Experience Exquisite Edomae Sushi at Ginza's Sushi Arai: A Culinary Masterpiece
The reason for updating the article is the growing interest in tours that allow visitors to enjoy Japanese food culture and delicious dishes. As these tours gain popularity, Magical Trip's tour, which ranked #1 among all tours on Tripadvisor, has been receiving numerous applications.
For those interested in traditional Japanese cuisine especially Sushi, join the "Finest Quality Sushi & Tempura Dining Experience in Ginza," where a knowledgeable local guide will take you to their highly recommended Japanese restaurants. While enjoying sushi, tempura, and sake, your local guide will teach you proper dining etiquette and the best ways to savor each dish.
If you're interested in exploring the Tsukiji Market area, one of Japan's largest seafood markets located in Tokyo, consider joining the "Tsukiji Fish Market Walking Food Tour in Tokyo." You can enjoy food-hopping at the Tsukiji Outer Market and have a guide show you around the tourist attractions like Tsukiji Hongwanji in the Tsukiji area.
We hope you'll have a wonderful time experiencing everything Sushi has to offer by joining a Magical Trip tour!
Introduction
Ginza is Tokyo's premier shopping district. It's known for its concentration of historic department stores like Ginza Mitsukoshi and flagship stores of international luxury brands such as Gucci and Chanel.
Ginza's luxury extends beyond accessories and apparel. The area is a pilgrimage site for high-end restaurants, featuring many Michelin-starred establishments and is famous for hosting renowned sushi restaurants with counter-only seating.
Today, we'll introduce Sushi Arai Ginza, a particularly famous Michelin one-star restaurant in Ginza.
Sushi Arai: A Michelin-Starred Top-Tier Japanese Sushi Restaurant
Seeking the ultimate sushi experience in Japan? Sushi Arai Ginza is a Michelin one-star establishment ranking among Japan's finest sushi restaurants. Chef Yuichi Arai, who trained for years at renowned Ginza establishments Ginza Kyubey and Sushi Shou, opened this restaurant in 2015 at age 33, quickly establishing it as one of Ginza's premier dining destinations.
Experience at Sushi Arai, offering supreme quality in Tokyo's prestigious Ginza district, promises an unforgettable moment. Don't miss the opportunity to taste authentic sushi that can only be experienced here.
Motto: "A Taste You'll Never Tire Of"
Sushi Arai's motto is "a taste you'll never tire of." The restaurant offers a single omakase course comprising "Tsumami" and "Nigiri."
The course features 14 pieces of carefully crafted Nigiri sushi, along with seven Tsumami (small seasonal dishes that pair well with sake, such as grilled fish). (The number of items may vary slightly depending on the day.)
The course, embodying the chef's desire to "create sushi that everyone wants to eat again and again," has captivated many, including myself. Visit Sushi Arai to experience its charm firsthand.
What is Sushi?
In Japanese, there are two kanji characters for "Sushi": 寿司 (sushi) and 鮨 (sushi). Sushi generally refers to dishes combining shari (vinegared rice) with fish or vegetables, commonly written as 寿司 in Japan.
So what does 鮨 mean? The character combines "fish" (魚) and "delicious" (旨), literally meaning "a dish to savor fish." Moreover, 鮨 specifically refers to hand-pressed Nigiri sushi. Sushi Arai serves this type of carefully crafted 鮨.
Come taste these supreme masterpieces, created with dedication to fish selection and refined techniques.
At Sushi Arai, Every Piece is Meticulously Calculated from Size to Wasabi Amount
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Each piece of sushi at Sushi Arai carries the chef's soul. Everything is precisely calculated - from the fish size to vinegar ratio in the shari (rice) and wasabi portions. Watching the chef carefully form each piece is like witnessing art in motion, and the sushi presented on the plate resembles an artistic masterpiece.
Experience the sushi before you. The harmony between the shari's acidity and the fish's umami creates a perfect match in every piece. This refined taste can only be achieved by a skilled artisan with years of experience.
Three Attractions of Sushi Arai Explained with Popular Features
Dedication to Adjusting Cooking Methods Based on Daily Fish Conditions
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At Sushi Arai in Ginza, fish preparation goes beyond simple slicing. Cooking methods vary daily based on the fish condition. For instance, snapper might be served raw one day and vinegar-marinated another, ensuring optimal taste.
The cooking precision is exemplified in dishes like the perfectly-cooked Botan shrimp and the exquisitely marinated Gizzard Shad and Grouper in kombu and vinegar. Each piece maximizes the fish's umami through these carefully chosen preparation methods.
Subtle Adjustments in Cutting Techniques and Knife Angles Based on Fish Condition
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Sushi Arai adjusts cutting techniques and knife angles for each fish type. Even with Tuna, different parts are cut differently to maximize flavor. The knife technique affects both texture and taste.
For "Hikarimono" (fish with blue-tinted tails) like Shad and mackerel, the chef's intricate knife work is breathtaking. While enjoying sushi at Sushi Arai, take time to appreciate the artful fish preparation.
Fine-tuning Vinegar Blend Based on Fish Condition
Sushi Arai typically uses a blend of rich red vinegar and crisp white vinegar. Each piece of sushi receives a custom vinegar ratio in the shari, ensuring the perfect match for each fish.
The nikiri (soy sauce) brushed on top is also precisely balanced. Experience the culmination of carefully crafted vinegar blends and seasonings in each piece.
Premium Fish Selection: Large Portions of Highest Quality
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Sushi Arai maintains strict standards for fish procurement. Only the freshest seafood, carefully selected for seasonality, origin, and condition, makes it to their kitchen.
The omakase menu varies daily, reflecting the chef's commitment to serving the best seasonal ingredients at their peak. The generous shari portion size reflects the chef's desire for customer satisfaction, resulting in luxuriously sized, premium quality sushi.
Serving the Most Seasonal Fish with the Finest Preparation Methods
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At Sushi Arai, seasonal fish is prepared using optimal cooking techniques. Their dedication to ingredient sourcing is exceptional.
The passion for Tuna, a cornerstone of Sushi, is unmatched. While frozen Tuna is common in the market, Sushi Arai exclusively serves fresh Tuna. The chef's years of experience enable him to identify the best Tuna sources for each season, ensuring tender, fatty Tuna year-round.
Large Shari Made from Premium Toyama Prefecture Koshihikari Rice
Rice is crucial to Sushi's excellence. Sushi Arai uses Koshihikari brand rice from Toyama Prefecture.
Toyama Prefecture's cold climate, significant temperature variations, and pure snowmelt water from 3000m mountain ranges create ideal rice-growing conditions. This environment produces large, sweet, and sticky rice grains.
The distinct separation between grains results in Shari with a firm exterior and plump center.
More Accessible Dining Experience at Lunch
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Lunch offers a more affordable way to enjoy Sushi Arai. While dinner courses are typically ¥55,000, a lunch-exclusive course is available for ¥38,500 (price may vary based on ingredients).
The lunch course consists entirely of Nigiri Sushi without side dishes. While daily selections vary, Tuna is always included, and 17 pieces are guaranteed, providing an authentic Sushi Arai experience.
Lunch sessions are popular, so early reservations are recommended!
Three Essential Rules and Etiquette for Visiting Sushi Arai
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As a high-end restaurant, Sushi Arai has specific guidelines:
-Casual attire like shorts, sandals, or revealing clothes is not permitted. Remove hats before entering. Conservative shirts with slacks or long skirts are recommended.Avoid sharp accessories that might damage the counter. Travel light and minimize baggage.
-Don't wear strong perfumes, colognes, or hair products as they interfere with the dining experience.
-Photography is only permitted for Tuna dishes, with the chef's permission.
Access and Reservation Information for Sushi Arai
Address: Ruan Building 2F/B1F, 8-10-2 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 12:00~/18:00~/20:30~ (Reservation required)
Closed: Wednesdays
Phone: 03-6264-5855
Official Website: https://sushi-arai.com/
Reservation Site: https://omakase.in/ja/r/ar983475
Join a Local Tour to Learn How to Fully Enjoy Authentic Japanese Sushi!
If you're craving authentic sushi after reading this article, join a Magical Trip tour for an exceptional dining experience. While high-end establishments like Sushi Arai in Ginza can be challenging to visit independently, experiencing them with an experienced local guide makes these exclusive venues more accessible.
Your guide will explain proper etiquette and optimal tasting techniques to enhance your dining experience. One notable advantage of the tour is guaranteed counter seating at prestigious Ginza establishments, where you can witness the chef's remarkable techniques up close.
The tour includes both sushi and tempura specialists, featuring exclusive course meals with two complimentary drinks at each venue. Experience Japan's finest cuisine at its peak.
Meeting Details:
- Location: Lion Statue at Ginza Mitsukoshi
- Area: Ginza
- Start Time: 16:30
If you come all the way to Ginza, you should also enjoy some of Japan's best wagyu beef!
While exploring Ginza's gourmet scene, indulge in premium-grade wagyu beef. In Japan, beef is graded on a 15-level scale based on marbling ("sashi") and meat quality. This tour offers all-you-can-eat A5-ranked wagyu, the highest grade available. The melt-in-your-mouth wagyu steak comes with seasonal side dishes and soup.
The experience begins with unlimited sake tasting before the wagyu feast. Your local guide will share tips for maximizing the flavors of both.
Meeting Details:
- Location: Shimbashi Station North Exit (near SAZA Coffee in Ecute Edition)
- Area: Ginza
- Start Time: 17:00