7 best omakase sushi for ¥5,000 and under in Tokyo

From ¥4,800

Sushi Azabu has the classic wood-dominated interior of a high-end sushi restaurant. But here the design feels fresh and modern, largely thanks to the bold strokes of contemporary calligraphy artist Rintaro Hashiguchi, whose artwork stretches across the entire wall behind the L-shaped counter.

Despite its address in swanky Azabudai Hills, Sushi Azabu’s menu is surprisingly affordable. The restaurant sources its seafood from Toyosu Market, as any reputable food operator would, and turns it into multi-course omakase meals. Lunch offers the best deal: about 14 items including nigiri sushi as well as the restaurant’s signature sesame tofu served on a sizzling hot plate, all for just ¥4,800.

Dinner is, of course, more sumptuous. For ¥9,800, you’ll get to enjoy around 17 items featuring premium seasonal fish and seafood, the likes of fatty tuna, uni and more. Online reservation is highly recommended to secure a spot at the 19-seat counter.

From ¥4,400

Nothing adds sparkle to an ordinary weekday quite like an omakase sushi lunch. This restaurant in the Marunouchi financial district is usually packed with office workers popping in during their lunch break for a mid-week treat, but show up before 1pm and you’ll have a good chance of nabbing a seat.

The standard lunchtime omakase menu has a good variety of nigiri sushi and side dishes like chawanmushi (savoury egg custard) and ikura (marinated salmon roe) over rice. The vibe here is polished but fuss-free, so you don’t have to feel intimidated if there’s a particular fish or ingredient you’re not a fan of – the chefs behind the counter are happy to prepare a replacement for you.

You can only book a table for lunch if you’re planning to order the ¥8,800 course. The ¥4,400 lunch course doesn't take reservations, but it has all the goodies everyone looks forward to in an omakase menu, including prized uni and chutoro (fatty tuna). 

From ¥3,500

Chef Takehiro Arakawa reinstates the idea that making sushi is an art form at his eight-seat counter in Hiroo’s Eat Play Work. The detail with which Arakawa uses to slice his fish is remarkable, and each piece practically glimmers as he places it onto carefully shaped vessels of vinegared rice. 

Despite the restaurant’s limited capacity and the quality of sushi on offer, the privilege of sitting at Arakawa’s counter comes at a surprisingly affordable price. At lunchtime, diners can order the 'Shiro' omakase course, which comes with nine pieces of nigiri sushi and one maki roll for just ¥3,500. This leaves you with a bit of cash to spare for a glass or two of fine sake sourced from different regions of Japan. Alternatively, you can go for the 'Kuro' omakase course with 12 pieces of nigiri and miso soup for ¥5,800. 

You can make lunch and dinner reservations online or via telephone.

From ¥4,000

Omakase sushi doesn’t need to be reserved for special occasions planned weeks ahead. This casual open kitchen at the new Shinjuku Yokocho food hall allows for casual spontaneity while serving up first-rate sushi. The restaurant playfully likens itself to a petrol station because of the way its course selection is formatted, but instead of diesel, you’re getting fueled on sushi.

A ‘regular’ omakase set is priced at ¥4,000 during lunch while the more voluminous ‘full tank’ set is available for ¥6,000. The former includes roughly eight pieces of Edomae-style sushi, where the rice has been lightly seasoned with red vinegar. Varieties of fish vary depending on the season, but even the standard course often includes favourites like chutoro (fatty tuna) and anago (saltwater eel).

From ¥5,000

This offbeat standing-only sushi bar in Shinagawa has a bizarre baseball theme to it, but the concept behind the restaurant is a little easier to digest if you see it as an amalgamation of two of Japan’s greatest loves. Bullpen is named after the area where pitchers warm up before a game, and its sushi chefs all wear customised baseball caps. 

Though the joint identifies as a modern pub, its single-minded goal is to provide an authentic sushi experience to a wide group of people – and you don’t have to love baseball to enjoy the sushi here. Each piece of nigiri is served one at a time, with toppings like maguro (tuna), akagai (ark shell) and sawara (Spanish mackerel) that wash down well with the beer and sake offered behind the counter. The lunchtime omakase is priced from ¥5,000 while dinner will set you back at least ¥7,000.

From ¥5,000

This wildly popular sushi restaurant has five other locations around the city, and the menu varies across each of them. If you’re after an authentic yet affordable omakase sushi experience with seasonal highlights like fresh tataki-style horse mackerel and black throat seaperch, which are both autumnal delicacies, look no further.

Opt to sit at the beautiful hinoki counter at lunch time so you can order the ¥5,000 omakase sushi menu. Aside from the classic nigiri sushi, Ikina Sushidokoro Abe also has a few inventive dishes that you won’t find at other sushi joints, like the riceless maki rolls which are filled with ikura, pickled ginger and kohada (gizzard shad).