Popular sushi in Ishikawa Prefecture! 16 recommended picks around Kanazawa City

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Kuradake is a sushi restaurant near the memorial museum built on the site of the childhood home of Muro Saisei, a poet from Ishikawa Prefecture. It stands on the west side of the Saigawa River, which runs through Kanazawa City.

The refined space was renovated from a regular house. It is compact, with about 10 counter seats in total and Private rooms only, so making a reservation in advance is recommended.

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Both lunch and dinner are mainly offered as Omakase courses. Prices vary depending on the volume of the course.

While carrying on the tradition of Edomae-zushi (Tokyo-style sushi), the restaurant features sushi with the chef’s own creative touch. They also make generous use of local ingredients.

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The course incorporates seasonal seafood, and you can also enjoy nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch), a specialty of Ishikawa Prefecture. They lightly sear this premium fish to bring out its rich flavor.

They offer a selection of Japanese sake from around Japan that pairs well with sushi from across the country. You can also enjoy a local tea called Kaga Bocha (roasted stem tea).

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Tachigui Sushi Yusho is a sushi restaurant inside the lively fish market Ikiiki Uoichi, which is run by local fishermen. The shop is supervised by Sushidokoro Mekumi, a popular by reservation only restaurant in Ishikawa Prefecture.

It has a standing-only style with just a white wood counter. It is open only during the day.

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The sushi is easy to enjoy even while standing, and the menu is mainly course based. You can keep a nice pace as you eat, and the portions are served so you can finish in just under an hour.

The seafood comes mainly from fishermen in Notocho (Noto Town), and because the restaurant is run by a company in the fresh seafood wholesale business, they seem to use only Special carefully selected ingredients.

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The “Nigiri Course” comes with about 9 pieces of sushi and miso soup. The “Otsumami Course” includes the nigiri course plus seasonal small dishes that pair well with alcohol.

They mainly stock Japanese sake from Ishikawa Prefecture, along with selections from nearby prefectures such as Fukui Prefecture and Toyama Prefecture, so you can also enjoy Japanese sake with sushi at lunch.

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Benkei is a Japanese restaurant on the 6th floor of Hotel Nikko Kanazawa, about a 3-minute walk from Kanazawa Station Kenrokuen-guchi.

The elegant, calm interior is designed in a Japanese style. Inside, there are three counters for sushi, kappo (Japanese fine dining), and tempura. They also have table seating and Private room options.

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If you want to watch the chefs' skilled technique right in front of you, the sushi counter is recommended. Beyond the jet-black counter, you can also look out onto a garden in this luxurious space.

The toppings aged to concentrate the seafood's umami are also well liked. They also offer courses that combine sushi and kaiseki (traditional multi-course Japanese meal).

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The specialty is “nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch) steamed sushi.” Steaming makes the nodoguro tender, and its aroma spreads in your mouth. The compare-and-contrast tasting with the “aburi sushi,” which lightly sears the surface of the nodoguro, is also popular.

They also offer a tasting set of locally made Japanese sake, making this a place where you can relax and enjoy both the food and drinks.

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Sushi Hachimaru Sohonten is about a 5-minute walk from the East Plaza of Kanazawa Station. This sushi restaurant is by reservation only for both lunch and dinner, and is geared toward adults who want to take their time and enjoy sushi.

The space is chic with a Japanese modern feel. Every seat feels calm and relaxed, and there are counter seats and Private room seating.

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Multiple reviews say that not only is the food good, but the staff’s hospitality also feels pleasant and makes people want to come back to this restaurant.

The meal is an Omakase course. Centered on fresh seafood from Kanazawa, guests can enjoy beautiful sushi.

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At dinnertime, the Omakase course comes in two options: one that adds a few light dishes for people who want to drink alcohol, and one that focuses more on food.

The sashimi, tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet), soup, and other dishes besides sushi are said to show careful preparation in every bite, making for a highly satisfying meal.

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Fuku Zushi is a sushi restaurant located about a 5-minute walk from Kanazawa Station East Exit, near the Rokumaimachi intersection. Founded in 1985, it has been a beloved local spot for more than 40 years.

The restaurant has a homey atmosphere with traditional Japanese decor. There are counter seats where you can enjoy chatting with the owner, as well as zashiki (tatami seating) where you take off your shoes.

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The toppings used for the sushi are chosen with a focus on freshness, mainly from Hokuriku (the Hokuriku region), including Ishikawa. With a focus on white fish, you can enjoy Kansai-zushi (Kansai-style sushi) made with shari (sushi rice) seasoned with the restaurant's original slightly sweet sushi vinegar.

You can order either as a course meal or a la carte, which is another part of what makes it easy to enjoy casually.

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One of the signature menu items is the "Fuku-maki." It is a thick rolled sushi made by placing maguro (tuna), uni (sea urchin), and amaebi (sweet shrimp) on top of shari (sushi rice) and wrapping it in nori (seaweed). The cut surface looks beautiful too, and it is a satisfying dish.

They also have a good selection of local Japanese sake, making this a great place to drink while snacking on seafood dishes.

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Osushi to Genshiyaki Kanazawa Nakamura is a Japanese restaurant about a 7-minute walk from Kanazawa Station’s Kenrokuen Exit. It has a good reputation for sushi made with Hokuriku (the Hokuriku region) ingredients and other dishes that are gentle on the body.

On the first floor, there is a U-shaped counter where you can also enjoy the live feel of the cooking, while the second floor has table seating in a kominka-style (traditional townhouse-style) space.

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You can enjoy a course meal made with Special ingredients such as gluten-free and low-carb items, designed to be tasty and naturally lead to a healthy diet.

The sushi, made with fresh seafood, is prepared with techniques that also take texture into account when you take a bite, such as making fine cuts in the ingredients.

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The meal is mainly served as a course. It includes beautiful assortments of bite-size dishes and soups made with dashi (Japanese soup stock).

They also serve "genshi-yaki (an old style cooking method where fish is skewered and stood around charcoal to grill)." It is said to have a toasty aroma and a strong sense of umami.

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Coil is located about a 14-minute walk from Kanazawa Station along Kanazawa Ekimae-dori, inside the commercial facility Kanazawa Hakomachi. It is an interactive restaurant where you make and eat the food yourself.

The stylish interior has a wa-modern (Japanese modern) design and a very open feel. The seating layout is also thoughtfully arranged, making it easy to use for many different occasions.

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The specialty here is an experience where you choose about 5 ingredients you like from around 60 options, including maguro (tuna), amaebi (sweet shrimp), and nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch), and make your own rolled sushi.

A thin layer of vinegared rice is already spread over the nori (seaweed), so you can arrange the ingredients however you like, roll it up thinly, and enjoy it.

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The maki sushi fillings include lots of unusual options like Camembert cheese, so you can eat your fill without getting bored.

The “Okamochi Set” also comes with the experience of whisking your own matcha (powdered green tea). You can enjoy a food culture experience that feels uniquely Japanese, and it is also perfect for visiting with children.

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Shifuku no Oto Kanazawa Sushi dining is an izakaya centered on seafood dishes in Takaokamachi, on the west side of Kanazawa Castle Park, which adjoins Kenrokuen (Kenroku Garden), a popular sightseeing spot in Ishikawa Prefecture.

The stylish space has table seating and counter seating. The staff are cheerful too, so guests can have a good time.

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Their specialty is the "Kaidan-zushi (staircase sushi)." It is a visually striking menu item, with neatly formed nigiri sushi arranged on a stair-shaped stand.

The sushi is made with fresh seafood sourced from markets in Kanazawa City and shari (sushi rice) made with Ishikawa-grown rice seasoned with akazu (red vinegar). Every piece of sushi is said to be delicious.

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The photo shows the “Hon-maguro (bluefin tuna) Nakaochi scoop.” Nakaochi is the fatty lean meat left around the center bone after the tuna is filleted. You can have the fun experience of scraping it off yourself with a spoon.

They stock Japanese sake from Ishikawa Prefecture and nearby prefectures, so you can enjoy local fish and drinks.

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This sushi restaurant is about a 5-minute walk from Kanazawa City Central Wholesale Market, a distribution hub in Kanazawa where vegetables, fish, meat, and more gather from across Japan.

The restaurant is a standalone house in a residential area and has parking. Inside, the calm Japanese style space has counter seats, zashiki (tatami seating) seats, and Private room seating.

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The restaurant name Oojiki means teichiami (set net fishing). It seems to be well loved by locals too, and some reviews say the conversation with the staff really flowed.

You can order the sushi either as a nigiri (hand formed sushi) set or a la carte. They say you can enjoy toppings made with fresh local seafood.

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"Kano kani" from Ishikawa Prefecture is snow crab. It is only available during the cold season, but you can enjoy crab filled courses featuring Kano kani as well.

Starting with sashimi served raw, followed by kani shabu (crab shabu-shabu) dipped in broth and crab sushi, the course lets you fully enjoy the rich umami of crab.

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Sushi Kinari is a sushi restaurant in Hikoso-machi, about 5 minutes by car from Kanazawa Station East Exit. Both lunch and dinner are by reservation only.

The restaurant is set in a renovated machiya (traditional townhouse) that is more than 90 years old, marked by a wooden lattice sliding door, a wooden fence, and a tiled roof. Inside, there seem to be 8 stylish counter seats and a Private room.

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At the counter seats, you can enjoy your meal while chatting with the chefs. They also offer a good selection of drinks that pair well with sushi, including Japanese sake, wine, and local craft beer.

The food is served as a course, and guests also like that the staff first show and explain the ingredients used that day.

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The nigiri sushi carries on the tradition of Edomae-zushi (Tokyo-style sushi), with features such as reddish shari (sushi rice) made with akazu (red vinegar) and maguro (tuna) aged to concentrate its umami.

The signature Uni to Nodoguro no Temaki is a luxurious item that combines shari with nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch) and uni (sea urchin) inside a large sheet of nori.

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Katamachi Koryori Sushi Sho is a koryori (Japanese small plates) restaurant in Ishikawa, west of the sightseeing spots Kenrokuen (Kenrokuen Garden) and Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, and near the Sai River. It is a hideaway-like restaurant tucked away in a back alley.

The calm interior has a Japanese feel and was designed by a Kanazawa designer. They also offer counter seats and Private room seating with a sense of privacy.

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If you sit at the counter, people say you can enjoy not only the lively atmosphere but also conversation with the cheerful owner.

You can enjoy sushi made with mainly ingredients from Kanazawa under the concept of "Kanazawa-mae (Kanazawa style)," combined with rice from Ishikawa Prefecture and carefully selected vinegar. They also say you can discover flavors unique to that season.

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The nigiri sushi shaped with artisan skill is said to have shari (sushi rice) that gently loosens the moment it enters your mouth, melting together with the topping.

You can enjoy hand-rolled sushi made with nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch) lightly seared over charcoal and uni (sea urchin), as well as premium ingredients such as the local specialty kobakogani (female snow crab), paired with locally produced Japanese sake.

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Sushi Sukiyaki Akame-chan is about a 5-minute walk from Kanazawa Station East Exit, near the Betsuin-dori-guchi bus stop. Sushi and sukiyaki (Japanese hot pot with thinly sliced beef) are both the main draws here, so you can enjoy both seafood and meat.

At the single-slab wood counter seats, you can also enjoy chatting with the owner, and if you want to enjoy conversation with family or a group, a Private room is also recommended.

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This is a sister restaurant of Akame Zushi, a sushi specialty restaurant nearby. The sushi prepared by the owner, who honed his skills at sushi restaurants, mainly features fresh seafood from Ishikawa Prefecture.

A popular choice is the Kaga Gosai. It is a mini course set with sukiyaki, colorfully plated sashimi, and nigiri sushi, making it a feast for the eyes as well.

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The sukiyaki Hot Pot comes with vegetables, grilled tofu, and Noto-gyu (Wagyu beef from Noto) arranged in the pot. Noto-gyu is Wagyu raised in the rich natural environment of Ishikawa.

It is made with warishita sauce of soy sauce and sugar along with dashi, and has a slightly sweet flavor. They recommend enjoying the beef lightly cooked, almost like shabu-shabu.

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Sushi Sakaba Anyato Ura Katamachi Ten is an izakaya located on the west side of Kenrokuen (Kenroku Garden), a popular sightseeing spot in Ishikawa Prefecture, about a 6-minute walk from Kanazawa City Hall. It focuses on seafood dishes, and you can also enjoy sushi.

With its Japanese modern space, it is a great fit when you want to have a lively time. It stays open until late at night, so it is also recommended for dinner starting later in the evening.

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You can enjoy sushi made with fresh seafood sourced from Kanazawa Central Wholesale Market. They say you can order it as an assortment or à la carte.

Sweet shrimp, bai-gai (whelk), and zuwaigani (snow crab), all specialties of Ishikawa Prefecture, are popular. They are said to have strong sweetness and umami.

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Their specialty is “sushi dog,” a menu item that brings tacos to mind. It lets you enjoy sushi fillings such as ikura (salmon roe) and maguro (tuna) over vinegared rice on a large sheet of nori (seaweed), in a hand-roll style.

You can also try local specialties such as Kanazawa oden (Kanazawa-style oden), where the ingredients are slowly simmered in dashi (soup stock), and they also have a full alcohol menu.

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Sushi Izakaya Raku is an izakaya in Horikawacho, about a 5-minute walk from Kanazawa Station. It is also open for lunch, making it a great spot when you want to start drinking from midday.

The space is bright with a Japanese modern feel. There are counter seats on the first floor, and the second floor has spacious table seating.

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This restaurant opened in September 2024, carrying on the taste and skills of a conveyor belt sushi spot that was popular in Kanazawa. You can enjoy sushi made with fresh seafood shipped directly from Kanazawa Port.

A popular lunch choice is the nigiri sushi set. It is said to focus on white fish, shrimp, crab, and other seafood from Ishikawa Prefecture.

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The dinner menu offers a wide range of food that pairs well with alcohol. In addition to seafood dishes, they also serve meat dishes.

The alcohol selection is also extensive, including Japanese sake from Ishikawa Prefecture. It seems easy to stop by even on your own, and it also looks well suited for group drinking gatherings.

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Sushi Issei is a sushi restaurant located about a 10-minute walk from Kanazawa Station, just off Kanazawa Ekidori Avenue on a side street. It is by reservation only, and you can enjoy sushi through an Omakase course.

This compact restaurant is set in a renovated machiya (traditional townhouse) that still keeps its old Japanese charm. There are only about 8 counter seats, so guests can also enjoy the live atmosphere.

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The Omakase course includes sushi and à la carte dishes made with seasonal seafood. In the winter season, it also includes kobako-gani (female snow crab), a specialty of Ishikawa.

The mix of fresh toppings and slightly warm shari (sushi rice) is said to be just right.

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For the nigiri sushi, each topping is seasoned with care, such as pairing shrimp with shrimp roe.

Attention also goes into the serving dishes used for the food, making this a course you can enjoy with your eyes as well. They also offer pairings of seafood and Japanese sake, with a focus on Japanese sake from Ishikawa Prefecture.

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Sushi Akihama is a sushi restaurant near the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa and Kanazawa City Hall. You can enjoy sushi made with fresh seafood from Ishikawa Prefecture.

The space has a clean feel with a shiraki (unfinished white wood) base. There are only about 8 counter seats, so you can also watch the chef's skilled work up close.

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Both lunch and dinner are served as Omakase courses. They use seasonal ingredients, and you can enjoy Kanazawa-style toppings unique to the area.

Reviews also say the sushi rice is slightly larger and the toppings are generous, making it satisfying to eat while still offering a delicate flavor.

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The course also includes à la carte dishes, so you can enjoy items such as grilled dishes and steamed dishes. Every dish has a refined taste and is said to be very good.

They have a lineup of Japanese sake and wine that pair well with sushi, and many people seem to enjoy the pairings.