Sushi Benkei Umi Ginza

Restaurant Details

In the “sushi battleground” of Ginza, where there seems to be a high-end omakase sushi restaurant on every corner, Sushi Benkei Umi Ginza’s reputation alone carries it in two ways.

The first is in its chef. The founder of the former Yamami in Roppongi — one of the district’s best-loved omakase sushi restaurants prior to its closure — Chef Yamazaki Masao now heads Sushi Benkei Umi Ginza as the latest achievement in his 50-plus-year career, after spending a few years at the Niigata branch of Sushi Benkei Umi.

The other is, of course, Benkei’s own reputation. Arguably Niigata’s most famous sushi restaurant, Benkei uses the fresh catch from off the coast of Sado Island to create course menus that highlight the wild, rugged tastes of Japan’s northeastern seas. The shari rice in the restaurant is also entirely Sado Island’s own Koshihikari, treated only with salt and vinegar — no sugar added, a rarity in modern sushi-making — to bring out the natural umami of the grains.

This is married with the immaculate, refined technique of Chef Yamazaki. Under his direction, Sushi Benkei Umi Ginza strikes that beautiful balance of tradition and innovation. While Chef Yamazaki’s traditional Edomae technique is without question, most of his signatures are in fact more modern inventions, such as otoro fatty tuna marinated in garlic soy sauce, sea urchin in salted rice malt (koji) or simmered mackerel and gizzard shad (kohada) with a basil garnish.

Both these bold signatures and his tried-and-true Edomae nigiri bring two distinct groups of diners to his 10-seat counter: those who want to experience traditional Edomae sushi in omakase form, and those who want to see how a true master puts his own spin on the art form. According to Chef Yamazaki, it’s not uncommon for guests to say that they’ve never had sushi like that in their lives before.

A stone’s throw from Higashi-ginza Station, located right by the Kabukiza Theater, in the middle of the bustling Ginza district, Benkei achieves the impossible: bringing the beauty — culinarily, if not visually — of Sado Island to Tokyo, and all at a remarkably affordable price. Watch the master chef at work with a glass of Niigata’s or Sado Island’s finest sake in hand. How better to end a day of sightseeing around the glitz and glamor of Ginza, or after a performance at the Theatre?

Sushi Benkei Umi Ginza Remarks

• Guests with dietary restrictions and/or food allergies should inform the restaurant beforehand. The restaurant might not be able to accommodate guests who make same-day requests.

• The restaurant reserves the right to refuse reservations to guests who have excessive dietary restrictions, particularly those of fish or vegetables.

• Children must order and consume an adult course menu. Those who cannot will not be allowed in the restaurant.

• The course menu content listed below is an example, and is subject to change based on seasonal availability.

• The restaurant cannot always guarantee that it can provide guests with their preferred seating options after a reservation due to availability.

• The pictures provided are for illustrative purposes.

Sushi Benkei Umi Ginza Business Days

Sushi Benkei Umi Ginza Address

VORT Ginza East II 5F, 4-12-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061

Sushi Benkei Umi Ginza Access Info

• Sushi Benkei Umi Ginza is a 1-minute walk from Higashi-ginza Station’s Exit A7 on the Toei Asakusa Line. If a restaurant is located too far away from the station, use distance by car. If there are multiple exits at the station, include the closest exit (this information is available on Tabelog or the official site).

Sushi Benkei Umi Ginza Phone Number

Sushi Benkei Umi Ginza Cancellation Policy

Cancel your reservation at least 2 days before the dining start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.