Sushi Sakai

Should You Book Sushi Sakai?

Yes — and you should plan around it. Sushi Sakai is one of the most consistently decorated sushi restaurants in western Japan, holding Tabelog Gold from 2019 through 2022 and 2024–2025, Silver in 2026, and a 4.56 Tabelog score that places it among Fukuoka's most serious dining commitments. La Liste awarded it 97 points in 2026, up from 83.5 the year prior, and Opinionated About Dining ranked it #18 in Japan in 2025. At JPY 40,000–49,999 per head (with review-based averages running JPY 60,000–79,999 at dinner), this is a deliberate spend — but the award trajectory justifies it for anyone treating Fukuoka as a serious food destination.

The Experience

Sushi Sakai operates from the second floor of the LANE Round Building in Nishinakasu, Fukuoka's compact entertainment district. The format is counter-only: 12 seats, reservation-mandatory, two-hour time slots. Right now only 7 counter seats are active, which makes the room feel more intimate than even the headline number suggests. For a special occasion or a focused solo meal, the counter format works in your favour , you are close to the preparation, the pacing is set by the kitchen, and there is no ambient noise to manage. The venue itself is described as a relaxing space, non-smoking throughout, and noted as solo-dining friendly by a significant share of reviewers.

The service philosophy here is what earns the price. A sommelier is on hand, and the drinks program takes sake seriously , the listing notes a particular focus on nihonshu and wine. That combination, at this price tier, is more common in Tokyo than in Fukuoka, and it signals that Sushi Sakai is not asking you to simply tolerate the price in exchange for technical sushi alone. The reservation line handles enquiries in Japanese, English, and Chinese between 10am and 6pm, which removes the friction that makes some high-end Japanese restaurants inaccessible to non-Japanese speakers. For a celebratory dinner or a business meal where you need the logistics to be smooth, that matters.

The building itself requires a small navigation effort: the entrance does not face the road, and the Tabelog listing explicitly notes that many first-time visitors get lost approaching the elevator hall. Check the exterior photo on the venue website before you arrive. Nearest subway options are Nakasu-Kawabata Station (approximately 13 minutes from Exit 1 on the airport line) or Tenjin-Minami Station (approximately 10 minutes from Exit 5 on the Nanakuma Line). No parking on site, but paid options are nearby.

Dress code is smart casual. Cards are accepted (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Diners); electronic money and QR payments are not. The full restaurant can be reserved for private use, though private rooms as a separate option are unavailable , the entire 12-seat counter would be yours.

Know Before You Go

Awards at a Glance

• La Liste 2026: 97 points
• La Liste 2025: 83.5 points
• Tabelog Award 2026: Silver
• Tabelog Award 2025: Gold (score 4.56)
• Tabelog Award 2024: Gold
• Tabelog Award 2022: Gold
• Tabelog Award 2020: Gold
• Tabelog Award 2019: Gold
• Tabelog Sushi WEST "Tabelog 100" 2025
• Opinionated About Dining Japan Ranking: #18 (2025)

How It Compares

Within Fukuoka's sushi options, Sushi Sakai sits at the leading of the price and recognition tier. Chikamatsu is the closest direct comparison , also sushi, also counter-format , but at a lower price point that makes it the more accessible entry if you want serious Fukuoka sushi without committing to the JPY 50,000+ range that Sakai often reaches in practice. Gahoujin 我逢人 offers another sushi option in the city, though without the sustained award record that Sakai carries across nearly a decade of Tabelog recognition. If you are building a multi-day Fukuoka itinerary and want to spread budget across formats, consider pairing Sushi Sakai with Genkiippai for ramen or Mihara Tofuten for tofu , both represent the city's food identity at a fraction of the price. For a Western-format special occasion dinner as an alternative, Matsuyama is worth considering.

Against Japan's wider sushi field, Sushi Sakai punches above its city's profile. Harutaka in Tokyo operates at a comparable prestige tier, and Tokyo's density of options means competition is stiffer there. Sushi Sakai's sustained Gold-and-Silver run on Tabelog, combined with a La Liste score that jumped 13.5 points in a single year, suggests a kitchen operating with real consistency rather than a one-cycle peak. For travelers making a Fukuoka stop specifically for the food, this is a stronger argument for booking than for treating it as a secondary option behind Tokyo or Osaka , it holds its own.

Broader Fukuoka Context

If Sushi Sakai is part of a wider Fukuoka trip, our full Fukuoka restaurants guide covers the city's range across formats and price points. For dining in other styles, Goh is the city's most-awarded French kitchen. For accommodation context, see our Fukuoka hotels guide. If you want to extend into bars or experiences, those are covered at Fukuoka bars and Fukuoka experiences.

FAQ

• Is Sushi Sakai good for solo dining? Yes, and it is specifically recommended for solo diners by a notable share of reviewers. The 12-seat counter (currently 7 active) puts solo guests directly in front of the preparation, and the two-hour fixed session gives the meal a clear structure. At JPY 40,000–79,999 depending on beverages, it is a considered solo spend, but for a solo food-focused trip to Fukuoka this is the room to be in.
• Does Sushi Sakai handle dietary restrictions? The database does not confirm specific dietary accommodation policies. Given the reservation-only format and the multilingual reservation line (JP/EN/CN, 10am–6pm), the right move is to raise any restrictions when booking. The kitchen is described as particular about fish, which is standard for an omakase-style counter at this level , significant departures from the core format may be difficult to accommodate.
• Can Sushi Sakai accommodate groups? The full venue (12 seats, currently 7 active) is available for private hire, which makes it a workable option for a group of up to 7–12 depending on current capacity. For a private business dinner or a celebratory group booking, contact the reservation line (in English if needed) between 10am and 6pm. There are no separate private rooms, so full venue hire is the only group-exclusive option.
• Is lunch or dinner better at Sushi Sakai? Both services run the same reservation-only counter format, and the listed price range is identical for lunch and dinner (JPY 40,000–49,999). Dinner review averages run slightly higher (JPY 60,000–79,999 versus JPY 50,000–59,999 at lunch), suggesting dinner seatings may involve more beverage spend. For a special occasion with sake pairings, dinner is the more natural fit. For a focused meal with better light and a slightly lower average bill, lunch on Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday is a practical choice.
• Is Sushi Sakai good for a special occasion? It is one of the strongest choices in Fukuoka for exactly that purpose. The counter format, sommelier service, serious sake and wine program, and the La Liste 97-point recognition combine to give the meal real occasion weight. The multilingual reservation line removes the usual friction of booking a high-end Japanese counter from abroad. At this price tier, it competes with the leading formal sushi experiences available in Japan. For a celebration dinner in Fukuoka, this is the booking to make.
• What are alternatives to Sushi Sakai in Fukuoka? For sushi at a lower price point, Chikamatsu is the most direct peer. Gahoujin 我逢人 is another sushi option in the city. If you want a high-end special occasion meal in a different format, Goh offers French cuisine at a similarly serious level. Outside Fukuoka, Harutaka in Tokyo and Gion Sasaki in Kyoto represent comparable tiers in other cities. For international sushi reference points, see Ginza Sushiko in Los Angeles.