Sapporo: Jogai Market vs. Nijo Market – Which Should You Visit?

Sapporo—and Hokkaido as a whole—is famous for its incredible food. While dining at the city’s restaurants is a highlight of any trip, visiting one of its local seafood markets is an experience you shouldn’t miss.

At the markets, you can enjoy fresh seafood rice bowls, or have crab, scallops, and other seafood grilled right in front of you. The freshness and flavor are simply outstanding, making it a must-try experience for seafood lovers.

In this article, based on the author’s own experiences, we cover Sapporo’s representative markets: “Jogai Market” and “Nijo Market.”

Comparison Item	Sapporo Central Wholesale Market Jogai Market	Nijo Market
Access	Approx. 10 mins on foot from JR Soen Station / Approx. 7 mins on foot from Subway Tozai Line Nijuyanken Station Free parking available	5 to 10 mins on foot from Subway Odori Station / Susukino Station Very close to Streetcar “Tanukikoji” stop
Scale (Number of Shops)	Approx. 60 shops (fresh fish, produce, seafood dining, etc.)	Approx. 20 shops (seafood products, seafood bowls, souvenirs)
Business Hours	6:00 – 17:00 *Dining from 7:00 (Varies by shop)	7:00 – 18:00 *Dining area from 6:00 – 21:00
Morning Operation	◎ Opens at 6:00 with plenty of “market meals”	○ Starts at 7:00 (Seafood bowl breakfast available)
Price Range	Slightly high for tourists	High for tourists
On-site Dining	Sushi, seafood bowls, set meals, etc. Plenty of seating	Centered on bowl shops/diners inside the arcade (seating is somewhat limited)
Photo-worthy Spots	Giant king crab piles & energetic callouts	Retro wooden arcade and signboards
Crowding Level	Peak is after tourist bus arrivals (9:00 – 11:00)	Moderate crowding around noon, pathways are narrow
Recommended Type	Those who want to stock up on seafood & enjoy a seafood breakfast in the morning	Those who want a quick seafood bowl while walking around town

If You Want to Enjoy the Market Properly: “Jogai Market”

Although a bit away from central Sapporo (Susukino and Sapporo Station), “Jogai Market”—reachable in a few dozen minutes by JR or subway—has large grounds and many shops, so it’s recommended. Seafood retail shops line both sides of a somewhat wide road in matching numbers, making it a market that’s plenty of fun just to walk around and take in.

Highlights of “Jogai Market”

Seafood Sales at Jogai Market

Crabs stand out extraordinarily, as expected, but delicious-looking abalone, scallops, Atka mackerel, and salmon are also sold at low prices, and they offer frozen shipping too—so you can buy for souvenirs or home use.

Crabs larger than a person’s face are sold whole with a thud—a magnificent sight. Snow crabs of this size are rarely seen even in markets. Although meant for tourists, you can’t help but think, “Even if I bring it home… what am I going to do with it? (laughs),” but enjoying one surprise after another is one of the joys of a seafood market.

Eat Right on the Spot (A Real Meal at a Jogai Market Restaurant)

Many shops have attached diners, and being able to enjoy seafood inside Jogai Market is another plus. Naturally that includes seafood bowls, and individual seafood items and sushi are available too.

The grilled scallops with butter at Jogai Market are simply irresistible! Because they’re actually grilled right before your eyes, eating them soaked in butter and soy sauce right on the spot is supreme.

Whelk sashimi is fresh, crunchy, flavorful, and recommended. At this size and quantity, taking a quick sip of Japanese sake while eating it makes the trip to Hokkaido worthwhile on its own.

Giant Crab and Lobster Photo-worthy Spots

Inside Jogai Market, there are monuments of a “giant crab and lobster.”

Just how many people could eat their fill with a crab of this size! Even if you spread your arms, the span of the crab’s legs is wider.

The lobster has great impact. The claws are way too big~. If you made miso soup with this lobster, just how many portions could you get? It’s a photo-worthy spot where you’ll want to take a picture together.

Jogai Market Location and Access

For Jogai Market, “Soen” Station is the nearest by JR, and “Nijuyanken” Station on the Tozai Line is the nearest by subway. You walk a bit from either station, but “Nijuyanken” on the Tozai Line is slightly closer.

location

If you’re going to Jogai Market, morning (early morning) is recommended, as expected; eating a luxurious seafood bowl for breakfast will become another wonderful memory of your Hokkaido trip.

Buying Fresh Abalone & Scallops at Sapporo’s Jogai Market: First-Hand Experience

We actually bought “abalone” and “scallops”! Here are the fully frozen, fully packaged “abalone” and “scallops” that arrived at home!

In a super splendid Styrofoam box properly packed with ice, domestic Hokkaido scallops and domestic Hokkaido abalone arrived by frozen shipment.

Purchased Shop

Regarding the price, thanks to the kindness of the shop staff who worked hard on it, we can’t write the actual number here—but domestic abalone isn’t something you can usually buy at a casual price! We were able to purchase at a price unique to markets. A professional chef acquaintance cooked the abalone and scallops that arrived at home! Here it is!

“Abalone” and “scallop” sashimi

Simmered abalone

Isobe-yaki style tempura of abalone and scallops

The abalone had a chewiness with deep flavor, and the scallops were thick-fleshed with a firm flavor—delicious. As expected of Hokkaido seafood. Even after returning from a Hokkaido trip, being able to savor Hokkaido once again is irresistible!

Bonus: “Kohashi,” a Delicious Soba Shop Near Jogai Market

At “Kohashi,” a neighborhood-style soba shop a few minutes on foot from Jogai Market, you can enjoy exquisite soba.

On the way back from Jogai Market (for lunch), handmade soba at “Kohashi” is highly recommended.

Crispy, tender tempura and genuinely delicious handmade soba are the best. It’s a good shop where you can eat such authentic, delicious handmade soba in Sapporo, but because it closes as soon as the soba runs out, watch the time when you visit. It’s a popular shop that doesn’t take reservations and has people lining up from opening, so please allow plenty of time.

“Nijo Market,” Close to Sapporo’s Downtown Area

Highlights of “Nijo Market”

Location and Convenience for a Casual Visit

The greatest highlight of Nijo Market is its good access. It’s in a good spot reachable on foot from Sapporo’s entertainment district Susukino and Tanukikoji Shopping Street; being so close that you can leave the hotel in the morning before sightseeing and head over in a breakfast mood offers unmatched convenience.

Nijo Market has good access and many retail shops selling seafood and dried goods aimed at tourists, making it convenient when you want to buy souvenirs in a short window during daytime sightseeing in Sapporo.

Tourist-Oriented Market Just Right for Souvenir Purchases

In Nijo Market, where there are many seafood retail shops aimed at tourists, going around noon means it’s bustling with people visiting from abroad. Foreign tourists might outnumber Japanese visitors.

Looking casually, you can see alleys brimming with mystery, but you can also enjoy the feel of shops tightly lined up as you walk, and there are shops where you can eat scallops or crabs grilled right on the spot—making it a gourmet walk as well.

Seafood Bowls from Morning at Diners Inside the Market

Diners inside the market have plenty of seafood bowl options, so you can go in the morning and even enjoy the luxury of a seafood bowl right from breakfast.

Location and Access of “Nijo Market”

Location

Head east along “Tanukikoji Shopping Street,” familiar to Sapporo locals and tourists alike, go all the way to the end and cross the main avenue, and “Nijo Market” is right in front of you.

Tips for Enjoying Sapporo’s Markets (Sapporo’s Jogai Market and Nijo Market)

Hokkaido is delicious no matter what you eat! Furthermore, when it comes to markets, you can enjoy fresh seafood and fruit right on the spot, and you can also buy for souvenirs or home use—especially with fresh seafood. A place excellent for both shopping and sightseeing—that’s a market.

Talk with the Shop Staff to Enjoy the Market

When you go to a market, (experienced older male staff members) frequently talk to you. Because they often say things like “What are you looking for?”, you might wonder a little, “Will I be forced to buy something?”—but that isn’t the case.

It’s true that many staff members have strong sales pitches, but enjoying even that leads to better shopping, and there are often times when you can sample, or they cut you a deal on price or quantity.

Talking is more fun, as expected. You can also soak up the market atmosphere.

Even if you talk, there’s no rule that you must buy there, so when you still want to tour the shops, it’s OK to say, “I just arrived and want to look around at various things, so I’ll go around once for now and come back again~”!

Walk the Market Once First

At Sapporo’s markets, there are many retail shops aimed at tourists, and strong “buy this, buy this” talk starts right at the first shop. However, to enjoy the market more, walking around once while chatting at shops is recommended.

You’ll come to understand the going rates, as well as the personality of each shop.

While walking around once, mark what you want to buy, sample a little along the way, or sometimes enter a diner for a seafood bowl. Finally, returning to the shop you thought was best and buying after you truly feel “Your place was the best, so I came back~” makes the staff immensely happy—and you make a satisfying purchase, so everyone’s happy.

A Delight Unique to Markets! Look at the “Water Tanks”

Looking at products lined up at storefronts is fun, but looking at the water tanks is actually one of the tips for enjoying a market.

A water tank full of crabs is rarely seen, so it’s well worth a look. If you step inside a shop and say, “May I look at the water tanks?”, they’ll gladly show you—so step inside shops more and more and enjoy.

Putting your hands in is dangerous, so never put your hands into the water tanks or try to touch them.

Enjoying yourself while observing moderation and manners is important.

Summary: Sapporo’s Markets “Jogai Market” and “Nijo Market”

“Jogai Market” and “Nijo Market” support Sapporo’s food culture. Both are appealing spots where you can enjoy fresh seafood.

Market Name	Recommended For	Greatest Advantage
Jogai Market	Those who want to enjoy market liveliness properly	Shop count is high, and the selection is overwhelming. This is the place if you want to “bulk buy” large crabs or scallops, or savor authentic market meals in a spacious diner.
Nijo Market	Those who want to enjoy it efficiently between sightseeing stops	Access is outstanding. In a convenient location right after walking from Tanukikoji, it’s ideal for leaving the hotel and going straight to eat a “luxurious breakfast.”

Tips to Enjoy Market Touring 120%

• “Walk Around Once First”: Without being overwhelmed by energetic callouts, first walk through the whole area to grasp the going rates and shop atmosphere.
• Enjoy Conversations with Shop Staff: Try casually asking, “What is the absolute best right now?” There might be stories unique to markets—or happy little extras—at times.
• Look Inside the “Water Tanks”: Not just products lined up at storefronts—seeing crabs and shellfish moving lively in the tanks is also a real pleasure of markets.

Memories of a Hokkaido trip begin with delicious food. While soaking up the air of lively markets, please find your supreme bowl and supreme dish.