The Secret Behind Otaru Masazushi's Popularity — Menu and Common Questions
What kind of restaurant is "Otaru Masazushi"?
"Otaru Masazushi" is a sushi restaurant originating in Otaru, Hokkaido.
As of 2023, it operates locations starting in Otaru, as well as in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Bangkok, Thailand. Because you can eat fresh Ezomae sushi that lets you feel the four seasons of Hokkaido, it is supported by locals and tourists alike.
The owner is also a member of the "Otaru Sushi Street Famous Shops Association," a gathering of long-established Otaru sushi restaurants, and is actively working to spread Otaru sushi across the country.
What are the features of each "Otaru Masazushi" location?
As of 2023, "Otaru Masazushi" operates five locations in Japan and one in Thailand.
Let's take a look at what kind of features each restaurant has.
Otaru Masazushi Main Shop
"Otaru Masazushi Main Shop" faces the Sushiya-dori (Sushi Restaurant Street) in Hanazono, Otaru.
A long-established restaurant founded in 1938 with a long history, it has been loved by Otaru citizens and tourists alike.
In 1995, it was renovated into the current five-story building.
The interior is spacious, capable of accommodating banquets of up to 80 people.
Since there are few sushi restaurants where large groups can hold banquets, it is highly valued.
The special course that can only be ordered at the counter is perfect for a meal with someone important to you.
Sushi can be ordered individually, but when you visit, the value-priced nigiri sets are recommended.
The most popular assortment that lets you feel the season, "Akane (3,300 yen incl. tax)," and the assortment of luxurious toppings such as otoro and large botan shrimp, "Takumi (6,050 yen incl. tax)," are popular.
Otaru Masazushi Main Shop
Phone: 0134-23-0011
Address: 1-1-1 Hanazono, Otaru City, Hokkaido (Sushiya-dori)
https://goo.gl/maps/fi4W65LXN2REMSCH6
Otaru Masazushi Zen-an
"Otaru Masazushi Zen-an" is in a superb location overlooking the Otaru Canal.
The stylish space designed around light is especially popular with women. It is a restaurant you can use for business entertaining and dining, of course, but also for dates.
One of its features is the wide selection of Okinawan awamori.
The number of awamori varieties carefully selected and stocked by the manager reaches about 80.
You can spend a luxurious time savoring the fine spirits of Japan's south while delighting in the fresh fish of the north.
Otaru Masazushi Zen-an
Phone: 0134-22-0011
Address: 1-2-1 Ironai, Otaru City, Hokkaido
https://goo.gl/maps/BzrorkEZQsNsXu2Q7
Otaru Masazushi Ginza
"Otaru Masazushi Ginza" is a popular restaurant in a prime location, a 5-minute walk from Ginza Station on all lines.
It offers five fully private rooms, easy to use for private occasions or business entertaining. It can also accommodate groups of 20 or more, making it perfect for company celebrations and group banquets.
With the motto "Heartfelt hospitality filled with love," it handles a wide range of occasions, from banquets tailored to your budget to casual lunch gatherings.
It also offers plans for betrothal ceremonies and family introductions, as well as a counter-only omakase course, allowing use tailored to customers' needs.
Otaru Masazushi Ginza
Phone: 03-3562-7711
Address: 10F POLA Ginza Building, 1-7-7 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
https://goo.gl/maps/7FhJiefFuoChFiGj8
Otaru Masazushi Shinjuku Shop
"Otaru Masazushi Shinjuku Shop" is on the 14th floor of Takashimaya Times Square.
With three types of seating—counter, table seats, and private rooms—it is used by many people, from business entertaining to solo lunches.
The limited menu offered at lunchtime, "Otaru (5,478 yen incl. tax)," is a satisfying recommended menu featuring toro, sea urchin, and botan shrimp, which are popular at Masazushi.
Otaru Masazushi Shinjuku Shop
Phone: 03-5361-1937
Address: 14F Takashimaya Times Square, 5-24-2 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
https://goo.gl/maps/wcZCxCWEzy3j4yS48
Otaru Masazushi Sakae
"Otaru Masazushi Sakae" opened in 2022 as the first location in the Tokai region.
Its distinctive concept is a fully reservation-based system offering courses only for both lunch and dinner.
The stylish yet warm space is also supported by families.
There are six kinds of dinner courses, allowing you to choose according to your budget and the dishes you want to eat.
Among the dishes, the "ika somen (squid noodles)" is a specialty you should try at least once.
Otaru Masazushi Sakae
Phone: 052-228-4011
Address: 3F Maruei Galleria, 3-3-1 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi
https://goo.gl/maps/32ruMXw5pN9YGMNv5
MASA (Bangkok, Thailand)
"MASA" in Bangkok, Thailand, is the location that marked the first overseas expansion.
Fresh ingredients are shipped directly from Otaru four times a week.
Even while in Thailand, you can always eat sushi in a fresh state.
Like "Otaru Masazushi" in Japan, the menu is structured mainly around course meals.
MASA - Otaru Masazushi (Bangkok, Thailand)
Within Japan Phone: (+66)2-005-3800
Thailand Phone: 02-005-3800
Address: 299 ICON SIAM 4th floor unit 4R2 Charoennakorn road, Klongtonsai, Klongsan, Bangkok, Thailand 10600
https://goo.gl/maps/itDd6psNx22dzUSE6
Answering common questions about "Otaru Masazushi"
You may have things you're curious about—such as whether takeout is available at "Otaru Masazushi" or whether there is a lunch menu.
From here, let's look at such common questions about Otaru Masazushi!
Otaru Masazushi's popular menu
Otaru Masazushi has various set menus, but among them the popular ones are the "Masazushi Set" and "Suzuran."
The "Masazushi Set (cover image)" is a set combining 7 pieces of nigiri with ika somen and tofu salad. It is a generous set that includes mini ika somen, 7 pieces of sushi (chutoro, white fish, sweet shrimp, scallop, overflowing salmon roe, and 2 kinds of daily toppings), and miso soup, for 3,850 yen.
Also, "Suzuran -SUZURAN-" comes with 9 pieces of nigiri, letting you savor luxurious sushi toppings such as chutoro, lean tuna, white fish, snow crab, salmon, true squid, scallop, sweet shrimp, and salmon roe for 2,750 yen.
The toppings are fresh, plump, and thick, with the salmon roe in particular reputed to be delicious. You could say this is a strength unique to Otaru Masazushi, which can immediately serve sushi toppings caught in Hokkaido!
Masazushi Set
Is takeout available?
Takeout is available at "Otaru Masazushi Main Shop."
Since it is a popular restaurant and crowding is expected, calling the shop in advance to place your order is a sure bet.
Furthermore, at the Shinjuku Shop, there is a takeout-specialized shop called "Ouchi de Masazushi (Masazushi at Home)" in the basement of Takashimaya Times Square, where the shop is located.
It has an abundance of original menu items, such as chirashi sushi boasting a beauty like a treasure chest, and seafood selections packed into jars like sweets.
What is in the courses? Can they be used for business entertaining?
The course meals can be chosen according to your budget and situation, but here we introduce the popular course of the Ginza and Shinjuku shops, "Yoichi (13,200 yen incl. tax)," as an example.
First, it starts with an appetizer assortment in a flower basket, followed by the specialty ika somen and seasonal small dishes.
After sashimi, simmered dishes, steamed dishes, and warm dishes, 6 pieces of seasonal nigiri appear.
To finish, a soup and dessert are served, making for a substantial offering.
The course to note is the "omakase (prices differ by store)," which can only be ordered at counter seats.
Matching the day's arrivals and the customer's preferences, the sushi chef right in front of you carefully forms each piece.
Why not savor exquisite sushi while enjoying conversation with the chef?
Can you have lunch at any of the shops?
All five locations in Japan are open from 11 a.m.
They offer a variety of menus, such as great-value lunchtime-only courses and shops with nigiri sets.
At the Ginza shop, there is a 10-piece course centered on nigiri, and a casual course where you can enjoy the specialty ika somen.
At the main shop, you can also order rice bowls.
"Otaru Masazushi"'s course meals are recommended for those considering business entertaining or family introductions at lunchtime.
Since some shops require reservations, be sure to check.
Reservations are basically made by phone, but the "Main Shop" and "Zen-an" can be reserved online via Tabelog.
Savor the seasonal flavors of Hokkaido at "Otaru Masazushi"
"Otaru Masazushi," where you can feel Hokkaido not only at the main shop in Otaru but also at its two Tokyo shops, Nagoya, and even in Thailand.
The seasonal fresh fish shipped directly from Otaru has a flavor you won't forget once you've tasted it.
The seating you can choose according to your needs is also one of its appeals. Sushi restaurants that can accommodate large banquets are quite hard to find, aren't they? Since some shops offer private rooms, they are also suitable as venues for important meals where failure isn't an option, such as business entertaining or betrothal ceremonies.
When you feel like eating delicious Ezomae sushi, why not pay a visit to "Otaru Masazushi"?
