Restaurant in Tokyo, Japan
OAD-ranked counter, dinner only, easy to book.
Shimbashi Tsuruhachi is a dinner-only sushi counter in Minato City with three consecutive years of Opinionated About Dining recognition and a 4.6 Google rating from nearly 100 reviews. Under chef Hirokazu Igarashi, it offers a credible sushi experience at a practical booking difficulty. Book for evenings Monday through Saturday; no lunch service is available.
If you are looking for an evening sushi counter in Shinbashi that has earned consistent recognition from serious diners, Shimbashi Tsuruhachi is worth your attention. Chef Hirokazu Igarashi's restaurant has appeared on Opinionated About Dining's Leading Restaurants in Japan list three years running, moving from a Recommended entry in 2023 to Ranked #457 in 2024 and #509 in 2025. That trajectory tells you something useful: this is a venue that has been independently tracked and validated by a crowd of experienced eaters, not just a neighbourhood fixture coasting on local goodwill. A 4.6 rating across 96 Google reviews adds further weight. Book if a dinner-only sushi counter with a credible track record suits your itinerary. Skip it if you need lunch or want a format beyond evening sittings.
Shimbashi Tsuruhachi sits on the second floor of the New Shinbashi Building (ニュー新橋ビル) in Minato City, one of central Tokyo's classic salaryman corridors. The building itself is a dense, utilitarian structure packed with small restaurants and bars, which means the setting is practical rather than designed for atmosphere. That context matters for how you frame expectations: this is not a minimalist counter in a quiet Ginza side street. What you are getting is a focused sushi experience inside a location that Tokyo insiders know well for affordable, direct dining. If the visual drama of a pristine hinoki counter in a hushed room is what you are after, venues like Harutaka or Sushi Kanesaka operate in a different register. Tsuruhachi's setting is more workmanlike, and that is part of the appeal for diners who want the craft without the ceremony.
The restaurant operates Monday through Saturday, 5 pm to 9:30 pm, and is closed on Sundays. There is no lunch service. Price range data is not currently available in our records, so confirm costs directly before you go. Booking difficulty is rated Easy, which means you are unlikely to face the weeks-long waits common at Tokyo's most sought-after counters, making this a practical option if your trip is short on planning time.
If you have already been once, the question is whether to return or try something adjacent. Given that the OAD ranking dropped slightly between 2024 and 2025 (from #457 to #509), it is worth asking whether the counter is maintaining its edge or softening. A decline in ranking does not necessarily signal a quality drop — OAD rankings shift with voter composition — but it is a data point to hold alongside your own experience. For sushi specifically, the Shinbashi area gives you options worth cross-referencing: Edomae Sushi Hanabusa and Sukiyabashi Jiro Roppongiten both operate in the broader central Tokyo sushi circuit and are worth considering for a return trip if you want a direct comparison point.
For those building a longer Tokyo itinerary, Pearl's full Tokyo restaurants guide covers the broader dining picture, and our Tokyo hotels guide and Tokyo bars guide round out the trip planning. If you are travelling beyond Tokyo, strong alternatives in Japan include Gion Sasaki in Kyoto, HAJIME in Osaka, and Goh in Fukuoka. For sushi specifically outside Japan, Sushi Shikon in Hong Kong and Shoukouwa in Singapore are the regional benchmarks.
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 5–9:30 pm; closed Sunday. Booking difficulty: Easy. Location: 2F, New Shinbashi Building, 2-16-1 Shinbashi, Minato City, Tokyo. Price range: Not confirmed in current data , verify before visiting. Dress code: Not specified; standard smart-casual for a Tokyo sushi counter is a reasonable baseline. Reservations: Advisable given the dinner-only format, though not hard to secure.
Three consecutive years of OAD recognition from a voter base of serious, well-travelled diners is a meaningful signal. The OAD list is compiled from repeat voters who eat widely and compare notes , inclusion at any rank puts Tsuruhachi in a competitive tier. For additional context on Tokyo's broader dining scene, see our Tokyo experiences guide and Tokyo wineries guide.
Specific menu data is not available in our current records, so we cannot recommend individual dishes without risking inaccuracy. What the OAD recognition and Google rating suggest is that the core sushi offering is the reason to visit , this is not a venue known for elaborate sides or cooked courses. Go in expecting to focus on the nigiri. Confirm the menu format (omakase or à la carte) when you book.
For higher-end sushi with more established global profiles, Harutaka and Sushi Kanesaka are the natural comparisons , both operate at ¥¥¥¥ and require more advance planning. Edomae Sushi Hanabusa is worth considering if you want a stronger emphasis on traditional Edomae technique. Hiroo Ishizaka is another well-regarded option in the wider Tokyo circuit. See our full Tokyo restaurants guide for a broader shortlist.
No dietary information is available in our current records. Given that traditional sushi counters in Tokyo are typically built around fish and shellfish, those with severe seafood allergies or strict dietary requirements should contact the restaurant directly before booking. Phone and website details are not currently in our database, so approach via your hotel concierge or a reservation platform if direct contact is needed.
Seat count data is not confirmed in our records. The New Shinbashi Building setting suggests a relatively compact counter, which is typical for Tokyo sushi at this level. Groups of more than four should verify capacity directly before assuming availability. For larger group dining in Tokyo, the full Tokyo restaurants guide includes venues with confirmed private room options.
There is no lunch service. Tsuruhachi operates exclusively for dinner, Monday through Saturday, 5–9:30 pm. If your schedule requires a midday option, you will need to look elsewhere. For dinner, arriving earlier in the sitting gives you the most options and the most relaxed pacing , this is standard advice for any dinner-only counter in Tokyo.
It depends on what you mean by special occasion. If you want a destination meal with high ceremony and a polished setting, venues like Harutaka or Sukiyabashi Jiro Roppongiten will deliver more of that experience. Tsuruhachi's three-year OAD track record makes it a credible choice for a meaningful dinner, but the New Shinbashi Building setting keeps the atmosphere functional rather than celebratory. It works well for a birthday dinner with a sushi-focused guest who values craft over theatre.
| Venue | Awards | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shimbashi Tsuruhachi | Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked #509 (2025); Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked #457 (2024); Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in Japan Recommended (2023) | — | |
| Harutaka | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | ¥¥¥¥ | — |
| RyuGin | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | ¥¥¥¥ | — |
| L'Effervescence | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | ¥¥¥¥ | — |
| HOMMAGE | Michelin 2 Star, World's 50 Best | ¥¥¥¥ | — |
| Florilège | Michelin 2 Star, World's 50 Best | ¥¥¥ | — |
Side-by-side comparison to help you decide where to book.
Specific menu details are not confirmed in available records, so arriving with an open agenda is the safest approach. As a sushi counter under chef Hirokazu Igarashi, an omakase format is the likely default — let the chef lead rather than requesting specific pieces. Ask on booking whether a set menu or à la carte is offered so you know what to expect before you arrive.
For sushi with higher OAD placement, Harutaka in Ginza ranks above Shimbashi Tsuruhachi and suits diners who want a more celebrated counter with a proven reservation track record. If you want to move outside sushi entirely, Florilège offers a French tasting menu format and holds strong OAD recognition for a very different evening. Shimbashi Tsuruhachi makes sense when you want an OAD-listed counter that is easier to book than the Ginza heavy-hitters.
No dietary policy is documented for this venue. For a sushi counter format, dietary restrictions — especially shellfish or fish avoidance — can significantly limit the menu, so contacting the restaurant directly before booking is practical. Given the counter setting, advance notice is more likely to be accommodated than a walk-in request.
The venue sits on the second floor of the New Shinbashi Building, a compact commercial block, which suggests limited floor space and a small counter format. Groups larger than four should confirm availability directly, as sushi counters in this format typically seat parties of two to four most comfortably. Larger groups may find the seating arrangement difficult to arrange without advance coordination.
Dinner is your only option. Shimbashi Tsuruhachi opens Monday through Saturday from 5 pm to 9:30 pm and is closed on Sundays — there is no lunch service. Plan accordingly if you are building an itinerary around the venue.
It works for a low-key special occasion if a sushi counter suits your format. The OAD recognition — ranked #509 in Japan in 2025 and #457 in 2024 — gives it credibility without placing it in the high-pressure, hard-to-book tier of Tokyo sushi. For a milestone celebration where room, ceremony, and prestige matter, RyuGin or Harutaka carry more weight. Shimbashi Tsuruhachi is better suited to occasions where the food itself is the point, without the theatre.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
