Sawada

Sushi Sawada– Once in a lifetime 2 Michelin Star at least. Without exaggeration, this was the best nigiri sushi I have ever eaten in my life—and I have eaten a lot of sushi. In 2009, I first saw a YouTube documentary about Koji Sawata. A former truck driver who changed his entire life to become one of the great sushi masters in Japan. Even back then, it was clear: this is no ordinary story. And that’s exactly how his restaurant feels. Thanks to Hana, my sister-in-law—whose uncle is a regular—we were lucky enough to secure two seats at the counter. We went for lunch. One very important rule: absolute no-photo policy. No pictures, no phones, no distractions. And honestly, that’s how it should be—pure sushi, full focus. The restaurant is discreetly located in an office building in Ginza, on the third floor. Inside: only six seats, a counter made entirely of Japanese cypress (hinoki). The scent of the wood, the calm atmosphere, the warmth—I have never seen such a beautiful sushi restaurant, so personal and full of character. No gimmicks, just craftsmanship and soul. The place is run solely by Master Sabata and his wife. We chose the omakase, around 40,000 yen per person—expensive, yes, but worth every single yen. His shari (sushi rice) is very distinctive: highly acidic, bold, almost aggressively salty. On its own, unusual—but in perfect harmony with the fish. Every bite was intentional. With nearly every piece, he explained where the fish came from and why it was prepared exactly that way that day. His wife translated some parts into English, which was charming, but we also spoke Japanese—and laughed a lot. Sabata-san is not only a master, but also a true entertainer: warm, humorous, and fully present. In the end, I just sat there knowing one thing: This was the most intense, honest, and best sushi experience of my life. No place for photos. No place for rushing. A place for respect, tradition, and perfection. If you truly want to understand sushi—this is the place. 🍣

Absolutely spectacular display of both technique mastery and an assortment of different ingredients. Sawada-san is radiant and so is his sushi. No photos allowed.

Sawada was amazing! The chef was super generous and really friendly, which made the whole meal a standout. Loved the sushi rice too—it had this unique sour kick that was just perfect. Definitely a five-star spot in my book, and I can’t wait to go back!

Seats can only be booked online, and often are released the same day or day before. This is by design so that the shop is "easier" to visit if you're local. I've eaten a lot of sushi in Japan and Sawada is probably the most religious experience I've had. The flavors are rustic and punchy, and the course is quite large. You will likely walk away stuffed and needing to chug some water. There's reason this remains one of the top ranked sushiya in Japan, even after 20 years.

To be honest, not the best sushi I've ever had, though it was the highest rated on Tabelog I've ever been to. The style of sushi felt dated. Only the Tuna and the katsuo were impressive. On the same trip I visited Inomata (though its way further away, but at roughly the same price point). To be honest I enjoyed that a lot more. Maybe I just didnt have the palate to enjoy this. No photos to share because they didn't allow photography.

Low key high end sushi place. It is not as pretentious as other shops but they have strict rules that you must follow as a foreigner. 1. Booking is via hotel concierge only 2. No picture allowed of any kind 3. No perfumes allowed 4. Dress codes, not as strict but business casual is a must. Besides that, the owner is really friendly if he recognize you as a foodie, brings you best fish from all over the world. The atmosphere was quite relaxing as least to me. Just ignore your phone and follow the chef's way to this sushi gourmet journey!

If you love sushi you soon realise you're part of something special when you enter the Sawada. The sushi IS AMAZING, no question. The precision of the chef and the quality of the fish make for a truly unique experience. For the moronic people leaving one star rating because they couldn't get a reservation, know this. The restaurant seats 6 people and this place is extremely popular with the local Japanese people as well as tourists. Unfortunately there is an element of luck involved. I asked my hotel to make the reservation. I was flexible and made myself available according to their availability.

Good luck getting a seat here but keep trying because it’s worth it. Best sushi experience and quality. Sawada served a 20+ piece lunch over almost 2 hours. He was very nice and engaging. I’ve been to many high end sushi places in Tokyo and this is far and away the best (don totsu).