What is in season in Sapporo. and what to order when the market changes.
Spring
- Hokkaido asparagus: Green-and-white asparagus from May through early June across Hokkaido's farms; the menus at Saera and Magic Spice run asparagus weeks.
- Sakura masu (cherry trout): Spring-run trout from Hokkaido rivers, in season April through June; the kaisendon stalls at Nijo Market feature sakura masu nigiri specials.
Summer
- Hokkaido sweet corn: Tokachi and Furano sweet corn from late July through September; the Sapporo Odori Beer Garden grills it whole at every chome from mid-July.
- Bafun uni from Rishiri and Rebun: Hokkaido sea urchin season runs June through August. Sushi Miyakawa, Sushiya no Saito and Sushi Hidetaka all feature bafun uni as the centrepiece nigiri in summer.
- Hokkaido hamo (pike conger): Pike conger from southern Hokkaido waters, June through August. Sushi Zen and seasonal kaiseki rooms in Susukino feature hamo through summer.
Autumn
- Kegani hairy crab: Hokkaido hairy crab season runs September through November. Kani Honke and Kani Shogun both lead with kegani kaiseki and steamed-whole courses through autumn.
- Salmon ikura: Hokkaido salmon-roe season runs September through October. Nijo Market and Sapporo Curb Market both stack ikura over rice in donburi specials.
- Hokkaido scallop (hotate): Okhotsk and Funka Bay scallops peak in autumn. Sushi Saiko, Sushiya no Saito and Sumire (in scallop-miso ramen) all feature scallop in autumn.
Winter
- Tarabagani king crab: King crab season runs November through February in Hokkaido waters. Sapporo Kani Honke and Kani Shogun lead with king-crab leg and kaiseki across winter.
- Hokkaido oyster: Akkeshi-Bay oysters peak December through February. Raw Bar Susukino and Bar nano gould both run oyster pairings with Hokkaido sake through deep winter.
- Hokkaido ramen warming bowl: Sumire and Aji no Sanpei's miso bowls (lard-capped, heat-stable) shine through Sapporo's coldest months between January and February.