Introducing the Top 13 Sushi Restaurants to Visit in Osaka, Grouped by Area

Osaka, historically a hub for trade and economy, was once known as “Tenka no Daidokoro” (literally “the nation’s kitchen”) due to its rich food culture that continues to thrive today. Many visitors come to Osaka with the intention of indulging in its gourmet offerings.

Among the culinary highlights of Osaka is sushi. The city boasts a multitude of sushi restaurants, each offering flavors distinct from those found in Tokyo. This article introduces 13 must-visit sushi restaurants in Osaka. They are categorized by areas such as “Kita” and “Minami,” so please consider this guide when planning your culinary explorations in the city.

When discussing “the best Japanese cuisine,” sushi, a dish featuring fresh fish, is iconic. Osaka hosts a multitude of sushi restaurants.

When searching for restaurants in Osaka’s bustling districts, it’s essential to divide your search between two main areas: Kita and Minami. Kita refers to the northern part of Osaka, while Minami refers to the southern part.

Kita is centered around JR Osaka Station and Hankyu Umeda Station. This area is dense with office buildings and commercial facilities, making it a hotspot for shopping and lending it a stylish vibe.

Let’s start by introducing popular sushi restaurants in the Kita area.

Located within the Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street, this sushi restaurant offers service in English, accommodating international visitors.

The charm of Harukoma lies in its extensive variety of sushi options. Guests can enjoy various types of sushi at affordable prices, including high-quality tuna, salmon, and eel.

The restaurant may close earlier than the stated business hours if ingredients run out. Although it’s a popular spot, online reservations are not accepted. It’s recommended to visit early.

Harukoma’s location in the Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street puts it within walking distance from several stations, including JR Osaka Station and Hankyu Umeda Station.

The owner-chef has trained extensively across Japan, including in Tokyo and Kyoto. The restaurant offers traditional “Edomae sushi” as well as unique sushi dishes featuring beef.

The pride of the menu is the high-quality tuna sourced from specialist suppliers. The combination of the rich, fatty flavors of the tuna and the tangy vinegar rice stimulates the appetite of diners.

From the nearest station, JR Shin-Fukushima Station, head south and cross the bridge. You’ll find popular tourist attractions such as the Osaka Nakanoshima Museum of Art and the National Museum of Art, Osaka.

This sushi restaurant offers counter seating only, allowing diners to closely observe the skill of the sushi chefs.

The charm of the restaurant lies not only in its sushi but also in its creative dishes. Guests can enjoy fresh ingredients sourced each morning while admiring Japanese antique tableware.

The nearest station is JR Kitashinchi, which is located south of JR Osaka Station, but in fact it is within walking distance of Osaka Station, so you can get there without needing to change trains.

This is a small-scale sushi restaurant that only offers counter seating. Since it is a bit far from the nearest station, most of its patrons are local regulars.

It’s recommended for those who prefer lesser-known, hidden gem establishments rather than famous restaurants on main streets. In addition to sushi, you can also enjoy grilled seafood seasoned with salt and Japanese-style soups.

When visiting, a reservation for two or more people is required. Seating is limited, so it is advisable to make a reservation well in advance.

This renowned restaurant has won awards from the World Gourmet Guide. In addition to sushi, you can enjoy a variety of traditional Japanese dishes, including simmered and steamed dishes. The selection of sake is also impressive.

If you want to enjoy carefully selected ingredients prepared by skilled chefs at a reasonable price, consider visiting during lunchtime.

When you wish to use a credit card for payment, it is necessary to order food worth at least 20,000 yen.

In addition to JR Kitashinchi, the restaurant is also within walking distance of Keihan Railway’s Oebashi Station or Yodoyabashi Station. The nearest station is Oebashi, which is a 3-minute walk away.

“Minami” refers to areas around Namba Station, Shinsaibashi, and Tennoji Station. It’s home to several facilities and tourist attractions that are synonymous with Osaka. The area is bustling with young people and foreign tourists, making it a vibrant part of the city.

For those interested in exploring more than just sushi, such as Osaka-specific gourmet food and tourist sites, I recommend focusing your explorations around Minami.

Now, let me introduce some popular sushi restaurants in Minami:

This restaurant offers both sushi and Kyoto cuisine. The rice used in the sushi “shari” (vinegared rice) is organically grown on the restaurant’s own farm in Shiga Prefecture. The cooked rice boasts a glossy appearance and a rich aroma.

Seasonal ingredients sourced from various parts of Japan, along with carefully selected tableware, delight both the taste buds and eyes of guests.

The restaurant is a 5-minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station on the subway. It does not have regular closing days, so it’s a good idea to check the restaurant’s schedule in advance.

At this restaurant, veteran artisans meticulously prepare top-quality ingredients sourced from specialty suppliers.

A notable difference from other sushi places is the absence of soy sauce on the counter. The sushi chef pre-seasons each piece with the optimal amount of flavoring.

This approach ensures that even those trying sushi for the first time won’t have to worry about choosing the wrong condiments.

The nearest stations are Shinsaibashi Station and Yotsubashi Station on the subway. It is also within walking distance from Nishi-Ohashi Station. The area is surrounded by well-known Japanese department stores and other shopping facilities, providing ample opportunities for shopping.

Located in a back alley, this sushi restaurant only offers counter seating, with just six seats available and no private rooms. To ensure a spot at Sushi Jinsei, reservations are strongly recommended.

The chef prepares seasonal ingredients sourced from local markets right before your eyes. The small scale of the restaurant also allows for enjoyable communication with the owner-chef.

The restaurant is located just a 5-minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station. After leaving the restaurant, if you walk south, you will reach Dotonbori, one of Osaka’s most famous tourist attractions.

This restaurant is recommended for those looking for a popular sushi spot. You can enjoy authentic, handcrafted sushi made by skilled artisans at reasonable prices.

In addition to sushi featuring seasonal ingredients, a variety of à la carte dishes are also available for a full dining experience.

The restaurant is located in Shinsekai, a well-known area in Osaka. The vicinity is dotted with kushikatsu restaurants, so in addition to sushi, you can also enjoy other Osaka delicacies.

During lunch, the restaurant offers reasonably priced meals. If you’re looking to enjoy a special meal with someone important, the course meals are highly recommended. While some courses require reservations, there are also dishes available for order on the day itself, so there’s no need to worry.

The restaurant also serves cooked dishes, making it a welcoming place for those who do not eat raw fish.

Kitahorie, where the restaurant is located, is an area known for its unique independent shops. Besides gourmet dining, it’s also a great place for shopping.

In addition to major areas like around JR Osaka Station and Namba Station, Osaka has many sushi restaurants scattered across various parts of the city. For those who prefer to avoid the more tourist-heavy spots, exploring other areas can be a great option.

Let’s introduce some recommended sushi restaurants located outside the main areas.

Sushi Sanshin is located in Uchikyobashi-machi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, an area southwest of Osaka Castle. This elongated east-west town retains old structures such as Kyobashi Bridge. After enjoying the tourist attractions around Osaka Castle, consider dining at Sushi Sanshin to enjoy delicious sushi.

Visitors to Sushi Sanshin are often surprised at first glance by the restaurant’s appearance, as it is housed in a beautifully repurposed traditional Japanese house, which adds a charming ambiance to the dining experience. With only eight seats available, it is recommended for small groups.

The cuisine served is also exquisite. Ingredients like octopus and salmon roe are meticulously prepared to enhance their flavors, resulting in juicy and delicious sushi creations.

Sushi Hayata is conveniently located near Yodoyabashi Station on the subway. The area around Yodoyabashi Station is dotted with parks and commercial facilities, making it an enjoyable spot for tourists. One of the advantages of this area is the abundance of public transport options, which makes it easy to travel to various places throughout Osaka.

This popular restaurant is frequented by many local regulars. In addition to sushi, it offers a variety of seafood dishes such as simmered dishes, tempura, and grilled fish. While the sushi is reasonably priced, you can enjoy the experience of watching skilled chefs prepare your meal right in front of you.

Endo Sushi, known for its main location at the Central Market, also has a branch in Kyobashi. The Kyobashi branch is located within a building at Kyobashi Station, making it easily accessible from various areas of Osaka.

A popular menu item at Endo Sushi at the Central Market is the “Ue Maze,” where the chef prepares a carefully selected assortment of ingredients. Each plate is different, offering a delightful surprise with every additional order. If you find an ingredient you particularly enjoy, you can request to have it included in your Ue Maze combination.

Osaka is dotted with numerous sushi restaurants offering a wide range of prices. You can find affordable places where meals start around 1,000 yen, as well as high-end restaurants where you may need to budget tens of thousands of yen. It’s a good idea to check gourmet websites or the official sites of the restaurants beforehand to understand the pricing.

While some may feel intimidated by the etiquette required at sushi restaurants in Japan, the increasing number of international tourists has led to a rise in eateries that are welcoming and easy to enter. When visiting Osaka, be sure to enjoy the Japanese cuisine offered at sushi restaurants.

*This article is based on information available as of April 2024.