Tokyo Michelin Sushi: 8 Restaurants for Last-Minute Dinner Bookings

Few Michelin-Starred Sushi Restaurants in Tokyo Offer Same-Day Reservations

Many high-end sushi restaurants, especially those featured in the Michelin Guide, require advance preparation of their carefully selected ingredients. For this reason, a lot of them do not accept same-day reservations.

However, the restaurants we are introducing today allow you to book for dinner on the same day if you reserve by noon.

Please keep in mind that these are popular spots, so a same-day booking is not always guaranteed. We strongly recommend making a reservation as far in advance as possible. Same-day availability can change daily, so it's always best to contact the restaurant directly for the most up-to-date information.

Tokyo Michelin Sushi: 8 Restaurants for Last-Minute Dinner Booking

1. Udatsu Sushi (宇田津 鮨)

Conceived as a sushi restaurant within an art gallery, this unique establishment allows you to savor exquisite sushi while surrounded by works of art from Japan and abroad. It has consistently earned one star in the Michelin Guide Tokyo. The chance to admire the beautifully presented sushi while gazing at the subtly displayed art is a pleasure you can only find here.

While rooted in traditional nigiri, the chef adds a creative touch by skillfully alternating between two different types of shari (sushi rice). This originality shines in signature creations you won't find anywhere else, such as the "Vegi-Roll" made with seasonal vegetables, and the "Seasonal Herb Roll," featuring fresh fish wrapped with seasonal herbs.

The drink menu is curated by renowned food curator Naotaka Ohashi and always features an extensive selection of sake, champagne, and more.

2. Sushi Masashi (鮨 将司)

This acclaimed sushi restaurant is helmed by Chef Masashi Yamaguchi, the founding head chef of the renowned Sushi Wakon at both the Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto and The Peninsula Tokyo. The restaurant has been awarded one star in the Michelin Guide Tokyo.

The menu features a single course, which artfully weaves creative tsumami (appetizers) into a traditional Edomae-style sushi experience. The chef uses a custom blend of rice and red vinegars for his shari and forms each piece with a light touch to incorporate air. This creates a masterful texture where the nigiri delicately falls apart in your mouth, allowing the topping and rice to mingle perfectly. Be sure to try their signature side dish, “Tuna Sukiyaki,” and finish your meal with the popular “Sushi restaurant’s TKG,” (TKG is short for Tamago Kake Gohan, a beloved Japanese comfort food of raw egg over rice).

In addition to counter seating, private rooms are also available, making it an excellent choice for those who value a more intimate dining experience.

3. Nishiazabu Taku (西麻布 拓)

A pioneering restaurant that was one of the first to pair exquisite sushi with sommelier-selected beverages, this establishment has held a Michelin star for many years. Chef and owner Takuya Sato honed his craft at legendary Tokyo restaurants like Ginza Kyubey, Roppongi Zourokusushi, and Shirokanedai Soan before opening this restaurant in 2005 with sommelier Mayumi Nagata.

The omakase course is an incredible journey of about 30 different items, featuring a wide variety of sushi and tsumami. The meal is served in a dynamic style, with appetizers and sushi presented alternately. The chef skillfully uses two types of shar, one seasoned with rice vinegar and the other with red vinegar. Switching between them to perfectly complement each topping. To accompany the traditional Edomae-style sushi, you can enjoy a selection of wines that have been carefully chosen to pair beautifully with each course.

4. Ichiu (一宇)

Located in a quiet residential area of Kagurazaka, this sushi restaurant has continuously earned a Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Tokyo. The owner, Mr. Koichi Hamano, trained at several Michelin-starred restaurants, including Akasaka Kikunoi, Ginza Kojyu, and Sushi Senpachi in Kumamoto prefecture. His experience in Japanese cuisine shines through in the delicate and flavorful appetizers, which include five small dishes such as a soup, followed by 13 to 14 pieces of sushi.

Here, you can enjoy exquisite sushi made with refreshing vinegared rice seasoned with red vinegar and plum vinegar. Most of the fresh seafood comes from Toyosu Market, but in summer, select ingredients are also brought in from Kumamoto, where Mr. Hamano previously trained.

For drinks, the restaurant offers around 10 kinds of sake that change monthly. In addition, there are about 20 varieties of wine available at all times, focusing mainly on Burgundy.

5. Sushi Ichijo (鮨 一條)

Hidden away in the backstreets of Higashi-Nihonbashi, this sushi restaurant has been continuously recognized as a Selected Restaurant in the Michelin Guide Tokyo. Here, you can experience a unique style of sushi that combines traditional Edomae techniques with creative touches. The owner, Mr. Satoshi Ichijo, spent over 20 years perfecting his craft at "Rokubei," a renowned and long-established sushi restaurant in Ningyocho.

He carefully prepares seasonal seafood, focusing on the freshest ingredients from nearby waters, and pairs them with vinegared rice made with red vinegar. The result is sushi that may look simple, but leaves a lasting impression. Another highlight is his deep appreciation for fine tableware: you can enjoy your sushi and appetizers served on beautiful plates, some crafted by Living National Treasures of Japan,

6. Sushi Ono (すし おおの)

Located on Matsuyadori Street in Ginza, an area famed for its many renowned eateries, this sushi restaurant has earned a place as a Selected Restaurant in the Michelin Guide Tokyo. The owner and chef, Mr. Hideaki Ono, opened this establishment after honing his skills as the head chef at the celebrated “Sushiya no Matsukan” in Azabu-Juban.

Inside, you’ll find a refined atmosphere inspired by traditional sukiya architecture, with a beautifully crafted light wood counter where you can enjoy your meal. The sushi here features vinegared rice made with a special blend of white rice vinegar and a touch of red vinegar, paired with seasonal seafood carefully chosen by Mr. Ono and trusted local suppliers. Each piece highlights exquisite technique and brings out the full flavor of the ingredients.

The restaurant also serves a variety of seasonal small dishes designed to perfectly complement the sushi, without overlapping the flavors. These are delicious and offer a true sense of the season. In addition to sake and shochu, you’ll find a thoughtful selection of wines that pair wonderfully with both the sushi and the appetizers.

7. SushiSatoru (Private room) (すしさとる(個室))

Step into a truly unique sushi restaurant led by a head chef with an extraordinary background—he is a former professional boxer. This restaurant has been awarded one Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Tokyo, making it a must-visit spot for anyone looking for excellent sushi in the city.

Located just steps away from Ebisu Station, the restaurant offers a calm and welcoming atmosphere where you can enjoy sushi at your own pace without any pressure. Chef Satoru Araki honed his culinary skills at a traditional Kyoto restaurant and then further developed his craft at “Hatano Yoshiki” in Azabu-Juban before opening his own establishment here.

The signature omakase course begins with a piece of eggplant nigiri and features around 22 different dishes. Highlights include premium tuna sourced from the well-known Fujita Suisan at Toyosu Market, along with a variety of other sushi and small plates.

Despite the high quality, the pricing remains very reasonable, making it accessible to more guests. The drink menu is also impressive, with over 50 kinds of sake and wine carefully selected by the chef himself.

Whether you are a sushi enthusiast or a first-time visitor, this restaurant promises a memorable dining experience in the heart of Tokyo. Reservations are highly recommended, so don’t miss the chance to enjoy some of the city’s best sushi in a relaxed setting.

8. Sushi Rinda (鮨 りんだ)

Located a short walk from Meguro Station, near the famous Meguro Fudoson Temple, this sushi restaurant has been continuously recognized as a Selected Restaurant by the Michelin Guide Tokyo. The owner, Yuta Kono, trained at “Matsue” in Ebisu and then worked in New York before opening this establishment.

He carefully chooses ingredients from both Japan and overseas, sourcing only the best from the market and also receiving fresh seafood directly from trusted fishermen. The restaurant always offers more than 25 types of Japanese sake, as well as a selection of wine and shochu. For those who prefer non-alcoholic drinks, you can enjoy unique mocktails made with eight different kinds of mandarin orange juice produced by Kono’s family.

There are also two private rooms available, making this restaurant a great choice for guests who value privacy.