Seafood Mission in Kushiro, Hokkaido

When people think of Hokkaido, seafood is usually the first thing that comes to mind.

After spending days driving across eastern Hokkaido, I completely understood why.

One of my favorite stops was Washo Market in Kushiro, home to the famous Kattedon: DIY your seafood bowl.

Instead of ordering a seafood bowl from one restaurant, you build your own. You start by buying a bowl of rice, then wander through the market, stopping at whichever seafood stalls catch your eye. One scallop here, some salmon roe there, maybe a little sea urchin from another shop…

It’s a seafood adventure.

I told myself I’d keep it simple.

That lasted about five minutes.

“One more scallop.”

“Oh, I should try that too.”

“Well… I’m already here.”

By the end, my seafood bowl had become much more luxurious… and much more expensive than I’d planned. But honestly, it was one of the freshest meals I had during my entire 1,200 km road trip around Hokkaido.

Then I made it my mission to experience as many local seafood specialties as possible in this season before heading home.

✔️ Hanasaki crab

✔️ Shima Ebi (Hokkaido striped shrimp)

✔️ Kattedon at Washo Market

✔️ One of Hokkaido’s famous conveyor belt sushi restaurants (Yes… I even lined up before it opened with everyone else!)

Mission accomplished!