Kani Honke Sapporo Station Main Branch
A century-old crab specialty restaurant in Sapporo, offering exquisite Hokkaido crab dishes in a traditional Japanese ambiance with private rooms.
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Kani Honke Sapporo Station Main Branch
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A century-old crab specialty restaurant in Sapporo, offering exquisite Hokkaido crab dishes in a traditional Japanese ambiance with private rooms.
"Experience the finest Hokkaido crab in an elegant setting with impeccable service."
Reserve in Advance
Popular spot! Reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak seasons, to secure your dining time.
Consider Lunch Sets
Try the lunchtime shabu-shabu or kaiseki sets for a unique and potentially more affordable meal experience.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Japanese (Crab Specialty)
Price
$$$
Phone
+81 11-222-0018
Address
2 Chome-1-18 Kita 3 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0003, Japan
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Ultimate Crab Feast
Indulge in a variety of fresh, succulent crab dishes, from king crab to hairy crab, prepared to perfection. Experience true Hokkaido crab.
Private Dining Experience
Dine in elegant private rooms, offering a serene and intimate setting for your special crab feast. Perfect for couples or groups.
Authentic Japanese Ambiance
Immerse yourself in a traditional Japanese setting with wooden beams and tatami mats, enhancing the authentic dining experience.
Plans like a pro.
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Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reserve in Advance
Popular spot! Reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak seasons, to secure your dining time.
Consider Lunch Sets
Try the lunchtime shabu-shabu or kaiseki sets for a unique and potentially more affordable meal experience.
Inquire About Crab Prices
Full-size crab prices can vary by season and size. It's wise to ask about costs before ordering to avoid surprises.
Opt for Private Rooms
For a more private and comfortable experience, request one of the available private dining rooms.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reserve in Advance
Popular spot! Reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak seasons, to secure your dining time.
Consider Lunch Sets
Try the lunchtime shabu-shabu or kaiseki sets for a unique and potentially more affordable meal experience.
Inquire About Crab Prices
Full-size crab prices can vary by season and size. It's wise to ask about costs before ordering to avoid surprises.
Opt for Private Rooms
For a more private and comfortable experience, request one of the available private dining rooms.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Kani Honke is celebrated for its exceptionally fresh and delicious crab dishes, served in a refined Japanese setting, often within private rooms. Diners praise the attentive service and the overall quality of the food, particularly the king crab and snow crab options. However, some find the service can be inconsistent, with dishes sometimes served out of order or with limited explanation, and a few have noted the crab sashimi tasting slightly mushy or the crab porridge being too salty.
"We decided to grab lunch first before heading to the airport, figured we haven’t really had crab during this trip yet so we searched Google’s recommendations and found this restaurant, with all its great reviews.
It was maybe a little after 1pm, we were not sure if it was crowded and thought we should’ve booked beforehand, but tried walking in there anyway.
Fortunately, it wasn’t that crowded so we were seated almost immediately. By the entrance at the ground floor, a man handed us a number and told us to take our shoes off and get on the elevator. At the second floor, we were then greeted by the ladies in kimono. We love the atmosphere, you get your own room.
It didn’t take long for them to serve the food, except for the rice in a pot. Food were all great, it def hit the spot. Been craving for crab for a while now."
Lalalalala E
"One of the famous and popular seafood (King crab and snow crab) specialty restaurant. Reservation highly recommended..
We ordered set menu @ little over ten thousand Japanese yen per person. Every dish placed in front of us can be called a piece or art. And taste also match how it looked!
They also have a great list for Japanese sales to choose from. It is great compliment to such nice meal.
Only thing I wish they can improve as the English speaking for the waitresses. The communication was English speaking. Customer is quite difficult with the waitresses. But I can tell they tried very hard to and eventually understood each other."
Steven Cheng
"Ordered a crab course and a whole hairy crab with a la carte sides. Everything was very tasty and the service was top-notch. Ambience and atmosphere was inviting and relaxing. Price was reasonable for what you're getting."
Winston L
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Kani Honke is very popular and reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak seasons. It's advisable to book well in advance.
They specialize in Hokkaido crabs, including King Crab, Hairy Crab, and Snow Crab, prepared in various styles.
Yes, Kani Honke offers private rooms for dining, providing a more intimate and exclusive experience.
Consider their set menus or kaiseki courses for a comprehensive crab experience. A la carte options are also available.
While staff try their best, English communication can be challenging. Having a translation app or basic Japanese phrases can be helpful.
Prices for full-size crabs can vary. It's recommended to inquire about the current prices before ordering to manage expectations.
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The 10 Best Restaurants In Sapporo, Japan
The waters off Hokkaido are crawling with four main varieties of crab: the furry horsehair crab, the long-legged snow crab, the spiky red king crab and the even spikier hanasaki queen crab. Chew through all of them at Kani Honke, the century-old shellfish empire that spans 14 locations across Japan, including two in Sapporo: one at the central train station and the other in nightlife hub Susukino. A huge red crab hangs over the front door, but the timber interior is much more refined – a traditional backdrop to enjoy the kaiseki ryori experience, which presents a series of sophisticated seafood dishes degustation-style.
Restaurants in Hokkaido
There are two branches of Kani Honke, one in Susukino, and the other in front of Sapporo Station. In business for more than 50 years, these crab-eating havens serves raw, steamed, boiled, and baked crustaceans—the waitress will tell you whether the ke-gani (hairy crab), taraba-gani (king crab), or zuwai-kani (snow crab) is in season. Wood beams, tatami mats, and traditional decorations provide an authentic setting for the feast.
Sapporo | Food and Travel magazine
Renowned crab restaurant Kani-Honke in Susukino (00 81 11 222 0018, kanihonke.jp) offers delicate snow, hairy and king crabs. Ramen Alley in Susukino is an accessible way into the local soup-noodle scene, with 17 different ramen joints. Make sure you go to the older, original half of the Alley – which is bisected by a road – as the first half, in the ground floor of an office block, is less atmospheric.
Guide To Traveling To Hokkaido With Kids
Mikuni Sapporo: For something a tad more upscale, book a table for Mukuni Sapporo. The French restaurant is just a minute away from Sapporo Station on foot and has exquisite menu items like Hokkaido hairy crab, Atsuma blue honeysuckle tarte au chocolat with lavender ice cream, and Kamifurano wild rabbit. Concerned about noisy kids or celebrating a special occasion?
The Taste of Luxury – The Top 10 things to Eat in Japan
Kani is the Japanese word for crab and Taraba Gani is the Japanese word for King Crab. The very best King Crab is from the deep, icy waters of Hokkaido where the crab grows to massive sizes. Taraba Gani is the quintessential luxury product and as such is available in the very best restaurants and kaiseki feasts.
A Foodie's Guide: Where to Eat & Drink in Sapporo
Kani Honke is without a doubt the most famous restaurant for eating crab in Sapporo. The first store opened in 1971, and has expanded with more locations since then. The restaurant offers an ala carte menu, as well as multiple course options in a traditional Japanese setting.
Hokkaido Kani Syougun: Where to Have Some of Japan’s Best Crab in Sapporo
We wanted to go to the more popular Kani Honke but twice we tried and both times they were fully booked!. That’s two days they were completely booked, for the ENTIRE day. That’s how popular crabs are in Sapporo, especially during peak seasons like the snow festival.
Sapporo Winter Wonderland: Snow, Soba, And Sights: Itinerary 2024
For dinner, indulge in a feast of seafood at Kani Honke, known for its crab dishes. After dinner, take a leisurely walk through the snow-covered streets of Sapporo.
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