Best Omakase Spots in Japan 10 Must-Try Places

For sushi lovers and open-minded diners, omakase is a must-try experience in Japan. When in a new place, trying traditional dishes is often the best way to experience the area’s cultural differences and delights — but knowing where to start and what you order can be overwhelming. That’s where leaving the decisions up to the professional can be your best bet.

Omakase is exactly this. Meaning "I'll leave it up to you," it has been a tradition in Japanese sushi establishments since the Edo Period (1603-1868). This way of preparation gained popularity in the 1990s when customers who were not familiar with various fish and sushi types could rely on the chef to make the best pairings with seasonal ingredients and the catch of the day. 

Want a taste of Japanese tradition? Then, embark on a culinary journey with this guide that shares some of the best omakase sushi restaurants in Japan.

Omakase has become somewhat of a buzzword over the last couple of years as more tourists travel to Japan. The best part of omakase sushi is its personalized menus. Every part of the meal is crafted with originality and on-hand ingredients, putting the sushi master’s creativity on full display.

Due to its intimate nature, omakase sushi is typically served in small, local restaurants. You will not find omakase at chain restaurants or conveyor belt sushi (kaitenzushi).

Plus, who hasn’t felt overwhelmed by menu options before? Omakase takes the decision paralysis out of the equation so you can sit back, relax and enjoy your dining experience to the fullest.

Omakase sushi is often expected to come hand-in-hand with Michelin-starred prices, but that’s not always the case. It’s true, many eateries offering omakase courses come with a higher price tag, and there’s a reason for that; premium ingredients, ever-changing menus, and often limited seating all contribute to this.

Not to mention that each omakase sushi meal can take up to one or two hours of highly attentive service, with the sushi chef explaining each ingredient and its role in the premium sushi experience.

However, don’t let other reviews of “the best sushi in Japan” scare you away from trying omakase courses because of the sticker shock. There are more affordable experiences that will delight any sushi lover.

Find out more: Affordable Omakase Sushi Restaurants in Tokyo

Omakase sushi isn’t limited to one type of restaurant. Omakase courses can be found in many establishments as the concept is to trust the chef’s recommendations based on seasonal ingredients, stock and how they make everything work together for a special dining experience.

From hole-in-the-wall izakaya bars to Michelin-starred restaurants, omakase can be found in all styles of Japanese cuisine and fit most budgets. 

Start here to find the best omakase in Japan.

Let’s start with the capital. Here are the best of the best omakase sushi options in Tokyo, curated by the byFood team!

At Sushi Hajime in Shibuya, it’s love at first bite with Chef Takahoshi Hiroshi. His Edomae-style sushi combines impeccably fresh neta (toppings), sourced directly from Toyosu Market, with exquisite shari (nigiri sushi rice) crafted from Aizu Koshihikari rice.

Cooked in a traditional hagama pot and seasoned with a house blend of red vinegar, the rice’s sweetness and stickiness elevate every piece. 

Chef Takahoshi’s signature abalone in liver sauce, stewed to tender perfection, captures the heart and palate alike. Whether savoring the flavors or chatting with the chef, diners quickly fall for Japan’s culinary and cultural magic at this omakase experience.

Ginza Saisho, a hidden gem in the heart of Ginza, offers an intimate omakase experience curated by Chef Saisho, a seasoned expert with over 20 years of sushi mastery. Home to the famous "Sea Urchin Festival," this exclusive event at the restaurant offers uni delicacies, including the trademarked "uniku."

With market-fresh sushi, Akita-selected sake, and a welcoming atmosphere, even international guests feel at home. Chef Saisho’s skill and warmth make each visit an unforgettable culinary journey.

Find out more: What is Uni (Sea Urchin): Taste, Texture & How to Eat It

Nestled inside The Kitano Hotel Tokyo, Sushi Oumi offers a warm and intimate Edomae sushi experience led by Chef Oumi Einosuke, fondly called "Sanpei-san" by regulars. 

Guests are treated to a seasonal omakase featuring Edomae-style sushi like signature conger eel and sushi made with three-year-aged red vinegar. Each guest will enjoy 10 pieces of sushi.

Beyond exquisite flavors, the lively banter and welcoming atmosphere make this one of the best omakase sushi restaurants in the city.

It may come as a surprise, but omakase is not limited to sushi. Omakase as an experience can effectively be applied to any type of cuisine. Including Japanese-Italian fare, yakitori grilled chicken skewers, and one of our personal favorites: coffee.

If you’re leaving the details of the meal up to the chef, it counts as “omakase!”

Can drinking coffee be an omakase experience? In Japan, absolutely. Just like other restaurants, coffee omakase gives the barista free range to craft you a unique drink tailored to your preferences and what’s on hand behind the espresso bar. 

Find out more: The Ultimate Guide to Coffee in Japan

Complete your tour of traditional culture with these omakase sushi spots in Kyoto.

Tucked away in Kyoto’s historic Gion district, Gion Matsudaya blends Edo-style sushi with Chef Matsuda Kazunori’s creative flair. Drawing on years of experience in Tokyo and abroad, Chef Matsuda crafts an ever-changing omakase menu, featuring market-fresh ingredients prepared with traditional techniques. 

Signature highlights include marinated tuna nigiri with mustard and perfectly cooked eel. Awarded a Michelin Star in 2021, Gion Matsudaya pairs exquisite sushi with warm hospitality, offering a delightful fusion of tradition and innovation.

Another option nestled into Kyoto's Gion district, OBENKEI Kyoto Gion brings the essence of Sado Island to the heart of Japan’s cultural capital. This Niigata-born gem offers expertly crafted sushi using fresh Sado seafood and Koshihikari rice paired with Kyoto’s seasonal produce. 

Located in a traditional machiya near Shirakawa River, the serene space suits both celebrations and casual meals. Best of all, OBENKEI is budget-friendly, with lunch options under ¥5,000 and dinner coming in at ¥15,000 and under, offering omakase and a la carte options for an accessible yet refined dining experience.

Sushi Iwa, a Kyoto staple since 1960, rose to fame when Steve Jobs declared its kamatoro sushi “the best sushi I’ve ever eaten.” The prized kamatoro — fatty tuna from the collar and jaw — remains the restaurant’s standout dish, alongside a seasonal omakase menu. 

Founded by Onishi Iwao, Sushi Iwa revolutionized Kyoto’s sushi scene with its counter-seating style and seasonal approach. Today, certified sommelier and owner Onishi Toshiya continues the legacy, curating over 50 Japanese sake brands and welcoming guests with prefectural specialties and, in the words of Jobs, “all good things.”

Your trip to Japan is not complete without trying the best omakase sushi in Osaka, — known as the “food capital” of Japan.

Hozenji Sushidokoro Nakatani in Osaka’s Hozenji Yokocho redefines omakase by taking personalization to the next level. Chef-owner Nakatani Hiroyuki, with over a decade of experience in Tokyo and Osaka, handpicks fresh seafood daily from trusted vendors for his Edo-style sushi. 

Guests are welcomed with attentive service, as Nakatani customizes the meal to preferences. With just eight seats and a curated sake selection, this Michelin-starred gem offers an approachable yet refined sushi experience.

Inspired by his Kochi roots and his mother’s cooking, Chef Taiga Kanekuni brings a world of experience to Sushi Taiga, which opened in 2024 in Osaka’s upscale Kitashinchi district. 

The sleek yet traditional space features a 200-year-old hinoki counter, where Chef Taiga serves omakase sushi crafted from the freshest fish and rice seasoned with red and white vinegar. 

Combining global sophistication with a heartfelt nod to Japanese culinary tradition, this is one omakase sushi spot you don’t want to miss.

Located just five minutes from Kitashinchi Station, Sushi Akagi blends traditional Edomae sushi with subtle Italian influences under Chef Akagi Nobuyuki’s masterful touch. Opened in 2022, this stylish, welcoming restaurant offers day-fresh nigiri complemented by sushi rice seasoned with aged red vinegar. 

Signature dishes, like monkfish liver with narazuke pickles, showcase Chef Akagi’s Italian culinary background. With a relaxed atmosphere that warmly welcomes all guests, including families, Sushi Akagi’s counter is a must-visit in Osaka’s gourmet scene.

A gold standard in Osaka sushi, Sushi Haku, a Michelin-featured gem in Osaka, elevates sushi to an art form, crafting hyper-seasonal nigiri that reflects Japan’s four seasons. 

The restaurant’s name in kanji, meaning “white,” mirrors its understated elegance, from the ivory noren curtain at the entrance to the eight-seat blond timber counter. Diners are treated to attentive, hotel-level service, with ingredients showcased in a wooden box before preparation. 

Spring cherry blossoms, summer sea bream, autumn chestnuts and winter crab define the menu, with seasonal motifs and ingredients giving you a reason to visit throughout the year. Post-meal, guests can savor sake or fine wines at the upstairs bar.

Wherever you find yourself in Japan, make the most of your trip by joining a one-of-a-kind omakase sushi experience. It will leave you with a delicious memory to last a lifetime.

Looking for more sushi experiences? Try the best sushi restaurants in Tokyo for lunch, or learn where your sushi comes from at one of the famous fish markets, like Toyosu fish market. Want to impress your sushi chef? Learn about the different types of sushi and become a sushi connoisseur.