Looking for the best sushi restaurants in Kyoto and Osaka? These four standout spots offer more than just expertly crafted nigiri—they reflect the evolution of Japanese sushi culture, blending tradition with innovation.

From a sushi chef trained in marine science to a French Michelin-starred maestro bringing his vision to Japan, each counter tells a different story. Whether you’re visiting Kyoto’s serene neighborhoods or dining 37 floors above Osaka, here’s where to experience sushi at its most refined.

Photocredit： Hoshito Omijya

1. Sushi Yuwa ー A Sushi Chef Who Knows Fish Inside and Out

Before becoming a sushi chef, Akitoshi Kosakai studied marine science and worked as a food researcher. He trained at top restaurants including The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto and Sushi Masuda, before opening his own place in Kyoto in August 2024. With a deep knowledge of fish and a warm, hotel-style hospitality, he serves sushi that balances classic Tokyo-style flavors with a gentle Kyoto touch. He carefully crafts each piece to match the fish—soft rice, perfect pressure, just the right flavor. His appetizers are more free, playful, and seasonal. The space is bright and open, rare for a sushi restaurant, and Kosakai enjoys the live feeling of making sushi right in front of guests.

Hours: 6:30 PM start (single seating)
Closed: Irregular holidays
Price: Omakase ¥22,000
Reservations required

Sushi Yuwa

305-3 Hanjocho, Muromachi Nishi-iru, Takatsuji-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto

Photocredit： Sadaho Naito

2. Sushi Azabu Higashiyamaー Kyoto Elegance, Tokyo Technique

Sushi Azabu Higashiyama opened in 2024 inside a former villa of artist Takeuchi Seihō. It’s the Kyoto sister of Tokyo’s Michelin-starred Sushi Azabu. Each day, fish arrives fresh from Toyosu. Chef Oyamada shapes each piece with care—using a mix of red vinegars and rice for perfect balance. At lunch, try the barachirashi, a colorful rice bowl topped with finely cut fish. The relaxed space offers both counter and table seats—ideal for sushi lovers, including first-timers.

Opening Hours:
Lunch – 11:30 / 13:15 (two seatings)
Dinner – 17:30 / 19:45 (two seatings)
Closed: Irregular holidays
Price: Lunch from ¥6,500 / Dinner from ¥9,800 or ¥15,000
Reservation required

Sushi Azabu Higashiyama

THE SODOH HIGASHIYAMA KYOTO, 366 Yasaka Kamimachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto

Photocredit： Hoshito Omijya

3. Sushi Enishi ー Quiet Refinement, Warm Hospitality

At this quietly refined counter, chef Takahiro Minami balances precision with warmth, engaging guests in relaxed conversation as he crafts each piece of sushi with practiced ease. His background in Japanese cuisine shows in every thoughtful detail. Each nigiri is treated as a dish in itself. A touch of yuzu brightens raw kasugo (baby sea bream), simmered anago is served gently salted, and medium-fatty tuna is lightly seared and paired with crisp white scallions—each piece carefully tuned for balance and depth. Between bites, delicate dishes like firefly squid with grilled zucchini and spring onion cleanse the palate without distracting from the main act.

Hours: 6:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Closed: Irregular holidays
Price: Omakase ¥16,500
Reservations required

Sushi Enishi

11-1 Kurosakicho, Kita-ku, Osaka

4. L’Abysse Osaka ー Sushi Meets French Elegance, 37 Floors Above Osaka

With 15 Michelin stars to his name, French chef Yannick Alléno brings his sushi vision to Japan. After opening L’Abysse in Paris and Monaco, he now unveils its latest expression at Four Seasons Hotel Osaka. The journey begins with playful starters he calls “Emotions,” followed by refined Edo-style sushi crafted by head chef Itaru Yasuda, who spent decades mastering the art. Classic meets creative—from precise cuts to a dessert that surprises. It’s not fusion, but a quiet meeting of deep traditions. “Alléno never stops exploring,” says Yasuda. “I want to chase that same endless path.”

Hours: 12:00–15:00, 18:00–21:00
Closed Wednesdays
Reservation required by the day before

Weekday lunch chirashi ¥12,000
Omakase sushi lunch from ¥20,000
Dinner omakase ¥27,000 or ¥35,000

L’Abysse Osaka

37F, Four Seasons Hotel Osaka, 2-4-32 Dojima, Kita-ku, Osaka

Whether you’re a seasoned sushi enthusiast or new to Japan’s omakase culture, these Kyoto and Osaka counters offer a rare chance to experience sushi with true artistry—and a personal touch you won’t soon forget.

So come hungry—not just for sushi, but for the stories, seasons, and quiet magic found at the counter.