Sushi Kourin

Tucked away in a street in the Oku-Shibuya district, where the din of crowds at the Scramble Crossing have faded into the distance, Sushi Kourin offers a refreshingly casual take on high-end sushi. Even before its addition to the Michelin Guide Tokyo, Sushi Kourin has been featured in countless publications, from specialist gourmet magazines to Vogue magazine — but through it all, Hokkaido-born owner-chef Nitta Shinji has remained humble, unassuming, and above all, an undisputed sushi expert. Guests are invited to take their seats at the plain wooden counter, and let the chef guide you through a blackboard brimming with delicious choices. Go for the omakase feast or pick from nearly 40 options meticulously created from seasonal ingredients. It’s not uncommon for sushi restaurants to have complex reservation processes, or even to limit service to registered members. But true to Sushi Kourin’s casual reputation, Chef Nitta doesn’t force omakase courses on his visitors; he has made a name for himself for being willing to serve even guests who only want a single piece of sushi. While his skills are unquestionable, Chef Nitta represents a new breed of sushi chef, a master willing to depart from the often intimidating traditions and formalities of high-end sushi. Even the opening hours reflect his relaxed demeanor, with the curtain rising only at 3pm to accommodate the late afternoon drinking crowd. Michelin Guide: 2022 - Bib Gourmand