Hashiguchi

Life-changing sushi operated by a talented and sweet couple. The best of the best, made better by attentive and warm-hearted service.

Old-school sushi served by a friendly and humble master.

The signature is the ultra-light rice shape that sinks into the table.

Over ¥50k JPY for dinner course. Value is debatable at that price.

Imagine this. You get off at the subway station or dropped off by a taxi, and you’re expecting to be greeted with an obvious storefront. But as you double check on Google Maps you realize you’re looking at a modest door and sign just a short stair climb away. The restaurant is tucked into an unassuming apartment building, and this itself should send a clear and comforting message to you.

You walk inside to the clean and charmingly sparse hallway and are greeted by the always-smiling hostess. She takes your jackets and welcomes you inside. She then guides you to a small and tranquil room that seats only 8, and you take your seat before the sushi chef who is already in the midst of entertaining and feeding the guests before you. But he is aware of your presence and you feel it.

You watch as he makes the nigiri and you see him close his eyes as he brings the fish to the rice, and you realize this is not a performance, but a grounding and meditative process.

The chef kindly asks you of your preferences, and before you know it you’re navigating what may very well be the best sushi in the world. Everything from the fish, to the rice, the pickled vegetables and even the curated selection of alcohol feels perfectly paired. You feel like you’re in the hands of someone you can trust, and not only do you relax, but the process becomes almost meditative for you too as you let the sushi and the surroundings envelop you.

You are not expected to know all the rules, but instead you are guided and made comfortable. This chef does not stare you down, but he smiles at you, maybe even laughs with some of the other guests, and you feel as though you’re a visitor to a kind and attentive host.

It is an experience you will never forget if you allow yourself to experience it. And yes, it comes at a cost, but perhaps for a special event, a once-in-a-lifetime trip, it is exactly what you’re looking for. You will never be rushed out, and the chef - after he’s served the courses planned - will ask you if you’re still hungry.

You should say yes. From there he will let you choose any of the fish you’d like to revisit. His English is broken, so it may take a hand gesture to the fish of choice, but the moment you share what you wish to re-experience you see the chef’s eyes light up. You get a sense that this is something he truly enjoys, and making you happy gives him the greatest pleasure and thrill.

You will most likely need a reservation months in advance, so plan long before you lift off and you won’t regret a single thing.

My favorite omakase sushi place in Japan, and probably in the world.

I have tried omakase in different countries and even within Japan and I still miss Hashiguchi's taste even after this day. Would love to come back when I visit Japan again.