Discover Hokkaido’s Unique Meats: A Culinary Journey Beyond Seafood

When travelers think of Hokkaido, fresh seafood often comes first — from sea urchin to crab. But Japan’s northernmost island also raises some of the country’s most remarkable meats, thanks to its wide open pastures, pure water, and cool climate. For meat lovers, Hokkaido offers wagyu and other specialty meats that are just as memorable as its seafood.

Shiraoi Beef: The Pride of Southern Hokkaido

Shiraoi Beef comes from the town of Shiraoi, near Noboribetsu. Known for its fine marbling and melt-in-the-mouth texture, it delivers a rich yet clean wagyu flavor. Visitors can enjoy it grilled yakiniku-style, in elegant sukiyaki hotpot, or as a thick-cut steak that highlights its buttery tenderness.

Tokachi Beef: Flavor Born from Fertile Land

The Tokachi region, in eastern Hokkaido, is one of Japan’s largest agricultural areas. Here, Tokachi Beef is raised on locally grown feed, giving the meat a deep, robust flavor. Its balance of marbling and lean muscle makes it perfect for steak or roast beef.

Furano Beef: Gentle and Elegant

Surrounded by lavender fields and rolling hills, Furano produces Furano Beef, a wagyu known for its delicate fat and subtle sweetness. It’s often served in fine dining restaurants across central Hokkaido, where chefs emphasize its refined, melt-in-the-mouth character.

Hakodate Wagyu: Coastal Richness

In southern Hokkaido, Hakodate Wagyu benefits from the coastal environment. The cattle are fed on mineral-rich water and grains, resulting in meat that is tender but carries a slightly richer umami note compared to other Hokkaido wagyu.

More Than Just Beef

Hokkaido’s meat culture goes beyond wagyu:

• Ezo Venison — wild and lean, with a refined game flavor.

• Hokkaido Lamb — the star of the local barbecue dish Jingisukan.

• Premium Pork — sweet and juicy, often used in tonkatsu and hotpots.

  
  

Where to Taste Them

• Sapporo: Upscale yakiniku and wagyu-focused restaurants.

• Shiraoi: Farm-to-table experiences where you can savor Shiraoi Beef near its birthplace.

• Furano & Tokachi: Local farm restaurants highlighting regional beef in creative menus.

Here are some excellent restaurant recommendations in Hokkaido where you can enjoy unique regional beef like Shiraoi, Tokachi, Furano, and Hakodate wagyu.

Recommended Restaurants by Region

Shiraoi Area – Home of Shiraoi Wagyu

• Farm Restaurant Uemura BeyondNestled right on the Uemura Farm, this charming spot serves Uemura Wagyu—Shiraoi beef raised on-site—as steaks and hamburgers. Expect rich flavor, mellow sweetness, and farm-to-table authenticity amid a serene countryside atmosphere Hoshino Resorts.

• Shiraoi Gyū no Mise Iwasaki Omotenashi TeiJust a 5-minute drive from JR Shiraoi Station, this barrier-free restaurant offers sukiyaki and sirloin steak made from meat produced entirely in-house. It’s great for families or those seeking comfort and accessibility 食べログ.

• Shiraoigyu no Mise Iwasaki Gochiso TeiA cozy eatery in Shadai serving high-quality Iwasaki Farm Shiraoi beef via steaks and hamburgers—wonderfully priced without compromising quality 一般社団法人白老観光協会.

Sapporo & Furano – Refined and Central

• Yoshiushi (Furano Wagyu direct restaurant)Located in Sapporo, this restaurant sources its Wagyu directly from Furano—known for its melt-in-the-mouth texture and fine marbling. The menu includes shabu-shabu, sukiyaki, roast beef, hamburg, and more uu-nippon.com.

• CONOYOSHI (Sapporo)A stylish, Western-style restaurant known for charcoal-grilled meats. They serve Shiraoi beef alongside other beef varieties, and pair them with excellent wines—a refined choice in central Sapporo SAVOR JAPAN.

Otaru – Casual, Flavorful Bowls

• Wagyu Kurosawa (Otaru)Situated near Otaru Canal along Sakaimachi-dori, this spacious modern restaurant offers bowl dishes featuring Shiraoi beef, Kobe, and Matsusaka beef. Standouts include the unagi-wagyu ju and tendon bowls—perfect for combining sightseeing and gourmet indulgence SAVOR JAPAN.

Quick Comparison Table

Region	Restaurant	Highlight Style
Shiraoi	Uemura Beyond	Farm-to-table steaks/hamburgers
Shiraoi	Iwasaki Omotenashi Tei	Barrier-free sukiyaki & steaks
Shiraoi	Gochiso Tei	Affordable steak and hamburg options
Sapporo	Yoshiushi	Elegant Furano Wagyu in various cuisines
Sapporo	CONOYOSHI	Western charcoal-grill with wine
Otaru	Wagyu Kurosawa	Wagyu bowl dishes in a tourist-friendly area

A Hidden Treasure for Food Travelers

For those who venture beyond seafood, Hokkaido’s beef — from Shiraoi to Tokachi, Furano, and Hakodate — offers a delicious insight into the island’s land and lifestyle. Pair it with local vegetables, Hokkaido wine, or craft beer, and you’ll experience a different but equally authentic side of the region’s culinary richness.