★Delicious Foods of Hokkaido★ Recommended summer gourmet: Sea urchin
Authentic sea urchin
Enjoy the exceptional flavor of authentic sea urchin from its true home.
Hokkaido boasts the highest sea urchin catch in Japan!
It also produces about 90% of the country’s kelp, which serves as the main food source for sea urchins. Nourished by this abundant diet, the sea urchins grow large and develop a rich, delicious flavor.
The best season for sea urchin is from June to mid-September, just before they spawn. Since fishing is only allowed during the open season, this limited period is the only time of year when you can enjoy truly fresh sea urchin.
Hokkaido’s sea urchin captivates food lovers not only across Japan but around the world, thanks to its rich fishing grounds, cold ocean currents, and high-quality kelp.
Two varieties are especially renowned: “Kita-Murasaki Uni” (Northern Purple Sea Urchin) and “Ezo-Bafun Uni” (Short-Spined Sea Urchin), each offering its own unique flavor and sweetness.
- Murasaki Uni: Elegant sweetness with a delicate flavor and a clean, refreshing finish.
- Ezo Bafun Uni: Rich and creamy, with an intense sweetness and deep umami.
The most well-known sea urchin harvesting areas are around Rishiri, Rebun, and Shakotan.
The Ezo Bafun Uni caught in Rishiri and Rebun is characterized by its short spines and deep orange interior. It’s slightly larger than typical Bafun Uni and known for its intense sweetness. Fed on nutrient-rich Rishiri kelp, it’s often considered one of the finest-tasting sea urchins in Japan.
In Shakotan, nearly all the harvested sea urchin is consumed locally, with very little distributed outside the town. That makes Shakotan’s Bafun Uni a rare delicacy you can only enjoy at the source.
Some local restaurants run by fishermen are so particular that they serve only one item on the menu: a bowl of fresh uni over rice (uni-don).
🏝️ Recommended shops in Rishiri and Rebun
Isoyakitei (Oshidomari, Rishiri Island) https://www.rishiri-plus.jp/shima-shop/isoyakitei/
- Conveniently located right in front of the ferry terminal. The quality of the high-end raw sea urchin rice bowl is guaranteed, and it is listed in the Michelin Bib Gourmand.
- Ramen and scallop rice bowls are also popular. It’s also attractive that it’s easy to stop by before or after sightseeing.
Sato Shokudo (Rishiri Island, in front of Oshidomari Terminal)https://co-trip.jp/spot/759541
- A popular Michelin-starred restaurant that offers freshly caught sea urchin on its “raw sea urchin bowl”
Maruzen Restaurant (Rishiri Island, Oshidomari Ferry Terminal 2F) https://tabelog.com/hokkaido/A0109/A010906/1006912/
- They are famous for their sea urchin rice bowl, which won the National Local Rice Bowl Championship for two consecutive years.
Seafood restaurant Kafuka (Rebun Island, Kafuka)https://www.kafuka.or.jp/store/ & Takechan Sushi (Rebun Island, Kafuka LT Terminal 2F)https://tabelog.com/hokkaido/A0109/A010906/1001183/
- Both are located near the Kafuka Ferry Terminal, so you can easily drop in and enjoy fresh sea urchin rice bowls.
🌊 Recommended shops in Shakotan
- Oshokujidokoro Rinko https://rinkou.net/
- The two-colored rice bowls, white (murasaki) and red (bafun), are popular. Steamed sea urchin rice bowls and sea urchin ramen are also available.
- Shokudo Ushio https://www.ushioshakotan.com/
- The sweet sea urchin rice bowl and the special ushio rice bowl, both of which are sourced directly from fishermen, are popular.
- Misaki https://osyokujidokoromisaki.com/
- A natural sea urchin bowl served by a fisherman. Additive-free and fresh.
- TAMURA Gantaro Syoten http://www.syakotan.net/gantaro/index.html
- Specialties include the morning sea urchin bowl and the luxurious sea urchin wagyu beef bowl.
Other popular restaurants include Nakamuraya, Jun-no Mise, and Kamui Banya.