Next to Otaru from Yoichi! The Sea of Japan is dazzling!

Next up is Otaru. We'll head back about 20km on National Route 5, the road we took to get here. This route runs right along the coastline, offering a refreshing view of the Sea of Japan. Depending on the weather and direction, you can see as far as Ishikari. The distant snow-capped Mt. Shokanbetsu, appearing like a mirage, is a beautiful sight! However, with no shoulders and narrow roads, please avoid distracted driving. If you wish to take photos, it's best to have a passenger do so. I managed to capture the stunning views on the return trip that I missed on the way there! (I remembered!) Of course, my passenger-seat photographer took them. In spring, the Sea of Japan can sometimes display intense sea spray. The contrast of the blue sea and white spray is truly captivating.

Shiribeshi Delicacies Gather at the Station Market!

Soon, we arrived at Otaru Station. Our next stop is a shop located inside the station. While some might consider taking the JR to a station-based shop, Otaru, known as the "City of Hills" due to its steep slopes and abundant sea and mountains, is best explored by car for thorough sightseeing. The municipal "Otaru City Station Square Parking Lot" in front of Otaru Station is open 24 hours a day, year-round. The first 30 minutes are free, then 100 yen every 20 minutes (8:00-22:00 rates). This parking is recommended. It may be crowded on peak season weekends, so please use nearby parking then. Let's head to "Tarche," the station market! This spot gathers agricultural, marine, and livestock products from the Shiribeshi region. You can savor the entire Shiribeshi region in one place! How many towns are in Shiribeshi? 20 municipalities. Visiting all 20 in a day is tough, but "Tarche" lets you enjoy them all at once. A "marche" in Otaru, hence "Tarche." So clear! The charming interior, like a general store, is packed with uniquely packaged products showcasing their appeal. So cute! Looks delicious! This is exciting!! Many beloved Shiribeshi brand foods were here, like favorite sweets I used to buy in Niseko, and dairy products I always bought when passing through Akaigawa Village. I'm overwhelmed with choices! But since this blog's main goal is to introduce "Memories to take home from your trip," let's find products that fit that theme! First, I focused on "Nishin Otaru-zuke" (Otaru Pickled Herring). Otaru, a city that thrived with herring fishing during its Meiji and Taisho era peak, drew fishermen from across Japan. Herring mansions and huts can still be seen today. "Nishin Otaru-zuke" is a pickled dish, developed by the Otaru Chamber of Commerce and Industry and local seafood processors, to be a signature souvenir. Containing kelp, herring, and roe, it's similar to Matsumae-zuke. It's sure to be great with rice! "Nishin Otaru-zuke" has an interesting concept: while adhering to basic rules (Hokkaido herring, roe, kelp; 40%+ herring; soy-based), companies can uniquely develop other ingredients and processes. Thus, six participating companies can create six distinct Otaru-zuke products. After speaking with the manager, I chose two: a marinated yuzu pepper flavor and a Sansho-zuke with a lingering spicy kick. I'm excited to compare them! Since we're here, let's buy a bit more. I picked "Hon Ume-zuke" (Authentic Pickled Plum) from "Umezuke-ya" in Yoichi Town, and Otaru's famous "Wakadori Hanshin Age" (Fried Half Chicken) from "Naruto-ya." "Umezuke-ya" is in Yoichi, our first stop, but I learned they have no store and their products are sold at "Tarche". Unlike typical umeboshi, pickling in plum vinegar creates a fresh, juicy pickled plum. It's additive-free and colorant-free; the plum's red comes from the shiso leaves pickled alongside it. It's amazing they hand-make the soil for the shiso. This is a masterpiece I must try! Naruto-ya's "Wakadori Hanshin Age" is so famous locally that everyone knows it. It was famous when I was a student; for Christmas in Otaru, "Naruto's" "Hanshin Age" was the standard, not KFC. While the taste of fresh-fried chicken at the restaurant is indescribable, Naruto-ya now has several branches in Otaru, and "Tarche" sells convenient vacuum-packed versions for takeout. Enjoy it fresh at the store, then savor the souvenir "Wakadori Hanshin Age" again at home. This is truly the most fitting product for this project, a highly recommended Otaru gourmet souvenir!

Last stop: Ishikari! But first...

After enjoying "Tarushe," the plan was to drive straight to Ishikari City, where the last spot is... but then the photographer gave us some extra info! We were told there's a delicious soft-serve ice cream shop along Otaru Station Front Street. Tourists from outside Hokkaido seem to be really impressed by Hokkaido's soft-serve ice cream. Now that you mention it, I feel like I haven't had soft-serve in years. I've only had a bite or two when my kids were eating it. Can I really eat a whole one? It's spring, but it's quite cold outside, you know? This photographer apparently loves it so much that he sometimes eats two in a day. Amazing! Well then, I'll try one too. Oh! This is delicious! It tastes strongly of milk. It's like cold milk with low milk fat. Rich yet refreshing aftertaste! Soft-serve that doesn't make you thirsty is truly delicious. I finished one in no time!

Heading North Along the Sea of Japan for Last Souvenirs!

Let's keep going! Next, we're heading to Sato Suisan's "Salmon Factory" in Ishikari City. It's about a 36km, one-hour drive from Otaru. We could take the expressway to Zenibako IC, but since the weather is nice, we decided to take the scenic route on general roads. We'll head north via National Route 5, then National Routes 337 and 231. It's a familiar sight for Hokkaido locals, but a route where visitors from outside Hokkaido can see rare white birch trees.

When in Ishikari, you must try salmon & salmon roe!

"Ishikari Nabe" is a hot pot dish with salmon and vegetables in a miso broth. Since the dish is named after the region, it must have been eaten here for a long time. If you're visiting Ishikari City, the birthplace of Ishikari Nabe, there's a shop you absolutely must visit: Sato Suisan's "Salmon Factory Store," which handles many seafood products, mainly Hokkaido salmon and salmon roe. While there are several Sato Suisan stores in Sapporo City, including the main store right in front of Sapporo Station, the "Salmon Factory Store" is highly recommended for a drive-by visit. Its key features are its convenient distance from Sapporo and its spacious parking lot. It's a great spot to enjoy a leisurely shopping experience in a relaxed store environment. Directly connected to the factory, the deli corner, offering freshly made side dishes found only here, is also very popular. Many locals seem to stop by around lunchtime to grab a 'Seafood Jumbo Onigiri (from 300 yen)' and head to their next destination. Enjoying a seafood feast at the 2nd-floor restaurant is also a great idea. You can even gaze out at the majestic flow of the Old Ishikari River right from the window! From elderly couples to families with energetic children and fresh young couples, everyone is smiling. It's a lovely sight. And there are so many products! I almost forgot I was on location and got lost in my own shopping. Must resist! I asked the head office staff for their recommended products in advance. For customers from outside Hokkaido, "Ikura Shoyu-zuke" (salmon roe marinated in soy sauce) is an absolute must-have. They also recommended something called "Salmon Soy Sauce." Apparently, it's made by naturally fermenting salmon offal and other parts that would otherwise be discarded. This product embodies the founder's philosophy of "being grateful for salmon and using every part of the fish." I wonder if it tastes like fish sauce?! I'll save my taste impressions for when I get home, but the 3-bottle set seems perfect for a souvenir! For my mother, for myself, for friends. Regional specialty seasonings are always so tempting to try, aren't they? Shall I buy one more item? Something distinctly Hokkaido... something that would please people from outside Hokkaido... a side dish or snack that goes well with rice or drinks... Oh! I found it. "Salmon Roll" with cheese. How nice! It's a product with cheese rolled up like a Swiss roll. The vibrant colors will brighten up any dining table! A quick photo with the Assistant Manager who was so kind to us throughout despite being busy. Even though it was almost closing time, the store was still bustling. Alright, "Ikura Shoyu-zuke," "Salmon Soy Sauce," and "Salmon Roll," please! Time to check out!

Savoring purchases while sharing travel stories!

About 40 minutes of driving. I've returned home. I bought things again this time. I bought a lot! I think I chose souvenirs that adults would like. My husband and I immediately tried them. I had mine with white rice, and my husband had his with alcohol. So, how was the taste?! Here are the items I purchased this time. 【Minamihodome Tarou Shoten】 Smoked Helmet Crab, Extra Large, 1 piece, 648 yen The natural sweetness of the crab remained, and smoking it further enhanced its flavor, resulting in a rich taste. The crab miso also had a rich flavor, which would pair well with beer or sake! The extra-large size was packed with meat right down to the tips of its legs, making it very satisfying to eat. Smoked Herring, Small, 1 fish, 1,080 yen This is a hearty product with a whole herring. You might hesitate if you don't know how to eat it, but don't worry, it comes with instructions on how to prepare it properly. It's deliciously rich and moist, with a soft texture that leaves you wanting more. 【Ekinaka Mart "Tarushe"】 "Umezuke-ya" Hon Umezuke (Pickled Plums), 210g, 565 yen At first glance, it looks like regular umeboshi, but since it's pickled without drying, it's much juicier than it appears. The moment you put it in your mouth, a sour essence bursts through the skin! It's very sour but fruity, almost like a piece of fruit. The shiso flavor is also prominent and good! "Otaru Naruto-ya Otaru Station Store" Young Chicken Half-Fried, 990 yen After warming it thoroughly in the microwave, I wanted to crisp up the skin, so I baked it in a toaster until just before it burned. While baking, delicious fat sizzled from the skin. The meat was thoroughly seasoned, and the characteristic "Naruto" flavor was still present. (Right) "Maruichi Kitagawa Shokuhin" Herring Otaru-zuke (Frozen), 200g, 1,080 yen A dish of fresh Otaru herring prepared in a marinade style. The yuzu pepper flavor is effective, and it would be refreshing even when mixed with salad. (Left) "Otaru Irikyu Miura Suisan" Herring Otaru-zuke (Frozen), 200g, 1,080 yen Herring, kelp, and herring roe are prepared in a Sansho-zuke style. The spicy flavor is perfect with white rice or as a snack with drinks. 【Sato Suisan Salmon Factory Store】 Salmon Roll (with cheese), 6 pieces, 1,339 yen It's great that you can eat it right out of the package. The cheese adds a nice accent, giving it an overall mellow flavor. It's said to be an original product made by steaming sliced salmon with cheese in between. The taste certainly makes it understandable why it's been a long-selling product for over 30 years. Ikura Shoyu-zuke (Soy-marinated Salmon Roe), 105g, 1,240 yen The deliciousness of ikura goes without saying! The perfect elasticity, the popping texture, and the just-right saltiness all combine to create a feeling of pure bliss! I ended up making and eating a mini ikura-don, so I couldn't stop getting rice refills!! Salmon Soy Sauce 3-Bottle Set, 150ml x 3 bottles, 1,020 yen This soy sauce uses no chemical seasonings and brings out natural flavors. Since it uses salmon innards, I imagined a fish sauce-like flavor, but it was completely different! It has a very mild taste, feeling like a versatile seasoning that enhances the natural goodness of ingredients. For tamago kake gohan (egg over rice), hiyayakko (chilled tofu), sashimi, grilled fish, fried rice... It seems to suit any use, but personally, I found it exceptionally delicious with hiyayakko. A scene of my husband enjoying an evening drink and me eating a mini ikura-don. My considerate husband isn't the type to rank things by saying "This is the best!", but it's clear if you observe him. He seemed to really like the Salmon Roll and the Herring Otaru-zuke. Oh, and before I knew it, the Young Chicken Half-Fried was just bones! I really liked the smoked items and the pickled plums. Next time, I hope my husband and I can go to "Kunko-ro" for lunch. Today's total mileage: 151km. Product purchase cost: 10,338 yen. Meal cost: 1,840 yen.