Unlocking the Secrets of Hokkaido's Culinary Delights with JR Pass and Kitaca Card

There are plenty of reasons why Hokkaido is Japan's culinary haven: colossal snow crabs, hearty ramen, and gigantic Japanese curries that are nearly impossible to finish are just some of the irresistible delights here. To explore authentic Japanese cuisine, use JR Pass or Kitaca card to travel around Hokkaido and dine at the best restaurants with Klook.

It's a miss if you visit Sapporo without sipping a Sapporo beer 'in the garden.' One of the original Sapporo beer tasting spots is the Sapporo Beer Garden, situated in the Kaitakushi-san building, an iconic structure in Sapporo with a vintage charm and renowned for its Genghis Khan (grilled mutton) dish.

Pairing a grilled lamb chop with slices of apple, a dash of lemon, and a sip of Sapporo beer makes for a perfect combination. Besides the grilled lamb, the gigantic emperor crabs are also perfect beer accompaniments.

For an extravagant feast at Sapporo Beer Garden, book a buffet ticket to indulge in timeless delights such as grilled lamb, emperor crabs, snow crabs, sushi, and a variety of beverages including beer, wine, whiskey, and non-alcoholic drinks. It's a perfect experience, isn't it!

Address: 9-2-10 Kita 7 Johigashi, Higashi-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido

Buffet Hours: 5:00pm-7:50pm (last entry at 7:50pm) daily

From JR Sapporo station, it's just a 7-minute taxi ride to get here. If you want to save on transportation costs, remember to book the Hokkaido JR Pass for convenient and economical travel!

Alternatively, you can reach Sapporo Beer Garden by taking bus 188 from Sapporo Bus Station #2 using your Kitaca card.

For a delightful feast of fresh seafood, you must visit the Sapporo Central Wholesale Market! Even if you're not shopping, tasting fresh sashimi, king crabs, and sushi here is a must.

The second activity of the morning is hopping on a sightseeing bus in Sapporo to explore the oldest and most picturesque landmarks. The Hokkaido Shrine, one of the holiest places on the island, is a hot spot for photos in the city.

Surely, the Shiroi Koibito Park is the ultimate destination for sweet tooth enthusiasts. Here, you can handcraft and decorate white chocolate as a delightful souvenir to take back home.

Book the morning bus tour in Sapporo with Klook to meet your local guide at JR Sapporo Station. The tour will lead you to explore the beauty of Sapporo in the morning. Joining this trip, you'll have an hour to savor the freshest seafood at the Sapporo Central Market!

This is the go-to place for ramen enthusiasts. Sapporo's Yokocho Ramen Alley is where the iconic Miso Ramen originated, boasting 17 traditional shops for you to choose from.

In winter, it becomes the pinnacle of delight. A steaming bowl of rich miso broth accompanies tender, fresh noodles, complemented by toppings like smoked meat, creamy butter, and sweet corn kernels – a culinary masterpiece!

You'll need the Hokkaido JR Pass to get to Sapporo Station and then take the subway to Susukino Station using your Kitaca card to reach this legendary alley.

Address: 3 Chome-8 Minami 5 Jōnishi, Chūō-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 064-0805, Japan

Opening Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily

Hokkaido is renowned as the birthplace of Japanese curry soup. Despite its humble appearance, don't underestimate the charm of this small bowl of curry. In terms of deliciousness, it rivals any traditional Japanese dish. Klook has tried the Nishitondendori Honpo curry soup, and it's truly exceptional – not without reason it made the list of the most enticing dishes in Sapporo.

You have the freedom to adjust the flavor, spiciness, and thickness of the broth, making it suitable for the taste buds of everyone who tries it. Similarly, you can choose to pair the curry soup with pork, cheeseburger, or chicken feet.

To get here, you can use the Kitaca card for the Sapporo Shiden route and reach it from Sapporo Station in just 5 minutes!

Address: 13 Chome-4-5 Minami 8 Jonishi, Chuo, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0808, Japan

Opening Hours: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. daily

Operated by a former fisherman, Daihachi Matsuda Izakaya is extremely popular among artists and athletes. If you're a fan of a Japanese celebrity, you might even find their autograph on the wall.

One of the most famous dishes here is the Ezo Mae Kaisen Bukkae-meshi! This sushi dish consists of white rice, fresh crab meat, and salmon roe. It sounds simple but is perfectly combined to create a delightful flavor. The sushi chef will place 6 scoops of salmon roe on your sushi plate and shout 'Seiya,' meaning 'Go ahead,' each time he puts down a scoop.

Being one of Japan's largest tuna fishing areas, it's no surprise that grilled tuna is a local favorite. Split and trimmed of excess fat, a tuna fish larger than your face may look a bit lean, but it's rich in color, aroma, and taste.

From Sapporo station, it only takes a 10-minute bus ride to reach the Izakaya. If you already have the Hokkaido JR Pass, take bus 53 and skip the hassle of buying individual tickets.

Address: Monday to Sunday: 5:00 pm – 11:30 pm

Opening Hours: 6:00 pm to 1:00 am daily, closed on Sundays

It's truly regrettable to visit Japan and not experience the sensation of Wagyu beef melting in your mouth. At Cairn Annex Steak House, you'll savor the finest quality Kuroge Wagyu beef, a premium cut bursting with flavor and mouthwatering aroma! Watch the chef cook the beef right before your eyes in the Teppanyaki style.

A complete Wagyu meal will feature various appetizers, side dishes, the famous steak, and, of course, a delightful dessert!

From Sapporo station, take the Namboku line with your Kitaca card and get off at Susukino station. Your steak is just a 2-minute walk from there!

Address: 5-1 Nishi, Minami 4 Jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday: 5:00 pm – 11:30 pm

Treat yourself to a kaiseki meal – an authentic Japanese dining experience! All the essence of Japanese culinary artistry is concentrated in a Kaiseki meal with dishes like grilled scallops with butter, enticing shabu-shabu hot pot, snow crab, and even sea urchin! This exquisite meal is crafted from the freshest ingredients Hokkaido has to offer, ensuring your satisfaction.

Klook a Hanayuzen course and you'll get to try your hand at making 9 signature Japanese dishes in one go! Just a 3-minute train ride on the Namboku line from Sapporo station, and you'll arrive at this feast!

Klook offers you a Guenpin Fugu set for a hassle-free dining experience without the wait! Guenpin Fugu is just a 2-minute walk from Hosuisusukino Station on Tohosen Line.

Location: Okura Bldg.1F, 2-1, Minami-jyounishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido

Opening Hours: 4:00pm-11:00pm (last order: 10:30pm) daily

Located in the heart of Rera Chitose Outlet shopping center and just 15 minutes from the airport, discover a bowl of ramen that satisfies all senses while shopping! Sakurjima Ramen shops are renowned for their kakuni – braised pork belly slices.

To get there, use the JR Pass Hokkaido to reach Minami-Chitose station. The shopping center is only a 13-minute walk away.

Location: 1 Chome-2-1 Kashiwadaiminami, Chitose, Hokkaido 066-8765, Japan

Opening Hours: 11:00am – open daily

Save the best for last! Attention, please. Otaru Rakuten, one of 7 Michelin-rated Izakayas in Hokkaido, stands out as a family-owned gem. Indulge in the finest grilled dishes paired with beer—what could be more delightful?

For a unique twist, try the tender snowfish slices, marinated in orange, yuzu, vinegar, and shoyu—a delightful flavor fusion.

The grilled oysters here are also irresistible; you get to grill them yourself on a charming tiny stove. These oysters are marinated in a sauce made from tuna intestines, and Klook recommends enjoying them with rice for the ultimate experience.

Location: 13 – 7 Inaho 2 – chome, Otaru, Hokkaido

Opening Hours: 6:00 am to 12:00 pm, closed on Mondays

To get here, take the JR line with your JR Pass Hokkaido and disembark at Otaru station; the restaurant is just a 5-minute walk away.