Before we had big-scale-supermarkets where we can buy most kinds of daily necessities, ”Ichiba” (Market)was the place we went shopping every day especially to buy the fresh seafood, vegetables, fruits, or handmade deli, where we enjoyed ‘ over-the-counter-talk’ to ask for discount, or learned the right recipe to cook them. By talking with the upbeat, lively people working there, we could get some energy to go through the daily routine, often refreshed. Through the conversation, we could form some good relationship between the sellers and buyers, giving us trust in each other.

Recently, sad to say, the number of the market has decreased, as more people go to the supermarkets near their homes. This is caused from the change of lifestyle as we see in many areas. But still, to look for the best quality of fresh food at the moderate price, to enjoy chatting with the sellers, many of us go to some of the markets we can find in and around Sapporo.

Let us introduce some of the markets here.

Sapporo Nijyo Fish Market

Located almost at the center of Sapporo, about 100 years ago, nicknamed “The kitchen for citizen”. Made up of over 50 shops and luncheonettes dealing in fresh seafood, meat, vegetables, fruits, dried or preserved food and stuff for souvenir. For enjoying meals, there’re good places for sushi, or domburi, a bowl of rice with different kinds of seafood on as its topping. Many come here to get crabs, tuna, salmon or food of the season. The sellers are kind enough to give you some for tasting.

Opening hours
7:00~ 18:00 ( different depending on the shop) all the year round
Address
South 3, East 1-2, Chuo-ku
Access
5-minute walk from Odori Subway Station or Bus center mae Subway Station
Inquiry
Sapporo Nijo Uomachi Commercial Association (Tel: 222-5308)
Taxi fare
Approx. 600YEN from the city center (approx. 5 min.)

Nijyo Fish Market

Nijyo Fish Market

Sapporo Central Wholesale Market

Located near Sapporo race track,. Sapporo Central Wholesale Market was first built in 1959. It is divided in two parts: the fish market (rebuilt in 2003) and the fruit and vegetable market (rebuilt in 2006)..
You can visit the building from 5 a.m. to 16 p.m., following the tourist route. After the visit, you can enjoy shopping while trying fresh sea foods in the Maruka Wholesale Center. You can also enjoy Japanese food in the different restaurants of the market.

Public opening hours
5:00~ 16:00
Closed on Sundays, from Dec. 29 to Jan. 4, and other days fixed by the market (see calendar here)
Address
North 12, West 20, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Access
10 min. walk from Nijuyon-ken subway station (Tozai Line) or JR Soen Station
Inquiry
Sapporo Central Whole Market (Tel: 011-611-3111)

Enjoying an early morning

Sapporo Central Wholesale Market

Sushi

Curb Market, Central Wholesale Market

Located next to the Central Wholesale Market, opened about 100 years ago, is the "Curb Market" the biggest one in Sapporo.About 80 shops are now lined up, dealing in fresh seafood of course, not to mention vegetables, fruits, or preserved food. You can enjoy shopping while sampling fresh seafood, farm products, etc. There’re many good restaurants with many ‘set lunch’ not only for seafood but ramen noodle, pork, or curry and rice. Many workers of the Wholesale Market eat meals here.

Opening hours
6:00~ 16:30 ( different depending on the shop ) all the year round
Address
North 11, West 21, Chuo-ku and its environs
Access
10-minute walk from JR Soen Station or 7-minute walk from Nijuyonken Subway Station
Inquiry
Curb Market Central District Commercial Association(Tel: 621-7044)
Taxi fare
Approx. 1,500YEN from the city center (approx. 15 min.)

Tanuki koji Ichiba, market

Located in the west 6 block of Tanuki koji shopping arcade, with over 80 years history is one lane with about a dozen of tasteful shops dealing in Tofu, Noodles, Sushi, Monjya-grilled-food on the hot plate, deli, not to mention seafood, vegetables or fruits. This lane is certainly makes you feel what it was like in good old days of Sapporo. Just by listening to the communication among the people, you may find yourself go back to the old nostalgic days.

Opening hours
9:00 ~ 19:00, restaurants until about 23:00 (different depending on each)( Basically on Sunday, National holidays)
Address
South 2, West 6, Chuo-ku
Access
7-minute walk from Odori or Susukino Subway Station
Inquiry
Tanuki koji Shopping Arcade Promotion Association (Tel: 241-5125)
Taxi fare
Approx. 600YEN from the city center (approx. 5 min.)

Washoku (Japanese cuisine) in Sapporo

Tips when eating at Japanese restaurants or Izakaya

Jingisukan, mutton barbecue

Sapporo Ramen noodle