkaido. It is about a 10-minute drive from Hakodate Airport, situated in the Yunokawa Onsen area. Established in 1994, the restaurant moved to Yunokawa-cho in 1998. The head chef, Mr. Kihara, is a native of Hakodate and has been in the sushi business since he was 15 years old. The restaurant focuses on Edomae sushi, using red vinegar for the sushi rice and locally sourced ingredients. The Hakodate Nigiri Set (13 pieces for 6,600 yen) includes a variety of sushi such as Hakodate flatfish, bluefin tuna, live scallop, live firefly squid, botan shrimp, herring, hairy crab, seared yellowtail, saltwater sea urchin, marinated salmon roe, Ezo abalone, marinated bluefin tuna belly, Ezo conger eel, and tamago. Additionally, dishes like homemade sea urchin marinated overnight and grilled tsubugai can be added. The restaurant also offers drinks like draft beer and sake. The standout dish was the squid, a specialty of Hakodate, with a distinct texture and sweetness that sets it apart from what you might find in Tokyo. The tuna from the strait was also delicious. We arrived at the restaurant earlier than the lunch hours, but they kindly allowed us to enter. The hospitality of Mr. Kihara and the overall atmosphere of the restaurant made for a relaxing and enjoyable dining experience. Yunokawa Onsen, where the restaurant is located, is a tranquil and laid-back area. This sushi restaurant fits perfectly in such a setting, focusing on local ingredients and catering well to tourists. It is recommended to make a reservation in advance, as they seem to prepare the sushi rice based on reservations. Overall, it was a delightful dining experience.

The red vinegar rice was just the right firmness and the sushi toppings were all delicious, made with great care in techniques like marinating with kelp and knife skills. The local specialty "nebokke" was a unique texture that I tried for the first time. The herring had a strong fish flavor typical of blue fish, with a nice fatty taste. I enjoyed it so much that I ended up ordering more. I got so excited that I forgot to take a photo of the sea urchin. The purple sea urchin was creamy and made me feel happy. You can't find sushi this delicious at this price in Tokyo. If it was closer, I would want to visit frequently. I made a reservation 3 weeks in advance and ordered the Hokkaido Hakodate nigiri course of 13 pieces at the shop.

I made a reservation about 3 weeks ago and finally visited "Kiwahara" for the second time. It's hard to get a reservation on weekends, so I recommend booking early. I've been to several sushi restaurants in Hakodate, but this place is top-notch in terms of atmosphere, service, taste, and price! I definitely want to come back again! Thank you for the delicious meal♫♫

After soaking in the hot springs at "Yunohama Hotel," we headed to a nearby sushi restaurant. It was about a 10-minute walk from Hakodate City Tram "Yunokawa Onsen." This was a sushi restaurant that I had been wanting to visit since I went to Hakodate 20 years ago. The place had been renovated and had a luxurious atmosphere. The restaurant was called "Sushidokoro Kihara." Inside, there was a tank with live squid and large flounders on the left side wall behind a white curtain. The counter seats were made of a splendid single piece of wood, with a spacious area that was almost flat and had depth. Reservations were required, and I had made a reservation by phone three weeks in advance. They allowed photography with prior approval, but videos were not allowed. The chef serving us was the second in command. In front of us, there was a case filled with local high-quality ingredients like peony shrimp, Hokkaido tiger prawns, sea urchin, golden eye snapper, herring, kazunoko, and salmon roe. We opted for the nigiri sushi course. The bill came to 6,600 yen for 13 pieces of Hakodate nigiri sushi. We started off with a Sapporo Classic beer in a thin tumbler, which was nicely chilled and refreshing. The first appetizer was minced fatty tuna with green onion, shredded seaweed, cubed yam, green onion, and myoga, all pre-seasoned with soy sauce. It was a punchy appetizer with local tuna. We then enjoyed a bottle of William Fevre Chablis Chardonnay from Burgundy 2019, which had a light golden color and a fresh, fruity taste with a rich mouthfeel. The meal continued with various sushi pieces, including flounder, lean tuna, live squid (surumeika), scallop, peony shrimp, red snapper, scallop, hokkigai, herring, hairy crab, golden eye snapper, and sea urchin. Each piece was meticulously prepared and served with different seasonings and accompaniments. The meal ended with a savory miso soup with shellfish and a delicious ikura (salmon roe) sushi. We also enjoyed a special sake called "Kihara Hokuto Suusou Junmai Ginjo" from Kobayashi Sake Brewery in Kurayama Town, Yubari District, Hokkaido. The meal concluded with a luxurious fatty tuna and a tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet) as an additional order. For dessert, we had Ezo sea eel from Funka Bay, which was thick and flavorful, accompanied by a sprinkle of sansho pepper for a refreshing finish. The rice used for the sushi was a large-grain, elastic variety called "Hatsushimo" from Gifu Prefecture. Overall, the sushi was made with thick slices of fish, slightly tangy red vinegar rice, and easy-to-eat textures. It was a delightful dining experience with top-quality ingredients and expert craftsmanship.

In July 2022, when it comes to Yunokawa Onsen in Hakodate, it's all about seafood! This Michelin-starred restaurant is popular with tourists, serving delicious sushi in a relaxed atmosphere. Reservations only, courses must be ordered in advance. It was my first time dining solo at a high-end sushi restaurant. The customer next to me was wearing Pokémon clothes, which helped ease my nerves. I enjoyed a cold beer in a golden thin glass. The appetizers were lovely, especially the simmered conger eel and tender octopus. The sushi set included 13 pieces of fresh seafood from Hokkaido, served with small shari rice. The highlights were the flounder, medium fatty tuna, and salted herring. The meal ended with a savory rolled omelet and seafood soup. Everything was delicious, with perfect freshness, aging, and skillful preparation. The thick, succulent shrimp, rich herring, and luxurious snow crab and sea urchin were outstanding. The seafood soup was rich and flavorful, with layers of depth from various broths. I could drink a bowl of it! For dessert, I chose wasabi or yuzu sorbet, which was a surprising and refreshing end to the meal. It was a truly satisfying dining experience. Thank you for the meal!