Sushi Mitani

Tokyo, Japan

With just a smattering of seats hidden behind a wooden door marked with a sign no bigger than a bathroom tile, you could easily walk past this gastronomic giant without blinking an eye. Yet this is the sushi fan's equivalent of El Dorado. And once you take your place at the 13-seat counter (or in the private room), you'll realise why you've hit the jackpot. The earthy-organic interiors are wonderfully soothing, a striking monochrome painting the only thing to detract from the mastery of the chefs chopping, rolling, tweaking and repeating on huge blocks of wood in front of you. Yasuhiko Mitsuya has a particular interest in techniques that originated in Tokyo's Edomae period and much of the fish he uses is house cured. The champagnes, wines and sakes are exquisite. Little wonder reservations are famously hard to come by, often booking up within the hour they're released.

Key Information

• Tasting menu from $245
• Lunch and dinner: Mon – Sun
• Visit Sushi Mitani's Website

Location

1-2 Kioi terrace 3F, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-0094