Nijo Market

Sapporo Nijo Market is a traditional market located in Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido, with a history of more than 125 years. Its origins are said to date back to the early Meiji period, when fishermen from the Ishikari coast sailed up the Ishikari River and began selling fresh seafood along the Sosei River. Since then, it has developed into “Sapporo’s kitchen,” supporting the daily lives of local residents, and today it is also highly popular as a tourist destination.

History and Origins
The origins of Nijo Market go back to the early Meiji period. Fishermen from Ishikari began selling fish along the Sosei River, and people naturally gathered there, eventually forming a market. Later, local merchants organized into 13 shops known as the “Thirteen Associations,” and more structured business began.

In 1902, the market suffered major damage from a fire, but it was rebuilt by volunteers and expanded as far as Higashi 2-chome by 1910, becoming firmly established as one of Sapporo’s representative markets.

After the war, during the Showa era, stores selling not only fresh fish but also vegetables, dried goods, and processed seafood products increased, and the market came to serve as a general shopping street supporting the lives of local residents.

The Market’s Appeal
Today, Nijo Market is lined with a wide variety of shops, centered on about 20 fresh fish stores and seafood processors, as well as fruit stores, dried-goods shops, souvenir shops, and restaurants. Hokkaido specialties such as crab, scallops, Atka mackerel, salmon, and salmon roe are abundantly available, and as you walk through the market, colorful seafood catches the eye.

Because the selection varies by shop, it is enjoyable to stroll around and compare products. There is also a rich assortment of dried fish, delicacies, and processed items such as salmon roe and herring roe, and many shops offer shipping to other regions. Some stores provide samples, allowing visitors to taste products before buying, which is another appealing feature.

In addition to seafood, seasonal fruits and vegetables from Hokkaido, such as Yubari melon, Furano grapes, and corn, are also sold, making them popular as gifts.

Nijo Market as a Gourmet Spot
There are also many restaurants within the market where visitors can enjoy freshly caught ingredients on the spot. The menu includes sushi, seafood rice bowls, and grilled dishes made with fresh toppings, allowing guests to fully savor the bounty of the sea in Hokkaido.

Some shops open early in the morning, making it a great idea to stop by during a morning stroll from your accommodation and start the day with a heaping seafood rice bowl. The fresh, luxurious flavors unique to the market fascinate many visitors.

Noren Yokocho and Nighttime Enjoyment
In one corner of the market is a retro dining area called Noren Yokocho. At night, red lanterns light up, transforming the area into a space with the nostalgic atmosphere of the Showa era. Here, a variety of eateries such as seafood izakaya pubs, oden shops, and Italian restaurants line the street, creating a space loved not only by tourists but also by local regulars.

It caters to everything from a casual drink to a full dinner, allowing visitors to thoroughly enjoy dishes made with seasonal Hokkaido ingredients and local sake. It is a deeply atmospheric spot that feels unlike a typical market and offers a taste of Sapporo’s nightlife charm.

The Market Atmosphere and Ways to Enjoy It
Inside the market, you will find lights modeled after flotation buoys used in fishing, as well as shop signs designed with each store’s own creative flair, giving the whole area the feeling of walking through a port town. There is also a cute bronze statue of a boy and a girl mascot inside the market, making it a popular photo spot for tourists.

As an open-air market, it can be cold in winter, but stoves are placed throughout the walkways so visitors can enjoy exploring the market while keeping out of the cold. Enjoying the changing seasonal ingredients and atmosphere is one of the unique pleasures of Nijo Market.

Sapporo Nijo Market is a fascinating destination where shopping, dining, and sightseeing come together, offering fresh seafood, seasonal fruits and vegetables, and processed goods all in one place. With its 125-year history, this market has supported Sapporo’s food culture and is a place worth visiting not only for locals but also for tourists.