Tabelog ratingAt Sushi Ikkou (鮨 一幸), an intimate eight-seat counter in Ginza, chef Kunihiro Iwai has cultivated a reputation for precision and seasonality. The experience is built on two pillars: unique, handcrafted signature pieces that capture the best of the season, and a distinctive approach to the sushi rice, or shari. The Hokkaido rice is seasoned with tensai sugar and a restrained vinegar blend, with its temperature carefully controlled to elevate each piece of fish.
Guests consistently praise the tightly paced, two-hour omakase and its parade of seasonal highlights. Standouts often include the tender, half-cooked mantis shrimp (shako) in spring, summer ayu, and theatrical creations like toro-matsu (fatty tuna with matsutake mushrooms). Another celebrated dish is the mizugai, a refreshing bowl of abalone, sea urchin (uni), and mozuku seaweed. The quality of the line-caught tuna from Funka Bay is also a point of acclaim, as is the simple yet perfect kanpyo-maki (pickled gourd roll) that many choose to finish their meal.
Criticism is rare and almost never directed at the food or service. The main challenges are practical: securing a reservation is extremely difficult, with reports that new bookings are often limited, and the price point is high. However, most reviewers who mention the cost agree that the quality of the ingredients and the faultless technique make it a worthwhile expense for a special occasion.
Dinner is by omakase only, with reviewers recently paying between ¥60,000 and ¥80,000 per person; many bills came to around ¥70,000 including sake. For a destination meal, it represents excellent value.
- Reservations: A reservation is mandatory and can only be made through the OMAKASE website. Securing a seat is extremely difficult and requires planning far in advance.
- Getting There: The restaurant is on the 3rd floor of the Nissou Dai 26 Building, a 4-minute walk from Ginza Station (Exit A1) or a 2-minute walk from Higashi-Ginza Station (Exit A1).
- Seating: The restaurant consists of a single counter with 8 seats. There are two seatings per evening, each lasting approximately two hours.
- Payment: Credit cards are accepted, but electronic money and QR code payments are not.
- Language: While staff are professional and welcoming to international guests, expect a Japanese-language omakase experience.
- Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
