Nijo Market in Sapporo - Hokkaido's Delicious Foods in One Place!

Anything produced in Hokkaido is delicious! That’s what the Japanese believe. The crab and salmon caught in Hokkaido especially makes everyone's mouths water.

All the delicious foods found all over Hokkaido gather together in Sapporo, the biggest city in Hokkaido. The biggest market in Hokkaido is Sapporo Central Wholesale Market and the Sapporo Curb Market where ordinary people can enjoy shopping is right next to that. The market is full of visitors and locals who are seeking seafood and vegetables produced in Hokkaido.

Nijo Market is located in the center of Sapporo. The Sapporo Curb Market is 20 minutes away from Sapporo by train, but you can easily walk to Nijo Market.

If you want to just take a look into the market, Nijo Market is our recommended place to visit.

What is Nijo Market?

photo by PIXTA
Nijo Market first opened in the early Meiji period when fishermen who worked at Ishikari beach started selling fresh fish.

At that time, various fish markets were found along the Sosei River, which flows in the center of Sapporo, and soba restaurants, dining bars, and vegetable shops started opening in the same area, all of which became the foundation of Nijo Market. The market has been loved by locals for over 100 years.

Hunt for Crab, Shrimp and Scallops

photo by PIXTA
Since the market is located in the center of Sapporo, Nijo Market attracts visitors who are looking for crabs, shrimp and scallops caught in Hokkaido. In addition, Nijo Market is known as a gourmet spot because it has buildings full of unique restaurants, in an area known as Noren Yokocho.

Tips for Enjoying Nijo Market

photo by PIXTA
When you visit the market for the very first time, you may not know what you are meant to do when someone randomly speaks to you. So here are some tips to help you fully your trip to the market.

First, make sure to try the food samples that are recommended or offered to you. Most of the food sold at the market can be sampled before making a purchase. Ikura, or salmon roe has a different flavor depending on which shop sells it, so having a taste of the different varieties and finding the best one for you is a good idea.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. You can ask how to choose and send an item overseas or back to your hotel/home. You may also want to ask if they have any tips when it comes to preparing the foodstuffs too. The market will be crowded from about 8 AM to 11 AM, so avoid the rush hours and visit the market in early morning.

Lastly, if you are going to purchase crabs, it is recommended to buy the live ones from the fish tank. If you get a living crab, you may even want to take a picture with it. If you are buying pre-cooked crabs, you should choose the heaviest ones you can, as they will have more meat and will taste even better.

Visit Nijo Market!

Sapporo has several markets, but Nijo Market is easy to access from the city center. By visiting this market full of crabs and other famous specialties, you will find yourself surrounded by the authentic atmosphere of Hokkaido.

Visit Nijo Market when you are in Hokkaido!

Information

Nijo Market
Address: Sapporo, Chuo, Minami Sanjo Higashi Itchome to Higashi Nichome
Hours: Market 7:00 - 18:00 / Restaurants 6:00 - 21:00 (depending on restaurants)
Closed: Open 365 days
Nearest station: Odori Station
Access: 15-minute walk from Odori station of Metro Nanboku, Tozai and Toho lines
Phone number：011-222-5308
Official Website：Nijo Market