40 Year Old Japanese Restaurant Leaves Portland, Maine, and Is Replaced With New Japanese Place

Sapporo left Portland, Maine, to move to Falmouth, and Watami will fill the void.

If you are a fan of Sapporo and sad to see their Commercial Street location close (at the end of January 2025), it's not gone; it just moved. After 40 years, Sapporo is now in Falmouth, Maine, in The Wyeth, a condo building at 267 Route 1, Suite 107.

Why did Sapporo leave Portland, Maine, after 40 years?

Well, parking is a big reason. According to the Portland Press Herald, there's free parking at this location, and it's bigger, with seating for up to 90 customers inside, and that includes a 10-seat sushi bar, plus they can put another 45-50 on the patio outside when it's nice. And that is going to be nice! Plus, cocktails are now available and they weren't in Portland.

Is the new Falmouth, Maine, Sapporo different?

The menu is pretty much the same, but you will see that prices are about 10-20% higher. That's due to several factors, including inflation and the cost of moving to a brand-new place. But you save all that money with free parking and no more tickets or towing.

READ MORE: New Old Port Convenience Store Opening in Portland, Maine

What is the new Japanese restaurant going into where Sapporo was?

Watami is well-established in Brunswick and is expanding into the Portland, Maine, market. They have big shoes to fill, as Sapporo was Portland's first Japanese restaurant! But Watami has a very loyal following and got a great review in the Portland Press Herald,

The ahi tuna poke bowl was on the decadent side for that dish, courtesy of the creamy house sauce, and the combination of ingredients, including edamame and pineapple, worked surprisingly well together.

No date on when Watami will open, but I will be in line for it all: poke, ramen, bubble tea, and sushi!