Arriving at the origin of sushi, Japan. There is nothing quite like the delicacy of authentic Japanese sushi. You might think that you can simply walk into any high-end sushi restaurant and expect them to immediately serve you. Well, that is not the case for many well-known sushi restaurants in Japan. These restaurants often take bookings once a year, and it is usually booked out all year round within a matter of minutes!

            Its delicacy and sophistication as well as the premium hospitality attract tourists from around the globe. Therefore, we suggest you do extensive research before visiting these restaurants as it is likely that you will be on the waiting list for quite some time. We have compiled a list of top 10 Best Sushi Restaurants in Japan that you must visit!

 

 

 

1. Sugita

Suitengumae station, Tokyo

 

 Photo: tabelog

 

Sugita is a 1-star Michelin restaurant in Tokyo run by Mr. Takaaki Sugita, a sushi master with sophisticated experience of delivering craftsmanship to his extraordinary range of sushi. Sugita is said to be one of the hardest sushi restaurants to make a reservation. It is known for being particularly difficult to book due to its exclusiveness that is only offered to certain people. If you plan ahead of time with the help of a hotel concierge, you might be able to book a reservation.

Not only known for its delicious array of excellence sushi, but Takaaki Sugita’s soft personality and delicate customer service continue to fascinate visitors from around the world. He was trained at the long-established sushi store that was found in 1890. His restaurant includes fish such as Oma tuna that is lightly pickled and also the "Omakase" course is a smooth flow of delicate and refined dishes served one by one.

 

 Photo: tabelog

 

 Photo: tabelog

 

 

 

2. Tenzushi Kyomachi

Kokura station, Fukuoka

 

Photo: tabelog

 

Founded in 1945 by his father, Katsuo Amano. Famous for fish, carefully selected from the Genkai Sea and the sea near Kyushu. This 70-year-old sushi restaurant is one of the most important restaurants in the region because of its role in pioneering Kyushu’s very own style of sushi.

In order to make the best use of the original taste of the ingredients, they use "Kyushu-mae" style in which Oita kabosu juice is lightly sprinkled instead of soy sauce. Also, to enjoy the real taste of the ingredients, the restaurant does not serve sake or snacks so that you can taste the exquisite cuisine without disturbance.

 

 Photo: tabelog

 

Photo: tabelog

 

 

 

3. Sushi Saito

Roppongi-itchome staion, Tokyo

 

Photo: tabelog

 

A sushi restaurant run by the owner, Takashi Saito. It is a neat and beautiful restaurant that brings joy and smile onto visitors’ face. All of the gems made with very simple techniques such as boiling, steaming, pickling, and roasting to deliver a delicate taste. Shari is made from large grains of old rice, using only red vinegar and salt. Each sushi is carefully calculated, such as changing the temperature of the rice according to the ingredients, delivering an exquisite experience that is one in a lifetime!

 

Photo: tabelog

 

Photo: tabelog

 

 

 

 

4. Amamoto

 Akabane-Mae station, Tokyo

 

Photo: tabelog

 

Mr. Masamichi Amamoto, the owner-chef places emphasis on the production area of the seafood and offers the best of the season, including Edomae gizzard shad and golden cuttlefish, kasugodai (Young sea bream) from Izumi and Tsushima anago (Salt-water eel) in the winter. Won two Michelin Tokyo 2017 stars with delicious array of ingredients and exquisite customer service that is well sought after. The consistent work from purchasing quality ingredients to hospitality, shine uniquely as one of Japan’s must visit sushi restaurants.

 

Photo: tabelog

 

Photo: tabelog

 

 

5. Nanba

Hibiya station, Tokyo 

 

Photo: tabelog

 

With a fetish for temperature precision, Sushi Nanba presents you with delectable morsels of seafood and rice whose formulation has been calculated down to the degree. With traditional Japanese taste in a modern setting, Sushi Nanba harnesses the exquisite qualities of the rice to really show off the incredible seafood flavours. The sushi at Nanba is 80% about the shari, the gently pressed rice ovals on which the seafood rest on. It took years to arrive at the perfection of rice quality the chef delivers, this restaurant is definitely worth a visit if you ever get a chance to.

 

 Photo: tabelog

 

Photo: tabelog

 

 

 

6. Sushi Arai

 Shinbashi station

 

Photo: tabelog

 

Sushi Arai is massively popular among visitors - not only with Tokyo residents but also with foreign tourists. So popular that Arai opened a second counter that primarily serves foreign guests. This counter is run by a sous-chef who is fluent in English and therefore able to make friendly conversations with guests while explaining the various intricacies of each piece of sushi. 

Arai is well known for its exceptionally high-quality maguro (bluefin tuna). Maguro is famous in itself, but chef Arai takes it to a new level. He varies the Shari (sushi rice) recipe based on the flavour of that day's tuna and is known for the specialty cuts of tuna that he serves.

 

Photo: tabelog

 

Photo: tabelog

 

 

 

7. Sushi Sakai

Nakasukawabata station, Fukuoka

 

Photo: tabelog

 

A sushi restaurant that delivers elegant work of crafting a perfectly divine sushi. "Sushi Sakai" was opened by Mr. Daigo Sakai, a talented chef who is well trained in his area of expertise. It is a well-known restaurant where many gourmets are captivated by authentic Edomae sushi. Not only known for the freshness of the ingredients and the high-quality rice, but also the intimate customer service is fascinating.            

The guests will be surprised and excited by the large number of items that are being delivered one after another. In the beautiful space of Sukiya-zukuri (Japanese residential architectural style) where you can feel the ancient aesthetic of wabi-sabi (Traditional Japanese aesthetics).

 

Photo: tabelog

 

Photo: tabelog

 

 

 

8. Sawada

Ginza station, Tokyo 

 

 

Photo: tabelog

 

The Michelin Guide has awarded Sawada two stars. It is frequently uttered in the same breath as sushi giants Sushi Mizutani, Sukiyabashi Jiro, and Sushi Saito. Many consider it among the best in Tokyo. Dining at Sushi Sawada is nothing like eating out in a normal restaurant in Japan. It is among the most high-end sushi experience in Tokyo, with a delightful customer service.

            Sawada-san and his wife prepare every aspect of the entire multi-course omakase. The visitors can watch the preparation from one of the six exclusive seats at the tiny sushi bar. An experience filled with delightful visuals that are hard to compare.  

 

 

 

9. Mitani

Yotsuya station, Tokyo

 

Photo: tabelog

 

Sushi Mitani includes just eight seats hidden behind a wooden door marked with a sign no bigger than a bathroom tile, you could easily walk past this gastronomic giant without blinking an eye. Yet this is among sushi fan’s favourite in Japan. Reservations are taken only from 10am on January 1, with most years booking up within the hour.

Yasuhiko Mitsuya has a particular interest in techniques that originated in Tokyo’s Edomae period and much of the fish he uses is house cured. An experience that can’t be found elsewhere. The chef is known for his techniques and skills that are combined to deliver the most elegant service with high-quality ingredients.

 

Photo: tabelog

 

Photo: tabelog

 

 

 

10. Sushi Mekumi

Nukajutaku-Mae station, Ishikawa

 

Photo: tabelog

 

Located in Nonoichi City, Ishikawa Prefecture. In a quiet residential area, Sushi Mekumi is visited by Sushi’s lover from all over the country. Mr. Takayoshi Yamaguchi, the owner, goes to Noto and Nanao Port every morning for about two hours to purchase each ingredient, and he single headedly make preparations for each ingredient. There’s no doubt about the quality of the ingredients, Yamaguchi-san is known to deliver some of the best sushi in Japan.

 

Photo: tabelog

 

Photo: tabelog

 

 

 

 

Source

Tabelog