Tabelog ratingSushi Shunbi Nishikawa (鮨旬美 西川) builds its meal around one ingredient: a large wild kuruma prawn from Isshiki in Mikawa, cooked at the counter in an iron tea kettle (chagama) and served as two nigiri. One is barely cooked and ice-chilled, the other steamed through and brushed with soy. Until December 2026 the eight-seat counter sits in the Espacio Nagoya Castle hotel, looking straight onto Nagoya Castle, which is lit up at night.
Almost every reviewer praises the prawn pair and the ika-uni roll: squid shaved into fine ribbons and wrapped around sea urchin in crisp seaweed. Other recurring favourites are the plum chawanmushi, a house-made tuna version of tuna mayo, abalone tempura with udon in summer and Kuwana clams. Many mention the red-vinegar rice. The banter between the chef and his wife, who runs the room, comes up constantly, and regulars note the absence of the strict rules found at many top sushi counters.
The criticism is minor. Some find the flavours on the bold side, and repeat guests notice that the fixed menu returns to the same signature dishes. The 22:00 second seating runs very late; one meal ended at 1:30am. The main complaint is how hard it is to get a seat.
On prices, reviewers in 2026 paid around ¥19,800 for the lunch omakase plus 15% service, with lunch totals up to about ¥27,830. The dinner course was ¥27,500 plus service. One diner paid ¥39,470 with a highball and four sakes; another paid ¥37,950 including a ¥1,000 non-alcoholic beer. A takeaway sukeroku box of inari and rolls cost ¥3,780. Expect roughly ¥23,000–28,000 at lunch and ¥30,000–40,000 at dinner with drinks. Reviewers consistently call this fair for a top counter, given roughly 25 courses that leave diners full.
- Getting there: about 480 m, an 8–10 minute walk, from Sengen-cho Station. 4th floor of the Espacio Nagoya Castle hotel.
- Booking: reservation only; walk-ins are not possible. Reviewers report it full through 2026, so check the booking rules well in advance. Phone 090-2183-4927.
- Age restriction: guests aged 12 and over only.
- Format: fixed omakase only, with a simultaneous start. Dinner seatings at 18:00 and 22:00, plus some lunches.
- Payment: credit cards accepted (VISA, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners). Electronic money and QR code payments are not accepted. A 15% service charge applies.
- Seats: 8 counter seats. No private rooms and no private hire.
- Smoking: non-smoking.
- Parking: available at the Espacio Nagoya Castle car park.
- Relocation: the hotel location runs until 27 December 2026, after which the restaurant returns to the Nagoya Station area.
