Tokyo is a food lover's paradise, and while most people have a general idea about Japanese sushi, you might still be wondering what makes it a must-try. Well, let's break down a few reasons why Tokyo's sushi scene is an absolute must-eat!

Japan also has an abundance of conveyor belt sushi chains, offering a wide array of choices and dining experiences. If you're curious about which chains are popular in Japan, you can read more here:

As a hub of activity, there are countless sushi restaurants scattered across every major tourist destination in Tokyo. Let's take a culinary tour of 15 sushi spots across Tokyo's top 5 popular tourist areas!

Ginza is home to numerous acclaimed high-end sushi restaurants, where skilled sushi chefs meticulously craft dishes using top-quality ingredients. The service is impeccable, and compared to other areas, Ginza emphasizes luxury and sophistication. Many of these establishments have even earned Michelin stars. For example, Sukiyabashi Jiro, helmed by the renowned "Sushi God" Jiro Ono, is located right in the heart of Ginza. With its reputation for excellence attracting travelers from around the world, securing a reservation here can be quite challenging. If you're seeking premium sushi and an exquisite dining experience, Ginza should be your first choice!

Just a 4-minute walk from Ginza Station, you'll find Hina Sushi, a buffet-style sushi restaurant. Each piece of sushi is handcrafted by the chef upon order, ensuring freshness and quality. With a menu boasting around 60 varieties including tuna, sea urchin, salmon, and fresh shrimp, there's something for everyone. Online reservations are available at 5,000 yen per person, making it hassle-free even during peak dining hours. If you want to experience the delight of freshly made sushi in Japan, this is a must-visit spot!

At first glance, Sushiya might not ring a bell, but it's actually a hidden gem founded by seasoned Japanese cuisine masters. This omakase-style sushi restaurant serves up surprises and delights with every dish, as the chef crafts each with the day's freshest ingredients. This is a top recommendation if you're up for a taste of high-end menu-less omakase sushi! The chef is adept at welcoming international patrons; however, the restaurant only has a single L-shaped counter, so seating is limited. It's advisable to make an online reservation in advance!

Sushi Yuu is another upscale omakase sushi restaurant that has earned a Michelin star for four consecutive years. In December 2023, it relocated from Roppongi to Ginza. The chef is known for innovation - from shrimp to tuna, shellfish, and sea urchin, they present a variety of fresh Japanese flavors with a twist. The chef is also known for their warm hospitality, and online reservations are available. If you have the budget to spare, indulging in a Michelin-starred experience here is indeed worth it!

Located inside the popular Tokyu Plaza Ginza, Nemuro Hanamaru is a conveyor belt sushi restaurant where you'll spot lines of eager customers forming even before the doors open. This beloved establishment carefully selects seasonal catches, focusing on ingredients from the Nemuro region in Hokkaido. That means even those in Tokyo can savor fresh Hokkaido sushi. It's a favorite among food enthusiasts and regulars, with many praising its delicious offerings and great pricing. If you're keen to try it out, make sure to arrive early to grab a number!

Shinjuku hosts various sushi restaurants, ranging from traditional counter-style sushi to conveyor belt sushi. In particular, there's an abundance of conveyor belt sushi spots like Kaiten Sushi Misaki, revamped from Misaki Port, Sushi Zanmai, Gansozushi, Numazuko, and many more. Most are conveniently located around the station and extend to Kabukicho, making them popular tourist choices due to their accessibility and affordability. For those seeking a more refined dining experience, renowned establishments like Sushi Iwase and Takumi Makoto.

Sushi Shiorian Yamashiro is a Michelin-starred sushi brand originating in Ginza. It specializes in serving omakase-style Edo-mae sushi, where each step, from ingredient preparation to shaping and seasoning, is performed right in front of the customers. It offers a dining experience akin to watching a performance, making it truly unique. In addition, the proprietor is highly knowledgeable about sake and will select the perfect sake pairing based on the day's offerings. Reservations are available, making it convenient for guests. If you're looking for a special, upscale sushi experience in Shinjuku, this is definitely worth a try!

Sushi Zanmai is known for its combination of affordability and quality. All sushi served here is freshly made to order, with a particular emphasis on the freshness and quality of the tuna, making it an absolute crowd favorite. Sitting at the counter lets you witness the chefs' masterful culinary skills up close. Compared to typical high-end sushi restaurants, dining here is more relaxed and budget-friendly. Plus, the ordering tablets support multiple languages, and with late opening hours, it's a popular must-visit choice for many tourists!

This establishment, formerly known as "KIBORI" from Hokkaido, underwent a revamp and reopened in November 2023 with a fresh concept. Combining sushi, tempura, teppanyaki, and other traditional Japanese cuisine, it presents a new dining experience. Their focus is on showcasing the finest seafood from Hokkaido and seasonal ingredients from Japan, offering exquisite handcrafted sushi and a variety of dishes like tempura and chawanmushi (steamed egg custard). Set menus are also available for those who prefer a hassle-free dining experience. The prices are reasonable, making it suitable for those who enjoy sampling various dishes in one meal or those who may not be sushi enthusiasts.

In addition to upscale counter-style sushi restaurants, such as Sushi no Midori Shibuya, Shibuya is also home to numerous budget-friendly conveyor belt sushi places like Yu Mai and Sushi Zanmai. With dishes typically ranging from 100 to 300 yen per plate, the value here is exceptional, making it a top choice for tourists looking to indulge in sushi. Here, we'll recommend a few decent conveyor belt sushi spots in Shibuya where you can enjoy sushi without breaking the bank!

Just like in Shinjuku, Sushi Zanmai also has locations in Shibuya! Offering the same combination of freshly made, affordable sushi with multilingual ordering tablets, it's a popular choice among tourists. In Shibuya, you'll find two locations: one in the Shibuya Dogenzaka Center Building and the other near the Tokyu Department Store. The former is only a few minutes' walk from the station, and it's open until 10:30 PM, with reservations available, making it convenient for late-night snacks. The latter is opposite the Tokyu Department Store, which is perfect for shopping and is open until 6 in the morning!

With international locations, Kura Sushi may be familiar to many travelers. It offers multilingual ordering tablets, a variety of classic must-try sushi dishes, an array of side dishes, delicious limited-time offerings, dishes delivered straight to your table via a conveyor belt, and self-service ordering and pickup, among other features. It combines these characteristics to provide a dining experience that caters to cultural exploration as well. What sets Kura Sushi apart is the opportunity to return five used plates for a chance to win prizes, frequently collaborating with popular Japanese companies on Japan-exclusive products. If you plan to visit, arrive early to get a seating number!

If you find traditional conveyor belt sushi a bit mundane and high-end counter-style sushi too intimidating, then Katsumidori is the perfect choice! While it is a conveyor belt sushi restaurant, it still offers taste and quality reminiscent of high-end sushi restaurants. The menu is incredibly diverse, featuring many options, including tuna, sea bream, salmon, shrimp, crab, and shellfish. They also serve seared sushi and tofu skin sushi, as well as side dishes like salads and chawanmushi (steamed egg custard). It's an excellent option for families and is always busy, so allocate some extra time to wait for a seat!

Ueno is also home to several Japanese restaurants serving up freshly caught seafood. Most of these eateries are situated between Ameyoko Market and Ueno Station. Many of them offer reasonably priced, generous portions, such as Miura Misaki Port and Numazuko Kaisho. There are also all-you-can-eat sushi restaurants available. For seafood lovers who prefer to indulge without making a special trip to Tsukiji or Toyosu, Ueno, with its accommodation and sightseeing options, is an excellent choice.

Ganko is a local chain of Japanese cuisine restaurants primarily based in the Kansai region, with one of its Kanto area locations in Ueno. The menu mainly features set meals consisting of sushi, hot pots, and rice dishes, complemented by tempura and miso soup. The set meals typically come with fixed side dishes, saving you the hassle of deciding and ordering individually. They also offer online reservations.

Miura Misaki Port is a well-known conveyor belt sushi restaurant in Ueno. As soon as you take your seat, you'll notice a continuous stream of sushi rotating on the belt, each plate loaded with generous portions. What's surprising is the affordability; for instance, a fatty tuna nigiri sushi is priced at only 649 yen (pictured, bottom right), and a trio of assorted nigiri sushi costs 539 yen (top right). It's fresh, plentiful, and budget-friendly, earning it rave reviews. You can either choose sushi directly from the conveyor belt or place orders directly with the chefs. With a meal typically costs 3,000 to 4,000 yen, you'll leave fully satisfied!

MAGURO Basara is an izakaya (Japanese pub) specializing in fresh tuna delivered directly from Misaki Port in Kanagawa Prefecture. Offering a wide range of dishes including sushi, sashimi, hot pots, skewers, and fried foods, complemented by a great selection of drinks, it's perfect for pairing with alcohol. They also offer all-you-can-drink options and occasional all-you-can-eat promotions. Open late, it's a great option if you're returning to Ueno after a late-night outing or craving a midnight snack!

Many large shopping areas around Tokyo Statrion house sushi restaurants, like Standing Sushi Bar Nemuro Hanamaru Marunouchi Oazo. Although it's standing-only (no seating available, customers dine while standing), it's very affordable and practical. During lunch hours, it's common to see locals dining there. If you prefer to sit and savor your meal, options like Numazu Uogashizushi Marunouchi Building Branch are available, or you can opt for high-end traditional sushi restaurants like Yoshino Sushi Honten. Here, we'll also recommend one popular standing sushi bar and one traditional sushi restaurant available for reservations.

Hakodate Standing Sushi Bar Kantaro originated in Hakodate, Hokkaido, and is a popular conveyor belt sushi restaurant. They meticulously select their ingredients, including both rice and seafood, sourced from Hokkaido, ensuring freshness and flavor. Located in the First Avenue Tokyo Station underground shopping area outside the JR Tokyo Station ticket gates, also known as "Nippon Gourmet Street," the restaurant's atmosphere is relaxed. Prices are quite affordable, and portions are generous, so you won't have to worry about filling up too quickly with just rice. If you prefer not to venture too far from Tokyo Station, this is a great option to consider!

Founded in 1958, Imayoshi stands steadfastly as a traditional sushi restaurant amidst innovations and changes in the sushi industry. Alongside classic must-haves like salmon and tuna, they specialize in rare ingredients such as conger eel and finless sole. Their lunchtime-exclusive seafood bowls are also quite enticing. They offer an omakase menu for online reservations, ideal for those who relish chef-recommended dishes. Located just a 6-minute walk from Tokyo Station's Marunouchi Underground North Exit or a 1-minute walk from Otemachi Station's Exit E1, this spot comes highly recommended for those seeking a high-quality sushi experience.

Tokyo is brimming with sushi restaurants, offering something for every budget, group size, and location preference. If you're dining with kids or elderly family members, consider a budget-friendly, relaxed atmosphere at a conveyor belt sushi restaurant. For a romantic date or a small group outing, elevate your budget and experience the artistry of a sushi counter dining experience.

Lastly, remember to plan ahead, especially during national holidays, cherry blossom season, and summer vacation, when tourist traffic peaks. Making reservations online beforehand can save you from long waits and ensure a smooth dining experience.

*The information provided in this article is based on March 2024 data and may vary from actual circumstances.