Sushi is probably the most popular Japanese food worldwide. It is a light, highly colorful and decorative meal that will give you some delicate flavors with high attention to detail.
If you find yourself traveling to Japan for work or to holiday, authentic Japanese Sushi is one of those foods you absolutely must try.
Sushi chefs often train for a decade before getting full control of their own restaurant, but because of this you might be wondering how expensive sushi is.
So is Sushi going to break the bank? Well, that’s why we’ve written this article! We’re going to be taking you through everything you’ll need to know about Sushi prices in Japan.
We’ll explain the basics of what you can expect to pay, and why prices can vary an awful lot!
We’ve also included a short FAQ to run you through some other common questions you may have about trying sushi in its native country!
What Is Sushi?
Before we tell you about the average price of sushi, let’s first properly define what sushi is.
Sushi is a Japanese dish that usually consists of vinegared rice and a large variety of different ingredients.
The meat that accompanies it is usually raw fish and an assortment of beautifully prepared, very colorful vegetables.
Modern sushi was invented by Hanaya Yohei, who is believed to have created it during the late Edo Period of Japan.
Originally, the food was a great departure from the traditional lifestyles of an average chef, and as a result it can be seen as some of the first steps towards the modern artisanal Japanese cuisine we know and love today.
Since then, Sushi has become the food most associated with Japan, and it is loved worldwide.
How Much Does Sushi Cost In Japan Today?
This is a tricky question to answer because it depends entirely on where you’re getting your sushi from.
There is a wide range of chefs and restaurants that offer sushi at different price points depending on the ingredients they include and their level of expertise.
In the next few sections, we’re going to break down the cost of sushi at various different price points: store-bought, small restaurants, conveyor belt restaurants, and master tier.
Store-Bought
The truth is that even store bought sushi is better in Japan than what you may find in other places around the world, and it’s also very cheap for you to pick up and buy.
There are a lot of different types of store-bought sushi you can buy, but the average price is around 300 yen for a package – that translates to around $2.80.
Small Restaurants
In small restaurants you’re likely to find chefs who are true hidden gems. There are plenty of family-ran restaurants with a lot of expertise under their belts that don’t charge crazy amounts of money for their sushi.
For a whole Sushi meal with multiple dishes, expect to pay anywhere from 1000 yen all the way up to 3000 if you get side items and drinks.
This is about the equivalent of what you’d pay in the US, converting to around $15 dollars for an average meal.
Conveyor Belt Sushi
If you’ve ever had sushi in the west, you’ve probably come across a conveyor belt restaurant.
These feature large conveyor belts that snake around the restaurant, passing tables so that you can pick the dishes you want, totalling up a bill to pay before you leave.
These work exactly the same way in Japan, and the amount you spend can vary massively. Expect to pay around 100 yen for some of the cheapest dishes, all the way up to 500.
That converts to around $0.74 to $3.72 per dish. It’s actually a lot cheaper than similar restaurants in the US.
Master Tier
Master Tier restaurants are going to charge you more, but Japanese restaurants have insane standards of customer service and care, so you can expect to get your money’s worth.
Master-tier restaurants may charge all the way up to $200 dollars a head to taste their food, but it’s worth noting that this is more of an experience rather than just a meal.
People choose to go to these restaurants to get an authentic taste of Japan that they will never forget.
It’s also worth noting that the main reason sushi at this level costs so much more is because the quality of fish is likely to be very expensive.
Final Thoughts
Sushi can vary massively in price depending on where you go in Japan. The main thing to keep in mind here is that you will more often than not get what you pay for.
There are massive variations on the kinds of Sushi you will find depending on region, and the chef who’s making it.
We hope this article has given you some insight into how much Sushi will cost you in Japan, and that you can find the perfect restaurant to get your authentic sushi experience!
Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sushi Cheaper In Japan Than The Us?
Depending on where you go, sushi is almost definitely cheaper than in the US. This is because it’s a much more common food.
You’ll also notice that it is usually a lot higher quality, as sushi is a national dish and there are many more chefs who specialize in it.
What Is Sushi Without Rice?
There is a style of sushi that doesn’t use rice and it’s known as Sashimi. Sashimi is a kind of sushi that consists of very thin slices of raw fish that are served without rice.
It’s a good alternative if you’re not interested in eating sushi rice.
What Do You Eat Sushi With?
Depending on the type of sushi you have, you can eat it with your hands or with chopsticks. Sashimi is usually eaten with chopsticks as it’s easy to pick up small pieces of fish.
Nigiri sushi (sushi with rice) can be eaten by hand as they are small, compact and easy to pick up.
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
