kushiro WASHOU market — Restaurant in Kushiro

Most people come here for the DIY kaisen-don, where you buy a bowl of rice and pick the toppings you want and it’s charged accordingly. There are several shops offering this. It is also a seafood market, where the locals shop.

We decided to go for crab instead. We got the flower crab which was in season at the time. We were told the wait to cook the crab was 20 mins, but it didn’t feel like we waited that long. The crab was simply boiled, and nothing was offered as seasoning. However, given how fresh it was, it didn’t need anything. The shell was cracked and cut open for us, so eating it from the shell was mostly effortless. The prices for crab here was also significantly cheaper than the prices at Nijo Market in Sapporo. The shops here however, do not offer other kinds of bbq/grilled seafood. Mostly kaisen-don and crab.

There is an underground car park attached to the market. During the time we were there, parking was free for the first 2 hours. The underground car park is narrow and small, which might be challenging for those driving anything bigger than a sedan car.

Payment at the shops in the market were by cash only. Majority of the shops we walked by had simple English instructions written to help you understand what was happening and how to navigate making your own kaisendon.

There was a simple seating area in the middle of the market. Remember to help clear the tables after you’ve eaten and to sort your trash before throwing into the bins. Vending machines were close...

We visited Kushiro Washou Market during the off-season, so there weren’t many tourists around. As a result, the vendors were especially eager to attract customers—at times, a bit too eager. Many stall owners actively called out and tried to draw us in, which might be helpful for some, but for someone like me who struggles with making choices, it felt a bit overwhelming.

That said, the market does have its charms. Several stalls offer small plates of seafood that you can mix and match, which makes for a fun and interactive experience. We ended up choosing one of the stalls and picked out a variety of items—it was an enjoyable way to try different things in one meal. One highlight was ordering a whole snow crab to share; it was fresh, delicious, and definitely a memorable part of our visit.

However, the overall vibe of the market felt quite tourist-oriented. While everything was clean and well-presented, it lacked the atmosphere of a local market serving the community. Personally, I prefer markets that are more embedded in everyday local life, rather than those designed mainly for visitors.

Still, if you’re in Kushiro and looking to enjoy fresh seafood in a convenient and easy-to-navigate setting, Washou Market is worth a stop—just be prepared for enthusiastic vendors and a bit of a...

I tried the Katte-don at Kushiro's Washo Market. As you might expect, the prices are on the higher side—it’s a tourist-oriented experience, after all. But if you go in with that understanding and treat it as entertainment, you can still enjoy it.

Especially the shops around the central area with tables and chairs, more expensive. If you want to save a bit, I recommend walking around the entire market two or three times, carefully choosing your toppings before putting together your rice bowl. You’ll find more affordable items at stalls located farther from the center.

There is 10% discount coupon available on the market’s official website, but be aware that they’re for the more expensive shops to begin with.

Honestly, since it’s a tourist spot, it’s probably better to skip it altogether if you're going to get overly concerned about prices. I went this time just for the experience and the memories—but to be frank, I...