Sapporo Crab Market (with kids)
How Kids-Friendly is Sapporo Crab Market?
What makes it 81% Kids-Friendly: School-age children are welcome, can spot live crabs, sample melon, and order half-size bowls, plus toilets and coin lockers exist, but tight aisles demand close supervision and hand holding.
Positives:
- Free samples keep kids engaged: Stall owners offer bite-size melon and corn that children can taste at no cost.
- Interactive crab spotting: Kids can explore tanks and learn about different crab species up close.
Challenges:
- Crowded mornings: Aisles get busy from 8–11 AM, making it hard to navigate with young kids.
- Slippery or uneven floors: Wet areas and small steps can be tricky for toddlers and those with balance concerns.
What is Sapporo Crab Market?
- A street-side seafood market adjacent to the Sapporo Central Wholesale Market in Hokkaido
- Home to dozens of vendors specializing in Hokkaido crab varieties, including king crab, snow crab and hairy crab, offered live and fresh
- A market spanning roughly 80,000 square meters since 1960, featuring a wide range of local aquatic products and agricultural specialties
What is so special about Sapporo Crab Market for with kids?
- Kids can spot and learn about live crabs in glass tanks.
- Family-friendly eateries offer half-size bowls or crab croquettes.
- Free melon and corn samples entertain picky eaters.
- On-site seating and lockers make breaks easy.
- Close to Sapporo Dome, you can combine stops in one trip.
Recommended visit duration: 1-2 hours
Why 1-2 hours visit duration is ideal for with kids: This time lets a family explore stalls, taste snacks and play the crab-spotting game without rushing.
Kids-Friendly Activities in Sapporo Crab Market
Crab spotting game:
Walk the main aisle and let kids point out the biggest live crabs in glass tanks.
Tip: Turn it into a game by counting how many crabs over 1 kg you find.
Try free melon and corn samples:
Visit fruit stalls offering sweet Hokkaido melon and grilled corn bites.
Tip: Let each child pick their favorite sample before buying a full ear or slice.
Order family-size seafood bowl:
Sit in a market eatery and ask for half-size kaisendon or crab croquette set.
Tip: Request kids portions (~¥1,000–1,200) so children can finish their meal.
Watch on-the-spot crab boiling:
Choose a live crab and have the vendor steam it while you wait.
Tip: Share a small king crab (~¥3,000) with kids for a memorable treat.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Sapporo Crab Market
- Arrive early: Come by 7 AM to beat the crowds and get the best seafood picks.
- Use lockers and rest area: Store extra bags in coin lockers near the parking lot and rest on benches in Block C.
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,...
When is the best time to visit Sapporo Crab Market (Sapporo, Japan)?
Visit in winter (Nov–Mar) for fresh king and hairy crabs. In summer (Jun–Aug), enjoy sweet melon and scallops at peak flavor.
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Typical Budget for a Family of 4 (2 Adults + 2 Kids)
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Adult seafood rice bowl (2×¥1,800) | JPY 3,600 |
| Kids meal portions (2×¥1,200) | JPY 2,400 |
| Grilled skewers (4×¥500) | JPY 2,000 |
| On-the-spot crab boiling | JPY 3,000 |
| Total Estimated | JPY 11,000 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Content Notice: This content combines editorial expertise with AI assistance to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date information. Our team regularly curates and reviews all content for accuracy and relevance. Help Us Improve
Map of Sapporo Crab Market
Address: 21-chōme-2-3 Kita 11 Jōnishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0011, Japan
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About Sapporo Crab Market
Opening Hours
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