More About Japan 
One of the must-try foods in Hokkaido is, of course, sushi.
However, sushi is often associated with being expensive.
But don’t worry! In Hokkaido, not only do high-end sushi restaurants serve incredible sushi, but even conveyor belt sushi (kaitenzushi) is known for its outstanding quality.
Today, I’m introducing one of the top cost-effective sushi chains in Hokkaido: Nemuro Hanamaru.
This popular sushi chain has expanded to Tokyo and now has multiple locations.
Visiting “Nemuro Hanamaru” Sapporo Nangō Branch on a Busy Holiday
It was the middle of a three-day holiday weekend, right in the peak of the Sapporo Snow Festival.
Expecting the city center to be extremely crowded, I decided to visit Nemuro Hanamaru’s “Nangō Branch,” which is a bit further out.
This plan worked perfectly! Despite the busy season, I was seated after just a 10-minute wait.
Just like other conveyor belt sushi places, you can either grab plates from the rotating belt or place custom orders.
But the prices here are incredibly affordable!
Orders are written on a card and handed to the staff.
Delicious and Affordable Sushi: Fatty Tuna, Salmon Roe, Squid, and More
I started with some medium-fatty tuna (chūtoro). The rich, high-quality fat melted in my mouth.
This glistening salmon roe (ikura) cost only ¥220! (Price from 2013.)
No unpleasant fishy taste—just pure umami-packed ikura flavor.
This is squid with mountain wasabi. Just ¥130!
One thing that surprises me every time I visit Hokkaido is the wide variety of squid sushi available.
Next, red sea bream (madai).
While Kyushu is famous for its white fish, Hokkaido’s white fish is also incredibly delicious.
Sushi kept arriving, and before I knew it, my table turned into a sushi feast!
What a luxurious sight!
The Incredible Value of the Crab Miso Soup – Everything Here is Delicious
The best deal of the night was this Hanasaki crab miso soup.
The rich crab broth gave it an amazing depth of flavor, and it only cost ¥273! (*Price from 2013.)
Unbelievable.
In addition to the regular menu, you can also order fresh fish that was brought in that day.
This was a yellowtail (buri) sushi.
Steamed egg custard (chawanmushi).
Simmered conger eel (anago).
I skipped listing every single sushi I tried, but let’s just say—it was all delicious!
You can immediately tell that the quality here is leagues above standard conveyor belt sushi chains.
I got carried away and ended up stacking my plates this high!
I also had some beer, so I thought my bill would be pretty high…
But in the end, my total bill was under ¥3,000.
It’s amazing to get this much high-quality sushi for such a reasonable price.
Conveyor Belt Sushi in Hokkaido is a Must-Try
Aside from “Nemuro Hanamaru,” Hokkaido has several other high-quality and affordable conveyor belt sushi chains.
Some of the best include Toriton, Kitakitei, Nagoyakatei, and Toppy.
It’s hard to pick a favorite since they’re all excellent.
Of course, non-conveyor sushi restaurants in Hokkaido serve amazing sushi too, but when you pay premium prices, you naturally expect premium quality.
If you’re visiting Hokkaido, you absolutely must try its cost-effective, high-quality conveyor belt sushi. It’s one of the best food experiences the region has to offer!
