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“Susukino” in Sapporo is packed with countless signs as one of Japan’s leading entertainment districts, but quite a few shops among them give off a unique aura that takes a little “courage” to step into.
“What on earth is inside the shop behind that sign?” “It looks suspicious, but could it actually be a famous establishment…?”
The author actually ventured into these “intriguing spots” in Susukino, where curiosity and anxiety mix. Here is a first-hand report on unique and memorable shops that are not listed in standard travel guides. Reading this will surely make your next night in Susukino even more interesting.
That curious Susukino storefront looks intimidating—could it actually be a hidden gem?
We went in with the same mix of curiosity and nerves. A first-hand report you won’t find in the usual guides.
“Unique and Intriguing” Spots in Susukino
Walking through “Susukino,” Hokkaido’s top entertainment district, intriguing signs and shops may catch your eye. Here are first-hand introductions to those intriguing spots.
| Sushi Restaurant / Spot | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Sushi Sakaba Lemon | A sushi izakaya with an eye-catching Showa-modern sign |
| Susukino Snack Street | A space that feels like something right out of a role-playing game |
| “Aji no Hitsujigaoka” Jingisukan | A conspicuous red sign right in the heart of Susukino |
| Yakiniku Resort Hawaii | A hidden gem of a yakiniku restaurant for those in the know |
| Corn Food Stall | A corn stall that draws you in with its mouthwatering, savory aroma |
Sushi Sakaba Lemon
Entering Susukino from the Susukino intersection and turning right, a sign that evokes a Showa atmosphere immediately catches your eye: “Sushi Sakaba Lemon.” It leaves you slightly wondering whether it is sushi, a pub, or an adult nightlife spot—but the neon sign sparks curiosity.
In the hallway from the building entrance to the shop entrance, Showa-modern art signs are densely packed; that alone creates a nostalgic space that sparks interest all at once.
The actual shop is a sushi izakaya with lemon sour as its main draw. You will be surprised by how reasonable the all-you-can-drink lemon sour is at 60 minutes / 500 JPY. Because menu prices are generally low, it feels like a neighborhood izakaya.
My impression is that the sushi menu has many creative items; if you are picturing a normal sushi shop, it is completely different and closer to an izakaya. There are sushi items on the menu, but izakaya dishes are also abundant, so approaching it like a casual neighborhood izakaya works well.
Location
Susukino Snack Street
Entering the 1st floor of the Okura Building in Sapporo’s Susukino, there is a place that somehow looks like the entrance to a temple in a role-playing game. This is a theme area called “Susukino Snack Street,” where snack bars are clustered.
“Susukino Snack Street” contains 5 to 6 snack bars, with shops run by beautiful moms lining the area. Inheriting the atmosphere of Showa-era snack bars, it is a calm space; while the clientele may lean more toward men, there are shops where even women can walk in and enjoy themselves.
More on “Susukino Snack Street”
Susukino is Sapporo’s largest entertainment district. Tucked away in a corner of one of its buildings lies a space with a uniquely striking presence. Exuding a mysterious yet captivating atmosphere—as if you’ve wandered into the entrance of a haunted mansion or a mansion from Resident Evil—this is “Sapporo Snack Street,” where a variety of unique snack bars line the corridor.
Location
“Ajino Hitsujigaoka” Jingisukan
Located right in the middle of Susukino, “Ajino Hitsujigaoka” is a Jingisukan shop with a bright red sign that really stands out. It is a popular shop where people line up out front during dinner hours; late at night, you can sometimes walk in without waiting.
The Jingisukan at “Ajino Hitsujigaoka” is classic, straightforward Jingisukan. It is a good shop to visit before heading out in Susukino or as a finishing touch afterward, but be careful—the smell of Jingisukan sticks heavily to clothes. Do not mess up the order!
More on “Ajino Hitsujigaoka” Jingisukan
“Aji no Hitsujigaoka” in Sapporo Susukino is a fantastic place right in the heart of the Susukino nightlife district where you can easily enjoy delicious Jingisukan (grilled mutton/lamb).
Location
Yakiniku Resort “Hawaii”
Yakiniku Resort “Hawaii” has a sign that makes you think, “Why is Hawaii in Hokkaido?!” A famous yakiniku restaurant known to those in the know among Sapporo locals, it is a popular shop nearly full every day. Above all, the yakiniku is cheap and delicious! It is great to go to before drinking, or as a finishing touch after drinking.
Each piece of meat is thick and delicious; because it is yakiniku, you grill it yourself, but the heat is strong—sear the surface at once, and meat cooked through to the inside really goes well with drinks.
Location
Corn Stalls
A stall selling “corn” and “baked sweet potatoes” that appears near the Susukino Round One intersection at night. Its intensely savory aroma tempts passersby. Prices of 600 JPY for corn and 1,000 JPY for baked sweet potatoes feel a bit pricey, but warm food in the cold winter is delightful. Of course, takeaway is also OK.
The taste is ordinary, but corn grilled with soy sauce has an indescribably nostalgic deliciousness.
Main spots it appears
Sushi You Definitely Want to Eat When Going to Sapporo! Introducing Recommended Sushi Restaurants
Sapporo, located close to New Chitose Airport—the air gateway of Hokkaido—is a "city of gastronomy" where highly fresh seafood gathers from various parts of the prefecture. Sushi in particular is one of the delights you cannot miss when visiting Sapporo.
Sapporo's sushi is undeniably delicious. In the gourmet paradise of Hokkaido, the umami of seafood that has grown robust in the cold northern seas is second to none.
Part of the charm of Sapporo's sushi dining scene is the coexistence of diverse styles, ranging from high-end establishments to casual conveyor-belt sushi spots you can easily drop by. Because seasonal toppings change throughout the year, you can enjoy discovering new flavors no matter when you visit. When you go to Sapporo, be sure to step into a sushi restaurant at least once.
Sapporo is a city where Hokkaido's delicious seafood gathers. Among all, the seafood from the northern seas—with its firm, flavorful fish and shellfish—is simply extraordinary.
A wonderful hotel in Sapporo featuring an all-you-can-eat seafood breakfast.
While there are plenty of hotels in Sapporo, you can choose one that perfectly fits your budget and how you want to enjoy your trip—ranging from budget-friendly accommodations meant simply for sleeping, to hotels featuring hot springs (large public baths) and buffet-style breakfasts with all-you-can-eat seafood. However, it can be quite difficult to make a choice without knowing the best recommendations.
Since you're going out of your way for a special trip, you definitely don't want to regret your hotel choice. You want to carefully weigh your options and stay somewhere wonderful. For anyone feeling this way, our top recommendation is Dormy Inn PREMIUM Sapporo, where you can enjoy seafood bowls to your heart's content for breakfast.
＼Recommended Hotel "Dormy Inn PREMIUM Sapporo"／
Above all, the all-you-can-eat seafood breakfast is simply irresistible! Complete with an onsen (large public bath) and situated in the absolute best location right along Tanukikoji, it’s a hotel you’ll want to stay at at least once to savor the hot spring and breakfast experience.
＼Hotel Reservations Are First Come, First Served／
Worried about room availability? Book early!
Whether you stay near "Sapporo Station" for easy airport access and JR day trips, stay near Odori Park for business convenience, or stay in the "Susukino" area to enjoy the famous Jingisukan (grilled mutton) and nightlife bars to your heart's content—choosing a hotel that matches your travel purpose is a key factor in making your stay in Sapporo fulfilling.
Summary: Unique and Intriguing Spots in Sapporo / Susukino
Sapporo’s Susukino is one of Japan’s leading entertainment districts. In this town where countless signs shine, there are many attractive spots that take a little courage to step into—but become addictive once you know them.
- Spots that stimulate the five senses: From “Sushi Sakaba Lemon,” where you can immerse yourself in a Showa-modern worldview, to “Susukino Snack Street,” with its striking and unique atmosphere, simply walking through Susukino is one discovery after another.
- Timeless Flavors of Sapporo: Savoring Jingisukan at the lively “Aji no Hitsujigaoka” or being drawn in by the mouthwatering aroma wafting from a “Corn Food Stall” in the night air—these are essential scenes that symbolize a night in Susukino.
- Enjoy it your way: You can savor authentic sushi, or enjoy reasonable drinks at a unique izakaya—the choice is yours. Stepping slightly off the standard tourist path and picking a spot based on your intuition is one of the true pleasures of travel.
Nights in Susukino run deep and cannot be fully captured in a single visit. Next time you visit this city, why not knock on the door of “that sign” that casually caught your eye? A new Sapporo memory will surely be waiting there.
Ways to Pass Time at “New Chitose Airport” & How to Spend Waiting Time for Departure and Layovers
(Souvenirs, Seafood, Gourmet, Movie Theater, Hot Spring)
New Chitose Airport, serving Sapporo, Hokkaido, condenses the best of Hokkaido into a wonderful space so engaging you could spend an entire day here without getting bored. The futuristic open space is sleek and impressive—making New Chitose Airport a fully realized commercial complex, or rather, a theme park in its own right. Let’s make the most of New Chitose Airport!
Sapporo’s Jogai Market and Nijo Market! Which is Recommended? Highlights, How to Go, Points to Note,
How to Buy Seafood Skillfully? Crab, Scallops, Abalone!
Sapporo, Hokkaido is bursting with delicious food! While dining at local restaurants in Sapporo is wonderful, visiting the vibrant fish markets that support the city’s food culture is an equally exciting experience.
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