Sushi · Practical guide
Sushi Choushimaru Japan Guide for Tourists: Port-Direct Freshness & Free Lunch Soup
Prices, ordering steps, payment details, and common mistakes — in one place.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Dining / Artisan Hand-Crafted Gourmet Sushi & Port-Direct Catches (Sushi Choushimaru Official Website) |
| Store Count | Over 90 locations across the greater Tokyo capital area (Chiba, Tokyo, Saitama, and Kanagawa), operated by Choushimaru Co., Ltd. (JASDAQ listed) (Store Locator) |
| Ordering Style | Check-in via entrance kiosk; 100% full-order system on multilingual digital touchscreen tablets at every seat; sushi hand-pressed to order by open-counter chefs and delivered directly to your table; pay at register or self-checkout kiosk |
| Membership Required? | No membership or ID required for walk-ins (optional official Choushimaru mobile app for points and coupons) |
| Approximate Price Range | Color-coded plate tiers from ~¥150 to ~¥800+; weekday lunch sets ~¥1,200–¥2,000; average spend ~¥2,500–¥4,500 per person; all tax-included (as of September 26, 2026; subject to revision) |
| Payment Methods | Cash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, UnionPay), Japanese transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, etc.), electronic money (iD, QUICPay, Rakuten Edy, WAON, nanaco), and smartphone QR code apps (PayPay, d-barai, Rakuten Pay, au PAY, Merpay) |
| Multilingual Support | Tabletop digital ordering tablets feature multilingual interfaces (English, Simplified/Traditional Chinese, Korean) with full-color photos |
What it is
Sushi Choushimaru, operated by JASDAQ-listed Choushimaru Co., Ltd., is the premier gourmet sushi chain of the greater Tokyo metropolitan area. Rooted in Chiba Prefecture, the brand takes its name and daily pride from *Choshi Port (Chōshi-kō)—one of Japan's most productive fishing ports, celebrated for its rich ocean currents and pristine seafood. Modernized into a 100% full-order dining system, Choushimaru eliminated circulating open conveyor belts in favor of individual seat touchscreens. Skilled sushi artisans—affectionately referred to as "theater troupe members" (Gekidan-in)—hand-press each piece fresh to order right before your eyes. Famous for premium Pacific bluefin tuna, seasonal catch platters, and legendary fish-head soup (Ara-jiru*), it offers superior quality that satisfies discerning local sushi enthusiasts.
How to order
Dining at Sushi Choushimaru is streamlined, hygienic, and highly interactive:
- Get your seating ticket at the lobby kiosk: Step inside and use the automated reception machine at the entrance to register your party size and select counter or booth seating.
- Take your assigned seat: Proceed to your numbered table or counter seat. Cups and green tea powder are located on the counter overhead rack.
- Switch the tablet to English: Pick up the tabletop touchscreen and toggle the language to English, Chinese, or Korean.
- Order sushi fresh on the screen: Browse the photo menu categories (Nigiri, Gunkan, Rolls, Seasonal Specials, Soups, Desserts) and submit your order.
- Chefs hand-press and deliver your food: Watch the chefs in the center counter hand-press your sushi. Staff or chefs will deliver your freshly made plates directly to your table.
- Help yourself to free weekday lunch soup: On weekdays until 14:00, visit the self-service soup station for complimentary, all-you-can-drink rich fish-head miso soup (Tokusei Ara-jiru) packed with tender fish and root vegetables.
- Request checkout on the tablet: When finished eating, tap the "Accounting / Checkout" button on your touchscreen. A server will print your barcode check slip.
- Pay at the cashier or self-checkout: Take your barcode bill slip to the front cashier counter or automated self-checkout machine to complete payment.
What to order first
Dishes below reflect signature highlights officially showcased on the Sushi Choushimaru Official Website and verified row records:
- *Signature Special Bluefin Tuna (Meibutsu Tokusen Hon-Maguro)*: Exquisite Pacific bluefin tuna sourced directly and cut thick, available in Otoro (super fatty), Chutoro (medium fatty), and Akami (lean ruby red) (~¥400–¥800 tax-included as of September 2026).
- *Port-Direct Seasonal 5-Piece Assortment (Chōshi-kō Chokusō Gokan Mori): Five seasonal nigiri pieces featuring the morning's freshest catches landed at Choshi and neighboring ports, such as alfonsino (Kinmedai*), mackerel, sardines, and flounder (~¥1,000–¥1,500 tax-included).
- *Free Weekday Lunch Ara-jiru Soup (Tokusei Ara-jiru)*: Available free of charge on weekdays until 14:00 (self-service); a deeply savory miso soup simmered with fresh fish collars, daikon radish, carrots, and scallions.
- *Seared Salmon with Miso-Mayo (Aburi Salmon Miso Mayo)*: Melt-in-your-mouth salmon lightly torched with Choushimaru's signature sweet miso mayonnaise glaze.
- *Jumbo Boiled Anago Eel (Ippon Anago)*: A whole tender simmered sea eel draped across sushi rice, brushed with savory-sweet tare sauce.
Payment & practical info
Practical dining and payment guidance based on official Choushimaru Co. policies (check the Official Store Locator for branch-specific details):
- Accepted Payment Methods: Accepts cash, international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, UnionPay), Japanese transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, etc.), electronic money (iD, QUICPay, Rakuten Edy, WAON, nanaco), and smartphone QR code payments (PayPay, d-barai, Rakuten Pay, au PAY, Merpay).
- 100% Full-Order Freshness: There are no food items circling continuously on open belts. Every piece of sushi is prepared only after you order it on your tablet.
- Wasabi Control on Tablet: You can select "With Wasabi" or "Without Wasabi" for each individual sushi item directly on the touchscreen.
- Wi-Fi & Outlets: Wi-Fi availability varies by location; customer power outlets are not provided at dining seats.
- Tax-Free Status: Not eligible for tax-free shopping. Restaurant meals are domestic services subject to Japanese consumption tax.
Good to know / Common mistakes
- Missing the free weekday lunch soup cutoff: The famous complimentary Ara-jiru soup is offered on weekdays strictly until 14:00 at participating locations. Arrive before 13:30 to enjoy this hearty perk!
- Waiting for sushi on the conveyor lane: Remember that Choushimaru transitioned to a 100% full-order format. You must order all food items via the tabletop touchscreen.
- Looking for branches outside the Tokyo area: Choushimaru operates primarily in Tokyo, Chiba, Saitama, and Kanagawa. You will not find branches in Kyoto, Osaka, or Hokkaido.
- Tipping the chefs: Tipping is not accepted anywhere in Japanese restaurants. Settle your exact bill at the front cashier or self-checkout terminal.
FAQ
Q1: How much does a meal at Sushi Choushimaru cost? Weekday lunch sets cost around ¥1,200 to ¥2,000, while a generous dinner with premium bluefin tuna and seasonal specialties typically costs between ¥2,500 and ¥4,500 per person (tax-included as of September 2026).
Q2: Is the fish really from Choshi Port? Yes. Sushi Choushimaru maintains direct logistics with Choshi Fishing Port in Chiba Prefecture as well as major regional markets, delivering fresh daily catches directly to store kitchens every morning.
Q3: Can foreign tourists easily order in English? Yes. All tables and counters feature digital touchscreen tablets switchable into English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean with clear photos and descriptions.
Sources
- Sushi Choushimaru Official Website: https://www.choushimaru.co.jp/ (Verified: 2026-09-26)
- Sushi Choushimaru Store Locator: https://stores.choushimaru.co.jp/ (Verified: 2026-09-26)