Sukiyaki Sankousha Asahikawa — Restaurant in Asahikawa

The staff at Sankosha were gracious enough to accept us despite us not having any reservations (it seems that most of the restaurants require reservations otherwise you’d get rejected by just walking in. We were rejected by 4 other restaurants before we ended up at Sankosha, all with the same reason given, they were fully booked.....on a Monday. Seriously?)

At first they said they didn’t have a room available, but after some discussion amongst themselves, they prepared a table for us, which we were very grateful for. This little gesture showed that they were gracious and helpful despite us being tourists and them not knowing much,if any, english. They were friendly and attentive during our meal, despite the language barrier.

We ordered the shabu shabu set (there was only beef on the menu), which came with a cold appetiser, sashimi, beef shabu shabu, miso soup, rice and cut fruits.

We started with the appetiser, nothing fancy, just some crab with scallops mixed with tobiko. Next we moved on to the sashimi. Surprise surprise, it was pretty good and the uni was really fresh and sweet(though not as good as the ones we had in Hakodate). Then came the wagyu beef and boy was it delicious. The meat was so soft and buttery and tasted oh so sweet in the mouth (we later found out that the restaurant doesn’t just any wagyu beef, but Matsusaka beef).

Their miso soup, something which is so simple, can even taste so divine (and it’s not like those cheap miso you get at the store where it’s so overpowering and salty. Theirs was very mellow and more complex tasting, with a mild sweetness). The meal ended on a very sweet note, a simple melon, but not just any melon. It was a Yubari melon. It was the first time we’ve ever tasted it and it was heavenly. It’s so delicate and soft, it literally almost melts in your mouth. The fruity fragrance of the melon was so pronounced along with its sweetness it feels like you’re inhaling an aromatic sweet perfume.

Now this meal wasn’t cheap but it didn’t cost a fortune either. It was a bit on the pricier side but hey you’re paying for high quality food so the price will definitely be higher. So if you’re the kind who’s not willing to splurge a little, then just give this place a miss. But, if you’re willing to pamper yourself every once in a while, then this is one place you should visit.

Definitely at least 4 or 4.5 stars in my books and would love to come back when I...

When I dined at Sankousha in Sapporo, I was quite disappointed with both the taste and service. However, my visit to the Asahikawa main branch completely changed my impression—I ended up eating there three times during my four-day stay in Asahikawa.

Sukiyaki sauce at Sankousha is made with the usual ingredients like soy sauce, sugar, and mirin, but what sets it apart is the addition of miso, a secret recipe passed down for over a hundred years. This is quite rare for sukiyaki, and the miso gives the broth a richer, more complex flavor with a unique mellow sweetness that enhances the traditional sweet-savory balance.

The Kuroge Wagyu beef is beautifully marbled and melts in your mouth. Compared to the Sapporo branch, the seasoning at the Asahikawa main store is lighter and leans towards a sweeter profile, which I personally prefer. The Sapporo location, on the other hand, was far too salty for my taste.

Moreover, the lady who served us was incredibly warm and friendly, making me feel right at home. This experience completely changed my view of Sankousha, and if I ever visit Asahikawa again, I will...

Amazing sukiyaki restaurant (in business since 1918), especially for lunch when it's somewhat cheaper and less busy than dinner. You can get kuroge wagyu beef set meals for reasonably affordable prices of 1760 yen and up, though we went for the 2640 yen set.

Each group of customers has their own private tatami room for a very intimate, traditional atmosphere.

Service was memorable and excellent as staff introduced the menu, then went away and came back when you rang the phone to order. After ordering, they then prepared the miso soup base and saved everything in the pot neatly to cook the first batch of meat before exiting. They then returned right about when we had finished eating to serve more hot tea. Details like placing our shoes neatly in the outward direction were notable.

The meal itself was delicious and great value. Certainly somewhere we'll come...