Ginza Sushi Restaurant Guide: 8 Sumptuous Seafood Treasures

Ginza’s close proximity to Tsukiji, Tokyo’s premier fish market, ensures that Ginza sushi chefs are always privy to the freshest, most quality ingredients. Of course, after that, it’s up to the chefs to work their magic! Below are nine sumptuous seafood treasures that are certain to leave anyone spellbound.

Using only the finest fish and natural ingredients culled daily from Tsukiji Fish Market, Sushi Ginza Onodera strives to create a dining experience that is at once modest, elegant and relaxed. Patrons privileged enough to net one of only 9 seats available can expect impeccable service and preparation techniques. Just one taste of choice fresh, fatty tuna from Japan’s coastal areas, topped with hand-crafted tare sauce—highlights of Onodera’s omakase, or “chef’s choice” course—and you to will see why the masters at this Ginza sushi restaurant have carte blanche the world over, from Honolulu, Hong Kong, Paris and very soon, New York.

Dinner: 20,000 JPY / Lunch: 5,000 JPY

Sushi Fujita is a refreshingly modern establishment with a difference: Sushi restaurant menus usually cast tuna as the essential sushi centerpiece, but here the focus is on the conger eel, a tender delicacy served with just the right amount of tsume, or eel sauce. In the warmer months, a savory egg custard made with chicken or shrimp, known as chawanmushi, is best enjoyed either in contrast with Okinawa’s bitter goya gourd or in concert with the restaurant’s myriad of succulent seafood selections, each always fresh and in season. As befits its contemporary interior, Sushi Fujita is perfect for casual meetings, families and couples alike.

Dinner: 12,000 JPY / Lunch: 4,000 JPY

Like many kaiten zushi (revolving sushi) restaurants, Sakaba Ginza boasts a wonderfully informal atmosphere and is also quite affordable; but it is the unflinching commitment to customer service, bolstered by terrific food, which undoubtedly sets it apart. Exquisitely fresh sakura shrimp and whitebait from Namazu Port, along with fragrant nakaochi (middle cut) tuna, top the list of premium ingredients. The delectably fluffy stock soup rolled omelets, painstakingly handmade inside the restaurant itself, showcase a subtly refined flavor that can be enjoyed by one and all. Add to that a stellar selection of Japanese sake, shochu and other beverages, each a fitting compliment to your seafood bounty.

Dinner: 2,000 JPY / Lunch: 2,000 JPY

Want to impress guests doing business in Japan? Show them the work of a bona fide sushi expert! Patrons hosting larger parties are certainly welcome to sit at tables for four—but to witness the creation of unforgettable sushi combinations such as Shiba shrimp and Oito Japanese tiger prawns joined in delicious harmony on rice, be sure to grab counter seats. Watching veteran sushi chef Shinji Kanesaka in action, it’s clear that consistent sushi preparation is more than a job—it’s a philosophy. Mr. Kanesaka’s stellar Michelin-starred culinary achievements have garnered Sushi Kanesaka recognition as one of the best restaurants in Ginza.

Dinner: 21,000 JPY / Lunch: 5,250 JPY

First-timers and regular patrons alike come here for a relaxed, cozy vibe comfortably at odds with the typical fine Ginza sushi restaurant. Also enjoy the slightly higher sugar content of the sushi rice, which makes it—not to mention the overall atmosphere—sweeter than most Edo-style eateries, with soy sauce still a tasty staple. Spurred on by the dreams of creator and veteran Chef Maki Watanabe, who aimed to shed the high-society roots of fine sushi dining, Ginza Sushi Dokoro Shin aims to foster friendly conversation balanced by seafood both sophisticated yet delicate, served precisely and according to seasonal varieties.

Dinner: 10,000 JPY / Lunch: 2,500 JPY

When Chef Takayuki Nakamura decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a sushi chef, he never forgot his northern roots—which is why the latest catch is still delivered every morning from Otaru City in Hokkaido. This meticulous attention to detail is also reflected in the restaurant space itself, which harkens back to a Japanese-style atmosphere affording both couples and larger parties the luxury of private elegance. Patrons can also choose from a number of course meals fitting their budget and may even purchase souvenirs, top-notch service and cuisine 5 minutes from Ginza Station, or just 2 minutes from Ginza 1-chome, both conveniently located on the Tokyo Metro Line.

Dinner: 12,000 JPY / Lunch: 3,000 JPY

Many of the best Tokyo seafood restaurants have a secret ingredient—Sushi Restaurant Saishun is no exception. A secret stock of salt water eels, known as anago, have been sushi Chef Kaoru Uchiyama’s recipe for success since he began his sushi quest 20 years ago. Since opening the current establishment in 2013, anago’s ever-deepening flavor has remained his most coveted delicacy. This, coupled with a meticulous selection of only the finest Tsukiji ingredients and sincere attention to service and customer relationships over the decades, has made Sushi Restaurant Saishun a deserved staple in the Ningyocho area. Step inside and see for yourself.

Dinner: 8,000 JPY / Lunch: 1,000 JPY

This restaurant aims to bring fine sushi flavor to the masses at reasonable prices. The “Extra Special Nigiri” and chef’s select special options leave sushi toppings to the discretion of the chef, whose passion for sushi will surely come out in the choices he makes. Whatever he decides, patrons can rest assured that his intensive preparations will yield only the most flavorful assortment possible. From the fourth-floor VIP room to sushi bars and private rooms, Ginza Genkai Sushi has plenty of space and will be happy to accommodate—from sushi novices to experts, the only goal should be enjoying oneself to the fullest.

Dinner: 8,000 JPY

Whether you are searching for the best restaurants in Ginza or simply wish to keep up with Japan’s burgeoning culinary scene, Savor Japan is the place to be. Come for the flavorful news and reviews—and stay for the food.