Delicious and healthy Japanese cuisine is extremely popular overseas and loved by many people regardless of nationality. Among Japanese dishes, sushi is particularly popular and is one of Japan's representative cuisines. Sushi is also my favorite among Japanese foods, and I eat it at least once a week.
Sushi has evolved uniquely in each country, and overseas you can find sushi with unique styles and ingredients not seen in Japan. However, tasting sushi in its birthplace, Japan, is truly exceptional.
Tokyo, the capital city, has many sushi restaurants, ranging from affordable conveyor belt sushi to high-end sushi establishments. Recently, sushi bars where you can enjoy both sushi and alcohol have been increasing. I'll introduce 8 recommended sushi bars in Tokyo.
Types of Sushi Restaurants
There are various styles of sushi restaurants. First, "Kaiten Sushi" (conveyor belt sushi), which is popular among families, is a place where you can enjoy sushi at reasonable prices. Sushi rotates around the restaurant on a conveyor belt, and customers can choose and eat the sushi they like.
"Tachigui Sushi" (standing sushi) is a style where you eat while standing, popular among those who want to finish their meal quickly. "Counter Sushi" is where sushi chefs make sushi right in front of the customers, allowing them to enjoy fresh ingredients and the chef's skills. And the "Sushi bar" that we'll introduce this time is a bar-style sushi restaurant where you can enjoy both sushi and alcohol.
SHARI THE TOKYO SUSHI BAR
Source: Tabelog
SHARI THE TOKYO SUSHI BAR is a modern sushi bar located in Ginza. The moment you enter, you'll be captivated by its modern and stylish space.
Here, you can enjoy both traditional sushi and contemporary creative dishes. Especially recommended is the 10,000 yen OMAKASE course. It's a luxurious course featuring beautifully presented sushi, along with seasonal tempura and domestic beef steak. It comes with a 2-hour all-you-can-drink option, allowing you to enjoy your meal paired with your favorite drinks, including sparkling wine, plum wine, and whiskey.
The interior has a calm, adult atmosphere, perfect for those who want to enjoy their meal leisurely. How about trying it for a date or a special dinner?
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- Address: 8F Arbore Ginza Building, 2-4-18 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
- Closed: Mondays, New Year holidays
- Phone: 050-3138-4665
- Hours: Lunch 11:30-15:00 (L.O. 14:30) Dinner 17:00-22:30 (L.O. 21:45)
- Official website: https://shari-the-tokyo.jp/sushi-bar/
Sushi Yon
Source: Tabelog
Sushi Yon is a sushi bar in Roppongi that offers a luxurious space and high-quality meals. The interior features luxurious decor and subdued lighting, with counter seats and private rooms available for a leisurely dining experience.
What you must try here is the "Toro-taku and Uni Millefeuille". This sushi uses carefully selected sea urchin and fatty tuna, beautifully layered to create a dish that's not only delicious but also visually satisfying. You can enjoy this dish in the weekend lunch course, which starts from 8,000 yen.
There's also a wide selection of alcoholic beverages such as sake and shochu, which you can enjoy paired with sushi. Sushi Yon is recommended for various special occasions such as dates, anniversaries, and business entertainment.
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- Address: 3F Goto Building 3rd, 3-13-14 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Closed: New Year holidays
- Phone: 03-6455-5153
- Hours: 17:00-23:00
- Official website: https://yon.tokyo/
Sushi Bar COZY
Source: Tabelog
Sushi Bar COZY is located in a hidden dining area in Meguro and is easy to drop by even alone. The interior has a casual atmosphere, and the staff is very friendly. In addition to authentic nigiri sushi using fresh ingredients, you can also enjoy seasonal special menus and carefully prepared dishes.
Even if you eat and drink, it costs around 3,000 yen, which is quite reasonable. It's loved by local customers, and the atmosphere inside is always warm and friendly. You might even make friends with other customers while enjoying sushi and sake.
As it's open until early morning, it's also perfect for a drink after a live show or clubbing. The interior is compact with only counter seats and standing spaces, so if you want to enjoy your meal leisurely, it's recommended to visit during earlier hours.
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- Address: 1F Meguro Shinbashi Mansion, 1-24-19 Meguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
- Closed: Monday, Tuesday, Sunday
- Phone: 050-5593-6469
- Hours: 19:00-04:00
- Official instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sushibarcozy/
Sushi Bar Mugen
Source: Tabelog
Sushi Bar Mugen is a reservation-only sushi bar located in Roppongi. The interior, with pleasant music playing, has an atmosphere reminiscent of a stylish cafe.
Here, you can taste authentic Edomae sushi made by a chef who trained at a Michelin-starred restaurant in New York. The recommended course is the 9,900 yen King course, which includes 12 pieces of sushi and 6 side dishes. It's a luxurious course where the chef selects the best seasonal ingredients and prepares sushi right in front of you.
You can also bring your own alcohol, allowing you to enjoy your favorite drinks paired with sushi made by a top-class chef. Sushi Bar Mugen is a special place where sushi, drinks, and music marry to satisfy all five senses.
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- Address: 2-2-13 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Closed: Wednesday
- Phone: 070-4039-0649
- Hours: 18:00-22:30 / 12:00-14:00 (Sunday only)
- Official website: https://www.sushibarmugen.com/
KINKA sushi bar izakaya Roppongi
Source: Tabelog
KINKA sushi bar izakaya Roppongi offers sushi and a variety of tapas dishes. It has a casual yet relaxed atmosphere, perfect for dining with friends or colleagues, or even for enjoying a quiet drink alone.
The specialty here is "aburi sushi", which is seared with a secret sauce for a fragrant finish. You can choose from three different styles: nigiri sushi, oshi sushi, and roll sushi. If you're unsure, try the "Aburicious 12 pieces" for 2,790 yen, which includes a set of 5 types of aburi oshi sushi and aburi roll sushi.
Try pairing their proud Japanese cocktails with sushi. They offer original cocktails you can't taste elsewhere, such as "Yuzu × Wine" or "Fig × Citrus × Sake". You might discover an unexpected pairing with sushi.
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- Address: 2F Hexart Roppongi, 7-6-20 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Closed: None
- Phone: 03-6721-1469
- Hours: Monday to Saturday Lunch 11:30-14:30 (14:00 L.O) Dinner 17:00-23:00 (22:00 L.O)
Sunday and holidays Lunch 11:30-14:30 (14:00 L.O) Dinner 17:00-22:00 (21:00 L.O)
- Official website: https://www.kinkasushibarizakaya.com/jp/
Sushi Bar R/Q
Source: Tabelog
Sushi Bar R/Q is a sushi bar where you can casually enjoy delicious sushi and Japanese cuisine. Located near Ueno and Akihabara, it has a casual atmosphere like a wine bar and is always bustling with regular customers.
The biggest attraction of this restaurant is its great cost-performance. The "Omakase 10 pieces" using fresh ingredients is priced at a surprising 1,200 yen. In addition to sushi, they also offer a variety of seafood appetizers and side menus.
My favorite is the "Tai no Kabuto-yaki" (grilled sea bream head). There's no greater happiness than pairing the tender and flavorful sea bream with sake. The friendly atmosphere in the restaurant makes it enjoyable whether you visit with friends or drop by alone.
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- Address: 1F Kanda Kobayashi Building, 6-11-11 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Closed: Sunday
- Phone: 03-5812-2270
- Hours: 18:00-23:30
- Official X: https://twitter.com/sushibarurq
Sushi Bar Nigirite
Source: Tabelog
Sushi Bar Nigirite was created based on the concept of not just providing delicious sushi, but making the entire time from entering to leaving the store a special experience.
This restaurant, just a short distance from Shinjuku, has a counter surrounding the kitchen like a ramen shop, and the walls are densely covered with photos of customers who have visited the store. The interior is always lively, with a constant stream of regular customers and tourists.
Despite its casual image, Sushi Bar Nigirite offers authentic sushi. Especially popular is the "aged sushi (Jukusei Sushi)", where the fish is aged for several days, resulting in a dish that releases more umami as you chew. Pairing aged sushi, which is rare even in Japan, with sake will be a special experience.
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- Address: Shinjuku Daikan Plaza Business Kiyota Building, 7-9-15 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
- Closed: Sunday
- Phone: 03-6908-5178
- Hours: Tuesday to Friday: Lunch 11:30-14:00 Dinner 17:00-23:00
Saturday and holidays: 11:30-22:00
Monday (only when it's a holiday): 12:00-22:00
- Official website: https://www.nigirite.com/
Sushi Bar JUNTA
Source: Tabelog
Sushi Bar JUNTA is a restaurant offering authentic sushi near Nishi Shinjuku Gochome Station. It has a homely atmosphere characteristic of family-run businesses, providing a small but comfortable space.
The sushi prepared by the chef, who trained at top-class restaurants both in Japan and abroad, offers authentic flavors. You'll realize its high quality the moment it enters your mouth. Yet, the "Special Nigiri Eleven Pieces" is priced at a reasonable 4,800 yen.
The appeal of this restaurant isn't limited to sushi. They offer a variety of appetizers that pair well with sake, such as "fresh oysters (Namagaki)" and "Shirako" (fish milt made into vinegared dish). It's a recommended place to spend a relaxing time enjoying delicious drinks and high-quality sushi.
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- Address: 1F Yamamoto Building, 3-41-18 Honmachi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Closed: Sunday
- Phone: 03-6884-6775
- Hours: 17:00-23:30
- Official instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sushijunta/
As you can see, Tokyo has many sushi bars where you can enjoy both sushi and drinks. Each restaurant has its own unique style and atmosphere, suitable for a wide range of occasions from dining with friends to celebrating special days or business use.
Many restaurants offer not only traditional sushi but also creative dishes using Japanese ingredients. From casual sushi bars to high-end establishments, enjoy pairing sushi and drinks in a space that suits your preferences and needs.