Photograph:グルメハンター・酔いどれ天使
Onigiri (Japanese rice balls) are one of the essential foods in Japanese homes, made with lightly shaped rice wrapped in nori (seaweed). You can enjoy many different varieties, from classic fillings like salmon and ume (pickled plum) to original ingredients created by each shop. This time, we’ve rounded up specialty onigiri shops that use rice from Hokkaido and fillings unique to Hokkaido.
Created: July 21, 2026
This article is based on2,220Tabelog reviews.
Table of Contents
Photograph:Christa。
Nigirimeshi is an onigiri rice ball shop located a 5-minute walk from Susukino Station in Sapporo. You can choose from shoyu-nigiri (soy sauce rice ball) and shio-nigiri (salt rice ball).
There is an eat-in space inside, and it has the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to stop by quickly.
Photograph:はまゆう_hamayu
There is a wide variety of onigiri (rice balls), and the “tarako butter” is a menu item that was also popular in reviews. The salty taste of tarako (cod roe) and the rich flavor of butter are said to come together perfectly, making it a great combination.
The lineup also includes unusual fillings such as “cream cheese yama-wasabi (Japanese horseradish).”
Photograph:閻魔見習いのそとちゃん
They also offer side dishes that make you want to pair them with onigiri (rice balls).
The tonjiru (miso soup with pork) here is a gently flavored miso soup with pork as the main ingredient. It also has plenty of root vegetables, and the portion is said to be filling enough for Manzoku.
秘湯64
What surprises you from the first bite is the soft, airy texture. Each grain of rice stands out, and inside are chunky, generously sized ingredients. The gentle saltiness of the soy sauce slowly settles a tired stomach.
Source:秘湯64's review
kimiyopi
From basic fillings like ume and kombu kelp to tasty creative options like tarako butter, there are so many choices that it is really hard to decide what to order. There are also lots of sides that seem great with rice, like yangnyeom chicken, so it feels like you could keep enjoying this place no matter how many times you come. If I stay in Susukino again, I will definitely come back.
Source:kimiyopi's review
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Photograph:グルメハンター・酔いどれ天使
Onigiri no Arinko Aurora Town Ten is a popular spot where you can enjoy freshly made onigiri (rice balls). They serve them with the easy convenience of fast food. Another nice point is that each one is shaped by hand rather than made with a mold.
The interior has a stylish atmosphere based around white tones, and there are counter and table seats available.
Photograph:ryoichi0102
There are two sizes of onigiri (rice balls): regular and jumbo. You can also combine any two fillings you like to make your own original onigiri.
The most popular choice is “Cheese Katsuo,” with cheese tucked between layers of katsuo (bonito flakes). It has a great balance of savory aroma and saltiness, and the combination works really well.
Photograph:ganma3045
The tonjiru (miso soup with pork) is a miso soup with pork made with the shop's special seasoning. It is one of the side dishes that many people enjoy with onigiri (rice balls).
They also offer a good range of side dishes, including tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet) and Hokkaido's famous Kara-age "zangi". You can enjoy a well-balanced meal with rice and soup.
NACHA
I love Arinko-san's cheese katsuobushi (dried bonito), and I always order it without hesitation. I always get tonjiru (pork miso soup) with it too. It's packed with ingredients, including pork, daikon radish, carrot, potato, burdock root, tofu, konnyaku, and more.
Source:NACHA's review
HighflyBoy
Freshly made, warm onigiri (rice balls). The fragrant aroma of the nori (seaweed), the pleasantly salty white rice, and that simple style were all really nice. The piping hot miso soup was also simple, with wakame (seaweed) and chopped green onion. It also had a nice, balanced saltiness from the miso. The tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet) was seasoned on the sweet side and had a firm texture.
Source:HighflyBoy's review
196
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Photograph:Christa。
Taishu Sakaba Han Tachinomidokoro Maikii is an izakaya with a wide range of single dishes that go well with drinks. The house specialty is futomaki onigiri (thick sushi-roll rice ball), which is great both To finish and as a meal.
They have standing seats, counter seats in a half-standing style with stools, and table seating. You can enjoy a lively atmosphere like a classic taishu sakaba (casual Japanese pub).
Photograph:マテオ21
The “futomaki onigiri (thick sushi roll rice balls)” come in a wide lineup of 12 kinds in total. Popular choices include classic onigiri fillings people know and love, such as “tuna mayo” and “salmon.”
Another nice point is how easy they are to eat with one hand. They also pair perfectly with the All you can drink “miso soup.”
Photograph:POLO
There are also plenty of A la carte dishes, including sashimi and fried items. Among them, regulars especially recommend the “Nama Paripi with Niku Miso (fresh crunchy peppers with meat miso).” It is a dish where you eat crisp green peppers with meat miso.
They also have a wide selection of local sake, so you can enjoy pairing it with the food.
knkrp2019
This thick sushi roll is packed with fillings, including my favorite tuna mayo ♡ It was a little on the soft side, but very satisfying to eat. And the miso soup is self serve and All you can drink. I really appreciate this kind of service.
Source:knkrp2019's review
まなえん
The restaurant had a lively atmosphere, with nostalgic music playing and many people humming along, and the exterior and even the coasters were unique and cute. They also had a wide selection of Japanese sake, and even though I meant to just stop by for a quick drink, I ended up staying much longer than planned. I wish there were a lovely place like this in my neighborhood too.
Source:まなえん's review
92
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Photograph:best life partner
Onigiriya-san is a restaurant with a full lineup of onigiri and set meal options. You can enjoy onigiri made with ingredients from Hokkaido specialties.
Inside, there are 7 counter seats. The cozy, compact space has a homey feel that makes it easy to relax.
Photograph:美～味し食之介
The onigiri (rice balls) are made with rice cooked on the firm side and packed tightly, so they are easy to eat without falling apart.
The photo shows the “yama-wasabi (mountain horseradish) tuna.” The tuna has a light wasabi flavor that adds a nice accent.
Photograph:best life partner
Many people say the Hokkaido specialty, chicken Kara-age "zangi (Hokkaido-style fried chicken)," is very good. You can also order it A la carte.
The "Zangi Onigiri (rice ball)" is said to be very filling, with the zangi not only inside but also sticking out from the mound of rice.
best life partner
Both onigiri (rice balls) were shaped perfectly. They were easy to eat without falling apart. The fillings were also excellent. The tonjiru (pork miso soup) had big pieces of ingredients and tasted great. The zangi (Hokkaido-style fried chicken) was fairly large and juicy. This was also amazingly good.
Source:best life partner's review
じんちゃんとアフロ
It’s the best because they shape them after you order. They also have a few side dishes, so I chose takuan (pickled daikon radish) and an okra side. Of course, the onigiri (rice balls) were freshly made, so each grain of rice stood out, with air folded inside for a light, fluffy texture. The rice itself was also very good. Along with the side dishes, it was a very Manzoku meal.
Source:じんちゃんとアフロ's review
66
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Photograph:Christa。
Hokkaido Onigiri Style Kai is a cafe-style restaurant where you can enjoy simple onigiri (rice balls) as well as more filling onigiri. Set menus such as lunch specials are also popular.
The space is filled with many houseplants, creating a relaxed atmosphere. The cute interior is also worth checking out.
Photograph:mayumon☆
"Kai Nigiri" and "Kai Nigirazu," made with rice from Hokkaido. "Kai Nigirazu" is a new kind of onigiri (Japanese rice ball) made by sandwiching fillings between rice without shaping it by hand.
With plenty of hearty fillings packed into the center of the rice, it is said to be a satisfying dish.
Photograph:ゆうキャンかさログのゆうき
The limited quantity Otona-sama Lunch (grown-up kids' plate) is so popular that reservations pour in. One of its big draws is the generous serving of daily changing vegetables.
You can enjoy rice, salad, and side dishes all on one plate, and people also say its cute presentation is part of the appeal.
すずめちゅん
Onigirazu (rice sandwich) is packed with fillings and tastes great! The mushroom soup is loaded with ingredients too, with lots of shiitake mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, nameko mushrooms, carrots, and green onions! The soup has an unusual seasoning, like a mix of Japanese dashi stock and consomme, with the flavor of the mushrooms blended into it, and it tastes great!
Source:すずめちゅん's review
ケプロ
・Adults' Lunch
With lots of houseplants and the warmth of wood, the natural space feels so calm you would hardly believe it is in a basement. It has an atmosphere that makes it easy to drop in alone. The plate is packed with side dishes and full of color. In the center is a multigrain onigiri (rice ball) with a light hint of yukari (red shiso seasoning). It is gently shaped, with a texture that lets you really taste the natural sweetness of the rice.
Source:ケプロ's review
50
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Photograph:DGD
Shizen Saibai Mai Onigiri Cafe178 Miyanosawa is a cafe where you can enjoy tasty onigiri (rice balls) made with shizen saibai mai (naturally cultivated rice). Desserts made with shizen saibai bei-ko (naturally cultivated rice flour) are also popular.
The interior, renovated from a detached house, is a cozy space filled with natural light. You take off your shoes and relax in comfort.
Photograph:ポコロニア
They offer plate meals that let you enjoy onigiri (rice balls) and side dishes all at once. You can choose 2 kinds of onigiri.
This one comes with "yukari shoyu to ume (purple shiso seasoning with soy sauce and pickled plum)" and "goma okaka (sesame and dried bonito flakes)." The rice was said to be light and fluffy and very tasty. Another nice point is the several kobachi (small side dishes). The miso soup is also said to be packed with ingredients.
Photograph:aoneko970200
The Homemade sweets come recommended for any occasion, whether after a meal or for a cafe visit. One autumn, they offered a cake made with seasonal pumpkin.
Its gentle sweetness paired perfectly with coffee. They also have a wide selection of drinks, including coffee and tea.
Team Y
I was very Manzoku with the gentle flavors of the organic dishes, the beautiful dining space, and the kind service, with staff seeing us off on the way out. I heard the farming and cooking here started from allergy friendly efforts for the owner's family, and it is a place I would like to visit again. It was a great meal.
Source:Team Y's review
aoneko970200
Onigiri (rice balls) and side dishes made with shizen saibai-mai (naturally cultivated rice). The menu feels reassuring, and it is really delicious✨The kabocha (Japanese pumpkin) baked cheesecake also uses naturally cultivated kabocha. It had a gentle flavor♪
Source:aoneko970200's review
36
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Photograph:chibatan
CAFE TONTON is a place where you can enjoy onigiri (rice balls) and side dishes made with ingredients from Hokkaido. The onigiri come in a wide variety, from standard favorites to more unusual options.
The cafe-style interior is bright and very open, with large windows that let you enjoy the view outside as well.
Photograph:Mogi Mogi
Onigiri (rice balls) are available A la carte or as part of a lunch set. The Most Popular choice is the “tennen-zake (wild salmon),” made with carefully selected ingredients.
For the rice, they use Fukkurinko, which is produced mainly in the Donan region of Hokkaido. It is known for its large grains and soft, fluffy texture.
Photograph:Mogi Mogi
The "slow-braised Kaku pork belly made with Dosan-buta (Hokkaido pork)" is simmered until it is so tender you can break it apart with chopsticks. They recommend sprinkling sansho (Japanese pepper) on it right before eating to add an extra accent.
The dessert menu is varied as well. Many people say the house-made "Tonton Purin" is delicious.
マツタケスケモン
You can choose the size of the onigiri (rice balls) and whether you want white rice or brown rice. The onigiri are gently shaped so softly that they almost fall apart. The rice is cooked to just the right firmness without being too soft, and it tastes great.(๑´ڡ`๑)The kakuni (braised pork belly) and tonjiru (pork miso soup) had a light, gentle seasoning, and the pudding had a strong egg flavor with a nostalgic taste. It was a great meal(*´ω｀*)
Source:マツタケスケモン's review
ナッシー0430
I had the Chicken Nanban set meal from the lunch menu! The tartar sauce was Homemade and really good, and the chicken was crispy too, so it was excellent! The kakuni (braised pork belly) here is also so tender and incredibly delicious, so I highly recommend it! The onigiri (rice balls) are tasty too, so I keep coming back again and again!
Source:ナッシー0430's review
39
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Photograph:バブミッキー
Gin Shari Hokkaido is a shop in the food court inside New Chitose Airport, the gateway to Hokkaido. Here you can enjoy onigiri (Japanese rice balls) made with Hokkaido brand rice called Fukkurinko.
They make them right in front of you, using fillings centered on Hokkaido specialties.
Photograph:浜崎 翔
The onigiri (rice balls) stand out for their wide selection of fillings. There are lots of seafood toppings, so you can enjoy Hokkaido cuisine through onigiri.
This is the "Umi no Oyako," which comes with sake (salmon) and ikura (salmon roe). It is said to have a bold soy sauce seasoning, giving it a sushi-like twist.
Photograph:ぽこxぽこ
Onigiri with unexpected cheese pairings are also popular. There are lots of irresistible options for cheese lovers, such as “Hokkai tarako (cod roe from Hokkaido) & Cheese” and “Okaka (bonito flakes) Cheese.”
Many people also order it with the miso soup “Jikasei tonjiru (house-made pork and vegetable miso soup),” which is packed with pork and root vegetables.
ただのメシ喰い
Ginshari! You can eat onigiri (rice balls) here, known for their plump rice and great pairing with mentaiko (spicy cod roe)! It seems they use a rice called Fukkurinko. The more you chew, the more flavor seems to come out. This is amazing. It felt like I had eaten much more onigiri than I actually did. I had no idea onigiri could be this high level. It was a great meal.
Source:ただのメシ喰い's review
浜崎 翔
What makes this place great is that you get it freshly made. From the moment you pick it up, the rice feels gently warm, which lifts the airport meal mood up a notch. True to its “umi no oyako (sea parent and child)” name, the fillings give you solid Manzoku with salmon and ikura (salmon roe). It is also fairly large, so even one piece is quite filling.
Source:浜崎 翔's review
170
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Photograph:kimumiyu
Namara Onigiri is a shop inside Michi-no-Eki Salmon Park Chitose. The Michi-no-Eki (roadside station) is a commercial facility with local souvenir shops and restaurants gathered in one place.
They serve onigiri (rice balls) made with Nanatsuboshi rice, a brand that represents Hokkaido, along with ingredients from Hokkaido.
Photograph:nonkyuu@
The filling of the signature onigiri (rice ball) is shiojake (salted salmon). It has just the right level of salt, with a rich salmon taste and lots of umami.
It is large in size, and there is plenty of filling inside as well, so it is very satisfying to eat.
Photograph:たー肉
"Sake-jiru (salmon miso soup)" is a miso soup made with salmon from Hokkaido. It is also packed with chunky vegetables such as daikon radish, Chinese cabbage, and potatoes.
They use locally made additive-free miso. With a light salt level, its gentle comforting taste really sinks in.
sushi1144
The nori (seaweed) and rice were both very Manzoku! Also, the sake-jiru (salmon soup) sold alongside them is even more wonderful. This is a place I would definitely love to visit again！！
Source:sushi1144's review
たー肉
There were so many kinds of onigiri (rice balls), and all of them looked delicious, so it was hard to choose, but this time I had the "Tokachi Wagyu meat soboro" and, since it was cold, a warm "sake-jiru (salmon soup)." The filling, "Tokachi Wagyu meat soboro," had a sweet and savory seasoning that blended really well with the rice, and it was so tasty that once I took a bite, I could not stop eating.
Source:たー肉's review
63
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Photograph:めたぼ
Onigiri Azekko is a popular restaurant known for its Gozen set meals that come with onigiri (rice balls) as the main staple. They offer a wide variety of onigiri, so guests can enjoy choosing from the start.
The interior has a calm atmosphere, with table seating and zashiki (tatami room) seating available. There are also spots where you can relax while looking out at the scenery outside the window.
Photograph:Mogi Mogi
The "Onigiri Gozen set" is a popular lunch menu item. In addition to 2 rice balls, you can choose either meat or fish. The set also comes with several kobachi (small side dishes), so you can enjoy a variety of sides.
There are also rice ball focused menu items such as the "Onigiri 2-ke Mori," and this one comes with a salad bar.
Photograph:こよなく…
Takeout is also popular here, and the photo shows, from left, "shake (salmon)", "negi miso (green onion miso)", and "jako (tiny dried sardines)". They offer a wide variety of onigiri (rice balls), from simple salted ones to more upscale fillings like "sujiko (salmon roe)".
If you want to enjoy it like a set meal, it is also a good idea to order "buta-jiru (pork miso soup)" along with it.
Mogi Mogi
I had the onigiri Gozen set. Today’s main dish was a fish dish, simmered saba (mackerel) in miso, and for the onigiri I ordered sumiyaki beni-shake (charcoal-grilled salted salmon) and yaki tarako (grilled cod roe). It came with a salad bar. The small side dishes were also good. The rice was very tasty.
Source:Mogi Mogi's review
ご飯大好き女子高生
This time, I had the Onigiri Gozen set! This time, the small side dishes were Kakuni (braised pork belly), eggplant simmered in miso, pumpkin salad, sauteed mushrooms, dashimaki tamago (Japanese rolled omelet), and tonjiru (pork miso soup)! It even comes with pudding for dessert! For the main onigiri, I chose tarako and gyu shigure-ni (beef simmered in soy sauce and ginger)! The portion was just incredibly generous.
Source:ご飯大好き女子高生's review
116
