Sushi. The one food that almost everyone thinks of first when they think of Japanese food. The one food that everyone wants to experience when they come to Japan.
There’s a catch though. For the same reason that many equate Japanese food to sushi, sushi in hugely popular in Japan. In fact there are over 4,000 sushi restaurants in Tokyo alone. And with this many sushi restaurants, it means many (many) different sushi styles. Otsumami vs Nigiri focus, mild vs strong shari, shiromi/hikarimono/maguro/kai speciality – the permutations are almost endless.
So where to begin?
Luckily it’s easy – start by eating sushi, and lots of it. Experience all the different sushi styles and hone in on your own personal preferences.
While the list below has a slight bias towards my own personal preference (larger stronger nigiri), it serves both as a guide to the best sushi restaurant in Tokyo and Japan, as well as a reference for how they all stack up against each other.
For more personalised advice, customised food itineraries and to unlock your best culinary adventure, please contact me.
The Best Sushi in Tokyo
| # | Restaurant | Highlight Pieces | Otsumami (10) | Nigiri (10) | Total (10) | CP (5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amamoto (東麻布 天本) | Most his Otsumami | 9.25 | 8.5 | 8.875 | 3 |
| 2 | Sushi Namba Hibiya (鮨 なんば 日比谷) | Kinki in Dashi, Ankimo | 9.25 | 8.5 | 8.875 | 2.5 |
| 3 | Shimazu (島津) | Kawahagi, Kohada, Katsuo | 8.75 | 8.75 | 8.75 | 4 |
| 4 | Arai (鮨 あらい) | Maguro | 8.75 | 8.5 | 8.625 | 2 |
| 5 | Sugita (日本橋蛎殻町 すぎた) | Hikarimono, Ankimo | 8.5 | 8.75 | 8.625 | 3.5 |
| 6 | Takamitsu (鮨 尚充) | Uni, Kobashira, Caviar | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 3.5 |
| 7 | Sawada (さわ田) | Maguro | 8 | 8.75 | 8.375 | 2.5 |
| 8 | Hashiguchi (はしぐち) | Anago | 8 | 8.75 | 8.375 | 2.5 |
| 9 | Sushi Suzuki (鮨 鈴木) | Sabazushi, Kujira, Sayori | – | 8.25 | 8.25 | 2.5 |
| 10 | Sushi Hashimoto (鮨 はしもと) | Iwashi Maki, Ankimo | 8.75 | 7.75 | 8.25 | 3.5 |
| 11 | Tomidokoro (冨所) | Hikarimono | 8 | 8.5 | 8.25 | 3 |
| 12 | Shimbashi Tsuruhachi (新橋鶴八) | Saba Nigiri, Uni Tower | – | 8.25 | 8.25 | 4 |
| 13 | Sushi Akira (すし 良月) | Kuruma Ebi | 8.25 | 8 | 8.125 | 3 |
| 14 | Inomata (鮨 猪股) | Kohada, Ikura, Jukusei Maguro | – | 8 | 8 | 1.5 |
| 15 | Shimizu (新ばし しみづ) | Hamaguri, Awabi, Hikarimono | – | 8 | 8 | 2 |
| 16 | Harutaka (青空) | Chutoro, Anago Nigiri | 7.5 | 8.5 | 8 | 1.5 |
Note – Cost Performance/Value (CP) is not included in the actual rating for best sushi as the focus is purely on the sushi quality itself. However, I’ve included CP for reference as it does ultimately influence your decision whether to visit a restaurant.
The Best Sushi in Japan (outside Tokyo)
| # | Restaurant | Highlight Pieces | Location | Otsumami (10) | Nigiri (10) | Total (10) | CP (5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sushidokoro Mekumi (すし処 めくみ) | Anything with Crab in it, Nodoguro, Buri, Sea Urchin | Kanazawa | 9.25 | 9.25 | 9.25 | 2.5 |
| 2 | Sushi Obana (鮨おばな) | Ikura Gunkan, Uni Parfait, Maguro | Tateyabashi | 9 | 9.25 | 9.125 | 4.5 |
| 3 | Taheizushi (Old Chef) – Closed | Steamed Noduguro Nigiri, Kobakogani Nigiri, Sabazushi, Buri | Kanazawa | 9 | 9 | 9 | 4 |
| 4 | Sushi Sanshin (鮨 三心) | Squid Nigiri, Ikura, Nishin Negi | Osaka | 9 | 8.5 | 8.75 | 4 |
| 5 | Sushi Sakai (鮨 さかい) | Fugu w/ Ankimo Sauce, Kohada & Chutoro Nigiri | Fukuoka | 8.75 | 8.75 | 8.75 | 3.5 |
| 6 | Sushi Ei (寿司栄) | Otoro Mille-feuille w/ Crab, Negitoro Maki | Chiba | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 4 |
| 7 | Kikuzushi (菊鮨) | Shari | Fukuoka | 8.25 | 8.5 | 8.375 | 4.5 |
| 8 | Sushi Jubei (鮨 十兵衛) | Echizen Crab, Nishin Nigiri | Fukui | – | 8.25 | 8.25 | 5 |
| 9 | Sushisai Wakichi (鮨菜 和喜智) | Kai (Shellfish) | Sapporo | 7.5 | 8 | 8 | 3 |
| 10 | Takaoka (たかおか) | Sabazushi, Seafood Miso Soup | Chiba | 8.25 | 7.5 | 7.75 | 4 |
Full Sushi Ratings List
Google Sheet of all my sushi ratings.
Wishlist
- Sushi Ikko (鮨 一幸) – Pls halp
- Sushi Ooga (鮨 おおが) – Also, pls halp
- Chikamatsu (近松)
- Kyoudaizushi (兄弟寿し)
- Sushi Tokiwa (鮨 登喜和)
Let me know in the comments if you have any recommendations for Sushiya that you want me to hit up!
The Pursuit of Food Perfection 
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