Japan Food Series: Hanamaru Sushi at Sapporo Station – A Popular Conveyor Sushi Experience
Reviewed by Tastes of Ottawa
Table of Contents
Hanamaru Sushi – Restaurant Overview
Japan, 〒060-0005 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Kita 5 Jonishi, 4 Chome JRタワーステラプレイス ６階
Hanamaru Sushi is a well-known sushi chain in Hokkaido, and its location inside Sapporo Station makes it one of the most convenient and popular sushi spots for both locals and travellers. Being situated in a major transit hub means it sees a constant flow of customers throughout the day—people grabbing a quick meal before boarding a train, commuters stopping by after work, and tourists looking to fit in one last sushi meal before leaving the city.
Hanamaru operates in a casual, conveyor-belt sushi (kaiten-zushi) format, but it’s generally regarded as being a step above what many people associate with conveyor sushi outside Japan. The focus is still on speed and accessibility, but there’s a clear emphasis on ingredient quality, particularly seafood sourced from Hokkaido. That reputation is what drew me here, especially after having sushi experiences in more traditional sit-down restaurants earlier in the trip.
This visit was part of my Japan Food Series and offered an interesting contrast: sushi in a busy station, served quickly, versus the more relaxed, refined sushi meals I had elsewhere in Sapporo.
Would return? Yes.
Atmosphere & Experience
As expected for a station-based restaurant, Hanamaru Sushi was busy. The space is efficiently laid out, designed to maximize seating and turnover rather than comfort or ambiance. You’re seated close to other diners, and there’s a constant sense of movement—plates sliding by, staff calling out orders, and customers coming and going.
Despite the pace, the operation felt well organized. Orders arrived quickly, staff were attentive, and everything moved smoothly. This is clearly a place that’s used to volume and handles it well. While it’s not somewhere you’d go for a quiet or intimate meal, it’s very effective at what it aims to be: a reliable sushi stop in one of the busiest parts of Sapporo.
Sushi – Salmon
The salmon nigiri from Hanamaru was decent, though a bit puzzling in presentation. The way the salmon was sliced felt unusual, both in shape and thickness. It didn’t look like the clean, uniform cuts I’ve seen elsewhere in Japan.
That said, the salmon itself tasted fine. It was fresh enough, had a pleasant texture, and didn’t have any off flavours. What I appreciated most here was the balance of wasabi. It was applied thoughtfully—not too much to overpower the fish, and not so little that it disappeared entirely. That balance made the piece more enjoyable than the presentation alone would suggest.
Overall, this was acceptable salmon sushi, though not memorable. It met expectations for a busy conveyor sushi restaurant, but didn’t exceed them.
Order again? No.
Sushi – Otoro
The otoro nigiri from Hanamaru was the most disappointing item I tried. Otoro is typically prized for its rich fat content, buttery texture, and melt-in-your-mouth quality. Here, the presentation again raised questions. The otoro had noticeable cuts or scoring across the surface, which I didn’t enjoy visually or texturally.
Flavour-wise, the fatty tuna was decent but lacked the richness and tenderness I associate with good otoro. It didn’t melt the way I expected it to, and the overall experience felt muted compared to other otoro I had during the trip. While still enjoyable as tuna, it didn’t justify the expectations that come with ordering otoro specifically.
This was a case where the ingredient name set a higher bar than what was delivered.
Order again? No.
Sushi – Hanamaru Assortment
The Hanamaru Assortment was the strongest part of the meal and the best way to experience what this restaurant does well. The set included: premium tuna, white-fleshed fish, botan shrimp, amberjack, scallop, salmon roe in pickled soy sauce, and sea urchin.
As an assortment, it offered variety and a good snapshot of different textures and flavours. Several pieces stood out positively. The botan shrimp was particularly memorable. It had a natural sweetness that was unique and unlike other shrimp I’d had elsewhere. That sweetness, paired with its soft texture, made it the highlight of the assortment for me.
The scallop was clean and tender, with a subtle sweetness that worked well as a contrast to the richer pieces. The white-fleshed fish and amberjack were solid, neutral, and well-prepared—nothing flashy, but reliable.
The salmon roe (ikura) was not to my liking. The roe clumped together in a slimy way, which made the texture unpleasant for me. While I understand this is something many sushi lovers enjoy, it simply didn’t work for my personal preferences.
The sea urchin (uni) was similar in that regard. I can appreciate its popularity and why others enjoy it, but it’s just not something I personally like. The flavour and texture didn’t appeal to me, even though I could tell it wasn’t poorly prepared.
Despite those personal dislikes, the assortment as a whole was well put together and offered good value for variety.
Order again? Yes.
Final Thoughts
Hanamaru Sushi at Sapporo Station is a solid, dependable place to eat sushi when convenience matters. It’s not a destination sushi restaurant, and it doesn’t try to be. Instead, it offers reasonably good sushi in a fast-paced environment, making it ideal for travellers passing through the station or locals looking for a quick, familiar meal.
The Hanamaru assortment is the best way to order here, as it highlights the restaurant’s strengths and provides a more balanced experience. While the salmon and otoro nigiri didn’t fully meet expectations, the botan shrimp and scallop stood out positively and showed glimpses of why this chain is so popular in Hokkaido.
As part of my Japan Food Series, this visit helped round out my sushi experiences in Sapporo. It reinforced the idea that context matters just as much as quality. Hanamaru Sushi may not deliver the refinement of a dedicated sushi restaurant, but for a busy station setting, it offers a reliable and accessible way to enjoy sushi before moving on to your next destination.