Nemuro Hanamaru is a pretty famous conveyer belt sushi shop in Japan. We visited the one in Sapporo Station (technically the one in Sapporo Stellar Place). It is on the sixth floor of this shopping centre and right close to the Ippudo store too.
The address : Nishi 2, Kita 5, Chuoh-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido 060-0005. TEL 011-209-5330 11:00～23:00(LO21:30)
The official web site of Nemuro Hanamaru is https://www.sushi-hanamaru.com/lang/en.html
The queue at this place is a long wait (at least when I visited where I waited for 1.5 hours). But there is actually a quicker way which I will share at the end of this article.
Getting a queue line at Nemuro Hanamaru at Sapporo Station
You will reach the counter and get a queue number. You can also enter your phone number and using LINE (don’t ask me why no telegram or WhatsApp) app to monitor your queue. Or you can wait outside. Or you can have some coffee at the stores nearby. I recommend the cake shop right next to Nemuro Hanamaru.
You can see from the LINE APP that I got my queue number at 12:31pm. This is right after I got into Sapporo station from New Chitose Airport Terminal. I took a PEACH flight from Tokyo after staying one night at the 9 hours Narita Airport.
I finally got into the restaurant at 1:50pm. Not too bad. We are Singaporeans. We love to queue and wait.
That good feeling…
Actually no.. when your number is called, you go INTO the restaurant and sit on a row of chairs to wait for your turn.. That is not too long… of looking at people’s back when they are eating.. Just like how I did in Ramen Shingen. Quite common in Japan 🙂
Finally got a table !
The Food at Nemuro Hanamaru
First thing first. I am NOT a Conveyor Belt Sushi person. In Singapore, I avoided all such shops. I like Shinji By Kanesaka in Singapore 🙂
But in Japan, it is a different thing. I find it a different ball game. Such as 元祖寿司 東京都新宿区西 or Sushiro at Osaka after a visit to Cup Noodles Museum or Kura Sushi Nishishinjuku when we stayed at the HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel.
So here we are at Nemuro Hanamaru and yes, it was EXCELLENT food. Really fresh and nice.
There is a menu if you need it but this is a conveyor belt sushi shop, so you know what to do… or you can just shout at the people behind the belt and they will gladly cut the fish parts you want..
And oh my god, WTF-salmon…
Pricing of the dishes are according to the colours ..
Pretty reasonable pricing.. especially when Japanese Yen has dropped a lot 🙂
Okay.. if you really want a video..
How to avoid the queue at Nemuro Hanamaru
Actually you cannot avoid queuing but you can opt for a FASTER (MUCH FASTER) queue. A way MUCH FASTER queue.
At the entrance, instead of getting a queue ticket, look for this sign.
It means you don’t have a table or a seat. You will stand eating. Write your name down on the form above. Do not get a queue ticket. And wait around the entrance. Do not go for your coffee.. As your turn is pretty fast..
Like these people…. I thought they are enjoying their food a LOT !! Like omakase style even 🙂
Actually I certainly prefer this way of eating. Pretty cool. It is super when you are travelling alone or with just your partner. But I have children so a table is almost necessary.
I can only watch in envy while I waited for my turn….
Conclusion. TO EAT or NOT TO EAT at Nemuro Hanamaru
EAT !!
It is pretty easy to find the place as it is right next to Sapporo JR station. You will probably be taking the train from the airport right into Sapporo JR station and before you check into your hotel, just find this place and eat ! Or eat at Ippudo if you want Ramen.
EAT !!
