Introducing sushi counters in Tokyo that sushi enthusiasts can enjoy for less than 10,000 yen! We have carefully selected five restaurants that are recommended for people who want to know where even beginners can enter and who want to experience the taste of a famous restaurant at a reasonable price. Actually, these are all places that I would like to keep secret…
Updated May 21, 2021
You can enjoy sushi from a famous restaurant without spending a large piece of it.
The world is truly in a sushi bubble era. Sushi restaurants with a unit price of 20,000 to 30,000 yen are flooded with reservations, and even legendary restaurants with prices exceeding 60,000 yen have appeared. As a sushi enthusiast, I want to say this out loud…
You can enjoy the best counter sushi without spending that much money!!
As long as you stretch your back a bit and just grab 10,000 yen, that’s alright. You can experience a handful of craftsmen who are passionate about craftsmanship.
We want you to lower your hurdles to counter sushi and have a happy time. I would like to introduce five sushi counters that I have selected.
Sendagi “Yanaka Matsu Sushi”
The oldest sushi restaurant in Yanaka, which has been in business for 80 years. Yasuyuki Nomoto, the third generation chef, is also active as a culinary expert. While retaining the “Edomae” techniques passed down from the previous generation, the nigiri is made with originality and is appealing.
It’s only open on weekends, so the hurdles to making a reservation are a bit high. You need to wait 1-2 months, but I think it depends on a seasoning. Once you make a reservation, it’s a blink of an eye.
Although it is classic Edomae style, it’s lighthearted.
While keeping the traditional Edomae seeds such as conger eel, there is a wide variety of nigiri, such as hand rolls of ground monk liver (this is really delicious) and scallops with fresh pepper. You can also enjoy rare and valuable salmon roe and sea urchin rolls. Also worth mentioning is the fried horse mackerel. The sweet and sour tartar sauce made with gari is a dish that shows the skill of a culinary expert.
Evening Omakase Course: 8,500 yen (excluding tax)
Lunch Omakase Course: 4,500 yen (excluding tax)
| Post code | 110-0001 |
| Address | 3-2-7 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo |
| Regular holiday | Monday-Thursday |
| Business hours | Friday 18:00-22:30 (18:00 start) Saturday 12:00-14:30 (12:00 start) 18:00-22:30(18:00start) Sunday 15:00-18:00(15:00start) 19:00-22:30(19:00start) |
| Nearest station | Sendagi Station |
Kitasenju “Senju Shige”
“I’m glad I knew this…” I couldn’t help but whisper, Kitasenju is a hidden gem in Adachi Ward. If you had a shop in a prime location like Ginza or Roppongi, you could get a nigiri that would cost at least double the price for 8,000 yen. I wonder when it will become difficult to make a reservation… This is a relatively new restaurant that opened in 2019, and the owner, Shige, has a friendly personality. Even if it’s your first time, you will be warmly welcomed.
Nigiri where beauty and taste coexist
It is characterized by a soft grip where the sushi rice and seeds melt together. The form is also breathtakingly beautiful. I wish I could just keep staring at it without eating…
Of course, not only does it look good, but it also tastes great. “Can I really afford to eat at this price?” I’m worried. The good thing about this restaurant is that they have a wide variety of menu items other than nigiri, such as horse mackerel wrapped in seaweed and TKG of sea urchin and hairy crab.
Evening omakase course: 8,000 yen (excluding tax)
*12,000 yen course also available
| Post code | 120-0034 |
| Address | 2nd Takeda Building 5F, 3-31 Senju, Adachi-ku, Tokyo |
| Regular holiday | Irregular holidays |
| Business hours | 17:30-21:00 (last entry) |
| Nearest station | Kitasenju Station |
Nakameguro “Sushi Onikai”
Opened by the chef who trained at Sushi Tsukiuda, a famous restaurant in Nakameguro. It is located on the second floor of a renovated old folk house, and on the first floor is Tempura Miyashiro, an affiliated restaurant that has received one Michelin star.
It’s in a fairly hidden location, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time in case you get lost. Check out the directions posted on the official Instagram!
Modern entertainment sushi
This place is highly entertaining! The chef himself will unveil the ingredients right in front of each seat, and entertain you with a smoky performance. Even if it’s your first time trying sushi at the counter, you’ll definitely be able to relax and enjoy it.
Although it is a new store, the nigiri is made with great attention to detail.
In the middle of the course, they offer a hand-rolled version of Miyashiro’s shrimp tempura! (Unfortunately, when I went there, it was a holiday so they didn’t come out…)
Evening Omakase Course: 9,000 yen (excluding tax)
Lunch Omakase Course: 9,000 yen (excluding tax)
| Post code | 〒153-0051 |
| Address | 2-18-11 2F, Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo |
| Regular holiday | Monday |
| Business hours | Lunch 12:00-14:00 *Advance reservation / Sunday only Dinner 18:00-23:00 (LO 22:30) |
| Nearest station | Nakameguro Station |
Tsukiji “Tsukiji Aozora Sandaime Main store”
A famous Edomae sushi restaurant with its main store in Tsukiji, the holy land of sushi. However, there are also villas and affiliated izakaya restaurants, so it is recommended for debutants as it is not too difficult to enter.
The course of “Aozora Sandaime Gokujo 11 pieces and 1 piece of your choice (excluding scrolls)” is only 4,500 yen! Once you’ve finished your meal, you can choose the piece of your choice, so you’ll stay excited until the end.
Reliable traditional techniques that last a long time in sacred places
The most important thing is that they offer a wide variety of ingredients such as seared fatty tuna, sea urchin, pickled tuna, botan shrimp, and white meat. Being a poor person, I ordered a second helping of fatty tuna for my last bite. I want to be an adult ordering squid and shellfish here (lol).
They are particular about the ingredients, such as their unique combination of red vinegar shari and secret simmered soy sauce made with tuna stock. You can feel the traditional techniques.
Omakase course
“You can’t go wrong! 2nd generation special 9 pieces and grilled rolls” 3,500 yen (tax excluded) “
“Aozora Sandaime Gokujo 11 pieces and 1 piece to choose from” 4,500 yen (tax excluded)
“Tsukiji’s strongest 10 pieces” 6,500 yen (tax included) (excluding)
| Post code | 104-0045 |
| Address | Trust Tsukiji KN Building 1F, 4-13-8 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo |
| Regular holiday | Tuesday |
| Business hours | Monday to Friday 10:30 to 14:30 / 17:30 to 22:00 Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 10:30 to 22:00 *Change to dinner menu from 17:00 |
| Nearest station | Tsukiji |
Shimomaruko “Sushi Hazuki”
Lastly, for the more advanced level, we’ll introduce you to Sushi Hazuki, a restaurant that is difficult to reserve. It is run by Mr. Sato, who trained at Ginza Kyubey and also worked in Los Angeles.
Despite the price of 8,000 yen (excluding tax), it attracts all kinds of sushi lovers with its excellent flavor and surprising portions. The waiting list for reservations is 3 to 4 months!
Creative Japanese food that will make your stomach burst x Nigiri
An impressive flow of 10 snacks, a mini rice bowl, 11 pieces of nigiri, ochazuke, a bowl, and a dessert. There are a large number of items, such as salads with dressings that make use of tuna fat, yellowtail shabu, and Saikyo-yaki, and each of them is well taken care of.
Nigiri mainly uses seasonal seeds. Toward the end, they served extra-large fatty takumaki with salt koji as an accent, and by the time we ate it, I was almost full (lol)
Currently, reservations can only be made online.
Evening omakase course: 8,000 yen (excluding tax)
| Post code | 〒146-0092 |
| Address | 3-13-22 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo |
| Regular holiday | Monday |
| Business hours | Double rotation system 17:30-20:00 20:30-23:00 |
| Nearest station | Shimomaruko Station |
Things to keep in mind when eating counter sushi for the first time
Well, that’s all for the restaurants introduction! If you’ve come this far, you’re probably already thinking about sushi. However, I think there are some people who are nervous because it’ll be first time going there.
Let me tell you what you need to be careful of and some rules you can keep in mind. (*Not necessarily applicable)
Avoid putting strong perfumes on
The aroma in cooking is a seasoning, so it’s best to visit without putting any perfume on. Please be careful not to disturb those around you.
By the way, clothing will vary depending on the restaurant, but as long as it’s within common sense, you can basically feel free.
If you would like to take pictures, get a permission first
Taking pictures of meals…It’s a common sight these days, but be sure to ask the chef and staff for permission before taking pictures. There are some restaurants where photography is prohibited.
Do not place unnecessary items on the counter
Sushi restaurant counters are often made of delicate materials, such as a single piece of Japanese cypress. It’s best to keep your belongings in your bag or pocket to avoid damaging them with your keys or smartphone.
Experience the happiness at the sushi counter restaurants.
Japan has many high-quality conveyor belt sushi restaurants, and sushi packs are sold at convenience stores as well as supermarkets. I love them all, and think they each have their own deliciousness.
However, the sushi you enjoy at the counter is next level. There is no happier time than witnessing the traditional skills of the craftsmen and savoring the fusion of seeds and shari one by one.
I wrote this article thinking, “I want people to enjoy this happy experience and I don’t want people to think that the hurdles are too high.”
There are still many famous restaurants that I would like to introduce. Maybe we’ll have a chance to meet again in another article? Look forward to it♪
