There are sushi lovers all over the world. And for people in the U.S., assorted places in Europe, and elsewhere, there are ample opportunities to get incredibly fresh and tasty sushi. But, let’s be honest. If you’re looking for the best of the best sushi, then you’re gonna want to head to Japan. Japan is a destination for so many amazing attractions, form it’s bustling and technologically advanced cities, to it’s historical and glorious temples, to its volcanoes and other natural wonders. But the food in Japan, particularly the sushi, is a worldwide draw every year. And for good reason. The sushi in Japan is second to none. Of course, if you’re planning to head to the land of the Rising Sun, then you might feel a little overwhelmed by all of the sushi choices. Fortunately, you’re in the right place. In this video, we take you through our picks for the top sushi places to visit while you’re there, so you can simply focus on the most important part… eating the fish! So join us, as Viewcation presents: The Absolute Best Sushi in Japan (Go Here)!
Sushi Hayakawa (Tokyo)
If you’re looking for tasteful and understated, then Sushi Hayakawa is a great place to start. The restaurant is unmarked, for starters, so you’ll have to know what you’re looking for to even step into this excellent place. Usually standing behind their unassuming yet gorgeous wooden counter is their sushi chef, Akira Hayakawa. The first thing to know about him is that he’s not simply a sushi chef. He’s actually highly trained in several types of Japanese cuisine, having prepared food in cities like Ginza and Roppongi. As such, he brings a little non-sushi flair to this sushi restaurant. You’ll definitely want to try his specialty dish, which is called, appropriately, the Hayakawa Special. It’s tuna belly on top of a truffle-flaked charcoal-broiled roll, and it’s remarkable. Other special dishes that the chef offers include the channel rockfish with soy kidneys, as well as the young sea bream. Both are stellar. The cost of a meal at Sushi Hayakawa should run you about ¥20,000.
Nishiazabu Sushi Shin (Tokyo)
As far as Michelin-starred sushi spots, Nishiazabu Sushi Shin is surprisingly affordable. Which isn’t to say that it’s some cheap dive spot. You’ll definitely throw down some cash here. But not nearly as much as some of its fellow Michelin-starred contemporaries. And, like those contemporaries, it offers up some of the most high end, freshest sushi on the planet. The go-to order is the omakase, which is a 20-piece meal that offers a huge variety of fish types, presented elegantly. You’ll love the snow crab with vinegar, as well as the scallop sashimi. And, assuming you’re feeling adventurous, you’ll delight in the shirako, otherwise known as fish sperm!
Another great thing about this restaurant is that it is one of the more accepting of foreigners in the area. The vibe is relaxed, and people from all over the globe are accepted readily. And the restaurant doubles down on this by providing waitstaff who all speak English, and are more than happy to walk guests through all the Japanese customs about sushi. This makes the experience a lot more enjoyable for anyone who feels intimidated by eating sushi at an authentic, Michelin-starred restaurant in Tokyo.
Tenjushi Kyomachi (Kokura)
This restaurant stands out as a bit of an oasis in Kokura, Kitakyushu City. That’s because it’s an area that is generally known for it’s tradition of rich seafood dishes. But at Tenjushi Kyomachi, they opt for a more bare bones approach. Their specialty is nigiri, which is hand formed sushi, and that’s about it. They don’t offer wild fish based dishes with crazy sauces, and they don’t even offer booze. You come to this restaurant for the taste of their fresh fish, and that’s about it. But that fish is certainly worthwhile. They also like to have a bare bones approach to how the fish is dressed and sauced. They add a little citrus fruit, known as kabosu, or one known as sudahi, and they put as little soy sauce as possible on their sushi. This process allows guests to really taste the freshness and the prime cuts of their sushi offerings. And reportedly other restaurant in the area have begun to copy that stuff, so you know they’re doing something right.
Musashi Sushi (Kyoto)
Ready to sit a while, and spend a bunch? Then skip Musashi Sushi in Kyoto! But if you’re not looking to make it a long and lavish meal, Musashi will be a perfect place to visit. Don’t be thrown by the conveyor belt system they use either. While this might be a sign of lesser quality in other countries, at Musashi in Kyoto it’s a sign of top notch eats. You’ll be able to grab fairly inexpensive sushi (around $1.30 per plate) at whatever pace you’d like. So you’ll certainly leave with a belly full. It has all the staples you’d expect from a great sushi spot, like yellowtail, octopus, salmon, and more. But it also has some more adventurous offerings, such as raw horse meat and mane. That’s not one we’d leap to try, but reportedly it reminds diners of beef tartar. So if that’s your thing, go for it! Regardless, you’ll love the experience of quick and plentiful eats, in a casual setting for not that much money!
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Kizushi (Tokyo)
“Edo style” is a common phrase in the world of sushi lovers. That’s because sushi originated before Tokyo was called Tokyo. Back in the day, it was called Edo. In 1868, the name changed to Tokyo, and it wasn’t simply a change of label. The city underwent a century and a half of rapid transformation. It became much more fast paced and urban, and the influences of the west becgan to seep in. This brought many positive aspects to the city, but it also meant that many of the old world traditions began to be brushed aside. As such, sushi became something that people could hold onto as part of the pre-Tokyo days. Thus, Edo style represents a throwback vibe to a traditional Japanese world from the 1860’s and before. It’s really oneo f the truest forms of Japanese nostalgia, at least when it comes to food. Kizushi, in the Ningyocho area of Tokyo, is. Perfect example of a sushi place that is soaked in this old world ambience. It’s a wooden structure that’s more than 60 years old, and interestingly enough, used to house geishas before it was converted into a sushi restaurant. The chef, Ryuichi Yui, is the third owner of Kizushi, and he and the previous owners have taken care to preserve the legacy of the old, edo-style dining experience. They pride themselves on providing classic sushi dishes in a classic Japanese sushi house. You can expect some of your usual Tokyo sushi staples like tuna, eel, and cooked clam. But the menu goes beyond that as well, and you can try more exotic offerings like boiled squid with gourd shavings. This is another spot where, despite being an old world centric place, visitors form the new world are made to feel welcome. So that’s another reason we highly recommend it!
Sushi Daizen (Tokyo)
Ready to feel like you’ve discovered an underground spot that no one should know about? Then try out Sushi Daizen. It’s literally been crammed into a small spot under some railway tracks, and only puts out nine seats for diners. So, it might be a little tough to get a spot here. But if you can, you’ll love it. In front of Sushi Daizen is a big sign that reads “We serve good mackerel.’ So, clearly they have one fish in particular that they specialize in. But it’s not just mackerel – they also excel in all silver-skinned species, such as sardines and gizzard-shad.
But you don’t have to worry much about what’s on the menu, because you aren’t going to have a choice in the matter. The menu is set for everyone, and includes sashimi, followed by a grilled dish, some nigiri, and miso soup. But you needn’t worry that you won’t get the mackerel that they spoke about on their sign. They serve it every night and offer a couple different types in their sashimi course.
The atmosphere is pretty chill, especially because of the restaurant’s size. But also because it’s run by a father and daughter who run things efficiently and don’t speak English. So don’t expect to cozy up to them for a long chat unless you’re fluent in Japanese, and they are interested in chatting! But the space and their vibe makes for a very homey feel, and the fish is excellent. Plus, you can bring your own drinks in from outside, which is a fun way to turn up your own meal without having to pay for expensive drinks.
Now it’s time to hear from you! Have you ever been to Japan? Do you think you’ll ever go there? Would you stick to the traditional sushi options that you’ve had before, or would you branch out your tastes to some more exotic and rare findings that you’d only get in Japan? Let us know in the comment sections below. And before you go, be sure to give this video a like, and subscribe to Viewcation if you haven’t already. Click the bell icon to stay updated on all our latest content!