Shibuya's 13 Best Sushi Restaurants: From Kaiten to Counter.

The Shibuya Area Sushi Scene

Compared to other parts of the city, Shibuya's fine-dining sushi industry is a bit underdeveloped. Among its scattered sushi venues, there are a few Japan Restaurant Award winners and Michelin-recognized counters. However, what Shibuya lacks in elegance, it makes up for in energy and convenience. A popular area for young people and foreign visitors, Shibuya is home to a wide range of casual and mid-range restaurants equally well suited to date night or sightseeing. Kaitenzushi and standing sushi bars offer a real sushi experience at more reasonable prices for the right diner.

6 Fine Dining and Premium Sushi Restaurants JPY 20,000 or more

These six Shibuya sushi restaurants would easily be the highlight of anyone's Tokyo trip. Many of these shops have been recognized by the Michelin Guide and other international awards on top of receiving high domestic acclaim. Keep an eye out for hard to secure reservations and come prepared to be blown away.

1. Ajuuta (あじゅう田) / Sushi

Ajuuta was opened by Chef Hiroto Ajuuta in 2021, but he began his culinary journey at 20, working in Ginza at a well-respected Japanese restaurant. His career advanced at 25 when he began studying under sushi masters in Setagaya and restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide. Now working his own counter, Chef Hiroto Ajuuta flexes his culinary expertise through his intensely controlled sushi rice technique, which involves mixing two different rice strains, four vinegars, and two salts. Ajuuta's subterranean space is private, hidden, and exquisitely designed by stylists responsible for the interiors of Michelin 2-starred restaurants. The most highly applauded morsels are Ajuuta's self-proclaimed world's best anago, Aomori Prefecture-raised uni, and black throat perch nigiri.

2. Jukusei Sushi Yorozu (熟成鮨 万) / Sushi

It is said that the only way to secure a seat at Jukusei Sushi Yorozu is to put one's name on the waiting list and pray for a cancellation. A 5-year consecutive Michelin one-star sushi counter, Chef Shirayama's unique sushi venue is a sought-after seat for a good reason. Born in Nagasaki and trained in Osaka, Akira Shirayama is a legend within the sushi community. His research into aged seafood goes in-depth, famously including as many as 1000 species of fish. In 2018, he opened Jukusei Sushi Yorozu after becoming the head chef of Champagne, Wine, and Aged Fish Rikyu in 2017. To balance the intense flavor of aged fish, Jukusei Sushi Yorozu begins its course menu with a simple bite of vinegared rice wrapped in nori. Each piece of fish is tailored to the diner, sliced, and molded by hand. A comparison of aged and fresh seabream is one of Jukusei Sushi Yorozu's signatures.

3. Daikanyama Sushi Takeuchi (代官山 鮨 たけうち) / Sushi

Where some sushi counters attempt to shroud guests in shadows a la Junichiro Tanizaki, Daikanyama Sushi Takeuchi is a warm, bright hidey-hole, more akin to a secret clubhouse. Here, Chef Takeuchi treats just eight guests to a course menu refined to the most minute detail. Vegetables are even brought in from his homeland of Shimane prefecture. Chef Takeuchi also takes pride in his collection of stunning servingware, which covers the entire archipelago. His inspiration to pursue sushi mastery came from his college trip to Bolivia, where he saw the excitement with which sushi was received even in a country so different from Japan. By combining the artistry of potters, fishermen, and his own nigiri technique, Chef Takeuchi has created a masterpiece. Daikanyama Sushi Takeuchi took home a Top 100 Japan Restaurant Award in 2022.

4. Sushi Rizaki Ebisu (鮨 利﨑 恵比寿) / Sushi

It is no simple feat to offer sushi made from the industry's competitive supply chain at reasonable prices. Due to the daunting task of forming close bonds with intermediaries, farmers, and clients, many sushi venues create a closed-off atmosphere that protects their efforts. However, Sushi Rizaki in Ebisu works to combat these practices by offering its alternating small-plate and nigiri sushi omakase course at just over 10000 yen, all while using the best supply lines available. Behind the dimly lit, elegant-looking counter is Chef Naoki Shiotani. He cut his teeth in Japanese and French cuisine before training at the original Sushi Rizaki in Okushibuya. As the leader of the third Sushi Rizaki restaurant, Chef Shiotani endeavors to create courses that bring Edomae sushi into the modern day while upholding the elegant traditions of his craft.

5. Sushi Rizaki (鮨 利﨑) / Sushi

Sushi Rizaki, in Okushibuya, has become notoriously difficult to book. Using famous water sources from Mt. Fuji, sought after wasabi, and personally selected and purchased seafood. Rizaki doesn't bill itself as a sushi restaurant. Rather, the venue calls itself a free-form cuisine space, where the chefs can experiment and entertain. The dynamic duo of Chefs Taisuke Mouri and Ryudai Shiosaki create their own style of sushi using Edomae practices. In particular, Chef Mouri began his sushi career at just 15. On the menu, Japanese-inspired tatar sauce tops fried slices of white fish, and delicate hairy crab meat soaks in baths of tart yellow marinade. After opening in 2019, the brand quickly swelled to 4 unique shops and earned two Japan Top 100 Restaurant Awards.

6. Nakano (仲野) / Sushi

Chef Yuto Nakano's self-appellated shop relocated to Minami Aoyama in 2024, where it continues to uphold the legacy of Sushi Kurosaki's genre-defining style. The store is still affiliated with Kurosaki, even as Chef Nakano pursues his own culinary mastery. Many regulars from the Chef's days at Kurosaki come to watch him work and enjoy his bright, positive attitude. Nakano also offers a satisfying lineup of rare sake and premium ingredients for its rice and fish, all sourced from suppliers with close personal connections. Stories of Nakano still mostly travel by word of mouth, and to some extend this Kurosaki offshoot is as of yet an undiscovered gem in Shibuya.

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3 Mid-range Sushi Restaurants JPY 5,000 - JPY 20,000

These restaurants offer excellent sushi experiences in a dressed-down environment. At more reasonable prices and with less fussy service, these three mid-range Shibuya sushi restaurants are not particularly difficult to reserve, but walk-ins still aren't recommended.

7. SUSHI KOURIN (すし 光琳) / Sushi

Sushi Kourin was opened by Shinjia Nitta, a Hokkaido native, in 2021. In 2022, the restaurant won its first of 4 consecutive Bib Gourmand titles. Located in the stylish Okushibuya neighborhood, many passerby assume that Sushi Kourin must be an unbookable luxury restaurant. However, Chef Nitta wanted to create a space that was easy to enjoy for anyone. He opens his doors at 3pm and welcomes all kinds to his 12-seat counter: parents and children, young couples, and wandering tourists. Instead of offering a set omakase course, guests are able to pick and choose their preferred sushi and side dishes one by one. With over 40 selections available daily -- and all less than 800 yen -- Sushi Kourin is a covetable grade up from super casual sushi, served with casual prices. Come for the delicate kohada and Hokkaido unwrapped uni gunkan.

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8. Sushi Tokyo Ten / Sushi

Sushi Tokyo Ten has four locations in the Tokyo-metro and Yokohama area, but the Shibuya location connected to the station via Shibuya Stream is supremely convenient and wraps diners in a luxury envrionment without the luxury pricetag. From tableware to ingredient choice, the whole experience feels distinctly high class, even though the omakase menu at dinner is less than 10000 yen. Tiny bowls spilling over with gem-like ikura are paired with familiar pieces of Edo-mae nigiri such as plump, pink shrimp and tuna. Miso soup and dessert are satisfying finishers. Guests can watch as practiced chefs slice, scoop and season each piece of neta and red vinegared rice into delicious morsels of traditional sushi.

9. Shibuya Sushiki (渋谷 すしき) / Sushi

Sushiki knows how to satisfy guests, no matter where they come from. Although Sushiki is only 2 minutes from Shibuya Mark City, the quiet luxury of its dining room feels worlds away. Diners who prefer to take their meal particularly early or late can enjoy a lighter course of Edomae sushi, while a special course tailored to overseas visitors introduces tempura, wagyu, and Uji matcha to the menu. Sushiki is affiliated with the Uomamire Shinkichi group and pulls from its popular Izakaya menu to inject play and casual enjoyment into its omakase menu. With a good balance of small plates and proper nigiri, Sushiki's exciting and approachable menu is a good choice for visitors looking to enjoy all the classic flavors of Japan at once.

4 Casual Sushi Restaurants JPY 5,000 or less

Four Casual sushi options, including rotating sushi bars, stand-and-eat sushi, and casual tables suitable for families or larger groups. These are often opportunities to eat a large amount of sushi at a great price, as long as visitors are willing to wait for a seat. Walk-ins are expected and welcome at these spots which show off the quality of Japan's seafood without a splurge.

10. Umegaoka Sushi no Midori Sohonten (梅丘寿司の美登利総本店) / Sushi

Umegaoka Sushi no Midori Sohonten is a bit of a mouthful, but considering the size of its massive nigiri, this is not surprise. Sushi no Midori is known for serving high quality fish at reasonable, kaitenzushi prices. In addition to very standard rolls and nigiri, seasonal course menus include more adventurous morsels. At these prices, Sushi no Midori is a safe way to test the palatte on unfamiliar flavours and textures without buyers remorse. Casual but classy, the eye-catching slices of fish that drape over perfectly formed rice are photogenic and genuinely tasty. For a giant sheet of salmon that dawrfs its neta and an opportunity to get out of one's comfort zone, Sushi no Midori is a safe bet.

11. Mawashi Zushi Katsu Katsu Midori (回し寿司 活 活美登利) / Sushi

For those who have graduated from the top 3 standard rotating sushi restaurants, Mawashi Zushi Katsu Katsu Midori (shortened to Katsu Midori) located in the Seibu department store, should be the next stop. This spot offers the familiar format and pricing of other conveyor belt venues, but with an impressively wide selection and generous portions. The side dishes are robust, izakaya staples that span options as tame as french fries and adventurous as fisherman's soup -- made from fish offcuts. Nodoguro, abalone, and snow crab are just a few of the premium toppings that come in at under 600 yen a plate.

12. Uobei (魚べい) / Sushi

Uobei parent company Genki Sushi has made enough of a mark on the sushi industry to hold a solid footing in the USA. Here in Japan however, fans flock to Uobei sushi in Dogenzaka for a no-fuss sushi experience. If the idea of marrying the bullet train and a seasoned sushi master sounds appealing, Uobei's high-speed delivery system may just be the stuff of dreams. Most plates are available for 110 yen, the standard kaitenzushi rate. Most of the bites here will look familiar for overseas guests who have enjoyed sushi bars in their home countries. With a reliable menu and just enough creative whackiness to drive home the "only in Japan" factor, families will love this convenient and affordable option.

13. Uogashi Nihonichi Tachigui Sushi (魚がし日本一 立喰寿司) / Sushi

Tachigui sushi is a remnant of times past that still finds its fans among the busy and devoted. Instead of sitting at a long counter and leisurely chatting while the chef prepares each piece with utmost precision, or enjoying the as-you-please ordering system of automatic sushi trains, tachigui asks guests to hurry up and eat, offering a once in a lifetime experience in exchange. For lovers of streetfoot, brands like Uogashi Nihonishi's standing sushi counter will not disappoint. The Dogenzaka location near Shibuya station even does its best to offer a translated menu in English, helping visitors order what they are looking for without delay.