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The Real Sushi - 25 Exclusive Sushi Restaurants - Sushi Types & Tips - Seasonal Sushi 25 Exclusive Sushi Restaurants Photography by Kazuyoshi Furuichi, Hisato Nakazato, Yuri Nakazato, Toshihiko Nangoh, Nobuhiro Okamura, Ryoichi Okazaki, Katsuyoshi Saeki, Masayuki Sakamoto, Kazuyuki Yoshida Nigiri-Sushi
		Ginza Hokake A two-story building houses the charms of this restaurant done in the old style. "Eat what you want, in the order that you want. Relax and enjoy—no need to take it too seriously," is the easy-going owner's warm welcome to visitors. But the look on his face changes when he starts to talk about fish definitely no compromise accepted here. "If we can't find what we're looking for in quality, we just don't buy, whether the fish is in season or not." To bring in your own wine and beverages, just ask when making reservations. 4-7-13 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Tel. 03-3564-2491 Hours: 11:30 to 21:00 (to 20:30 Saturdays). Closed Sundays, national holidays, weekends in August. Same-day reservations accepted. Japanese only. Cost: courses from 10,000 yen (Sashimi, nigiri, seaweed rolls); 6-kan nigiri and seaweed rolls from 2,000 yen; chirashi from 2,000 yen.

		Kizushi Located in a Tokyo old-town district, old wooden structure of this restaurant blends perfectly into the neighborhood. Nowadays, any first-class sushi restaurant can take advantage of the best and freshest fish caught throughout Japan. That makes it even more important for a restaurant to express its individuality through such standard fare as shad, other fish marinated in vinegar, and boiled conger eel and clam. "The exciting thing about nigiri-sushi is that no two pieces taste exactly alike. 2-7-13 Nihonbashi Ningyo-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Tel. 03-3666-1682 Hours: 11:45 to 14:30, 17:00 to 21:30 (to 21:00 Saturdays). Closed Sundays, national holidays. Same-day reservations accepted. Reservations accepted in Japanese guests' choices in advance. Cost: nigiri with toppings and seaweed rolls 2,500 yen to 3,500 yen; okonomi nigiri 15,000 yen; omakase from 12,000 yen.

		Kozasa Sushi "Come enjoy the best in Edomae-style sushi," invites owner Kazuhira Terajima. Having raised his restaurant to the top ranks in just one generation, Terajima is legendary for his skills. After an apprenticeship, he took on the challenge of resurrecting a restaurant that once was the pride of Ginza. Carefully chosen boiled clams, marinated tuna, white fish pressed with sea tangle and shinko are painstakingly prepared to deliver the ultimate experience in the Edomae style of nigiri-sushi. 8-6-18 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Tel. 03-3289-2227 Hours: 12:00 to 14:00, 17:30 to 22:00 Closed Sundays, national holidays. Same-day reservations accepted. Japanese only. Cost: Omakase (4 dishes, 12-kan nigiri) from 15,000 yen. Sake 700 yen and 1,300 yen.

		Shinbashi Tsuruhachi Mr. Ishimaru opened his restaurants 21 years ago after serving an apprenticeship at a renowned sushi restaurant. Lessons learned from the legendary master chef are evident in the refined and beautiful presentation of his nigiri-sushi. "Instead of leaving everything up to the chef 's recommendation, my real hope is for people to enjoy placing their own orders and making their own choices," Ishimaru explains. "Please, no curiosity seekers," Ishimaru insists. Still, this is a favorite destination for foreign connoisseurs of sushi. New Shimbashi Building 2F, 2-16-1 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo Tel. 03 -3591-1551 Hours: 12:00 to 13:30, 17:30 to 22:00 Closed Sundays, national holidays. Same-day reservations accepted. No credit cards. Smoking permitted only at part of counter. Japanese only. Cost: Lunch-time nigiri from 3,000 yen; Dinner from 12,000 yen.

		Sushi-dokoro Sawa "Sushi depends totally on the materials and nothing else," the owner says bluntly. The best fish on the market is handled with care, and to avoid waste, no set entree is offered. The wall is covered with the names of fish and their place origin—the closest thing to a menu in this restaurant. There is no compromise made in quality, but every effort is made to keep the prices reasonable—a long-standing motto. "Come and enjoy our relaxed atmosphere," invites the owner. 2-9-19 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo Tel. 03 -6407- 2555 Hours: 17:00 to 24:00 Closed Wednesdays. Same-day reservations accepted. Japanese only. Cost: 9-kan nigiri from 5,000 yen, omakase (6 to 8 dishes, 10-kan nigiri) from 12,000 yen.

		Araki 4-27-1 Nakamachi,Setagaya-ku,Tokyo Tel. 03-3705-2256 Open:12:00-14:00 and 17:30-21:00 Closed on Wednesdays ,irregulary one Tuesday or Thursday per month. Only by reservation at lunch time. Earlier reservations for dinner time also preferred. No smoking(smoking area available). No credit card accepted.

		Sushi Ko 2-18-14 Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo Tel. 03-3717-1720 Hours: 17:00 to 24:00 Closed Sundays, national holidays. Same-day reservations accepted. No credit cards. No smoking. Japanese only.

		Sushi Sho Yorindo Building 1F, 1-11 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Tel. 03-3351-6387 Hours: 11:30 to 13:30 (closes when sold out) 18:00 to 22:30. Closed Sundays. Same-day reservations accepted. No smoking (smoking area available). Japanese only.