11 Best Sushi Restaurants in Japan
Top Rated Sushi With Michelin-Star Status
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It’s been quite a while since sushi became a worldwide phenomenon and one of Japan’s greatest culinary exports, to the point that finding great sushi in some of the most cosmopolitan cities around the world is not a struggle anymore. Yet, as the birthplace of sushi, Japan is still unrivaled as home to some of the world’s greatest sushi restaurants, where a symphony of flavors and textures await you on every single piece.
Here, we’re making a selection of Japan’s best sushi restaurants that either just received a Michelin rating or have received a Michelin rating in the past. So whether you’re a seasoned sushi connoisseur or new to the game, this is the guide to the best sushi in Japan.
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1. Sukiyabashi Jiro Roppongi (Tokyo)
A legend among sushi legends, Sukibayashi Jiro (すきやばし次郎) plays in a league of his own. As the first restaurant in Japan to achieve 3 Michelin stars, a popular documentary film further catapulted the restaurant to larger-than-life stardom, to the point that scoring a seat became such a daunting task, that it stopped appearing on the popular guide as of 2020.
But the legendary name quickly returned to the guide’s pages with none other than 2 stars, under a different branch opened in Tokyo’s upscale Roppongi district. Helmed by Jiro Ono’s second son Takashi Ono, this location stays on brand with the same exceptional quality that made its predecessor a worldwide celebrity.
This restaurant is for you if you’re seeking an iconic sushi experience with Michelin-starred quality.
Read our restaurant review: Sukiyabashi Jiro: Best Sushi in the World
▶︎Make a reservation for Sukibayashi Jiro Roppongi here!
Information
 Access |
7-min walk from Roppongi Hills Station |
|---|---|
 Official Website |
https://www.roppongihills.com/gourmet_shops/0138.html |
2. Harutaka (Tokyo)
Harutaka (青空), located in Tokyo’s exclusive Ginza district, is a premier sushi restaurant run by chef Harutaka Takahashi, a master in the craft of high-quality sushi. After all, his training took place at the aforementioned Sukibayashi Jiro, so it surprises no one that the skills displayed at his own restaurant have resulted in two Michelin stars for Harutaka.
Experiencing the complexity of taste and texture of the most authentic sushi, Chef Takahashi elevates sushi to an art form. Diners at the counter are surrounded by a minimalist yet warm ambiance and have the unique experience of watching the chef prepare each piece in front of them.
This restaurant is for you if you appreciate intricate textures and flavors in sushi.
▶︎Make a reservation for Harutaka here!
Information
| Access |
4-min walk from Shimbashi Station |
|---|---|
| Official Website |
http://www.ginza-sushi.com/harutaka.html |
3. Nikaku (Fukuoka)
Nikaku (二鶴), located in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, is a sushi restaurant that specializes in Edomae sushi. This traditional sushi preparation method, which originated in Tokyo sushi eateries during the 19th century, involves slightly marinating the fish for preservation in the absence of refrigeration. This technique is still used today to enhance flavors while maintaining a softer texture.
Chef Setsuo Funahashi expertly makes use of these techniques to create a sensory experience for his diners. Up to these days, he continues to uphold the authentic Edomae tradition and skills, such as salting, vinegar soaking, steaming, simmering, and marinating, in addition to only serving the best of fresh local seafood to ensure the quality of his uniquely authentic sushi.
This restaurant is for you if you’re a fan of traditional Edomae sushi.
▶︎Make a reservation for Nikaku here!
Information
| Access |
10-min drive from Jono Station |
|---|---|
| Official Website |
http://www.edomaezushi-nikaku.com/ |
4. Sushinoma (Ehime)
Sushi no Ma (鮨の間) is a world gourmet guide award-winning sushi restaurant owned by chef Shogo Noma, who trained as an apprentice for 16 years at the renowned Ken Sushi before opening his own restaurant in 2010. The restaurant prides itself in serving Setouchi-mae sushi, a unique style of sushi that combines elements of Ehime sushi and Edomae sushi.
The restaurant uses locally caught Ehime fish and serves Koshihikari sushi rice seasoned with sushi vinegar, salt, and sugar. The restaurant also offers original sushi made with the famous Ehime Sudachi and sun-dried sargassum salt. Chef Noma only uses all-natural seafood and is particular about the preparation process, particularly when it comes to Ehime’s famous Kuruma prawns.
This restaurant is for you if you enjoy a cozy atmosphere with locally sourced ingredients.
▶︎Make a reservation for Sushinoma here!
5. Sushidokoro Tsukuta (Saga)
Sushidokoro Tsukuta (鮨処 つく田) is a sushi restaurant that specializes in Karatsu-mae sushi using local fish and the Edo-mae technique. Chef Yuji Matsuo found his calling when he tried an extraordinary conger eel nigiri sushi in Tokyo, inspiring him to pursue his dreams in the world of sushi.
Nowadays, Matsuo and his son Bunpei, having the achievement of managing the only two-star restaurant in Saga Prefecture, ensure that the majority of the ingredients are locally sourced, although they also serve top-quality sake from other regions like Niigata. There’s an English menu available, making this a friendly choice for international visitors.
This restaurant is for you if you prefer a blend of classic and innovative sushi styles.
6. Kobikicho Tomoki (Tokyo)
Tomoki Kobayashi’s sushi restaurant, Kobikicho Tomoki (木挽町 とも樹), brings together the best of Edomae traditions with his own creative touches. The menu features elaborate snacks and three daily recommended nigiri, with a focus on the red uni with sake lees-pickled vegetables. A distinctive trait of his Tomoki-style omakase is that’s also tailored to suit each of the customer’s preferences.
Chef Kobayashi studied under Keizen Sasaki of Sushi Sakaki and sources ingredients mainly from the Toyosu market. The restaurant, located in Higashi Ginza, has held two stars since 2019. The interior highlights wood grain and offers a drink menu in English for international guests.
This restaurant is for you if you value a personalized sushi experience.
Information
| Access |
2-min walk from Higashi-Ginza Station |
|---|---|
| Official Website |
http://www.sushi-tomoki.jp/ |
7. Sushi HARASHO (Osaka)
Sushi Harasho (鮨 原正), led by experienced chef Takumi Ishikawa, offers an omakase experience that highlights his techniques and journey dedicated to refining what he calls “The flow of Omakase”. The menu also features a variety of side dishes, including grilled items, and steamed items, all served on a mix of antique Kyo-ware and tableware designed by contemporary artists.
Ishikawa emphasizes the importance of light flavors, not adding sugar to the vinegared rice. As a restaurant awarded with 2 Michelin stars, it’s often fully booked, so it’s advisable to reserve with enough time in advance.
This restaurant is for you if you enjoy a lively, welcoming ambiance with top-quality sushi.
▶︎Make a reservation for Sushi Harasho here!
Information
| Access |
9-min walk from Tanimachi 9-chome Station |
|---|---|
| Official Website |
https://sushi-harasho.jp/ |
8. Sushi Shunbi Nishikawa (Aichi)
Sushi Shunbi Nishikawa (鮨 旬美 西川) is a highly acclaimed sushi restaurant in Nagoya, known for its exceptional quality and limited seating of 8 patrons. Chef Shinji Nishikawa’s philosophy is centered on using only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients and creating a small, intimate environment for the best sushi experience in the Aichi region.
The restaurant’s mission is to provide enjoyable food and bring smiles to its customers. Chef Nishikawa and his team are dedicated to the highest standards of sushi making and strive to be a premier sushi restaurant.
This restaurant is for you if you seek an elegant setting with meticulously crafted sushi.
▶︎Make a reservation for Sushi Shunbi Nishikawa here!
Information
| Access |
6-min walk from Nagoya Station |
|---|---|
| Official Website |
https://www.sushishunbi-nishikawa.com/ |
9. Isezushi (Hokkaido)
The counter at Isezushi (伊勢鮨) is both a stage for the chef’s skills and a place for relaxed conversation between customers and the chef. Chef Takahiro Koise firmly believes that the unique atmosphere of his restaurant is created by the interaction between the two. However, in addition to the counter, the restaurant also has two tables for four people each, as well as a wheelchair accessible private room, where sushi is equally enjoyable as it is at the counter.
Sake and other beverages are carefully paired with the sashimi and snacks to enhance the flavors and create an additional rhythm to the sushi experience. It’s an experience that will transport you to the rhythm of the ocean and leave you with a blissful memory.
This restaurant is for you if you’re looking for sushi made with the freshest seafood from Hokkaido.
▶︎Make a reservation for Isezuzhi here!
10. Sushi Tadayasu (Kyoto)
Gion Sushi Tadayasu (鮨 忠保) is a world-renowned Edomae-style sushi restaurant located in Gion, Kyoto. Opened in April 2017, the restaurant aims to create an enjoyable atmosphere where customers can savor locally sourced, fresh sushi. Chef Tadayasu Morita, whose parents were fishmongers, has pursued his dream of opening a sushi restaurant in Kyoto since his teenage years.
Using carefully selected ingredients he offers delicious aged-fish dishes and varies the type of vinegar rice used depending on the fish, to bring out the best flavors. The restaurant also offers a variety of high-quality, locally sourced sake that changes seasonally to complement the sushi. The first floor has counter seats for casual gatherings and dates, and a private room for 4-6 people is available for more intimate settings.
This restaurant is for you if you appreciate a historic setting with a focus on seasonal ingredients.
11. Sushi Daimon (Toyama)
Sushi Daimon (鮨 大門), located in Toyama, is a sushi restaurant born from the childhood dreams of his owner, chef Taro Daimon. After training from an early age and further honing his skills in Hokkaido, he returned to his homeland to open the restaurant in 2012. A privileged location right in front of Toyama Bay grants him access to the best of local fresh seafood. But he also gets some of his top picks from Hokkaido or Tsukiji Market in Tokyo.
His eye for quality and excellent skills allowed him to get international acclaim and a much coveted Michelin Star not much after. He employs a careful blend of vinegar and sake to achieve the perfect taste.
This restaurant is for you if you’re interested in exploring unique local flavors in a modern setting.
▶︎Make a reservation for Sushi Daimon here!
▽Check more lists of the best restaurants in Japan!▽
▶Best Michelin Star Restaurants in Japan
▶Best Ramen Restaurants in Japan
▶Best Wagyu Beef Restaurants in Japan
▶Best Kaiseki Restaurants in Japan
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Written by
Photographer, journalist, and avid urban cyclist, making sense of Japan since 2017. I was born in Caracas and lived for 14 years in Barcelona before moving to Tokyo. Currently working towards my goal of visiting every prefecture in Japan, I hope to share with readers the everlasting joy of discovery and the neverending urge to keep exploring.
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