Sushi Arai
1 / 10

Sushi Arai

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A sophisticated Ginza sushi gem, renowned for its legendary tuna and Edomae-style craftsmanship. An intimate dining experience with personalized chef ...

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Sushi Arai

Sushi Arai

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A sophisticated Ginza sushi gem, renowned for its legendary tuna and Edomae-style craftsmanship. An intimate dining experience with personalized chef interaction.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"An all-time great omakase experience with flawless food and humble, humorous conviviality."

TIP

Book Well in Advance

Securing a reservation is extremely difficult; plan months ahead. Consider the B1 counter if main counter seats are unavailable.

Appreciate the Craftsmanship

Beyond the exquisite sushi, observe Chef Usui san's precise knife work and artistry. Engage with the chefs for a richer experience.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 6PM

Cuisine

Sushi

Price

$$$

Phone

+81 3-6264-5855

Address

ルアンビル 地下1F, 8 Chome-10-2 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Legendary Tuna Selections

Legendary Tuna Selections

Experience the finest tuna cuts, celebrated for their butter-like texture and perfect richness. A true highlight of any omakase experience.

TikTokThe 20 Best Sushi Restaurants for Lunch in TokyoGoogle Review
Chef Arai's Culinary Mastery

Chef Arai's Culinary Mastery

Witness the artistry of Chef Arai and his skilled chefs, crafting Edomae-style sushi with meticulous precision and personalized hospitality.

TikTokExplore Tokyo’s 8 Renowned Sushi Restaurants and 11 More Accessible SushiGoogle Review
Warm and Welcoming Atmosphere

Warm and Welcoming Atmosphere

Enjoy a sophisticated yet warm dining experience, where chefs engage with patrons, fostering a friendly and memorable meal.

Google Review+2
Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

📍Sushi Arai | Ginza, Tokyo One of six sushi restaurants in Tokyo with Tableog Gold distinction 🥇 #tokyo #japan #tokyofood #japanfood #sushi #omakase #omakasesushi #tableog #michelinguide #michelinstar #finedining #foodie #tokyotravel #japantravel #culinary #culinaryarts #luxuryfood #tokyotravel
@sarahvechik
39 likes • 2.1K views

Book Well in Advance

Securing a reservation is extremely difficult; plan months ahead. Consider the B1 counter if main counter seats are unavailable.

Appreciate the Craftsmanship

Beyond the exquisite sushi, observe Chef Usui san's precise knife work and artistry. Engage with the chefs for a richer experience.

Sushi Arai is considered by many to be the best sushi in Tokyo, boasting a Tabelog Gold Award The main chef's counter is introduction/referral-only, but you can snag a seat at the sous chef's counter (Hiroki Usui) and get a course for 36000 JPY. All the ingredients are of superb quality and served in generous quantites. The precision of cooking and cutting of the tsumami (and sushi) is noteworthy....
@tartartagliatelle
22 likes • 1.2K views
“Sushi Arai” with tuna #sushi #japgou #chef #japanesefood
@japgou
4 likes • 2K views

Understand Reservation Policies

Reservations for the main counter are referral-only. Visiting the second counter does not guarantee main counter access.

Ikura bowl❣️.Location: 【Sushi Arai, Tokyo】#tiktokグルメ #吃貨在此 #美味しい #food #foodie
@freyawang1225
1.6K likes • 117.9K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Book Well in Advance

Securing a reservation is extremely difficult; plan months ahead. Consider the B1 counter if main counter seats are unavailable.

Appreciate the Craftsmanship

Beyond the exquisite sushi, observe Chef Usui san's precise knife work and artistry. Engage with the chefs for a richer experience.

Understand Reservation Policies

Reservations for the main counter are referral-only. Visiting the second counter does not guarantee main counter access.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Sushi Arai is celebrated for its exceptional quality sushi, particularly its renowned tuna selections and the masterful preparation by skilled chefs. Diners praise the warm, engaging atmosphere and the overall refined dining experience. While reservations are incredibly difficult to secure, the culinary journey is consistently described as outstanding and worth the effort.

"I visited the second shop by the famous Sushi Arai, run by his apprentice, and it fully lived up to my expectations. Chef Usui san delivered a top-notch lunch experience, showcasing exceptional skill and precision. The sushi was of outstanding quality, with the tuna selection being some of the best I’ve ever had. His knife work was impeccable, a true pleasure to watch. Beyond his craftsmanship, Chef Usui san made a genuine effort to engage with all the patrons, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Hopefully, the photo captures the exquisite quality of the sushi."

Kingramen

"I rarely give five stars, as I try to be conservative with my ratings. This restaurant, however, stands out for its strong balance of quality and experience. Securing a reservation was a challenge, but we managed to book seats at the B1 counter.

This is a classic, high-end sushi restaurant. The food is exceptionally well-prepared and showcases the chef’s dedication to the craft. While it doesn’t deliver groundbreaking surprises for this price range, it’s a polished and satisfying dining experience.

The chef is highly skilled, professional, and welcoming, creating a friendly atmosphere that enhances the meal. You leave feeling well cared for and completely satisfied. For those seeking a refined sushi experience, this place is worth visiting."

Diego Ramos

"Shari with subtle red vinegar note, hint of salt flavour, size on smaller end, kote-gaeshi. I will spam photos of different parts of tuna and let the photos do the talk."

Alan Chun

What People Like

Exceptional tuna quality
Masterful sushi preparation
Warm and engaging chef hospitality

What People Dislike

Extremely difficult reservations

Frequently Asked Questions

Reservations are extremely difficult to secure, often requiring booking months in advance. The main counter is typically referral-only.

TikTokThe 20 Best Sushi Restaurants for Lunch in TokyoGoogle Review

Try booking seats at the B1 counter, which is more accessible than the main counter. Utilize booking platforms if available.

TikTokGoogle Review

The restaurant is famous for its exceptional quality tuna, especially its various cuts, and its Edomae-style sushi crafted by skilled chefs.

TikTokThe 20 Best Sushi Restaurants for Lunch in TokyoGoogle Review

Yes, the chefs are known for their warm hospitality and often engage with guests, many of whom speak some English.

Google Review+2

The main counter is often reserved for regulars or referrals, while the B1 counter is more accessible to tourists and served by a skilled sous-chef.

TikTokGoogle Review+1

The menu is typically omakase (chef's choice). However, specific dishes and ingredients are often explained by the chefs during the meal.

Mentioned in

Featured in these publications

Time Out

13 best sushi restaurants in Tokyo for every budget

At just 33, Yuichi Arai was remarkably young for an independent sushi chef when he opened his own restaurant in 2015 after more than a decade of experience. Having honed his skills at renowned establishments like Ginza Kyubey and Sushi Takumi, Chef Arai brings a personal touch to each guest’s experience. The dining experience at Sushi Arai is tailored for both English-speaking and Japanese-speaking guests, with separate areas and a book of fish with Japanese and English translations for any rarities.

Visit Source →
Tokyo Table Trip

The 20 Best Sushi Restaurants for Lunch in Tokyo

This super-popular sushi restaurant is a contender for the #1 or #2 sushi spot in Ginza!. The restaurant's owner, Yuichi Arai, has honed his skills at prestigious sushi restaurants "Kyubey" and "Sushi Sho."Thanks to its warm reception and the pricey, high quality fish Chef Arai sources at Tsukiji Market, this restaurant quickly gained popularity after its opening in 2018, soon becoming one of the best restaurants in Ginza.The most iconic dish at "Arai" has to be its bluefin tuna in the winter.If you order the lunch course, priced at 15,000 yen, you can enjoy 3 top-rate types of fish sourced from "Yamakou," a prominent fishmonger at Tsukiji Market.The delightful combination of tart sushi rice and fatty tuna is indescribably delicious.If you're looking to try in-season sushi in Tokyo, be sure to give "Sushi Arai" a visit!. Note: Unfortunately, it is currently difficult to make reservations for Sushi Arai.

Visit Source →
OMAKASE JapanEatinerary

Explore Tokyo’s 8 Renowned Sushi Restaurants and 11 More Accessible Sushi

With a concept centered on creating sushi you’ll never tire of, Chef Arai, who honed his skills at the renowned Kyubey and Sushi Sho, crafts genuine Edomae (Tokyo-style) sushi at Sushi Arai. The signature dish of this establishment is tuna, for which the chef meticulously selects the cut and type of rice based on its condition. In the clean, sophisticated ambiance with a cypress counter, the chef provides warm and personalized hospitality, ensuring every customer leaves happy.

Visit Source →
50B - STORIES

The best sushi restaurants in Tokyo for every budget

After honing his skills under chef Keiji Nakazawa at Sushisho, Yuichi Arai established his own distinctive style in the heart of Ginza. His pristine cypress counter and vintage-inspired wooden ice box create an atmosphere that feels both traditional and modern. While the main counter – where Arai himself serves – is now exclusively for regulars and anyone referred, a second counter offers visitors the same exceptional experience.

Visit Source →
Rakuten Travel

10 Best Sushi Restaurants in Tokyo

Despite being headed by one of the youngest chefs in town, Sushi Arai holds its own in a district home to most of Tokyo’s best sushi restaurants. Chef-owner Yuichi Arai got an early start in the trade. He joined the renowned Kyubey as a teenager, honing his skills in Edomae (old Tokyo)-style sushi for a decade before a six-year stint at Sushi Sho, another reputable sushi restaurant in Yotsuya.

Visit Source →
MATCHA

Tsukiji Station, Tokyo's Best 30 Restaurants in Japan 2024

After training for 10 years at the long-established sushi restaurant ``Kyubei'' and 6 years at ``Sushi Sho,'' he opened his own restaurant in Ginza 8-chome at the tender age of 33. The one-of-a-kind sushi that adds character to old-fashioned Edomae sushi quickly became popular, and is now so popular that reservations have to be waited for six months. Make a Reservation with Autoreserve

Visit Source →
Kokoro Japan

10 Best Sushi Restaurants in Japan You Must Visit Once in Your Life in

Sushi Arai is massively popular among visitors - not only with Tokyo residents but also with foreign tourists. So popular that Arai opened a second counter that primarily serves foreign guests. This counter is run by a sous-chef who is fluent in English and therefore able to make friendly conversations with guests while explaining the various intricacies of each piece of sushi.

Visit Source →
Boutique Japan

The Best Sushi in Tokyo: 25 Outstanding Sushi-ya

Characterised by sharp, powerfully flavoured shari—made with a blend of white and red vinegar—and sublime fish, Arai’s Edomae-style sushi, with nods to Sushi Shimizu, is a firm favourite with many connoisseurs. The quality is to be expected. Chef Arai has 15 years of experience under his belt, including eight years at the well-loved Sushi Kyubey.

Visit Source →
World of Mouth

The 25 Best Sushi Restaurants in Tokyo

Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 8-chōme−10−2 ルアンビル 地下1F. Sushi Arai in Tokyo is known for blending classic Edomae techniques with modern touches, reflecting the chef’s training under respected masters. Its reputation has made it one of the tougher places to book, drawing those who want a carefully crafted experience.

Visit Source →
TABLEALL

Tokyo's Best Sushi Restaurants

Despite being one of the youngest sushi chefs in town, Chef Arai has already forged his own style. Newcomers and regulars alike love it, especially having a say in the line-up in their sushi course – a rarity in this age of omakase. A most enjoyable sushi experience right in the heart of Ginza, the ...

Visit Source →
JY Travels

Sushi guide to Tokyo

Every sushi restaurant is different and the great ones have at least a few items that are just unforgettable. At Arai, it’s the tuna that hits that mark. The toro just melts in your mouth and when available, they serve a seared tuna cheek that is just heavenly.

Visit Source →
Japan Wonder Travel Blog

10 Best Sushi Restaurants in Tokyo

Let’s take a look at a location founded by someone newer to the game. Sushi Arai is a hidden gem located in the Ginza district. This is another option with few seats, only accommodating 8 people, so it’s a very intimate experience.

Visit Source →