I recently had the pleasure of dining at a traditional sushi restaurant in Otaru. Despite being a 20-minute walk from Otaru JR Station, I managed to find my way with the help of Google Maps navigation. Arriving at the restaurant for dinner around 7 or 8 PM, I discovered that most of the shops in Otaru had already closed for the evening. However, this particular sushi restaurant was still open and welcoming.

Although the staff didn't speak English, they were incredibly accommodating and friendly. Through simple gestures and body language, we were able to communicate effectively. They even provided us with an English menu, making it easier for us to place our orders. We decided on a seafood donburi with abalone, sea urchin, and salmon roe, as well as a sushi set with 12 pieces of sushi.

The sea urchin in the seafood donburi was exceptionally fresh, while the abalone had a delightful texture and was perfectly tender.

The rice in the sushi was of excellent quality, and the chef's skill was evident in every bite. The sushi had already been lightly seasoned with wasabi, providing a balanced and flavorful experience. Among the various sushi pieces, my favorites were the scallop sushi and the tuna belly sushi. The scallop was incredibly fresh and had a delicate sweetness, while the tuna belly melted in my mouth. To complement the meal, we also ordered a glass of Sapporo beer.

Overall, the dining experience at this traditional sushi restaurant in Otaru was incredibly satisfying.