Sapporo Crab Market (couple trip)
How Couple-Friendly is Sapporo Crab Market?
Couples can share fresh king-crab meals, stroll hand-in-hand before crowds, and arrange hotel delivery of purchases, but limited seating privacy and fishy smells lower the romantic score slightly.
Positives:
- Central location: The market sits near Sapporo Dome and is easy to reach by subway.
- Wide crab selection: Vendors offer snow, king, and hairy crab at competitive prices.
Challenges:
- Crowded mornings: Stalls fill quickly between 8:00 and 10:00, making navigation tight.
- Cash only: Most vendors accept cash only, so bring enough yen.
What is so special about Sapporo Crab Market for couple trip?
- Taste three crab varieties in one bowl
- Enjoy fresh scallop sashimi by the tank
- Watch live crab boiling and eat on site
- Sample Hokkaido produce for free
- Ship purchases to your hotel for convenience
Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours
Why 2-3 hours visit duration is ideal for couple trip: Time to taste crabs, shop for fresh seafood, and walk the aisles at a relaxed pace.
Couple-Friendly Activities in Sapporo Crab Market
Three Great Crab Bowls:
Sample snow, king, and hairy crab in one rice bowl.
Tip: Order two bowls to share and ask vendors about pairing each crab with soy sauce or ponzu.
Scallop Sashimi Tasting:
Enjoy fresh scallop sashimi cut on-site at the stall.
Tip: Stand by the tank for the freshest picks and sip cold sake alongside.
Live Crab Cooking:
Pick a live crab and have it boiled on the spot.
Tip: Choose a medium-sized king crab by weight to balance cost and meat yield.
Free Market Samples:
Walk the aisles and try melon, corn, salmon roe and more.
Tip: Visit stalls asking for small tastes to find your favorite before buying.
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Typical Budget for a Couple (2 Adults)
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Three Great Crab Bowl | JPY 3,500 |
| Scallop Sashimi | JPY 550 |
| Live King Crab (per 500g) | JPY 3,000 |
| Total Estimated | JPY 7,050 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
When is the best time to visit Sapporo Crab Market?
Visit from September to March for peak hairy crab season. Summer brings fresh scallops and Hokkaido melon. Plan weekday visits outside 8:00–11:00 to avoid crowds.
How to Maximize Your Visit to Sapporo Crab Market
- Early arrival: Get there by 7:00 to avoid crowds and get the best picks.
- Hotel delivery: Ask vendors about freezer shipping to your hotel to avoid carrying boxes.
Map of Sapporo Crab Market
Address: 21-chōme-2-3 Kita 11 Jōnishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0011, Japan
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Reviews of Sapporo Crab Market
Dora Chan
Well worth coming. Even though I was a bit skeptical at first as my hotel did not seem to know the place and there seemed to be only a few tourists around. The place I went to took their last order at 2:30pm. BUT this was such a great experience. The uni was so creamy. The snow crab was amazingly sweet and succulent. Everything else I tried - the salmon, the tuna, the ikura, the hairy crab miso s...
geo ong
Many places to choose from, pick your crab and have them cook it for you. Or order from the menu. Or they have ready cooked. We had to go with a stall with its own restaurant at the 2nd floor. Overcooked the grilled king crab. But the boiled snow crab, and surf clam was good!
Farah Abdul Rahim
Walking from Nijuyonken Station through icy road.. Reaching the market after about 10 min... There are shops that sell seafood especially crabs for you to take home while others provide area for dine in - either boil or grill.. There are fresh oyster in the menu. Toilets are available in the shop..
A Martin (Abecbebec)
Tried melon and grape here and it was juicy and sweet. Tried king crab too while we are here and it was good. The crab is sweet and so good. Too bad we didnt get a bigger one since it was quite pricey. We got it for 15000 yen per kg and it was quite a good deal. Other places charges up to 25k per kg for a live king crab. Need to get 4-5kg next time
Lloyd Lim
Navigating through Sapporo Crab Market, I felt the tourist trap undertow, but the crab freshness shone through, albeit with the expected price twists for us visitors. On the bright side, no extra charges for cooking the crab you pick. Head to the restaurant at the back for a personal touch to your crab feast. If crab isn't your thing, dive into a variety of seafood bowls – a real taste of Sapporo,...
About Sapporo Crab Market
Opening Hours
Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
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