Photo: bryan... / CC BY-SA 2.0A triangular plot beside the station — hence the name, which refers to the land and the roof rather than anything on sale — packed with fishmongers and a handful of tiny restaurants at the back.
The system is the appeal: you look at what is on ice, point, and they build a kaisen-don over rice in front of you. Scallop, sea urchin, crab, salmon roe and whatever the boats brought in. It costs a fraction of what the same bowl costs anywhere with a view, and it opens at seven.
Five things the plaques won't tell you
- Order the seasonal bowl rather than a fixed set — the vendors will steer you and they are right.
- Uni is at its best in summer here; scallop and crab are winter. Ask which is good today.
- Carry some yen, and point: the stalls are used to pointing rather than talking.
- Come before ten if you want a seat without waiting.
- It is beside the station, so it also works as the last stop before a train to Sapporo or Yoichi.
It costs a fraction of what the same bowl costs anywhere with a view, and it opens at seven.
Guided days from Otaru
Booked before you sail — there is no tour desk at the pier. Booking through these links supports the site.
More in Otaru
Questions people ask here
What is Sankaku Market in Otaru?
A small covered market on a triangular plot beside Otaru Station, holding fishmongers and a few tiny restaurants. You point at what is on ice and they build a seafood bowl over rice in front of you, for a fraction of the price of the same bowl anywhere with a view.
When does Sankaku Market open?
Around seven in the morning, closing about five. Arrive before ten if you want a seat without waiting. It is fifteen minutes on foot from the cruise berth and beside the station, so it also works as the last stop before a train to Yoichi or Sapporo.