Sushi Arai (Ginza)

A relative newcomer on the competitive Ginza sushi scene, Sushi Arai has achieved widespread acclaim since the very start. The chef seasoned himself at the highly reputable restaurants Kyubey and Sushi Sho before opening his own Michelin-starred restaurant (Michelin Guide 2020) in 2015. Consistently ranking in Tabelog's Top 100 Restaurants, the restaurant swiftly attracted attention from gourmets all across the country — and outside of it. In order to accommodate the overwhelming demand, a second counter was added to the store. While the first counter is now only reservable by referral only or by Chef Arai's close circle of regulars, the second counter still provides an excellent opportunity for visitors to experience the full sushi dining experience; overseas visitors in particular will appreciate the chef's fluency in English. Not that the quality of the sushi was ever in question, either. It carries on the original restaurant's generously-sized pieces of nigiri, prepared in the traditional Edomae style in which the fish is aged for a certain amount of time to bring out the umami. The bluefin tuna is said to be of particularly high quality. Michelin Stars: 2020 - 1 Michelin Star