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Ishikawa Prefecture, which is home to some of Japan's most famous fishing areas including Nanao Bay, is also Japan's number two "sushi kingdom" in ratio of sushi restaurants.
Famous restaurants, both new and old, compete for attention, particularly in Kanazawa.
This article will list a selection of 6 sushi restaurants from these huge numbers, chosen based on their taste.
Here we will be introducing famous restaurants that all sushi fans visiting Kanazawa should stop by.

1. Komatsu Yasuke

Located near Hokuriku Shinkansen's Kanazawa Station, this is one of Japan's most popular sushi restaurants.
The owner is Chef Kazuo Morita, a legend in his own right in the sushi world who is said to be on par with Chef Jiro Ono of "Sukiyabashi Jiro."
Although this restaurant did close at one point in 2015, it has reopened (for a limited time) in response to the passionate requests of sushi fans from across Japan.
Chef Morita's cute, round style of sushi, which is perhaps a reflection of his gentle and kind personality, is still going strong at the reopened "Komatsu Yasuke."
The counter at "Komatsu Yusuke" is packed every day with sushi fans from across the country in search of the unique style of sushi made by the restaurant's 87-year-old legendary chef.

◆Komatsu Yasuke
Tabelog Award 2018 Silver
Address: 2-17-21 Honmachi, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa Prefecture
Phone: 076-231-1001
Hours: 11:30-13:00, 13:00-14:30, 14:30-16:00
Budget: 15,000-19,999 yen
Closed: Wednesdays, Thursdays
Credit cards accepted

2. Sushidokoro Mekumi

Freyaさん(@restaurant_hunter)がシェアした投稿 -

Located about 20 minutes by taxi from Kanazawa Station, this popular restaurant sees customers visiting from around the world.
What the visiting customers are after are the jewel-like fish and shellfish procured by the owner Takayoshi Yamaguchi, who makes a 3-hour round trip for them every morning.
Yamaguchi is very particular about the aroma of his fish, so the fish he selects taste refined and are all devoid of any off-flavors.
He handles the nigiri that he shapes as little as possible so as to not put strain on the fish, yetanother way that his sushi reaches the next level.
The restaurant's unique sushi rice, seasoned with red vinegar, brings out the scrumptious umami in each individual piece of seafood, like milt, oysters, and uni.
At 10,000 yen for 11 pieces of nigiri, the lunch course has great cost performance.
There's no reason not to visit this restaurant at least once if you're a sushi fan.

◆Sushidokoro Mekumi
Tabelog Award 2018 Gold
2 Michelin Stars
Address: 4-48 Shimobayashi, Nonoichi, Ishikawa Prefecture
Phone: 076-246-7781
Hours:
[Tuesday-Saturday]
18:00-21:00
[Sunday]
12:00-14:00, 18:00-21:00
Budget:
10,000-14,999 yen (Lunch)
20,000-29,999 yen (Dinner)
Closed: Mondays, Tuesdays, irregular holidays
Credit cards accepted

3. Tahei Sushi

Founded in 1972, this famous Kanazawa restaurant has a history almost as long as that of "Komatsu Yosuke."
At first glance it looks like an ordinary restaurant in a residential district, but sushi fans from around Japan flock here in search of creatively-made sushi from owner Shinjiro Takaya, like "Steamed Blackthroat Perch," "Steamed Conger Eel," and "Female Snow Crab Mille-Feuille."
Thanks to "a large number of customers who would just have sake and side dishes without eating sushi," Chef Takaya pioneered a serving style unique to Tahei Sushi, where sushi and sashimi are served at the same time on the same dish.
Tahei Sushi's unique and original sushi experience, completely different than the Edo-mae sushi in Tokyo, dazzles and fascinates customers.

◆Tahei Sushi
Tabelog Award 2018 Silver
Address: 1-164 Taheiji, Nonoichi, Ishikawa Prefecture
Phone: 076-248-5131
Hours:
[Lunch] 11:30-14:00
[Dinner] 17:30-22:30
Budget: 20,000-29,999 yen (Lunch)
Closed: Wednesdays
Credit cards accepted (Diners, JCB, AMEX, VISA)

4. Otome Sushi

This popular restaurant is located in Kanazawa's shopping district and has an impressive atmospheric appearance.
The owner Kazuhiko Tsurumi took over the restaurant over 20 years ago, and Otome Sushi has a strong reputation as having "good ingredients, good skills, and good customer service."
Chef Tsurumi has incredible hospitality, earnestly answering any questions that customers may pose to him.
The fish used are the best specimens available, chosen each day with a focus on local products, and as such the quality is superb.
Sushi fans who make the trek out from Tokyo will groan with delight at the amazing ingredients used, like sweet shrimp that clings to your tongue, blackthroat perch dripping with fat, and conch with a crisp and refreshing texture.

◆Otome Sushi
Tabelog Award 2018 Bronze
1 Michelin Star
Address: 4-10 Kiguramachi, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa Prefecture
Phone: 076-231-7447
Hours:
[Lunch] 12:00-14:00
[Dinner] 17:00-22:00
Budget: 10,000-14,999 yen (Lunch)
Closed: Sundays, holidays, Wednesday nights
Credit cards accepted (VISA< JCB, AMEX, Diners, MASTER)

5. Sushi Kibatani

This up-and-coming sushi restaurant was opened in 2016 by Chef Mitsuhiro Kibatani, who honed his skills for many years at Ginza's "Sushi Aoki," when he returned back to his hometown.
As a restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Edo-mae sushi made with quality local fish, Sushi Kibatani immediately became popular.
Chef Kibatani pairs his fish, purchased at Himi Fishing Port every morning, with Koshihikari-brand rice that's grown carefully by monks in the mountains.
The rice, which isn't too sticky and has a strong flavor, compliments the umami of the fresh fish.
Blackthroat perch, abalone, gasu ebi, Japanese amberjack.... The fish from the Sea of Japan seem to make Edo-mae sushi that surpasses the original.
You're sure to enjoy your visit to Kanazawa all the more after visiting this restaurant.

◆Sushi Kibatani
Address: 1-8-26 Hikosomachi, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa Prefecture
Phone: 076-256-1218
Hours: 17:00-21:00
Budget: 15,000-19,999 yen
Closed: Sundays

6. Kozushi Honten

Young siblings show off their skills at this popular sushi restaurant beloved by locals.
The omakase (chef's choice) course, which is served with almost exclusively local fish, comes with 12 pieces for the special price of 3,500 yen.
The roly-poly round pieces of sushi are simple and charming, and the balance between the fish and rice is sublime.
Many of the fish sourced from the nearby ocean, like sasae, oysters, spear squid, Pacific cod, and whelk, are not typically used in Edo-mae sushi, but supposedly there are still many customers who order a second course while they're here.
If you want to try out delicious Kanazawa seafood at a reasonable price, be sure to give "Kozushi" a try!

◆Kozushi Honten
Address: 30-1 Aioicho, Nanao-shi, Ishikawa Prefecture
Phone: 0767-53-1274
Hours:
[Lunch] 11:30-14:00
[Dinner] 17:00-21:30
Budget: 15,000-19,999 yen
Closed: Mondays
Credit cards accepted (JCB, AMEX, Diners)

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Comments Icon comments 20b52f1dd59ace07b92433da2a385e6f7392eb2937032eebc2a0bd0b67c69516 8


Shi

When attempting to secure a booking for Tahei sushi in Feb of 2023 our hotel informed us that upon reaching out they were informed that Tahei sushi will be closing after November 2022. I've inquired whether this is a permanent closure and will update when I hear back.

As an alternative Saitoさん and others have you tried Hachiya sushi?

tabelog com/en/ishikawa/A1701/A170101/17000512/

over 1 year ago 1665687661

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guest

Hello Saito-San, have you been to Taheizushi and Otome Sushi in Kanazawa? Which one would you recommend as the better sushi? They are both ranked similar scores on Tabelog and both have Silver award as well. Thank you.

over 4 years ago 1572257668

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guest

hi Saito san and everyone, i am interested to make reservation at Komatsu Yasuke sometime in feb or march for lunch since i will be going to Kanazawa. however I have no idea about this restaurant. What's the best way to make reservation and how long before? Is it only for regulars? Is the chef/owner Morita san serving everyday? would be great if some of you that have the info could please tell me.

thank you very much

over 4 years ago 1572185035

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guest

Hello Saito san and everyone, I am considering to make reservation at Mekumi for December (I believe it will be special crab course period at Mekumi) however I will be staying in Tokyo and would have to make the trip to Kanazawa just for this dinner and return to Tokyo after the meal. So I'm wondering would it be worth it and if this restaurant is really a must try sushi place. Thank you!

over 4 years ago 1566900255

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Leo Saito

chief editor, TokyoTableTrip

The chef of the very popular Sushi restaurant in Kanazawa “Tahei Sushi” where fans from all over Japan gather has passed away in March 2018. We pray that his soul may rest in peace

almost 6 years ago 1523432796

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