Best Sushi in Tokyo
40 spots I vetted myself across the city, the ones I'd actually send you to.
Sushi in Tokyo runs from 130-yen conveyor-belt plates to quiet counters where a chef sets each piece in front of you for two hours. The middle ground is the sweet spot for most visitors: a proper Edomae sushi lunch at a real counter for a fraction of the dinner price. Tokyo Bay is the historic home of nigiri, and the standard, even at modest places, is extraordinary.
Where to find sushi in Tokyo
My sushi picks cluster in Roppongi & Toranomon (15), Ginza (11), Harajuku & Omotesando (4), Shinjuku (2), Shibuya and Asakusa. Tap a neighborhood for the full rundown.
The list
The full guide names all 40 sushi spots, each with the nearest station and exit, what to order and the reservation reality. The names and exact directions open in the full guide.
Sushi in Tokyo: frequently asked questions
Do I need a reservation for sushi in Tokyo?
For the high-end omakase counters, yes, sometimes weeks ahead, and some take bookings only by phone or through a hotel concierge. But excellent conveyor-belt and standing sushi bars need no booking at all, and many counters offer a walk-in lunch.
How much does good sushi cost in Tokyo?
Conveyor-belt sushi runs 130 to 500 yen a plate; a solid counter lunch omakase is often 3,000 to 6,000 yen; top-tier dinner omakase can be 20,000 yen and up. Lunch is the value move at almost every level.
What is omakase?
Omakase means 'I leave it to you', the chef serves a set sequence of the day's best fish, piece by piece, at their pace. You eat each piece straightaway, ideally by hand, and generally don't drown it in soy sauce.