Shakotan Sea Urchin Bowls

If you want to eat a sea urchin bowl in Shakotan, the first things to check are “when the fishing takes place” and “whether the restaurant is open that day.” Sea urchin fishing in Shakotan Town is listed as June–August, but each restaurant has its own opening period and conditions for opening. Before you leave, check that year’s official information and the day’s operating status.

Sea Urchin Fishing Season

The Shakotan Tourism Association lists sea urchin fishing in Shakotan Town as June–August. On the other hand, in the Hokkaido Government’s fisheries information, the catch season for both Ezo bafun uni and Kita-murasaki uni sea urchins in Ishikari and Shiribeshi is May–August.

These two cover different areas. The Hokkaido Government’s information is the catch season for the broad sea area of Ishikari and Shiribeshi, while the Shakotan Tourism Association’s guide is about sea urchin fishing in Shakotan Town. If you are going to Shakotan for a sea urchin bowl, the clearest approach is to check the Shakotan Town information and each restaurant’s own opening information.

The opening day of the season and the date each shop starts serving can change from year to year. If you visit in a later year, do not assume a specific date such as June 1; check the official information from the Shakotan Tourism Association or the restaurant for that year.

Also, even within the fishing season, sea urchin is not available under the same conditions every day. Oshokujidokoro Uroko at Rinkoso says it opens on days when the owner has gone out fishing, or on days when it has fresh Shakotan sea urchin in stock. On days when the sea is rough (“shike”), the boats cannot go out, and the restaurant may not open.

The Two Kinds of Sea Urchin Found in Shakotan

The Hokkaido Government introduces Ezo bafun uni and Kita-murasaki uni.

Ezo bafun uni has a manju-shaped (dome-shaped) shell and is characterized by short spines. The edible part is described as a bright orange color. Kita-murasaki uni has a dark purple body and is sometimes called “nona” by people in the fishing industry.

In Ishikari and Shiribeshi, the catch season for both is given as May–August. However, the period in which sea urchin bowls are served in Shakotan Town differs by restaurant.

Some restaurants offer bowls that use two kinds of sea urchin. According to the Shakotan Tourism Association, the “Special Uni Bowl” at Oshokujidokoro Nakamuraya uses two kinds, Ezo bafun uni and murasaki uni. Serving conditions and day-to-day availability can change, so also check the restaurant’s official information.

Restaurant Opening Periods (2026)

Here we summarize four restaurants. Opening days and availability may change, so check each restaurant’s official information before you leave.

Shop name	Area	Operating season	Hours	Closed	Official information
Rinkoso (Oshokujidokoro Uroko)	Irika-cho	During the June–August sea urchin fishing season.	About 1–2 hours at midday.	Not open every day. Open only on days when the owner has gone out fishing or when fresh Shakotan sea urchin is in stock. It may be closed on days when the sea is rough.	Shop’s official site
Oshokujidokoro Shakotan no Sachi Misaki	Hizuka-cho	2026: April 28–end of October.	9:00–15:00	Check the restaurant’s official information (according to the Shakotan Tourism Association, it is closed on some Wednesdays).	Shop’s official site
Oshokujidokoro Nakamuraya	Hizuka-cho	2026: Opens April 25.	9:00–15:00	Thursdays (open on some Thursdays). Check the restaurant’s official information.	Shop’s official site
Shokudo Ushio	Kozaki-cho	April–early November.	8:30–17:00, last order 16:30.	None.	Shakotan Tourism Association

You can check other restaurants in the Shakotan Tourism Association’s list of restaurants and eateries.

What to Check Before You Go

Even within the sea urchin fishing season, a restaurant is not necessarily open. Oshokujidokoro Uroko at Rinkoso says it does not open every day even between June and August, but opens depending on whether boats go out and on stock. There are days when the boats cannot go out, so check the operating information for the day.

The hours and closing days listed on a restaurant’s own website may also differ from those on the Shakotan Tourism Association site. For example, the hours of Oshokujidokoro Misaki are 9:00–15:00 in the restaurant’s 2026 information, but 9:45–16:00 on the Shakotan Tourism Association’s page for the restaurant.

For Oshokujidokoro Nakamuraya as well, the official website says “open every day through September.” On the other hand, the announcement of the 2026 opening on the same official website also contains the line “Closed on Thursdays.” Check the restaurant’s official information for its opening days just before you go.

Prices also need to be checked for each restaurant. For example, the raw sea urchin bowl at Oshokujidokoro Uroko at Rinkoso is 5,800 yen (tax included) for the 2026 season, and comes with miso soup, a small side dish and pickles. The restaurant says it basically serves only the raw sea urchin bowl. For the prices at other restaurants, check each restaurant’s official information.

Note that Oshokujidokoro Uroko at Rinkoso is a different restaurant from “Shokudo Rinko,” next to the parking lot at Shimamui Coast. Rinkoso’s official address is 57-1 Sawa, Irika-cho, Shakotan Town, Shakotan District, Hokkaido.

From Otaru to Shakotan

On September 30, 2023, Hokkaido Chuo Bus ended service on the Shakotan Line between Bikuni and Shakotan-Yobetsu. From October 1, 2023, the route was shortened and now runs between JR Otaru Station and Bikuni. The current Hokkaido Chuo Bus route information also shows the Shakotan Line running from JR Otaru Station to Bikuni.

For this reason, you cannot go directly from JR Otaru Station to Cape Kamui on a single Hokkaido Chuo Bus. Beyond Bikuni, you use the Shakotan Town Community Bus.

The Shakotan Town Community Bus runs services beyond Bikuni Terminal. Some services require a phone reservation by 17:00 the day before. The reservation number is 0135-44-3830, and it takes calls from 9:00 to 17:00. For inquiries, contact the Planning Division of the Shakotan Town Office at 0135-44-2114.

From Otaru, you first take the Chuo Bus to Bikuni and, if needed, transfer to the Shakotan Town Community Bus.

Eating Sea Urchin in Otaru

If you want to find restaurants and the season for eating sea urchin in Otaru, see the guide site on sea urchin in Otaru. You can check it together with the dates of your trip to Shakotan.

FAQ

When is the sea urchin bowl season in Shakotan?

The Shakotan Tourism Association lists sea urchin fishing in Shakotan Town as June–August. The Hokkaido Government gives the catch season for Ezo bafun uni and Kita-murasaki uni sea urchins in Ishikari and Shiribeshi as May–August. Restaurant opening periods are set separately, so check that year’s official information.

How much does it cost?

Prices differ by restaurant, so check each restaurant’s official information. For example, the raw sea urchin bowl at Oshokujidokoro Uroko at Rinkoso is 5,800 yen (tax included). It comes with miso soup, a small side dish and pickles.

Can I get there from Otaru by bus?

You can get from JR Otaru Station to Bikuni on the Hokkaido Chuo Bus Shakotan Line. Beyond Bikuni, you transfer to the Shakotan Town Community Bus. You cannot go directly from JR Otaru Station to Cape Kamui on a single Hokkaido Chuo Bus.