5 Spring–Early Summer Seafoods in Otaru [2026] | When They're in Season and Where to Eat Them

From May to June, five kinds of seafood — hairy crab, scallops, botan shrimp, mantis shrimp and octopus — reach Otaru's markets, and the town is busy with visitors looking for seasonal food. We've put their seasons, where they come from and where to eat them into one article; use it to plan your meals in Otaru.

Why seafood in Otaru is so good in spring and early summer

This image was generated by AI for illustrative purposes.

Otaru is a port town on Ishikari Bay. With Uchiura (Funka) Bay to the southwest and the Sea of Okhotsk to the northeast, Ishikari Bay is also a key distribution hub linking Hokkaido's main fishing grounds. From spring to early summer, the drift ice leaves the Sea of Okhotsk, and seafood becomes more active as the water warms. Hairy crab and scallops (seabed-sown) from the Okhotsk, which come into season at this time, arrive at Otaru's markets in large numbers.

The Ishikari Bay coast is also known as the only area in Hokkaido where mantis shrimp are caught with gill nets. In the spring season (late April to mid-June), female mantis shrimp carrying eggs are landed, and locally they're loved as one of the flavors that announce the arrival of spring. According to Gekkan Otaru Jishin (April 2023 issue), Ishikari Bay mantis shrimp are introduced as "said by some to be the best in Japan".

These geographic conditions and the variety of fishing grounds are what bring rich seafood to Otaru in spring and early summer. Local chefs and visitors heading to the markets early in the morning in search of seasonal seafood are a sight unique to Otaru at this time of year.

The five seafoods and when they're in season

Here are the main seafoods you can find in Otaru from spring to early summer, with their peak months, origins and features. Fishing seasons vary from year to year. Check the latest information with each market and shop before your visit.

Hairy crab: in spring, Okhotsk crab takes center stage. The hairy crab sold at Otaru's markets in spring (March–June) comes mainly from the Okhotsk. The peak is March–April, right after the drift ice leaves, when the crab is said to be full of meat and rich in flavor. It's landed across the Okhotsk coast (Oumu, Abashiri, Monbetsu, Wakkanai, Esashi and elsewhere), and much of Hokkaido's annual hairy crab catch is concentrated in spring. In summer (July–August), crab from Uchiura Bay comes into season. Uchiura Bay crab is rare and only available in summer, and holds up well to cooking without losing its flavor. At Otaru's markets, you can enjoy hairy crab as its origin shifts, from Okhotsk crab in spring to Uchiura Bay crab in summer.

Scallops: the spring–early summer season belongs to Okhotsk scallops (seabed-sown). The scallops in season in spring to early summer (May–July) are Okhotsk scallops (seabed-sown). Their adductor muscles are thick and very sweet, ideal for sashimi and sushi. Uchiura Bay scallops (hanging-cultured), on the other hand, are in season in winter (December–March). Uchiura Bay scallops have concentrated flavor and suit cooked dishes. If you come to Otaru looking for "spring scallops", knowing that seabed-sown Okhotsk scallops are the ones in season makes conversations and ordering at the market smoother.

Botan shrimp: the spring catch peaks in March–April. The spring catch of botan shrimp (Toyama shrimp) peaks from March to the end of April. They're landed in fishing grounds 100–300 meters deep, such as Uchiura Bay, Rumoi, the Sea of Japan off Shiribeshi, and the Sea of Okhotsk off Rausu in Shiretoko. Spring botan shrimp are mainly males, recognizable by their translucent vermilion color with white spots. They're sweet with a pleasant texture, and their sweetness stands out when eaten as sashimi. From May the season is winding down, so they may not be available. We can't say for sure that "you can eat botan shrimp in early summer too", so please check with markets and shops in advance. In autumn (September–November), the season for egg-bearing females arrives, and these are popular too.

Mantis shrimp: Ishikari Bay, Hokkaido's only gill-net fishery. The spring mantis shrimp season runs from late April to mid-June. The Ishikari Bay coast (Otaru and Ishikari) is the only place in Hokkaido where mantis shrimp are caught with gill nets. They're certified as a Hokkaido Pride Fish and hold a special place in Hokkaido. The spring catch is mainly egg-bearing females (locally also called "katsubushi"). With the added richness of the eggs, they usually appear at the markets right after the season opens in late April. According to materials from the Hokkaido Research Organization, the Ishikari Bay mantis shrimp catch has hovered around 90 tons since 1999, exceeding 150 tons in some years between 2013 and 2017. There's also an autumn season (October to early December), when well-filled mantis shrimp are landed after molting.

Octopus (North Pacific giant octopus): available all year, including spring. Depending on where it comes from, Hokkaido's North Pacific giant octopus is in season in May–June in some areas. In Soya (centered on Wakkanai), Hokkaido's largest producing area, the season is roughly May–October, and in the Rumoi area roughly May–July. Octopus trawling also takes place in Ishikari Bay, but we haven't yet been able to find official data clearly stating the peak months for Ishikari Bay octopus. At Otaru's markets, North Pacific giant octopus is available all year, including in spring and early summer. The situation changes with origin and catches, so check the latest information at the market.

Where to eat 1: morning markets and markets

At markets that open early in the morning, you can buy freshly landed seafood or eat it on the spot. The seafood each market carries depends on the day's arrivals. Calling before your visit is the surest way to check.

Rinyu Morning Market (Rinyu Asaichi): a morning market in the Ironai area near Otaru Port, where local fishers and fish merchants gather. About 11 shops sell fresh fish and processed seafood, and local chefs and residents come to buy from early in the morning. In spring and early summer, seasonal seafood, mainly mantis shrimp and scallops, may be on sale. The diner inside serves seafood bowls and more from early morning.

Sankaku Market: a market in a great location, a 1-minute walk from JR Otaru Station, and easy for visitors to use. Shops sell crab, scallops, mantis shrimp and more, either all year or by season, and the eateries inside serve seafood bowls and sashimi set meals. It's easy to stop by before or after sightseeing around the station.

Nantaru Market: a fresh food market in Shintomicho that local residents use every day. Rather than a touristy atmosphere, you can see fresh fish in a setting close to everyday local life. It was also introduced as one of the places to buy spring mantis shrimp in a feature in Gekkan Otaru Jishin (April 2023 issue).

You can check the locations of the three markets on the maps below.

Location of Rinyu Morning Market (Google Maps)

Location of Sankaku Market (Google Maps)

Location of Nantaru Market (Google Maps)

Where to eat 2: sushi and seafood restaurants

To enjoy seasonal seafood in a different way from buying it at the market, sushi restaurants and seafood bowl shops are the choice. Otaru has several restaurants where veteran chefs show their skills, each with its own appeal. Check with each restaurant by phone or on its website before your visit.

This image was generated by AI for illustrative purposes.

Otaru Masazushi Main Store: a long-established restaurant on Sushiya-dori with more than 80 years of history. It's particular about seasonal ingredients, and from spring to early summer, seasonal seafood landed in Hokkaido joins the nigiri. Seasonal toppings such as mantis shrimp, scallops and hairy crab depend on what's available, so please check directly with the restaurant when you visit.

Isezushi: a sushi restaurant awarded one star in the Michelin Guide Hokkaido 2012 Special Edition. It's known for serving "seasonal Hokkaido toppings throughout the year", and takes reservations up to two months ahead. Booking before your visit is the surest way. It has several regular closing days, so check its official website.

Donburi Chaya Otaru Sakaimachi-dori: a seafood restaurant in the Sakaimachi Street sightseeing area serving rice bowls made with local seasonal seafood. As introduced in our Otaru Herring Cuisine Complete Guide, seasonal herring bowls appear in spring. From May into early summer, menu items using mantis shrimp, scallops and other seasonal catches may be added depending on what's available. It's easy to stop by while sightseeing.

Booking and timing so you don't miss the season

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May to June in Otaru is a time when visitors keep coming even after Golden Week. The morning markets are lively from early on, but the day's seafood often sells out before noon. If the morning market is your goal, planning to arrive by 9 a.m. gives you more choice.

As for sushi restaurant bookings, it can be hard to get into Isezushi in particular without a reservation. At Masazushi Main Store, booking ahead is also safer if you're considering a course. It's especially crowded during holidays, so we recommend calling ahead to check.

Fishing seasons for seasonal seafood vary from year to year. For the latest information, such as "when does mantis shrimp season open this year" or "are botan shrimp still coming in", check directly with each market or shop. Our Otaru May Weather Guide can also help you plan your visit.

Summary

Here's a summary of the five seafoods you can find in Otaru from spring to early summer, by season and origin.

Fishing seasons vary from year to year, so check the latest information with each shop and market before your visit.

This image was generated by AI for illustrative purposes.

After browsing seasonal seafood at the market, a leisurely tour of the sightseeing spots introduced in our Otaru Canal Area Complete Guide is a very Otaru way to spend your time. For getting from the markets to the canal and Sakaimachi Street, COTARU's e-bikes are handy. They make getting around comfortable even on Otaru's hilly terrain, and combined with our Otaru Rental Bicycle Half-Day Course, you can enjoy both food and sightseeing efficiently.

Our Otaru May–June Sightseeing Guide also covers highlights and events beyond seafood. Use it to plan a trip that lets you fully enjoy Otaru in season.