Sapporo is known for its incredibly fresh seafood produce, so what better way to experience it than with Matsuriya Yamahana premium sushi?
Just a short walk from the beautiful Nakajima Park and only a couple of train stops from the infamous Sapporo TV Tower is a small local favorite called Matsuriya Yamahana.
Priced a notch above popular chains like Sushiro and Kura, this little store takes the quality, quantity, and variety of sushi to a whole new level.
Nice Ambiance
As soon as you walk through the doors, you’ll immediately feel something about this restaurant that’s just different from the other chains.
Instead of a noisy crowded space with employees yelling at each other and ordering systems beeping non-stop, you’ll be met with a calm vibe and a relaxing atmosphere.
The walls are covered in traditional Japanese art and calligraphy featuring sea creatures and maps of Hokkaido island, really getting you into the mood to eat sushi!
Easy Ordering System
Like any sushi train in Japan nowadays, Matsuriya Yamahana uses an easy touchscreen ordering screen.
Available in multiple languages including English, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean, it’s a fairly foreigner-friendly restaurant.
The awesome thing about this menu is they have categories that tell you “today’s special,” “elaborate sushi,” “top selling items,” and more!
In terms of price, you can expect to pay about 230 yen (1.60 USD) for the cheapest sushi item, making it notably more pricey than mainstream conveyor belt sushi chains in Japan.
Sushi & Sashimi Made Fresh!
The price is absolutely justified when you experience the sheer quality of the fish at Matsuriya Yamahana.
Unlike Sushiro and Kura, your ordered sushi is not delivered on a conveyor belt, but handed to you by one of the expert sushi chefs that craft it right in front of you!
I was blown away by how massive and fresh the salmon sashimi pieces were, absolutely engulfing what looked like a tiny ball of rice in comparison.
Unsurprisingly, the salmon sashimi is the highest-ranked item on the top-selling list, and for just 230 yen a plate, I’d say rightfully so!
Amazing Variety
Okay, there aren’t really any sushi train restaurants that don’t offer an amazing variety, but Matsuriya Yamahana certainly has the biggest variety of premium sushi options.
Whether it’s thick bluefin tuna, premium fatty maguro, or XL whitefish sashimi, your taste buds will go on an absolute rollercoaster trip of pleasure and delight.
In addition to sashimi and nigiri options, there are also seaweed rolls, side dishes, kid’s meals, and drinks on offer too!
Premium Dessert
Last but not least, I’d like to comment on the quality of Matsuriya Yamahana’s dessert menu, particularly its milk pudding.
This classic dessert was one of the creamiest and tastiest of its kind, even surpassing that of my favorite “Ohayo milk pudding” from the convenience store.
I often speak about Japanese milk being superior to Western milk, but I feel this notion is especially true when it comes to Hokkaido milk, offering a richer, creamier flavor with a subtle vanilla aftertaste!
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