Top 10 Best Sushi Restaurants in Fukuoka | From Unique Establishments to High-End Dining

Fukuoka is known not only as the gateway to Kyushu but also as a “culinary capital” where you can enjoy fresh seafood. Sushi, in particular, features exquisite dishes that combine seasonal fish and shellfish sourced from abundant fishing grounds with the skilled craftsmanship of artisans, attracting many people from both Japan and abroad.

This article carefully selects and introduces 10 sushi restaurants that have earned high praise from both locals and tourists for those who want to experience authentic sushi in Fukuoka. We provide detailed explanations of each restaurant’s characteristics, location, price range, and service offerings, so you can use this as a reference to find the sushi experience that matches your purpose and preferences.

Fukuoka, known as the gateway to Kyushu, is a region blessed with seafood. Sushi made with fresh local fish and shellfish attracts many people from both Japan and abroad.

Within Fukuoka City, there’s a diverse array of sushi restaurants, from long-established local favorites to establishments popular with tourists, and high-end sushi kappo restaurants.Here, we carefully select 10 recommended sushi restaurants in Fukuoka and introduce their unique charms and characteristics in an easy-to-understand manner.

We’ll provide information that will serve as a reference for those who want to enjoy unique and memorable sushi experiences in the culinary city of Fukuoka.

Located in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, “Sushi Tadao” is a sushi restaurant that maximizes the appeal of local seafood.Originally established in 1970 as “Sushi Naniwa,” it was renovated as “Sushi Tadao” in 2022.

The owner, Tadao Obayashi, can handle English and has participated in overseas sushi events, bringing an international perspective. In addition to counter seating, there’s also a semi-private room accommodating up to 6 people, making it suitable for private dining. Since service ends when ingredients run out, advance reservations are recommended when visiting.

“Hakata Toyoichi Nagahama Shokudo” enjoys high local popularity as a sushi restaurant where you can enjoy fresh ingredients at reasonable prices, leveraging its location adjacent to Nagahama Fish Market and its strength as a direct operation of a long-established fresh fish store.

The popular “Kaisen-don” (seafood bowl) features about 10 types of sashimi luxuriously arranged in one bowl. Other offerings include the “Super Kaisen-don” topped with plenty of sea urchin and the “Maguro Toro Kaisen-don,” providing a diverse lineup. There’s also a semi-private room available for two or more people, allowing for relaxed dining. Operating for both lunch and dinner, it’s easily accessible for tourists.

“Kyo Sushi Hakozaki Store” is a popular sushi restaurant located in Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City, situated on the first floor of the shopping area “Rakuichi Kaido.”Its greatest appeal is the ability to casually enjoy nigiri sushi made with fresh seafood purchased daily. The restaurant has a calm atmosphere with counter and table seating, creating an environment that’s comfortable for both solo diners and families.

The careful work of the artisans and the freshness of the ingredients are highly regarded, attracting not only local customers but also visitors from afar. Operating on a two-shift system for lunch and dinner on weekdays, and throughout the day on weekends and holidays, its convenience is one of its attractions.

“Ichiba-zushi Uotatsu” is a sushi restaurant located within the “Ichiba Kaikan” (Market Building) in Nagahama, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, and is a popular establishment where you can enjoy fresh local fish at reasonable prices.Located in a corner of Nagahama Fish Market where seafood professionals gather, it has an established reputation for the freshness and thickness of its ingredients.The restaurant has an unpretentious atmosphere where local regulars and tourists mingle in a lively setting.

Operating continuously from morning to night, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or early dinner. Reservations are not accepted, so arriving early during busy hours is recommended.

“Hyotan Sushi” is a long-established sushi restaurant located in the heart of Fukuoka’s Tenjin district.Located just a few minutes’ walk from Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station, it has long been supported by locals and tourists for its fresh ingredients, extensive menu, and calm atmosphere. The restaurant spans the 2nd and 3rd floors, and is so popular that lines form on the stairs during lunch hours and weekends.

In the restaurant atmosphere that’s neither too quiet nor too noisy, you can leisurely enjoy sushi carefully prepared by artisans.Beyond sushi, the establishment also offers abundant seafood side dishes such as “Snow Crab Cream Croquettes” and “Fugu Shirako Tempura,” making it suitable for banquets and drinking parties. The sister restaurant “Hyotan’s Conveyor Belt Sushi” is located nearby, allowing you to choose based on the situation.

“Sushi Kappo Yamanaka,” a long-established sushi restaurant founded in 1972, is supported by food connoisseurs nationwide as a renowned establishment representing Hakata sushi.The JR Hakata City location offers excellent access, being directly connected to Hakata Station.

Yamanaka’s distinctive feature lies in its “sushi kappo” style. Focusing on fish from the Genkai Sea, they pay attention to every aspect—ingredients, technique, tableware, and presentation—providing sushi as refined Japanese cuisine. The essence of “Sushi Kappo Yamanaka” is the ability to simultaneously enjoy sushi made with seasonal seafood alongside the deep flavors of Japanese cuisine such as simmered dishes and clear soups.

While the price range is somewhat higher, it promises a satisfying experience in cuisine, atmosphere, and service.This is a renowned establishment worth visiting at least once when in Hakata.

“Tatsumi Sushi” is a long-established sushi restaurant that started in 1980 from a small 10-tsubo shop in Fukuoka’s Nagahama district.Under the philosophy of “presenting each piece as a single dish,” they offer a menu that fuses traditional techniques with creative inspiration.

What’s distinctive is the numerous specialties born from free-thinking approaches that incorporate ingredients and cooking methods from Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisines without being confined to traditional Japanese cuisine frameworks. For example, nigiri using foie gras and truffles, pieces utilizing flame-searing and sauces—each plate is packed with surprise and satisfaction.

They also pay careful attention to seasonings like soy sauce and vinegar, selecting raw materials and production methods, then adding further refinements in-store for thorough flavor development down to the finest details.This restaurant is recommended for those who want to enjoy authentic creative sushi.

“Sushi Senpachi” is a sushi restaurant nestled in a quiet residential area of Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, where you can experience a unique sushi experience that fuses fresh Kyushu seafood with traditional Edomae techniques.In a 12-seat space featuring a beautiful hinoki cypress counter, they offer “omakase courses” centered on sushi.

The course consists of about 6 appetizers and 13 pieces of sushi, featuring exquisite dishes that pay attention to every aspect of ingredients, preparation, and technique. Using Oita Prefecture’s Hinohikari rice, red vinegar, and fish sourced from renowned shops at Nagahama Fish Market and Toyosu, they thoroughly maintain the stance of “bringing out the natural power of the ingredients.”The exquisite balance between Edomae’s acidic shari and Kyushu’s flavorful fish is also a major attraction for food connoisseurs.

“Sushi Kazuya” is a hideaway-like sushi restaurant quietly nestled in a residential area of Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, run by artisan Kazuya Tanaka.Offering omakase courses that fuse local Fukuoka seafood with Edomae techniques, this notable establishment will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2025.

The restaurant centers around an 8-seat counter, where the Japanese space featuring a single hinoki cypress board harmonizes with views of a Japanese garden, creating a serene and special atmosphere. Lunch consists of 13 pieces of nigiri with red miso soup and chawanmushi (savory egg custard), while dinner offers 10 pieces of nigiri and 7-8 sake accompaniments.

The seafood used focuses on local sources such as Nagahama Market and waters off Iki Island, featuring dishes that make the most of seasonal flavors. Non-sushi items like chawanmushi and grilled fish also demonstrate finishes backed by meticulous technique.

“Sushidokoro Ishibashi” is an authentic sushi restaurant located in Akasaka, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, that thoroughly focuses on local Kyushu ingredients and offers omakase courses full of seasonal character.

The course begins with appetizers featuring tender simmered octopus, filefish dressed in liver sauce, and 10-12 pieces of nigiri using local fish from the Genkai Sea and Goto Islands.Kyushu local sake and renowned sake from across the country, served to complement the cuisine, are also part of the attraction.Operating by complete reservation only, this is a renowned establishment suitable for special occasion dining.

Fukuoka’s sushi restaurants, regardless of their location or price range, are renowned establishments where you can feel the freshness of ingredients and the dedication of artisans. From counter sushi with the dignity of long-established restaurants to casual shops adjacent to markets, and kappo-style establishments offering creative course meals, each has its own personality, offering new discoveries with every visit.

Additionally, many restaurants make the most of local Kyushu seafood, and their ability to accommodate diverse scenarios—not just tourism, but also business entertainment and anniversaries—is a characteristic of Fukuoka’s sushi culture. When visiting Fukuoka, be sure to choose an establishment that interests you and thoroughly savor its flavors and atmosphere.

*This article is based on information available as of June 2025.