Sushi
Zanmai (Okubo - Sushi). 5155-6655
This 24-hour branch of the popular Tsukiji-based budget sushi chain offers good value for money.
Hina (Shinjuku - Sushi). 5367-3705
The Hina chain is known for their good-quality, all-you-can-eat sushi meals, starting at around Y4200 per person.
Shinjuku 3-1-26, Shinjuku Marui Annex 8F. Open 11am-10:30pm (LO) daily.
Hina (Nishi-Shinjuku - Sushi). 5323-2380
The reliable Hina chain has claimed for themselves the niche of decent-quality all-you-can-eat sushi. Priced from Y3980 at dinnertime.
Nishi-Shinjuku 6-5-1, Shinjuku Island Tower B1F. Open 11am-10pm daily.
Kyubei (Nishi-Shinjuku - Sushi). 3344-0315
A branch of the long-established, highly regarded sushi shop in Ginza that invented gunkan-maki (sushi wrapped in nori strips, "battleship" style). Set menus for sushi from Y4200 at lunch and Y6300 at dinner. Sushi kaiseki service is priced at Y12,600-28,350. They also do take-out.
Nishi-Shinjuku 2-2-1, Keioh Plaza Hotel Main Bldg 7F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:30-9:30pm daily.
A large conveyor-belt sushi restaurant on Omotesando; very popular with tourists.
Jingumae 5-8-5. Open 11am-9pm daily.
Reasonably priced, reliable sushi in a convenient department-store location.
Shibuya 2-24-1, Tokyu Toyoko-ten, 9F. Open 10am-8pm. Closed Thursdays.
A branch of the famous sushi shop in Umegaoka, popular for their high-quality fish and reasonable prices (Y3000-5000 with a few drinks). There can be long lines at peak hours. Take-out is also available.
Dogenzaka 1-12-3, Mark City East 4F. Open 11am-10pm daily.
Refined sushi in a comfortable, relaxed setting. At lunchtime, nigiri-zushi set menus start at Y2650. The chirashi-don, generously laden with a variety of fish - baby octopus, shad, fatty tuna, turgid pearls of salmon roe - is a terrific value at just under Y1500. Prices shoot up at dinnertime, so expect to pay around Y15,000 per person in the evening. No lunch on Sundays.
Ebisu-Minami 1-2-4. Open 11:30am-1:30, 5-10:30pm daily.
Taku (Nishi-Azabu - Sushi). 5774-4372
It's unusual to find high-quality sushi like this outside Ginza, but here it's presented in a modern dining room with late-night hours. They also serve French wines as an alternative to sake; wines from Y1000/ glass or Y10,000-Y150,000/ bottle. Budget around Y18,000 for dinner.
A modern conveyor-belt sushi shop with a high-tech element - an electronic chip in each plate keeps track of freshness, and fish is taken out of rotation after thirty minutes.
Roppongi 6-4-1, Metrohat B2F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.
This is the English-friendly branch of the legendary Sukiyabashi Jiro in Ginza, run by the original owner's son, where you can enjoy absolutely top-grade sushi and actually talk to the chef, which is at least half the fun. Lunch menus from around Y17,000, dinner from Y24,000 (plus drinks).
Roppongi 6-12-2, Keyakizaka-dori 3F. Open 11:30am-2, 5-9pm. Closed Wednesdays.
Hina (Roppongi - Sushi). 3403-9112
Reliable sushi from a national chain known for their all-you-can-eat specials, starting at around Y5000.
Roppongi 6-1-20, B1F. (next to Aoyama Book Center) Open 11:30am-10:15pm (LO) daily.
Flashy, American-style sushi rolls, with items like the "Nixon roll" (unagi, cucumber and cream cheese; Y1250) in a simple but stylish dining room.
Azabu-Juban 1-10-3, 2F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 6-11pm (LO) daily.
Kyubei (Toranomon - Sushi). 3505-6067
A branch of the long-established, highly regarded sushi shop in Ginza that invented gunkan-maki (sushi wrapped in nori strips, "battleship" style). The entrance to the dining area (mostly a very long counter) is hidden inside another restaurant; we had to ask as there were no signs. Set menus are priced Y6090 to Y24,150, or you can order take-out.
Toranomon 2-10-4, Hotel Okura Main Bldg 5F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:30-9:30pm daily.
The Hina chain is known for their good-quality, all-you-can-eat sushi meals, starting at around Y4200 per person.
Ginza 4-1, Nishi-Ginza Dept. Store 2F. (near Sukiyabashi crossing) Open 11:30am-10:30pm daily.
Deluxe sushi for an appreciative international audience at this century-old shop. Budget around Y12,000 at lunch, Y15,000-20,000 at dinnertime.
Ginza 6-3-8. Open 11:30am-9:45pm (LO) daily.
High-quality sushi at remarkably reasonable prices, especially for this neighborhood. There's often a bit of a wait to be seated, though.
Ginza 7-108, Ginza Korida-dori 1F. Open 11am-2, 5-9:30pm (LO) daily.
Kyubei (Ginza - Sushi). 3571-6523
Yes you can pay a lot more for sushi at Michelin multi-starred counters if you want to, but Kyubei offers excellent quality fish at somewhat more affordable prices, especially at lunchtime, in a much more relaxed setting. (Some of the chefs even speak a bit of English.) Kyubei were the inventors of gunkan-maki (the wrap-around technique for fish roe and similar sushi). Lunches start at Y4000 for a nigiri set menu, or Y8000 for omakase. Dinners from Y10,000, with a Y30,000 kaiseki sushi course that's quite a spectacle.
Ginza 8-7-6. Open 11:30am-2, 5-10pm. Closed Sundays.
This legendary sushi counter has just ten seats, so be sure to book your place well in advance (in Japanese, please). Lunchtime can be easier to book than dinnertime. Set menus start at Y16,000; cash only.
Ginza 8-7-7, Juno Bldg 9F. Open 11:30am-1:30, 5-9:30pm. Closed Sundays.
Edogin (Tsukiji - Sushi). 3543-4401
A huge, well-established sushi emporium offering good value for money.
Tsukiji 4-5-1. Open 11am-9:30pm. Closed Sundays.
Almost literally a hole in the wall, this tiny shop in Tsukiji Outer Market is located behind an old store selling dried fish. People come here for the various donburi/chirashi dishes (from Y2500), featuring first-rate uni, ikura, and assorted fish of the day over rice.
Tsukiji 4-10-14. Open 9am-10:30pm (LO) daily.
The second, larger conveyor-belt branch of the reliable Zanmai chain has very reasonable prices and easy ordering.
Tsukiji 4-10-15. Open 7am-9pm daily.
Good value and convenient hours at this outer-market Tsukiji sushi shop. It's fairly spacious so there aren't long waiting lines, and there's an English menu if you need one. Nigiri set menus start at Y3000, or you can order by the piece.
Fresh fish, cheap prices, convenient hours at this well-known tuna specialist.
The small, main branch of a famous sushi-shop chain, actually located inside the market (in the outer section) and boasting the freshest fish selection.
Tsukiji 4-13-9. Open 8am-1pm, 5-8pm. Closed Sundays, holidays.
One of the most popular shops in the Tsukiji inner market area, Daiwa specializes in toro, particularly tuna from the Aomori region. Set menus start at around Y3000. Cash only.
Tsukiji-Shijo 5-2-1 #6. Open 5am-1pm. Closed Sun, some Wed.
This popular inner-market Tsukiji shop has great fish but long lines, as there are only thirteen seats. Budget around Y4500 for breakfast.
Tsukiji-Shijo 5-2-1 #6. Open 5am-2pm. Closed Sun, some Wed.
This 150-year-old shop inside Tsukiji Market specializes in wild (non-farmed) fish, especially anago eel. They're also known for their excellent, thick and syrupy nitsume (sweet sauce) used on their anago and awabi. Set menus from around Y3500. There are only thirteen seats, so expect to wait at busy times.
Tsukiji-Shijo 5-2-1 #8. Open 6am-2pm. Closed Sun, some Wed.
The menu here features both traditional Edo-style sushi and modern California-style sushi rolls filled with adventurous combinations of ingredients and assertive flavorings, along with California wines and Champagnes to drink. The glitzy main dining room offers an impressive view looking out over a moat of the Imperial Palace. Full-course dinner menus start at Y5500.
Marunouchi 2-1-1, Marunouchi MY Plaza 2F. Open 11:30am-2, 6-10:30pm (LO) daily.
Reasonably priced, reliable sushi from this Numazu-based chain. Budget around Y4000 at dinner, Y1300 at lunch.
Marunouchi 2-4-1, Marunouchi Bldg. 6F. Open 11am-11pm daily.
Kyubei (Kioicho - Sushi). 3221-4144
A branch of the long-established, highly regarded sushi shop in Ginza that invented gunkan-maki (sushi wrapped in nori strips, "battleship" style). There are two branches in the New Otani, one in the main building and one in the tower, both on the lobby level. Lunch is priced Y3150-Y15,750; dinner is Y6300-24,150. They also do take-out.
Kioicho 4-1, Hotel New Otani 1F. Open 11:30am-2, 5-9:30pm daily.
Zanmai (Ueno - Sushi). 5807-6543
This convenient 24-hour branch of the popular Tsukiji-based budget sushi chain offers good value for money.
Reliable, affordable sushi with a skyscraper view. Nigiri-zushi selections are Y1890-4830, and sushi-centered prix-fixe menus are Y5250-8400.
Nishi-Shinjuku 3-20-2, Tokyo Opera City Tower, 53F. Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-10pm (LO) daily.
The original branch of this excellent, value-conscious sushi chain.
Umegaoka 1-20-7. Open 11am-2, 4:30-10:30pm (LO) daily.
High-quality sushi at very fair prices.
Tamagawa 3-17-1, Takashimaya Honkan 6F. Open 11am-9pm daily.
