A No-Nonsense Guide to Tokyo’s Sushi Scene

There may be no sport more gruesome in the realm of travel than scoring a reservation at Tokyo’s most famous sushi establishments. With just six to eight seats — and one or two rounds of service per night — they’re the ultimate get on a holiday in Japan.

Their desirability has only skyrocketed as international tourism to Japan has grown to an all-time high of over 42 million arrivals in 2025 (a 15.8% increase from the year before). As a result, a set menu meal in Tokyo that was 20,000 yen ($130) in 2024 is now over 35,000 yen ($220).