Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan｜Sushi Story Ki no Kaze

Hokkaido’s sushi is famous for freshness, quality and affordability. We dined at this gem on June 23rd. In one word, fantastic. I went back to Japan with my sushi loving Canadian husband for 7 week trip in Japan. We spent the latter half in Hokkaido. We ate many wonderful meals there including sushi. The night before we left Japan, we decided to have one last sushi dinner near Shin Chitose Airport near Sapporo. A foodie person there recommended Ki No Kaze, which means seasonal wind. We were very lucky to have had this recommendation! The food was amazing, the sushi chef owner, who has been offering the classic authentic sushi for many decades - at that 8-seat counter with 2 tables intimate sushi bar. A very gentle and kind sushi master. There is a menu starting with a very inexpensive set, but we opted for Omakase. Asked for a seasonal sashimi platter, then on to up to chef nigiri sushi. He asked us first the fish we don’t like, then the nigiri offering started. Each sushi delicate, flavorful. Delicious. The whole meal with some cold sake came to about $110 CAD a person, about half of the price of places like Tokyo, Vancouver… much better quality too. You can ask the chef to do omakase and specify the cost per person too. Any case, if you are staying near or at Shin Chitose Airport, don’t eat at the airport. Take a train for 2 station to Chitose and walk or take a cab from the airport about 20 minutes. It is an experience that you will not regret.

This is an incredible find. I was in Chitose for one night and stumbled into this sushi restaurant. Very authentic experience sitting at the bar. Quality of fish and preparation was top notch. After many years of eating sushi in the USA, excited that this was my introduction to sushi in Japan. If you’re staying overnight in Chitose or have a long layover, I cannot recommend this spot enough.

Authentic sushi bar owned by an old couple. Definitely good one in the area.