In this article, we will introduce some recommended sushi restaurants for those considering a trip to Japan or already sightseeing in Japan.
This time, we will introduce slightly more upscale sushi restaurants. Since you have come all this way, we want you to experience authentic sushi.
In this article, we provide an introduction to sushi restaurant locations in Tokyo and their official websites.
Please read to the end and try authentic sushi.
Takumi Shingo(匠 進吾)
This sushi restaurant uses two types of sushi rice, red vinegar and rice vinegar, to enhance the flavors of the toppings. The chef skillfully adjusts the pace of the meal based on the diner’s rhythm, creating a perfect dining experience. In addition, the chef intersperses the sushi with small dishes, adding variety and accent to the meal. This combination of flavors and timing ensures a pleasant and memorable dining experience.
The meaning of “Takumi” in the name of the restaurant refers to a person who is highly skilled or an artisan.
Restaurant & Chef Profile
Shingo Takahashi Born in Ibaraki Prefecture in 1978, Shingo Takahashi left high school early and began his sushi career upon the recommendation of his sushi chef uncle. He trained for 18 years at the renowned Sushi Sho in Yotsuya under the sushi master Nakazawa. From age 29, he took a three-year break from sushi to work as a fisherman in the Goto Islands and make sake in a brewery in Miyagi. In May 2013, he opened Takumi Shingo in a back alley of Minami-Aoyama.
Sushi You Must Try
Refined Taste and Aroma: ‘Shinko’ in Season from Late July to Mid-August
Shinko, which matures into kohada, is marinated in vinegar for about half a day to enhance its refined taste and aroma. Three pieces are layered to create a fluffy texture and mild umami.
Aged Medium-Fatty Tuna Marinated to Perfection
Medium-fatty tuna aged for 10 days to 2 weeks to bring out its umami, then marinated. It pairs perfectly with red vinegar rice and is enhanced with Japanese mustard instead of wasabi.
Edomae ‘Butterfish’ Prepared with Skillful Knife Work and Nigiri Techniques
Butterfish is kelp-marinated, then thinly sliced and layered to balance with the rice. The white fish’s umami and fluffy texture are exceptional.
Other Sushi
detail
official 匠 進吾
Address: 2-2-15 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo Win Aoyama 1F
Nearest Station: 2-minute walk from Aoyama-itchome Station
Business Hours: Monday, Thursday-Sunday, Holidays, Day before Holidays 17:00-22:00
Closed: Tuesday and Wednesday
Budget: Dinner 40,000 yen
Nishiazabu Sushi Shin(西麻布 鮨 真)
Located along Nisseki-dori in Nishi-Azabu, this sushi restaurant offers a serene setting. Owner and chef Shintaro Suzuki meticulously selects the freshest fish, crafting exquisite sushi based on what’s best at the moment. The restaurant, though small, embodies the ideal sushi experience. It has earned one Michelin star for six consecutive years, attracting gourmets who are captivated by the supreme sushi served in this intimate space.
Restaurant & Chef Profile
Shintaro Suzuki Driven by passion, he pursued the path of a sushi chef and continues to aim higher.
Born in Tokyo, he has dedicated his life to sushi since graduating high school. After training at a sushi restaurant in Setagaya and honing his skills at two more establishments, he opened his own restaurant, Sushi Shin, in 2003.
Sushi You Must Try
Rich Yet Refreshing: ‘Kishu Katsuura Bluefin Tuna’
This bluefin tuna, with its beautiful marbling resembling high-grade wagyu beef, is perfectly balanced with sushi rice made using red vinegar.
Accented with Green Onions and Shiso! ‘Kagoshima Izumi Horse Mackerel’
This dish features a paste of green onions and shiso, with a hint of freshly squeezed ginger juice as a hidden flavor. The rich, fatty horse mackerel is prepared in a way that ensures a refreshing taste.
Perfectly Balanced with Sushi Rice: ‘Miyagi Yuriage Red Clam’
Renowned as the best in Japan, the red clam from Yuriage, Miyagi, offers a plump, thick flesh that bursts with a delightful texture in your mouth.
Other Sushi
detail
official:西麻布 鮨 真
Address: 4-18-20 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo Nishi-Azabu CO-HOUSE 1F
Nearest Station: 15-minute walk from Hiroo Station
Tuesday-Sunday, Holidays, Day before Holidays: 18:00-23:00
Wednesday, Friday, Sunday: 12:00-13:30 (Lunch)
Closed: Monday
Budget:
Dinner: 35,000 yen (approximately 250 USD)
Lunch: 15,000 yen (approximately 110 USD)
Ginza Sushi Aoki(銀座鮨青木)
At Ginza Sushi Aoki, the legacy of “meticulous work, never cutting corners, and never compromising on fish quality” inherited from the previous generation has established an unshakable presence in the competitive Ginza area. The Edomae-style simmered dishes and shiny fish are must-tries, showcasing the expertise and dedication of the chef.
Restaurant & Chef Profile
Toshikatsu Aoki Inherited the Edomae spirit from his renowned father.
Born in Saitama Prefecture, Toshikatsu Aoki is the son of Yoshiyuki Aoki, who trained at the legendary restaurant Nakata. After graduating from university, he spent a year in the United States. Upon returning to Japan, he trained at the prestigious Yoshino in Kyobashi. He then honed his skills under his predecessor in Ginza, eventually becoming the second-generation chef.
Sushi You Must Try
Rich Yet Refreshing Anago
This dish features anago (conger eel) with a rich yet refreshing aftertaste. The Edomae-style preparation inherited from the previous generation shines in this exquisite dish. The sauce (tsume) applied to the anago may appear rich, but it has a light and clean taste, achieved by continuously adding to the sauce to enhance its umami.
Marinated Lean Bluefin Tuna
The beautiful, glossy color of the marinated lean bluefin tuna is a mark of its premium quality. We use the finest grade tuna sourced from the renowned Tsukiji market wholesaler Yamayuki. The firm sushi rice, cooked to bring out its texture and flavor, perfectly complements the natural aroma and texture of the lean tuna.
detail:銀座 鮨青木
Address: 4F, 6-7-7 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Third Iwatsuki Building
Nearest Station: 3-minute walk from Ginza Station
Lunch: 12:00 PM – (Last Order 1:30 PM)
Dinner: 5:00 PM – (Last Order 9:30 PM)
Closed: Open daily
Budget:
Lunch: 10,000 – 15,000 yen (approximately 70 – 105 USD)
Dinner: 20,000 – 30,000 yen (approximately 140 – 210 USD)
Kagurazaka En(神楽坂 えん)
At Kagurazaka En, you can enjoy expertly crafted aged sushi and a wide variety of sake. Each piece showcases the chef’s delicate and beautiful technique, captivating guests with meticulous hospitality. A must-try is the ‘Marinated Tuna Nigiri,’ where the rich, umami flavors of the aged lean tuna, marinated in a house-made sauce, can be fully savored.
Restaurant & Chef Profile
Kenji Fujisawa A Lifelong Fish Enthusiast Turned Sushi Chef
Born in Hyogo Prefecture in 1970, Kenji Fujisawa developed a deep love for fish from a young age, spending time observing them in encyclopedias and aquariums. This passion led him to pursue a career as a sushi chef. With over 20 years of experience at sushi restaurants in Tokyo, he has honed his skills and unique palate. In 2024, he joined Kagurazaka En, driven by a connection with its owner.
Sushi You Must Try
Marinated Tuna Nigiri Made with Select Lean Tuna from Toyosu Market
Using lean tuna carefully selected from Toyosu Market, this marinated tuna nigiri features tuna aged in a special marinade crafted by the chef. The aging process makes the tuna tender, with fat that melts smoothly at mouth temperature, allowing you to fully enjoy the rich umami of the lean tuna.
Grilled Nodoguro Nigiri
This nigiri features thick slices of nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch) lightly seared to release its delicate fat, adding a smoky aroma. The red vinegar rice enhances the rich umami of the nodoguro’s fat, leaving a refreshing aftertaste.
Nigiri with Sweet Shrimp from the Sea of Japan
Experience the rich flavors of sweet shrimp cultivated in the rough waters of the Sea of Japan. These shrimp are thick and packed with umami, with a fresh, springy texture that is a testament to their quality. The moment you taste it, a deep sweetness and the aroma of the sea unfold in your mouth.
Other Sushi
detail
official:神楽坂 えん
Address: 2F, 3-1 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Karasaka Place
Nearest Station: 3-minute walk from Iidabashi Station
Monday to Friday: 18:00 – 02:00 (Last Order 01:30)
Saturday: 18:00 – 23:00 (Last Order 22:30)
Closed: Sunday and Holidays
Budget: Dinner 15,000 yen (approximately 105 USD)
Sushi Tokyo Yoshida(鮨東京よし田)
Experience the ultimate taste and bliss in an exquisite and elegant setting, using carefully selected seasonal ingredients. Enjoy high-quality Edomae sushi crafted by skilled artisans in a refined Japanese ambiance.
Restaurant & Chef Profile
Daiki Fujimoto Offering Supreme Flavors and Blissful Moments.
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1990, Daiki Fujimoto learned the basics at renowned restaurants in Tokyo. At age 27, he worked at Sushi Tokami in Hong Kong. After returning to Japan, he traveled across the country visiting fishing ports, farms, and sushi restaurants. In June 2021, he became the head chef of Sushi Tokyo Yoshida.
Sushi You Must Try
Tuna Nigiri
Delicately crafted with the utmost precision, this tuna nigiri is served on a premium plate, guiding you to an unparalleled taste experience. This unique and exquisite flavor is something you can only savor here.
Sea Urchin Roll
We use carefully selected ingredients supervised by Mr. Yukitaka Yamaguchi, the representative of “Yamayuki,” who oversees our sushi. This dish features the finest sea urchin, offering a rich and creamy flavor wrapped delicately in seaweed.
Premium Japanese Sake
We offer a rich selection of top-tier Japanese sake, including the highest-grade labels from Kuro-Ryu such as Ishidaya and Nizaemon.
detail
official:鮨 東京 よし田
Address: 2-5-5 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Nearest Station: 3-minute walk from Hatagaya Station
Lunch: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Last Order 12:00 PM)
Dinner: 5:00 PM – 10:30 PM (Last Order 8:00 PM)
Closed: Irregular holidays
Budget: Both lunch and dinner are 40,000 yen (approximately 280 USD)