Ginza Harutaka 青空

The head chef at this Ginza sushi restaurant, Harutaka Takahashi, trained for thirteen years at Sukiyabashi Jiro, where he honed his skills to perfection. His years of accomplishment have given him the confidence to do things his own way without paying mind to passing trends. The interior design of his shop represents his self-assured style, with black marble floors and handcrafted furniture which you won’t find anywhere else. These line the edge of the twelve seat counter at which the chefs serve up dish after dish of excellent appetizers and nigiri. The exact menu depends on the availability of ingredients at Toyosu Market (previously the famous Tsukiji Market) that morning, because everything served here is bought fresh on the day. What remains constant is the fantastic sushi rice which forms the beds of the nigiri — steeped in vinegar and salt to infuse it with their flavors. All of this has won Ginza Harutaka international acclaim, and a two star rating in the Michelin Guide to Tokyo, meaning there are only five sushi shops in all of Japan which rank higher.