Tried by two women — one from France, one from South Africa. Every reaction from the guests who experienced this restaurant is on video.
A giant Akkeshi oyster, a whole grilled hokke, Tokachi wagyu and a Hokkaido pork rice bowl all landed on one table.
Dinner runs about ¥2,000–¥2,999 per person, and there is no otoshi seating charge.
Best for: travelers who want Hokkaido food without leaving Tokyo, and for a relaxed first izakaya night.
| Restaurant | 北海道マルハ酒場 御徒町二号店 (Hokkaido Maruha Sakaba Okachimachi) — Hokkaido izakaya, seafood and pork rice bowls |
| Where | 5-20-3 Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo — 1 minute from Okachimachi Station (JR Yamanote Line), one stop from Ueno and Akihabara |
| Best for | Hokkaido seafood, wagyu, sake, groups and families |
| Budget (per person) | Lunch: –¥999 / Dinner: ¥2,000–¥2,999 (rough guide only) |
| The actual footage | Watch the visit on YouTube |
Traveler checklist
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Picture menu | ✓ Yes — the restaurant lists a picture menu |
| English menu | ✓ Yes — an English menu is listed |
| English-speaking staff | ✓ Yes — English-speaking staff are listed |
| Online reservation | ✓ Yes — bookable online |
| Card payment | ✓ Yes — VISA and Mastercard (no e-money or QR payment) |
| Cover charge (otoshi) | ✓ None — no otoshi and no service charge |
| Free Wi-Fi | — Not yet confirmed, please ask when booking |
| Vegetarian options | — Not yet confirmed, please ask when booking |
| Non-smoking | — Partially: smoking and non-smoking areas are separated, please ask when booking |
Information may have changed — please confirm the latest details on the official site before you go.
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About this review
We are a Japanese host team (YouTube: Amazing Japanese Food!) that takes real overseas guests to restaurants across Tokyo and films the meal.
Every quote in this review is taken word-for-word from the video. Impressions are our guests’ real, unedited reactions.
One of our guests has lived in Japan for a year and a half, the other for three years, and both already had favourite Japanese dishes.
That made the surprises count for more — several plates on this table were still new to them.
🥇 If you order only one thing: the Tokachi wagyu kalbi
Tokachi Saibi-gyu wagyu kalbi from Hokkaido (around 11:52 in the video)
At the end of the meal we asked both guests what they liked most.
Both of them named the wagyu first.
One of them had never even heard of wagyu before moving to Japan.
What to order at Hokkaido Maruha Sakaba
Hamachi sashimi — ハマチの刺身
In the video, around 4:31
The first plate of the night: yellowtail sashimi with shiso, lemon and wasabi.
Our host explained “itadakimasu” before the first bite.
The guest from France said the flavour was unlike anything she was used to at home.
The first bite (around 4:56 in the video)
Jaga-bata — 皮付きじゃがバター
A whole potato baked in foil, split open with butter (around 6:58 in the video)
A Hokkaido classic, and the dish that got the loudest reaction of the early evening.
Neither guest had seen a potato served this way in Japan.
The guest from South Africa said it was close to a baked potato back home.
“Oh my god!” as the potato arrived (around 6:50 in the video)
Giant oyster, grilled — 特大大牡蠣
One oyster, one shell, one bite (around 8:25 in the video)
Our host asked them to eat it in a single bite if they could.
The shell was still hot when it reached the table.
Neither of them had eaten an oyster this size before.
Straight after the first bite (around 9:03 in the video)
Hokkaido sake — 北斗随想
The bottle brought to the table (around 9:35 in the video)
A sake from Hokkaido, 16% alcohol.
“Sweet and delicious” (around 10:08 in the video)
Tokachi wagyu kalbi — 十勝 彩美牛カルビ
Wagyu from Tokachi, Hokkaido (around 11:52 in the video)
This was the emotional peak of the meal.
Seconds after the first bite, one guest said she did not want to leave Japan.
Neither of them had heard of wagyu before they came to Japan.
“So soft” — the moment it melted (around 12:15 in the video)
Whole grilled hokke — 特大ほっけの開き
A whole hokke, opened and grilled (around 13:40 in the video)
It arrived whole and filled the table.
Our host showed them they could eat it as it is, or add soy sauce.
Both guests worked their way across the fish and found the flavour changed as they went.
Eating it with grated radish (around 14:26 in the video)
Buta-don, Hokkaido pork rice bowl — 豚丼
Grilled pork over rice, served with miso soup (around 15:13 in the video)
Our host introduced it as a local speciality from Hokkaido.
It came to the table sizzling on an iron pan and was then served over rice.
Of everything on the table, this was the dish one guest thanked Japan for out loud.
“Thank you, Japan, for the food” (around 15:48 in the video)
Hokkaido mascarpone ice cream — 北海道マスカルポーネアイス
One scoop, nothing else (around 16:48 in the video)
The last plate of the night.
Both of them talked about how rich Hokkaido dairy is.
“Rich and so delicious” (around 17:21 in the video)
Watch the full visit
From the first toast to the last spoon of ice cream.
“Oh, it was excellent. I love the food so much. I especially liked the wagyu.”
“But in general, everything was so tasty. I’m so grateful.”
Getting there & booking
Right by Okachimachi Station (around 1:26 in the video)
| Address | 5-20-3 Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo (東京都台東区上野5-20-3) |
| Nearest station | Okachimachi Station, south exit — 1 minute on foot (about 135 m). One stop from Ueno and from Akihabara on the JR Yamanote Line |
| Hours | 11:00–23:00 (L.O. 22:30), open every day (may change, check when booking) |
| Closed | New Year holidays only |
| Seats | 84 seats, with private rooms for 4, 6 or 8 people |
| Reservation | Accepted, including online — booking ahead is the safer option |
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FAQ
- Do I need a reservation?
- Reservations are accepted, including online booking. Booking ahead is the safer option, especially for a group. On weekdays the restaurant also takes walk-ins.
- Is English spoken, and is there an English menu?
- Yes. The restaurant lists an English menu, a picture menu and English-speaking staff. Information can change, so please confirm when you book.
- What should I order here?
- Both of our guests named the Tokachi wagyu kalbi from Hokkaido as their favourite at the end of the meal. The giant Akkeshi oyster, the whole grilled hokke and the buta-don pork rice bowl are also worth ordering.
- Is it suitable for families or a small group?
- Children are welcome and there are private rooms for 4, 6 or 8 people, seating 3 to 8 guests. The restaurant has 84 seats in total. Smoking and non-smoking areas are separated, so ask for a non-smoking seat when you book.
Restaurant information may have changed since our visit — please check the latest details on the booking site.
🗺️ Explore more: More restaurants in Ueno, Akihabara & Nippori · See this restaurant on the Japanese Food Map
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