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  • Kakizaki Store Yoichi: Cheap Seafood Market & Local Restaurant Guide

    Kakizaki  Store Yoichi exterior

    I stopped by Kakizaki Store in Yoichi on my way back from Otaru to Niseko.
    Kakizaki Store in Yoichi is a great stop if you are traveling from Sapporo to Niseko.

    It is about 1 hour and 15 minutes by car from Sapporo.

    This place is well known for cheap and fresh seafood.

    I bought crab, scallops, salmon, and hokke (Atka mackerel).


    About Kakizaki Store

    Fresh seafood at Kakizaki Store Yoichi

    Kakizaki Store is a local seafood market where you can find a wide variety of fresh seafood at reasonable prices.

    It is popular with both locals and tourists.

    The inside feels like a lively local market, and the atmosphere is energetic and authentic.

    Friendly staff quickly pack seafood, which adds to the experience.

    This place feels very local, and most of the customers are locals.

    English support is limited, so it may be helpful to use simple words or gestures, or even Google Translate.


    Is It Crowded?

    It was not crowded at all on a weekday afternoon.

    However, it can be very crowded on weekends and during the summer season.


    In summer, fresh sea urchin (uni) is also available, which attracts more visitors.

    Restaurat on the Second Floor

    Restaurant on the Second Floor

    There is a restaurant on the second floor that is very popular.

    Usually, there is a long line, especially on weekends.

    When I visited, it was not busy, but I had already eaten lunch, so I didn’t go in.

    Parking Tips

    There are parking spaces next to the building and also behind it.

    I usually park in the back and enter through the rear entrance.


    Credit cards are accepted, so you don’t need to worry about carrying cash.


    What I Bought

    Crab and Scallops from Kakizaki Store Yoichi

    I bought crab, scallops, salmon, and hokke.

    Everything was fresh and reasonably priced.

    The hairy crab was about ¥3,300 (around $22), and the scallops (about 600g) were ¥1,850 (around $12).

    Both were much cheaper than what you would find in Niseko.

    You can find seafood here at prices that are hard to find in tourist areas.


    My Experience

    If you want to avoid crowds, visiting on a weekday is highly recommended.

    This is a great place to experience a local seafood market in Hokkaido.

  • Dormy Inn Otaru Breakfast: Hokkaido Seafood Bowl & Buffet Review

    View of Mt.Tengu from the breakfast restaurant

    I stayed at Dormy Inn Otaru and had breakfast the next morning.

    Dormy Inn Otaru breakfast is one of the most popular features of this hotel.

    It is known for its Hokkaido-style buffet, including fresh seafood and local dishes.

    I arrived about 5 minutes before opening to avoid the crowd, and there was already a small line.


    Dormy Inn Otaru Breakfast Buffet

    Seafood bowl Otaru breakfast

    The breakfast buffet offers a variety of Hokkaido dishes.

    I had a seafood bowl with different toppings and a warm fish cake soup.

    I couldn’t believe the all-you-can-eat salmon roe.

    Everything was fresh and perfect for starting the day.

    The restaurant also has a nice view of Mount Tengu, which made the experience even more special.

    My Experience

    I felt completely full after breakfast.

    For some reason, I can always eat more than usual when I travel.

    Spring is a great time to visit, as hotel prices are often lower than in winter.

    This breakfast is perfect for travelers who want to enjoy a local Hokkaido-style meal in Otaru.

  • Dormy Inn Otaru Stay: Onsen Experience & Free Night Ramen

    Otaru Station exterior

    After dinner in Otaru, I returned to Dormy Inn Otaru for the night.

    This was part of my short trip to Otaru from Niseko.

    This stay at Dormy Inn Otaru was not only about the location, but also about the experience inside the hotel.


    Japanese-Style Room

    Japanese Style Room Dormy inn Otaru

    I chose a Japanese-style room with tatami flooring.

    Tatami rooms always feel relaxing and comfortable, which made the stay even more enjoyable.


    Onsen Experience

    Onsen ai Dormy inn Otaru

    After relaxing in the room, I headed to the onsen.

    I really like the quiet walk through the long hallway to the bath area. It is somehow part of the travel experience.

    The hotel has a natural hot spring, and the bath was excellent.

    It was not crowded, so I could fully relax.

    One surprising thing was how smooth my hair felt after the bath.

    I noticed they had a ReFa shower head and a Panasonic hair dryer, which might have made the difference.


    Free Night Ramen (Yonaki Soba)

    Free Night Ramen
    Yonaki Soba night ramen Dormy inn

    Another highlight of the stay was the free “Yonaki Soba” served from 9:30 PM.

    It is a complimentary ramen service offered by Dormy Inn hotels at night.

    When I arrived, there was already a line.

    It was more popular than I expected.

    Fortunately, I did not have to wait long and got a bowl.

    The ramen was a light soy sauce flavor, perfect for late at night.

    The portion was just right, and it was very satisfying.


    My Experience

    The onsen and the night ramen made this stay much more enjoyable.

    Dormy Inn Otaru offers not just a place to sleep, but a full travel experience.


    Spring is a great time to visit, as hotel prices are often lower than in winter.

  • Otaru Travel Guide: Naruto Chicken, LeTAO & Dormy Inn Stay

    JR OTARU Station

     visited Otaru for a short overnight trip from Niseko.

    Otaru is a great destination for a short trip from Niseko.

    In this guide, I will share a simple route including a hotel stay, local food, and dessert spots near Otaru Station.

    It takes about one hour from Niseko, so it is easy to visit even for a day trip.

    However, I had plans early the next morning, so I decided to stay one night.

    I visited at the end of March, when the snow had already started to melt.


    Stay at Dormy Inn Otaru

    Dormy Inn Otaru

    I stayed at Dormy Inn Otaru, which is located right in front of the station.

    It is a very convenient location, especially if you travel by train.


    Dinner at Naruto Honten

    Naruto fried chicken Otaru
    Sushi at Naruto Honten Otaru

    For dinner, I went to Naruto Honten, which is famous for its fried chicken.

    It is about a 2–3 minute walk from Dormy Inn Otaru, so the location is very convenient.

    I tried to make a reservation, but they do not accept same-day bookings.

    Luckily, I arrived before 5 PM, so I was able to get a seat without waiting.

    I ordered sushi and half fried chicken, and both were delicious.

    This restaurant has a special meaning to me.

    I used to visit it with my grandparents when I was a child, around 40 years ago.


    LeTAO Dessert

    LeTAO cheesecake Otaru

    After dinner, I stopped by LeTAO, a popular dessert shop in Otaru.

    There is a LeTAO shop called “Ekimo LeTAO” located on the first floor of Dormy Inn Otaru, so it was very easy to visit.

    I had the famous double cheesecake, and it was amazing.

    The shop was quite busy because it is close to the station.

    My Experience

    Even though it was just a short trip, I really enjoyed walking around Otaru.

    It is a great place for a quick getaway from Niseko.

    This plan is perfect for travelers who want a relaxed and easy trip near Niseko.


    I will also share the breakfast experience in another post.

  • Nikka Yoichi Distillery Guide:Shop, Souvenirs & Tips

    I stopped by Nikka Yoichi Distillery on my way back from Otaru to Niseko.

    It is about 1 hour and 15 minutes by car from Sapporo.

    Even though I had just had lunch, I decided to stop by for a quick visit.


    Do You Need a Reservation?

    The factory tour is free, but a reservation is required in advance.

    Even without a reservation, you can still visit the shop and museum.


    Souvenir Shop

    The shop has a wide selection of whisky, apple wine, and unique souvenirs.

    There were also chocolates in small wooden barrels, which looked really nice.

    I didn’t plan to buy anything, but I couldn’t resist.

    It was not crowded because I visited on a weekday.

    However, it can get very busy on weekends.


    What I Bought

    I ended up buying two highball glasses and a bottle of whisky.

    There were so many options that it was hard to choose.

    Restaurant

    There is also a restaurant inside the distillery.

    It is usually very crowded on weekends, and there can be a long line.

    I wanted to try it, but I had just eaten lunch, so I skipped it this time.

    My Experience

    Even without joining the tour, it was definitely worth visiting.

    Next time, I would like to join the factory tour.

    If you are visiting Yoichi, this is a great place to stop by.