On this trip to Utoro in Shiretoko, I wasn’t just here to admire the breathtaking landscapes of this UNESCO World Natural Heritage site—I was also hoping to discover some local culinary gems. However, there isn’t much detailed information online about restaurants in Utoro, not even on Google Maps. That made finding a highly-rated seafood spot a bit of a challenge. By chance, while researching about the drift ice walk experience, I stumbled upon a guided tour website that highly recommended Maruko Suisan (圓子水産). That’s how I discovered this restaurant run by a young local fisherman.
So today, Tsubaki is introducing you to Maruko Suisan, a highly recommended spot in Utoro—along with Tsubaki’s totally non-professional foodie review of their menu!
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About Maruko Suisan
Maruko Suisan is a restaurant operated by a talented young fisherman from the Shiretoko area. Their specialties include seafood rice bowls and robata-style grilled lunch sets. Everything from catching and processing the seafood to preparing the dishes is handled in-house by the fishermen themselves, ensuring every dish bursts with ocean freshness and local flavor.
The moment you step into Maruko Suisan, you can feel the warmth and sincerity of the sea. It’s a place where you can truly savor the authentic flavors of Shiretoko seafood.
I first heard about this place while researching local experiences in Shiretoko, particularly a drift ice walk tour. The restaurant was enthusiastically recommended on that site, so I made it a priority to stop by and try it out!
✔️ Maruko Suisan (圓子水產)
Access 5–10 min walk from Utoro Bus Terminal (ウトロバスターミナル)
Address 131 Utorohigashi, Shari, Shari District, Hokkaido 099-4355（Google Maps）
Opening Hours 10:30–15:30、17:00–21:00
Other Info
・May close temporarily depending on the season – check their official Instagram for updates
・Cash only
Maruko Suisan: Location & Entrance
After getting off at the Utoro Bus Terminal, it’s an easy 8–10 minute walk to reach Maruko Suisan.
I followed the walking route on Google Maps, and although I got close quickly, the entrance was tricky to find—the building had no obvious signage, and the heavy snow made it look like the place wasn’t even open. I circled back for another look just to be sure.
Sure enough, after taking a closer look, I spotted a bold poster at the front advertising their seafood hotpot. That was the sign I’d been looking for! I knew I had finally found Maruko Suisan 😆
By the way, as soon as you step out of the restaurant, you can see a rock formation across the road that strongly resembles Godzilla! Apparently, it’s a minor local attraction—so keep an eye out for it when you visit.
Inside Atmosphere & Seating
Step inside and you’re greeted by a cozy bar counter area, simple yet inviting. The wooden counter and high stools give off a warm, seaside tavern vibe.
The walls are adorned with colorful cloth banners full of Japanese fishing village charm. Each banner seems to tell its own story—perhaps fisherman blessings or the shop’s proud history. The decor adds a festive, market-like energy that contrasts starkly with the quiet streets outside.
I arrived around 12:30 PM, and luckily it wasn’t crowded yet, so I had my pick of seats. I started off at a large table by the wall, but as more customers began to arrive, I moved to the bar to make room for a group. Sitting at the bar turned out to be a blessing—it gave me the chance to chat with the super friendly staff (especially the cute lady working there, haha).
Maruko Suisan’s Menu
They thoughtfully provide a Chinese menu (also they provide English menu as well), which makes ordering much easier. The left page features their signature seafood rice bowls, priced around 2,400–3,800 yen. Each bowl is topped with an abundance of ocean-fresh goodies. The standout dish is the Shiretoko Don, a combination of marinated salmon and salmon roe. Just imagining that melt-in-your-mouth fatty salmon paired with those juicy popping roe was enough to get me drooling.
The right page shows their grilled fish set meals, starting from 2,400 yen. I’m no fish expert, but from the menu, it seems the selection varies with the seasonal catch—some items are listed as “market price,” hinting at freshly caught offerings for the day.
On another menu, the left side features seafood hotpot sets, where you can pair a mini seafood rice bowl with your choice of hotpot—two kinds of deliciousness in one meal! The right side is their evening izakaya menu (available after 5 PM), offering more snacks and dishes perfect for drinks.
Since the seafood hotpot combo costs about the same as a standalone rice bowl, but gives you both warm soup and fresh sashimi, it was the perfect value choice for someone like me with a big appetite! I went for the Ishikari miso hotpot set with mini salmon oyako-don, priced at 2,500 yen (about USD $16.66).
Ishikari Miso Hotpot + Salmon Oyako-don Set
When the adorable staff member brought over my meal, I couldn’t help but gasp—it looked incredibly generous! The hotpot was loaded with seafood, served alongside the mini salmon rice bowl and two small side dishes. Just the visual alone made me hungry.
The miso broth had a rich, fermented aroma, and just watching the steam rise from the pot warmed my heart and stomach. Beneath the surface, hidden under the fish slices, were loads of vegetables and mushrooms—there was even a small dollop of butter melting over corn kernels!
For some reason, Japanese miso dishes like ramen or hotpot often come with corn—maybe the sweetness of corn balances the savory miso? Either way, the whole dish was a visual and sensory delight.
There were a whopping five big slices of fish in the pot! You could feel how tender and flaky the fish was just by picking it up. It soaked up the miso broth perfectly, giving it a wonderfully rich flavor.
If ordered separately, the seafood hotpot alone is just 1,400 yen (about USD $9.33)—such great value! In Tokyo, this would easily cost over 2,000 yen (about USD $13.33). In Shiretoko, you get to enjoy premium seafood at truly affordable prices.
salmon oyako-don
Although labeled “mini,” the portion felt just right paired with the hotpot. What made this salmon oyako-don special was the 50/50 split between salmon sashimi and roe—visually stunning and mouthwatering.
The salmon was smooth and fresh, while the roe brought that intense ocean umami with a touch of salt. The flavor depth from just one bite was so satisfying, easily rivaling full-size rice bowls.
The set also included two small side dishes: scallop lips and boiled fish (not sure which kind, though). Both were light in flavor but still memorable. The scallop lips had a bouncy texture and sweet seafood taste, while the fish was simply seasoned to highlight its natural tenderness.
These sides didn’t steal the spotlight, but they beautifully rounded out the meal, making the entire dining experience feel even more complete.
Dining at Maruko Suisan
was a total delight—from the flavor-packed seafood hotpot to the fresh salmon oyako-don, every bite reflected the local fishermen’s dedication to freshness and quality.
If you’re visiting the Utoro area—whether you’re trying out the drift ice walk or exploring the wild beauty of Shiretoko—don’t miss out on this delicious seafood feast at Maruko Suisan!
✔️ Maruko Suisan (圓子水產)
Access 5–10 min walk from Utoro Bus Terminal (ウトロバスターミナル)
Address 131 Utorohigashi, Shari, Shari District, Hokkaido 099-4355（Google Maps）
Opening Hours 10:30–15:30、17:00–21:00
Other Info
・May close temporarily depending on the season – check their official Instagram for updates
・Cash only
Hope this dining review by Tsubaki helps you on your trip! Feel free to leave a comment or DM me on Instagram if you have any questions—I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!
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