Sushi Sai Wakichi (鮨菜 和喜智) Sapporo

I visited Sushi Sai Wakichi, located near Maruyama Park in Hokkaido.This is a must-visit when discussing high-end sushi in Sapporo.While there are many upscale sushi restaurants in Hokkaido today, this establishment is a pioneer and truly deserves the title of "the original high-end sushi restaurant."The atmosphere inside is calm and refined, exuding a sense of dignity that comes from years of dedication rather than flamboyance.The sushi is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, showcasing seafood that takes advantage of Hokkaido's rich resources.Each piece is thoughtfully prepared, considering not just the quality of the ingredients but also the temperature, cutting technique, and harmony with the rice, allowing one to truly appreciate the essence of traditional sushi.What stands out most is the seamlessness of the overall dining experience.There are no gimmicks or excessive embellishments, yet each bite leaves a lasting impression.The reason this restaurant has been consistently supported over the years lies in its stability and high level of craftsmanship.Sushi Sai Wakichi has been at the forefront of Hokkaido's high-end sushi culture for a long time.Now, with the rise of new establishments, I feel the significance of this restaurant even more.Enjoy sushi that represents Hokkaido at Maruyama Park.This is a renowned restaurant that competes not with trends, but with the time and skill it has accumulated. Less

In late August, I wondered if sushi restaurants might struggle with fresh ingredients during this time. Today, I visited Sushi Sai Wakichi with three fellow sushi-loving foodies, curious about what we could enjoy.As always, we were delighted by the exquisite appetizers and a selection of sushi that felt anything but summery. Although there were no red fish available this season, the fatty tuna more than made up for it. Truly impressive!The fresh salmon roe is best enjoyed at a sushi restaurant in Hokkaido, and it was absolutely delicious.Here’s what we had:- Octopus- Chawanmushi with corn and hairy crab- Matsukawa flounder- Kinki fish with sea urchin- Whelk with liver sauce- Herring rolled sushi- Fresh salmon roe- Fresh squid- Fatty tuna- Toro-taku hand roll- Pacific saury- Kinki fish soup- Surf clam with vegetables and eel- Simmered abalone with liver soy sauce- Nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch)- Botan shrimp- Sea urchin- Anago (conger eel)- Dried gourd roll- Egg Less

On the last day of my trip to Hokkaido, I treated my parents to a reservation at a super high-end sushi restaurant.We enjoyed the Omakase course, a selection of beer, and a variety of Japanese sake.Since we prioritized freshness, I didn’t take many photos, but every dish was an incredible appetizer and sushi!No misses, all hits!The shabu-shabu with golden eye snapper and the eel were absolutely amazing.Sipping Japanese sake made from the finest ingredients was a true luxury.This might be the most extravagant experience I’ve had in the last three years! Hokkaido is the best!!!It was a great meal!!! Less

A renowned sushi restaurant just a 2-minute walk from Maruyama Park Station. This establishment has been in business for 22 years, attracting a balanced mix of Japanese and foreign customers. From appetizers to sushi and desserts, the meticulous craftsmanship enhances the enjoyment of Japanese sake. On this visit, I was pleasantly surprised by the chawanmushi (savory egg custard) with hairy crab and corn, as well as the futomaki (thick sushi roll). The otoro (fatty tuna), spring sea bream, and nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch) left me in awe. Less

On the last day of my trip to Hokkaido, I visited this restaurant that I had reserved in advance. We were a group of nine and had the place to ourselves.We opted for the JPY 39,600 course, and every piece of sushi was crafted with care and delicious. The highlight was definitely the Kinmedai (Golden Eye Snapper) shabu-shabu.Another standout was the red vinegar rice. It had a nice acidity that was perfectly balanced with the toppings, making it exceptional.I did deduct a point for the soup, as I wasn't fond of its flavor.Although it's a bit away from the center of Susukino, I believe it's a restaurant worth taking a taxi to visit. Less

This is my second trip to Hokkaido this year, and I was eagerly waiting with an empty stomach.As expected, the sea urchin from Hokkaido has no unpleasant odor, only sweetness and umami. Personally, my favorite was the shrimp.I thought the flavor of the red vinegar might be too strong, but with the richness of the seafood, it created a perfect balance. This experience truly felt unique to Hokkaido and made me feel like I was on vacation.The restaurant is located in a calm area and has a lovely atmosphere. Less

I finally had the long-awaited first visit to the award-winning Edomae sushi restaurant, Sushi Sai Wakichi.The omakase course is priced at JPY 36,000, which is on the higher end in Sapporo, but it certainly lives up to the expectations with its exceptional quality. From start to finish, it was a truly moving experience.One of the standout dishes was the high level of the appetizers. The kinmedai (golden eye snapper), rich in fat, was exceptional, just as the name "Wakichi" suggests. The liver marinated in black sake had a rich and complex flavor reminiscent of Shaoxing wine, making it a perfect pairing with the drinks.Among the nigiri, the spring sea bream was particularly impressive. The balance of seasoning was exquisite, and I was captivated by the soft and moist texture of the fish. The botan ebi (sweet shrimp) was also delightful, bursting with a sticky sweetness with every bite, making it a highly satisfying piece.You can feel the meticulous craftsmanship in every dish, from the appetizers to the nigiri, making it clear why this place is called a renowned restaurant!It was a great meal! Less

Located about a 5-minute walk from Maruyama Park Station on the Sapporo City Subway Tozai Line, this restaurant is recognized as one of the top 100 eateries and has won the BRONZ award.The menu offers only an Omakase course.The interior features 8 counter seats.On the day of my visit, all the other customers were from outside Hokkaido.What stood out to me was the distinctive sushi rice. The use of red vinegar gave it a sharp and well-defined flavor. The rice was slightly firmer, with a nice graininess, and it pleasantly fell apart in my mouth.While it’s the type of sushi rice that has a strong presence, it beautifully complemented the rich toppings typical of Hokkaido, enhancing their flavors through careful preparation.Preferences may vary, but personally, I found it to be very delicious.I will definitely return. It was a great meal! Less

Rainy SapporoA gathering starting at 20:30.The carefully crafted appetizers were all incredibly delicious and had unique flavors that I haven't experienced elsewhere.I don't know of any other place that puts this much effort into their snacks.The corn and hairy crab chawanmushi, the steamed Kinki fish, and the negi tuna hot pot were all so good that I wanted to take them home.The herring sushi was also delightful.The sushi featured many local Hokkaido ingredients, and the fatty tuna hand roll was the best I've ever had.I definitely want to revisit this place the next time I'm in Sapporo. Less

In the Maruyama Park area, I visited this restaurant for the first time in 13 years, and I was surprised by the owner's completely changed appearance. Just like last time, it was a Sunday evening. Back then, there were only three customers, but tonight, the place was fully booked with six Asian inbound guests at eight seats, which is great to see. The staff has increased, and while the prices have tripled, it feels like the variety of side dishes has also expanded, and the food is still delicious. However, the tuna nigiri is still not up to par as before. \(//∇//\) Less