Sushi Karashima
Sushi · Chūō, Fukuoka
Restaurant in Fukuoka, Japan
The Read
Eight-Seat Kyushu Omakase
Chef
Hiroshi Karashima
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Sushi Karashima is Fukuoka's most consistently credentialled omakase counter: a Tabelog Bronze Award winner three years running (2024–2026), ranked #108 in Japan by Opinionated About Dining in 2025, with a 4.23 score. Eight seats, cash-only, dinner-only, phone reservations required up to one month out. At JPY 60,000–79,999 per person, it delivers serious omakase in an intimate setting.
About Sushi Karashima
Sushi Karashima: Pearl Verdict
Dinner at Sushi Karashima runs JPY 60,000–79,999 per person; roughly $400–530 USD at current rates; which puts it among Fukuoka's most expensive omakase counters. For that spend, you get a Tabelog Bronze Award winner (2024, 2025, 2026) with a 4.23 score, named in the Tabelog Sushi WEST Top 100 in 2021, 2022, 2025, ranked as high as #108 among all restaurants in Japan by Opinionated About Dining in 2025. The case for booking is strong if high-end omakase is what you're after. If you want something more accessible in Fukuoka's sushi scene, look elsewhere, this counter is not designed for casual visits.
About Sushi Karashima
Sushi Karashima opened in May 2018 in Akasaka, a quieter residential neighbourhood in Fukuoka's Chuo Ward, close to Sakurazaka station. Chef Hiroshi Karashima runs an eight-seat counter, that's it, eight seats, which means the room is intimate by design. There are no private rooms. The scale here is the point: every guest is in the same space, watching the same hands work, with no separation between kitchen and table. For a special occasion dinner, that intimacy is genuinely part of what you're paying for. The counter format delivers focus and precision that larger venues simply cannot replicate.
The restaurant operates dinner-only, running two seatings: 6:00–8:15 PM and 8:30–11:00 PM, seven days a week. There is no lunch service, so if your editorial angle points toward morning or daytime visits, Sushi Karashima does not fit that brief. This is strictly an evening destination. The venue is non-smoking throughout, guests are asked not to wear strong fragrances, perfume or heavily scented fabric softener are grounds for refusal of entry. Both policies are worth knowing before you arrive.
Payment is cash-only: no credit cards, no electronic money, no QR code payments. At JPY 60,000–79,999 per person, that means arriving prepared with a meaningful amount of cash, plan ahead, particularly if you're travelling without ready access to a Japanese ATM. Children are only welcome if they can participate in the adult omakase course without modification. The venue can be reserved for private hire in its entirety, which makes it a genuine option for a small-group celebration if you can coordinate the booking.
Booking logistics require attention. Reservations are accepted by phone only, up to one month in advance from the same calendar date, meaning you can call on June 1st to book July 1st, but not earlier. Calls are not accepted during service hours (6:00–11:00 PM), so your window is daytime only. Reservations by proxy are not permitted; you must call yourself. Given the eight-seat capacity and the venue's consistent award recognition across multiple years, booking a month out is the practical target. This is not a walk-in counter.
Within Fukuoka's sushi tier, Sushi Karashima sits alongside Chikamatsu and Gahoujin 我逢人 as the city's most credentialled omakase options. For broader Japan context, it operates at a level comparable to counters like Harutaka in Tokyo or Sushi Shikon in Hong Kong, serious, small-format omakase with consistent national recognition. Fukuoka's proximity to Kyushu's seafood supply gives counters here a genuine regional argument; the city is often cited as one of Japan's strongest sushi cities outside Tokyo and Osaka. If you're building a Japan itinerary around sushi, Sushi Gyoten, Sushi Osamu, and Tenzushi Kyomachi are worth cross-referencing alongside Karashima. For the wider Fukuoka picture, see our full Fukuoka restaurants guide, and for planning your stay, our Fukuoka hotels guide and bars guide cover the rest of the city.
Ratings at a Glance
- Tabelog Score: 4.23
- Tabelog Award: Bronze 2024, 2025, 2026
- Tabelog Sushi WEST Top 100: Selected 2021, 2022, 2025
- Opinionated About Dining Japan Ranking: #108 (2025), #134 (2024), #148 (2023)
Practical Details
- Price: JPY 60,000–79,999 per person (dinner only)
- Hours: Mon–Sun, two seatings: 6:00–8:15 PM and 8:30–11:00 PM
- Seats: 8 (counter only, no private rooms)
- Booking: Phone only (080-6661-3999), up to one month in advance, daytime calls only
- Payment: Cash only
- Dress code: None stated, but the price tier and venue formality suggest smart dress
- Fragrance policy: Strong perfumes and scented products not permitted
- Children: Permitted only if participating in the full adult course
- Parking: Not available
- Private hire: Full venue buyout available
How It Compares
See the comparison section below.
Planning details
- Hours
- Monday: 6–11 pm · Tuesday: 6–11 pm
- Location
- Japan, 〒810-0042 Fukuoka, Chuo Ward, Akasaka, 3 Chome−1−2 大東第２ビル Ⅱ101
- Website
- tabelog.com/en/fukuoka/A4001/A400105/40048710
- Phone
- +81 80-6661-3999
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Sushi Karashima presents a focused, small-scale sushi counter that foregrounds Kyushu seafood and tight craftsmanship. The room’s eight-seat configuration and two nightly seatings create a concentrated, museum-like service rhythm: everything is staged around the chef’s selections and the sequence of pieces. The writing emphasizes Karashima’s steady ascent in local rankings and its positioning within Fukuoka’s premium sushi cohort, so the impression is of a refined, quietly confident counter where provenance and timing matter as much as technique.
Best For
This is a dinner destination for intimate, celebratory evenings rather than groups or casual drop-ins. With only sixteen covers per night across two set seatings, Karashima is best suited to guests who want a full chef-driven omakase at the counter. It’s ideal for couples or solo diners who prize focused attention and regional seafood variety; it’s not set up for private parties or overflow dining, so larger groups should look elsewhere.
Ordering Tips
Expect a strict, chef-led omakase sequence rather than à la carte flexibility: the counter runs two fixed seatings (18:00–20:15 and 20:30–23:00) and caps service at sixteen covers nightly. Lean into the local highlights and house signatures mentioned in coverage — the red wine vinegar shari, egg white chawanmushi and amberjack nigiri — as representative elements of the counter’s approach. Given the very limited seating and sustained demand, plan for the fixed-seat structure when arranging your visit.
Planning details
Hours
- Monday
- 6–11 pm
- Tuesday
- 6–11 pm
- Wednesday
- 6–11 pm
- Thursday
- 6–11 pm
- Friday
- 6–11 pm
- Saturday
- 6–11 pm
- Sunday
- 6–11 pm
Location
Japan, 〒810-0042 Fukuoka, Chuo Ward, Akasaka, 3 Chome−1−2 大東第２ビル Ⅱ101 · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Chikamatsu; Sushi, Sushi
- Gahoujin 我逢人; Sushi, Sushi
- Genkiippai; Ramen, Ramen
- Matsuyama; Western, Western
- Mihara Tofuten; Tofu, Tofu
Restaurant context
Among Fukuoka's high-end sushi counters, Sushi Karashima is the most consistently decorated by external rankings. Its OAD Japan position (#108 in 2025) and three-year Tabelog Bronze Award run place it above most local competition on paper. Chikamatsu and Gahoujin 我逢人 are its closest omakase peers in the city and worth comparing directly if your dates at Karashima are unavailable; both operate in a similar format and price tier. Sushi Gyoten and Tenzushi Kyomachi round out the Fukuoka sushi shortlist for different budget positions.
If your priority is credentials and intimacy for a special occasion, Karashima's eight-seat counter is the clearest choice in the city. If you want more flexibility; table seating, lunch options, or a less formal setting; Matsuyama covers Western fine dining with a different atmosphere, Mihara Tofuten offers a completely different register if your group includes non-sushi eaters. For ramen, Genkiippai is the local reference at a fraction of the price.
On a wider Japan comparison, Karashima operates at a level comparable to Harutaka in Tokyo or Shoukouwa in Singapore; serious small-format omakase with sustained regional recognition. Fukuoka's seafood access gives it a geographic argument that counters in larger cities cannot always match. If you are building a sushi-focused Japan trip and have already covered HAJIME in Osaka or Gion Sasaki in Kyoto, adding Karashima to a Fukuoka leg is a logical extension rather than a detour.
Explore Fukuoka
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Sushi Karashima guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Sushi Karashima
| Venue | Awards |
|---|---|
| Sushi Karashima | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked · #922026 Tabelog Bronze · #165Tabelog 100 - Sushi - WEST - 2025 · #242025 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked · #1082025 Tabelog Bronze2024 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked · #1342023 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked · #148 |
| Chikamatsu | 2026 Tabelog Gold · #52026 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked · #122026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked · #22Tabelog 100 - Sushi - WEST - 2025 · #762025 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 Tabelog Gold2024 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked · #342023 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked · #17 |
| Gahoujin 我逢人 | 2026 Tabelog Bronze · #802026 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan RecommendedTabelog 100 - Sushi - WEST - 2025 · #672025 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked · #3452025 Tabelog Bronze2024 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked · #354 |
| Genkiippai | 2026 OAD Casual in Japan Ranked · #23Tabelog 100 - Ramen - WEST - 2025 · #512025 OAD Casual in Japan Ranked · #522024 OAD Casual in Japan Ranked · #272023 OAD Casual in Japan Ranked · #12 |
| Matsuyama | 2026 Tabelog Silver · #742026 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan RecommendedTabelog 100 - Japanese cuisine - WEST - 2025 · #602025 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked · #1492025 Tabelog Silver2024 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked · #2112023 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Highly Recommended |
| Mihara Tofuten | 2026 OAD Casual in Japan Ranked · #82025 OAD Casual in Japan Ranked · #832024 OAD Casual in Japan Ranked · #84 |
How Sushi Karashima stacks up against the competition.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead should I book Sushi Karashima?
Book exactly one month in advance; phone reservations open only on the same calendar day one month prior, so timing your call is everything. Reservations by proxy are not accepted, meaning you must call yourself at +81-80-6661-3999. Do not call during service hours (6–11 pm); call before the evening shift. With just 8 seats and a Tabelog Bronze award, spots go quickly.
Is Sushi Karashima good for a special occasion?
Yes, but it suits couples or very small groups better than celebrations involving a crowd. The counter seats only 8, there are no private rooms, children are not permitted unless they can eat the full adult course. At JPY 60,000–79,999 per person and with Tabelog Bronze recognition every year from 2024 through 2026, the occasion needs to match the format: intimate, focused, unhurried.
Can I eat at the bar at Sushi Karashima?
The entire restaurant is a counter; all 8 seats face the chef. There is no separate bar or table seating, so a counter seat is your only option. That format is central to the experience at Sushi Karashima, putting you directly in front of Chef Hiroshi Karashima throughout the meal.
Is lunch or dinner better at Sushi Karashima?
Dinner is your only option. Sushi Karashima operates dinner service only, running two seatings: 6:00–8:15 pm and 8:30–11:00 pm. There is no lunch service. Budget JPY 60,000–79,999 per person for dinner.
What are alternatives to Sushi Karashima in Fukuoka?
Chikamatsu and Matsuyama are comparable high-end omakase options in Fukuoka worth considering if Sushi Karashima is fully booked. Gahoujin 我逢人 and Genkiippai operate in different format or price tiers and may suit diners who want more flexibility. Mihara Tofuten is a tofu-specialist restaurant, not a sushi counter, serves a completely different type of meal.
What should I wear to Sushi Karashima?
No dress code is documented for Sushi Karashima, but the price point (JPY 60,000–79,999), the 8-seat counter format, the no-fragrance policy together signal a restrained, considered atmosphere. Smart, understated clothing is a safe read for an omakase at this level. Avoid heavy perfume or strongly scented products; the restaurant will turn you away at the door if fragrance is detected.
