Sushi · Practical guide
Sushizanmai Japan Guide for Tourists: 24/7 Edomae Sushi & "Tuna King"
Prices, ordering steps, payment details, and common mistakes — in one place.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Dining / Authentic Edomae Sushi & 24-Hour Sushi Restaurant (Sushizanmai Official Website) |
| Store Count | Approximately 50 locations nationwide, concentrated in Tokyo (Tsukiji, Shinjuku, Roppongi, Ueno, Asakusa, Shibuya) plus Hokkaido, Miyagi, Aichi, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Fukuoka, operated by Kiyomura Co., Ltd. (Store Locator) |
| Ordering Style | Table or counter seating; order via paper slip, multilingual touchscreen tablet (where installed), or verbally to sushi chefs and floor staff; sushi served on traditional wooden geta boards or ceramic plates; pay at cashier with bill slip |
| Membership Required? | No reservation or membership required for walk-ins (optional official Sushizanmai app for store visit points) |
| Approximate Price Range | Single nigiri pieces from ~¥100 to ~¥600+; deluxe sushi assortments ~¥2,000–¥4,500; average spend ~¥2,500–¥5,000 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), and smartphone QR code apps (PayPay, d-barai, Rakuten Pay, au PAY, Alipay, WeChat Pay) |
| Multilingual Support | Comprehensive photo-illustrated multilingual menus available in English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean; digital tablets in select urban locations |
What it is
Sushizanmai, operated by Kiyomura Co., Ltd. and born in Tokyo's historic Tsukiji Outer Market, is Japan's most famous accessible Edomae sushi chain. The brand achieved international fame through its charismatic founder and president, Kiyoshi Kimura—widely known as Japan's *"Tuna King" (Maguro Daiō)—who repeatedly wins the prestigious Tokyo New Year tuna auction at Toyosu Market with record-breaking bids. Many Sushizanmai locations, including the flagship Tsukiji Main Branch (Tsukiji Honten), are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, making it the ultimate destination for jetlagged travelers, early-morning Tsukiji market visitors, and late-night foodies. With clear pricing, single-piece ordering flexibility, and premium Pacific bluefin tuna (Hon-Maguro*), it delivers authentic sushi bar culture without intimidating formalities.
How to order
Dining at Sushizanmai is casual, welcoming, and traveler-friendly:
- Spot the Tuna King statue & take a photo: Outside almost every Sushizanmai entrance stands a life-sized statue of President Kimura with his arms wide open in his trademark welcome pose—a must-take Tokyo photo!
- Enter and request your seat: Walk in and tell the host your party size. Choose counter seating to watch the chefs hand-craft each piece, or table seating for groups.
- Ask for the multilingual menu: If not already on the table, ask the server for the English menu (Eigo menyū kudasai). Many modern stores also feature tabletop touchscreen ordering tablets.
- Order by the piece or choose a set: You can order sushi piece-by-piece (ikkan) using the checklist slip, order verbally, or select a pre-curated deluxe combo platter on the menu.
- Watch the chefs press your nigiri: Skilled sushi chefs prepare your sushi behind the counter and present it fresh on a raised wooden serving board (Geta) or ceramic platter.
- Enjoy with hot green tea: Help yourself to the hot green tea (Agari) provided at your seat.
- Take your bill to the front register: When finished eating, call your server or tap checkout on your tablet. Take the printed bill slip to the front cashier counter to settle payment.
What to order first
Dishes below reflect iconic brand staples officially featured on the Sushizanmai Official Website and verified row records:
- *Magurozanmai Platter (まぐろざんまい)*: The undisputed crown jewel of Sushizanmai; a lavish all-tuna platter featuring Otoro (fatty tuna), Chutoro (medium fatty tuna), Akami (lean red tuna), lightly torched tuna, and Negitoro gunkan rolls (~¥3,500–¥4,500 tax-included as of September 2026).
- *Single-Piece Tuna Nigiri (Hon-Maguro Ikkan): Order individual pieces of exquisite Pacific bluefin tuna starting from around ¥160 for red meat (Akami*) up to ~¥500–¥600 for melt-in-your-mouth Otoro.
- *Seared Salmon with Mayo Nigiri (Aburi Salmon)*: Tender salmon torched until glistening, topped with seasoned Japanese mayo and sweet glaze.
- *Special Seafood Salad (Zanmai Salad)*: Fresh mixed greens generously topped with raw diced tuna, salmon, whitefish, and flying fish roe with house dressing.
- *Steaming Clam Miso Soup (Asari no Misoshiru)*: A large, steaming bowl of red or awase miso soup packed with fresh Japanese Manila clams.
Payment & practical info
Practical dining and payment guidance based on official Kiyomura Co. policies (check the Official Store Directory for store-specific operating hours):
- 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), and smartphone QR code payments (PayPay, d-barai, Rakuten Pay, au PAY, Alipay, WeChat Pay).
- 24/7 Operating Hours: Many prominent branches (including Tsukiji Main Branch, Roppongi, and Shinjuku) operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, offering full menus at 4:00 AM or 11:00 PM.
- Tsukiji Branch Clustering: The Tsukiji area hosts multiple Sushizanmai branches (Main Store, Bekkan Annex, Oku-no-in). If the main branch has a long line, walk 1–2 minutes to the neighboring annex for immediate seating!
- Wi-Fi & Power Outlets: Select branches offer free public Wi-Fi; dining tables generally do not have customer charging sockets.
- Tax-Free Status: Not eligible for tax-free shopping. Restaurant dining is strictly classified as domestic consumption.
Good to know / Common mistakes
- Waiting in a massive line at the Tsukiji Main Store: Tsukiji Outer Market has over 5 Sushizanmai branches within a 300-meter radius! Check the nearby Bekkan (Annex) or Hanare if the main entrance is crowded.
- Thinking you have to order large platters: One of Sushizanmai's best features is single-piece ordering (Ikkan). You can try just one piece of Otoro, one piece of sea urchin (Uni), or one piece of eel (Unagi) without committing to a full set.
- Dipping sushi rice directly into soy sauce: When dipping nigiri, turn the piece slightly so the fish touches the soy sauce, not the rice, preventing the rice ball from crumbling.
- Attempting to leave a cash tip: Tipping is never practiced in Japan and causes confusion. Pay the exact bill total at the front checkout counter.
FAQ
Q1: Is Sushizanmai really open 24 hours? Yes! Key flagship branches—including the Tsukiji Main Store (Tsukiji Honten), Shinjuku Higashiguchi, and Roppongi—operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, serving full fresh sushi menus around the clock.
Q2: How much does a meal at Sushizanmai cost? A generous deluxe combo meal or the signature Magurozanmai tuna platter costs around ¥2,500 to ¥4,500, with an average dinner spend between ¥3,000 and ¥5,000 per person (tax-included as of September 2026).
Q3: Can I order in English at Sushizanmai? Yes. Sushizanmai provides clear, full-color illustrated menus in English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean with photos and phonetic names for every sushi piece.
Sources
- Sushizanmai Official Website: https://www.kiyomura.co.jp/ (Verified: 2026-09-26)
- Kiyomura Sushizanmai Store Locator: https://www.kiyomura.co.jp/store/slist (Verified: 2026-09-26)