Sea Urchin Fishing Ban Opens in Hokkaido's Yoichi Town in Early Summer 2026] Sea Urchin Lovers Gather!

  • Hokkaido
  • Eating
Ezo-bahun uni (sea urchin) is characterized by its rich flavor and aroma from the sea.
This time, we would like to introduce to all "sea urchin lovers" the opening of the sea urchin fishing season in Yoichi Town, Hokkaido.
The opening of the sea urchin fishing season in Yoichi Town is on May 20 every year, and the season will be opened on Tuesday, May 20 in 2026 as well, and the fishing season will continue until Monday, August 31. Yoichi Town is about an hour away from Sapporo by expressway, and about an hour and a half along the coast by national highway. As you pass Otaru City, you can smell the scent of the sea when you open the window and feel that you are heading for a port town. If you are based in Sapporo city, this is a great distance to drive. The roads are crowded from spring to summer, especially during this season when the "sea urchin fishing" ban is lifted, so an early morning departure is recommended as the roads can be jammed for miles with cars visiting Yoichi Town.

The first auction at Yoichi Marine Products Local Wholesale Market (2025)

The sea urchin is packed in salt water with the same salt concentration as seawater, which is called "salt water pack", and you can feel the original aroma and sweetness of sea urchin. This "salt water pack" originated in Yoichi Town! It was developed in order to deliver the sea urchin to customers while keeping it tasty and fresh. If you look closely, you can see the name of the processor on the Yoichi-machi "Salt Water Pack". It is a relief to know that the processor's face is visible on the food.
Last year's first auction

Neither can be chosen! Kitamura-Saki sea urchin (white) VS Ezo-buffalo sea urchin (red)!

After the first auction, sea urchins are sold at fresh fish stores and supermarkets in Yoichi Town. There are two main types of sea urchins available in Yoichi Town. Kitamurasaki sea urchins (white) are called "Nona" and Ezobafun sea urchins (red) are called "Gaze" or "Ganze. In terms of taste, the Kitamurasaki sea urchin has a good balance between the aroma of the sea and a creamy flavor, while the Ezo-bahun uni is very rich with a strong aroma of the sea. The Ezo Bahoon Uni is very rich and has a very strong sea aroma, so there may be a difference in taste. Which do you prefer?
Northern sea urchin at the first auction (2025)
Ezo-bahun sea urchin at the first auction (2025)
Sea urchins grow mainly on seaweed such as kelp, but they are surprisingly omnivorous, meaning that they eat anything. The taste of the sea urchin itself depends on the food it eats, so the fishing environment is very important. All of us who live on the earth should keep the sea clean and enjoy delicious sea urchins forever.
It is also delicious on top of rice in a sea urchin bowl!

In addition to sea urchins, Yoichi-cho is full of other delicious foods and attractions!

In Yoichi Town, there is the Nikka Whisky Hokkaido Yoichi Distillery, orchards for fruit picking, and a winery, where you can enjoy yourself all day long. Please enjoy Yoicho in summer with "Yoicho's sea urchin". For more information about Yoichi Town, please visit the official website of "Yoichi Tourist Association".
Yoichi Fishery Cooperative Association
Yoichi Tourist Association Official WEB site
Yoichi County Fishery Cooperative Association Official Web site

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