Best Sushi in Fukuoka City For Every Price Point!
Did you know Fukuoka City is one of the biggest focal points of sushi culture in Japan? Located on Hakata Bay near key fishing areas like the Genkai Sea, Fukuoka's fish markets are always brimming with fresh fish and seafood. Because of this, no matter how long you may be visiting Fukuoka, it would be a waste for your only sushi experience to be at a 100 yen conveyor belt fast-food establishment!! But finding the perfect place at your budget can be a struggle, which is why I've compiled the ultimate guide to sushi in Fukuoka for you! Whether you're looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience from a world-renowned chef, an upscale place to celebrate an anniversary, or just a cozy joint to enjoy dinner with friends, Fukuoka has a sushi restaurant for any occasion and budget. Scroll down to the end for the custom Google Map so you can check the locations of all these sushi restaurants (plus a few more!)
1,000 yen to 3,000 yen
Sushi Shogun
The most wallet-friendly option on this list, Sushi Shogun is a standing sushi bar that has two locations in Fukuoka, one in Nishinakasu and one a short walk away from Tenjin Station. Standing restaurants are a unique style of restaurants in Japan, popular among those on a budget or in a hurry. Though not ideal after a tiring day of traveling, the standing bar at Sushi Shogun allows you to interact directly with chefs and watch them as they prepare your sushi. Sushi Shogun offers an extensive variety of sushi starting from the astounding price of 75 yen per piece. If you're not sure what pieces to order, the sushi sets are a great place to start, and you can enjoy a filling meal from only 890 to 1,280 yen. Also, be sure to keep an eye on the limited half-priced beer specials!
Hyotan Sushi
Hyotan Sushi is one of the most popular sushi restaurants among locals and tourists alike. It has two locations in Fukuoka, one that is conveyor-belt style and one that is not. However, the standard-style Hyotan Sushi location is the top recommendation for those looking for an authentic and local sushi dining experience, without breaking the bank. Located just north of Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station, the cozy second-floor restaurant has both spacious tables and counter seating, where you can see the fresh seafood on display and watch the sushi chefs work. English and Korean menus are available! The lunch sets have fantastic value here, which are available from 1,000 yen to 2,000 yen depending on quality. Dinner is a bit pricier, but you can expect to eat your fill for around 3,000 yen or less. Because of this restaurant's popularity, be prepared to line up outside or try to avoid peak mealtimes (or, ask your hotel concierge to make you a reservation). For a unique side dish to complement your sushi, the crab korokke (croquettes) are highly recommended!
Suiko-Zushi
From the mouth-watering texture of the seafood to the colorful artistic arrangements, this certainly seems to be the case! The dishes of the day are carefully designed by the chefs based on the conditions of the day's catch. Located along the Naka River in the Nakasu district, Suiko-Zushi is a high-end sushi restaurant with a mid-range price. Undoubtedly, the menu item offering the best bang for your buck is the standard nigiri sushi set, priced at only 1,500 yen. If your wallet allows, other nigiri sets are available up to 4,000 yen, and an omakase (chef's choice) course is available for 6,000 yen. For such a great balance of price and quality, Suiko-Zushi is a great choice for casual sushi.
3,000 yen to 5,000 yen
Sushi Naniwa
Sushi Naniwa is owned and run by Chef Tadao Obayashi, who prides himself on selecting the best and freshest ingredients directly from the fishermen at nearby fishing ports. By avoiding the middleman, he is able to present delicious natural tastes to his guests without relying on expensive high-end ingredients. He is fluent in English and will often chat with guests and explain the dishes to you if he is not busy! For such an intimate and high-class dining experience, the prices are very reasonable, starting at 3,000 yen for the omakase (chef's choice) nigiri course, and up to 8,000 yen for the special course. Reservations can be requested through the website in advance, and are recommended during peak mealtimes.
Tatsumi Sushi
Just a short walk from Nakasukawabata Station, Tatsumi Sushi serves fresh seafood arrangements in a classy and open atmosphere. While there are private rooms available (reservation only), I recommend the view from the counter seats, where you can enjoy watching the bustling team of sushi chefs preparing the fresh selections of the day. Tatsumi Sushi allows you to select from a wide variety of omakase courses, so there is a course to match any budget. The most popular courses for dinner are the very reasonable nigiri omakase courses, which run from 3,000 yen to 6,600 yen. "Omakase" literally means "to entrust", and that's exactly what you're expected to do at Tatsumi Sushi, where all dishes are prepared pre-seasoned (no dipping in soy sauce yourself here!). The lunch sets are also excellent, and are available starting at only 2,000 yen!
Located directly on the Hakata River, right outside of Canal City Hakata, Sushi Kappo Nishimura has a cozy and rustic Japanese-style interior. This family-run sushi restaurant by Chef Ryoichi Matsuda prioritizes customer satisfaction, and features seasonal seafood carefully selected by the owner himself. While the staff do not speak perfect English, they are incredibly friendly and will do their best to explain the contents of the menu and the dishes to you. The sushi kaiseki (course) starts at only 5,000 yen per person. For special occasions, there are other courses available ranging up to 15,000 yen. There is also a private room available for such special occasions, work dinners, and more (reservations recommended). Those looking for an upscale ambience might be a bit disappointed, but what Sushi Kappo Nishimura does offer is a comfortable dining experience, friendly service and delicious seafood.
Under 10,000 yen
Chikae Sushi
Chikae Sushi can be found a short walk south of Akasaka Station, west of Ohori Park and the Fukuoka Castle ruins. Japanese-style tatami floor seats and counter seats are available, but be sure to make a reservation if you want to guarantee a tatami floor seat. At the counter seats, guests can view the live fish in tanks, providing scenes of the sea while you enjoy the delicious seafood dishes. Chikae Sushi is best-known for "ikizukuri", which is a unique but controversial way of preparing and serving fish as close as possible to its "live" form. The Japanese culinary technique of ikizukuri is meant to present the freshest possible seafood to guests, but has gained controversy due to the fact that the fish is still alive when served. Seasonal courses with ikizukuri are available from 6,500 yen to 20,000 yen, but there are courses without ikizukuri available from 5,000 to 15,000 yen. A lunch kaiseki (haute cuisine) course is available on weekends and holidays for only 3,000 yen (ikizukuri is not included) but draws a lineup so arrive early or expect to wait in line for a seat at the table!
Yamanaka
Located north of Yakuin Station, Yamanaka has a simple and modern facade. The interior is sleek and elegant, incorporating the unique Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi while still having a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. The goal of Yamanaka's highly experienced sushi chefs is to present the local tastes of the Hakata area to their guests. Seafood ingredients are mainly sourced from the nearby Genkai Sea, guaranteeing freshness and the authentic taste of Hakata sushi. If you want to try these authentic local tastes yourself, sushi sets are available at dinner time from 8,000 to 12,000 yen. For more thrifty foodies, the visit at lunch for sushi sets ranging from 3,000 to 8,000 yen. Reservations are recommended for dinner, so ask your hotel concierge or AirBnB host to give them a call on your behalf! Click here for the Menu.
Kawashou
Located in Nishinakasu, just a few steps away from Tenjin Central Park and the Fuku-Haku Deai Bridge, Kawashou is a sushi restaurant with an atmosphere that is a mix of traditional and classy. It is one of the most foreigner-friendly restaurants of its kind in Fukuoka, as many staff speak fluent English and there is an English menu available. At the counter seats on the first floor, you can enjoy live sushi making, and are even encouraged to ask the chefs any questions. On the second floor, traditional Japanese rooms are available with a reservation and a 10% room charge, perfect for a special celebration or work party. At lunch, the nigiri sushi set, omakase (chef's choice) course, and the kaiseki (haute cuisine) course all have options starting at only 5,000 yen per person, but for your special dinner celebrations, courses are available starting from 10,000 yen per person.
Over 10,000 yen
Sushi Tatsusho (1 Michelin Star)
With 32 years of experience, Chef Shuji Tateishi is the mastermind behind Sushi Tatsusho. He trained at the above-mentioned Kawashou for 18 years, and believes that when it comes to sushi, "simple is best". Stepping into Sushi Tatsusho, there is certainly a simple elegance that extends to each beautifully crafted piece of sushi. The signature ingredients are the wasabi sourced from Izu, and the fresh maguro (tuna) and uni (sea urchin). If you're looking for the highest quality of sushi in its purest form, look no further than Sushi Tatsusho. The omakase course is undoubtedly the best option and costs 14,000 yen per person, but note that a reservation is required for this course (Japanese only, so ask your hotel concierge or Airbnb Host to make a reservation for you). Chef Tateishi also prides himself on his unrivaled "omotenashi", or hospitality, and provides excellence to each and every guest. Sushi Tatsusho is even welcoming and comfortable for guests who come alone, so it's the perfect place for a solo foodie to treat themselves.
Sushi Gyoten (3 Michelin Star)
Sushi Gyoten, owned and run by Chef Kenji Gyoten, is a three Michelin star sushi restaurant just south of Yakuin Station. From the moment you step up to the bamboo entrance, through the quaint Japanese garden, and into the elegant dining space, you will feel transported through time to old Japan. The young chef Kenji Gyoten, who has remarkably only been at this location for four years, specializes in authentic Edomae sushi, or Edo-style sushi. While dining here, you will be entranced by his methodically but artistic movements as he slices, molds, and crafts the sushi. Especially notable is the sushi rice, made with red sushi vinegar called akazu, as well as the premium-quality otoro (fatty tuna), which has a tender texture and mouth-watering taste. The courses are entirely omakase (chef's choice) courses, and you can expect to pay about 18,000 to 26,000 yen per person for this premium experience. For an exceptional quality dining experience provided by a renowned chef, Sushi Gyoten is an unbeatable choice.
Sushi Sakai (3 Michelin Star)
And finally, the most costly and high-class selection on this list, Sushi Sakai is a three Michelin star sushi restaurant by the world-renowned chef Daigo Sakai. After training at the famous Umi in Tokyo, Chef Sakai returned to Fukuoka at the age of 29 to open his own restaurant. He values hard work and has spent countless hours not only mastering his craft, but also learning the inner workings of the fishmongers who supply his ingredients. The omakase course at this top-quality and luxurious restaurant will cost 30,800 yen per person, and like Sushi Gyoten, it specializes in Edomae sushi. Chef Sakai also carefully selects premium junmai (pure rice) sake that pair excellently with his sushi. In addition to the delicate dishes and luxury sake, the restaurant's building itself was also carefully designed. Architect Maeda Shinji worked through close collaboration with Chef Sakai to create the peaceful and traditional atmosphere of the restaurant. Sushi Sakai offers not only a meal, but an exclusive once-in-a-lifetime experience that guides your senses from each dish to the next. Because of the exclusivity of this restaurant, reservations are required and recommended at least 3 months in advance. Reservations can be requested on your behalf by some services online, but be prepared to pay a booking fee for this option.
Online reservation request (Japanese only)
Online reservation request (in English, but with extra charge)
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Did I miss anything important? Let me know your tips and recommendations in the comments below! I always love hearing when you’ve gone and tried any of my recommendations, so don’t hesitate to reach out to let me know if you’ve enjoyed something—or even if you didn’t! Your tips can help other travelers plan their itineraries when they come to visit, so all information is helpful!