Tokyo sushi complete guide 2026 — Ginza omakase to Tsukiji breakfast

The complete Tokyo x sushi (sushi) money + area guide. Tokyo is "the world's most competitive sushi market." Price tiers and locations split hard: Ginza Michelin omakase ¥30,000-80,000 → Tsukiji outer-market morning sushi ¥2,000-5,000 → kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi) ¥1,500-2,500. Area-by-area pricing, payment methods, and reservation timing on a single page.

TL;DR — Tokyo x sushi

• Per meal: conveyor ¥1,500-2,500 / mid-tier ¥4,000-8,000 / high-end ¥30,000-80,000
• Areas: Ginza (high-end omakase mecca) / Tsukiji outer market (morning sushi) / Shibuya and Shinjuku (chains)
• Payment: Old-school omakase counters are often cash-only — confirm when booking
• Reservations: Michelin spots require 3-6 months ahead
• Recommended cards: Wise / Revolut
• Tourist sushi experiences: Klook / VELTRA

1. Tokyo's main sushi areas

Ginza (high-end omakase mecca)

Sushi Saito, Sukiyabashi Jiro Honten, Mizutani, Ginza Kyubey. ¥30,000-80,000, with Michelin three-star counters over ¥80,000. Reservations 3-6 months out are mandatory, and half the old-school counters are cash-only.

→ #147 Ginza money pillar

Tsukiji outer market

"Tsukiji Market → after the move to Toyosu, the old Tsukiji area." The outer market is still very much alive, and the early-morning 6-10am sushi breakfast is hugely popular with tourists. ¥2,000-5,000, almost all cash.

Shibuya and Shinjuku chains

Sushiro / Kura Sushi / Hama Sushi / Mawashi Sushi Katsu. ¥1,500-2,500 per person, cards 100%, English menus available.

Nakameguro and Ebisu hidden spots

Local favorites + date-friendly. ¥10,000-25,000, cards accepted at about 80% of venues.

2. Ginza omakase etiquette

Booking flow

1. Phone reservation 3-6 months out (some bookings possible via Tabelog)
2. Use inbound proxy-booking services (JTB / concierge) when you can't get through
3. Always confirm "is card payment OK?"

On the day

• Arrive on time (5 minutes early)
• Omakase course: about 1.5-2 hours
• Oshibori (hand towel) → chat with the chef → sushi piece by piece → maki rolls and tamago → end
• No tipping — ever

Budget

• Course: ¥30,000-80,000 per person
• Drinks: sake ¥2,000-5,000, beer ¥800-1,200 per glass
• Tax + service charge: 10-15% added on
• All-in target: ¥40,000-100,000 per person

3. Tsukiji outer-market morning sushi

Main spots

• Oedo: old-school, expect a line
• Sushi Dai: tourist favorite
• Iso Sushi: stand-and-eat, casual
• Uminosu: generous portions

How to visit

1. Line up from 5-7am
2. Order via the storefront ticket machine or order slip
3. Get a ¥2,000-5,000 set
4. Carry plenty of cash

What to order

• Bluefin tuna otoro: the freshest in the world
• Uni (sea urchin): Hokkaido is the best
• Anago (saltwater eel): Edomae-style (Tokyo-style) tradition
• Whitefish: lots of seasonal options

4. Shibuya and Shinjuku chain sushi

Sushiro Shinjuku East Exit / Shibuya

• Touchscreen ordering, English menu available
• ¥110-330 per plate
• QR delivery for tourists
• Cards 100%, Suica/PASMO OK

What Kura Sushi has going for it

• "Bikkura Pon!" gacha (one spin per five plates)
• Lots of anime and game tie-ins
• Strong allergy accommodations

Hama Sushi

• ¥110/plate weekdays, ¥120/plate weekends — cheapest in the segment
• Expect crowds during Golden Week and summer holidays

→ #142 Shinjuku money pillar / #143 Shibuya money pillar

5. Sushi experience tours

Tourist programs

• "Sushi-making experience": Klook, ¥8,000-15,000 per person
• "Tsukiji early-morning sushi tour": VELTRA, ¥7,000-15,000 per person
• "Ginza sushi counter experience (with English interpreter)": JTB, ¥30,000-60,000 per person
• "Family sushi class": Klook, ¥5,000-10,000 per person

Etiquette tourists should know

• Eating with your hands is fine (chopsticks also OK)
• Don't drown the fish in soy sauce
• Wasabi is already tucked between the fish and rice at many shops
• Ask before photographing (often banned at Michelin counters)

6. Seasonal recommendations

→ #157 Sushi money guide

FAQ

Q: Ginza high-end sushi is impossible to book — what do I do?

A: Proxy bookings for foreign visitors: JTB concierge, the English Tabelog site, or your hotel concierge can usually get a reservation.

Q: Tsukiji or Toyosu for sushi?

A: Tsukiji outer market = old-school charm, opens early, tourist-friendly Toyosu Market = new, with limited tourist facilities

Q: Any vegetarian sushi options?

A: Cucumber roll, natto roll, tamago, and inari are common. Chains accommodate better — Ginza omakase counters may decline the request.

Q: Etiquette traps for tourists?

A: Don't ask to dip a gunkan-maki in soy sauce — the chef handles it. Keep photos discreet.

Q: Should I tip at checkout?

A: Absolutely not. Japan has no tipping culture.

Related articles

Food x money

• #157 Sushi money guide
• #158 Ramen money guide
• #159 Izakaya money guide

Tokyo areas

• #142 Shinjuku money pillar
• #143 Shibuya money pillar
• #147 Ginza money pillar
• #148 Asakusa money pillar

Cards and payment

• #15 Wise vs Revolut vs bank cards
• #137 The best card for Japan travel 2026

Last verified: 2026-05-21. Check live rates at the Yen Finder home page.