When it comes to delicious food in Kitami, in eastern Hokkaido, it has to be Triton! You know, the conveyor belt sushi restaurant Triton, right?

Kitami is a luxurious area with vast fields and the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, offering a wealth of delicious ingredients from both the sea and the mountains.
While Kitami boasts a variety of local specialties, this time, I'd like to introduce a quintessential Kitami gourmet dish—one that locals unanimously agree is "absolutely guaranteed to be delicious!"—from the perspective of an ordinary local household.

Introduction

Spring is the season of new beginnings and encounters.
This time of year, many people who have lived in Kitami their whole lives will be starting new lives somewhere else from April onwards. Before leaving Kitami for school, a job transfer, or other reasons, there must be some local comfort food you want to try.

At the same time, while some people are leaving Kitami, many are also coming to Kitami for the first time. I thought about what kind of soul food, beloved by the people of Kitami, would be a great recommendation for those visiting Kitami for the first time.

Food loved by the people of Kitami... Gourmet...
How about yakiniku (Japanese BBQ)?
In Kitami, it's commonplace to eat yakiniku (grilled meat) cooked over a charcoal grill.
There are also some rather masochistic events, such as eating outdoors in the freezing cold of winter.

Okhotsk Kitami salt-fried noodles, perhaps?
The sizzling sound is irresistible!
This is the king of Kitami's B-grade gourmet food.

Is that your regular ramen shop?
There are many delicious ramen restaurants in Kitami.
There are various types, including miso, soy sauce, and tonkotsu (pork bone broth).

Onions after all?
Not many people eat onions on their own. They're usually in curry or stew, right? In that case, it's a more typical home-style dish.
Kitami boasts the highest onion production volume in Japan!

So, as someone who has lived in Kitami for many years, I'd like to recommend... this place!!
Triton, the conveyor belt sushi restaurant!

The soul food of Kitami residents = conveyor belt sushi

You might be thinking, "Aren't conveyor belt sushi restaurants everywhere in Japan?"

For people in Kitami, when they think of conveyor belt sushi, they think of "Triton." (Not that other conveyor belt sushi restaurants are bad at all! It's just that it's the "representative" of Kitami!)

As an aside, there was this gentleman who, no matter where he went, would say "Oh, it's Triton!" whenever he saw a conveyor belt sushi restaurant (even though, of course, it wasn't actually a Triton). It just goes to show how deeply ingrained the association of "Triton" with "conveyor belt sushi" is in him (lol).

[Basic Information about Kaiten Sushi Triton]
The first store opened in Kitami City in 1989, and currently operates 15 stores in total: 3 in Kitami, 10 in the Sapporo area and Asahikawa, and 2 in Tokyo (as of February 2018).http://toriton-kita1.jp/

Enter the shop

People often say that people in Hokkaido "don't queue," but here, it's normal to "wait" until a seat becomes available.

However, since many people sit on chairs inside the store or wait in their cars, calling it a queue might not be entirely accurate. In any case, even those who dislike waiting will patiently wait.

Otherwise, you won't be able to eat it (laughs). In that respect, I recommend going with plenty of time to spare.

There's a handmade blackboard in the entrance hall.
I always end up ordering the things listed here. They really capture my heart.

The shop is always bustling with activity. It's no wonder it's such a popular spot in Kitami!

What should I order?
It's a conveyor belt sushi restaurant, but the sushi chefs who prepare the sushi are right there.

Eating sushi at Triton

Let's eat!

A luxurious three-item platter including live surf clams!

This was the first time I tried "aburi" (seared fish). Our family's favorite is "aburi engawa (seared flounder fin) with burnt soy sauce."

Second round of seared dishes. Seared salted salmon belly.
When I was a child, I didn't even know the name of a food called "harasu."
Kids these days are so lucky—they get to eat such delicious sushi.

I also love Pacific saury. When it's in season, it's incredibly delicious! Even when it's not in season, it's still served in a delicious state, which is impressive.

Classic tuna.
Oh no... I ate one piece before I could take a picture.

The third installment of seared fish. A three-item platter: salmon, salmon belly, and mackerel in the middle.

It would be a huge undertaking if I included all the jokes, so this will be the last one.
California roll!
Freshly made is always the best.
Even though I was pretty full, it disappeared in no time.

Finally, despite being a little taken aback by the sudden request for a smile, the man gave this smile.

Local Gourmet Triton

Those leaving Kitami will likely enjoy a hearty meal of familiar Toriton sushi before heading to their new home.
Regardless of age or gender, most people go to Triton not with friends, but with family members such as grandparents, parents, or siblings. So, I got the impression that it's the kind of place where, when you return to Kitami and see your family after a long time, you'll say, "Let's all go again!"
This shop is sure to become that kind of place for anyone visiting Kitami!!

And in fact... hundreds of people have taken this leisurely tour around eastern Hokkaido from autumn through winter and spring, and apparently, everyone chooses Kitami's Triton for lunch! It's very popular and well-received.
Of course! It's a favorite restaurant among the local Kitami residents!

Thank you for the meal!
Please be sure to try it when you visit Kitami!

The shop I visited this time was...

Kaiten Sushi Triton　Yuhigaoka Store
2-5-1 Miyoshi-cho, Kitami City, Hokkaido
TEL：0157-31-8311
Opening hours: 11: 00 to 22: 00

Things to know before you go

How long is the wait?
Waiting time this time: Arrived around 6:00 PM on Sunday, March 22nd → Waited approximately 1 hour before being seated.
Perhaps because it rotates quickly,Waiting times rarely exceed an hour.
On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, the most common times are around 12:00-14:00 and 17:00-20:00.
On weekdays, it gets moderately crowded during lunchtime and from evening to night, though not as much as on weekends and holidays.
Incidentally,Reservations are not accepted.
What is the average budget?
Excluding drinks, the cost is approximately 1,500 to 2,000 yen per person.
For our family (husband, wife, and sixth-grade son), 5,000 yen is more than enough to fill us up.

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