While the imposing Kumamoto Castle draws visitors from far and wide, it's the city's vibrant food scene that often captures their hearts. Kumamoto might be famed for its adventurous horsemeat dishes, but the prefecture also boasts an astonishing bounty of top-tier fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meats. This access to incredibly fresh produce shapes Kumamoto cuisine, letting natural flavors shine in a way that's hard to match.
Yet, one star of Kumamoto's culinary world often stays out of the spotlight, despite deserving headline status: its sushi. What makes Kumamoto sushi so good yet so undiscovered? I visited three sushi shops to find out the answer.
Sushiya Tokizoh
This sushi spot is located on Kaminoura Dori, a chic street where historic charm meets trendy eateries. The restaurant has counter seating plus table seating for larger parties. I opted for the omakase course for ¥10,000 (minimum two people, reservations required), which covers about seven courses and includes both sashimi and sushi.
The first thing you'll notice is the warm welcome from the taisho (owner), Tokizoh-san. Having spent time in Hawaii, his English is great, and he passionately shares insights about the fish and its preparation.
The meal started with a couple quick starter courses to whet the appetite, followed by some great sashimi. I’m not usually one to rave about squid, but the yariika topped simply with salt and kabosu was fantastic.
Following treats like a whole sazae (turbo shellfish), the nigiri sushi selection delighted with favorites like fatty toro and sweet egg, alongside less common gems like kawahagi and multiple sea bream varieties.
Asking what makes Kumamoto sushi unique, Tokizoh-san attributed it to Kumamoto’s location near the Shiranui Sea. Being an inland sea, there are a lot of fish unique to the area. There are also entirely different kinds of fish coming in from the East China Sea. This confluence gifts Kumamoto an impressively diverse range of local catches.
Sushiya Tokizoh
Address: Factory Site Horita Bldg. 1F, Kamitoricho 11-15, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City
Phone: 0963267771
Uoyoshi
Next up is Uoyoshi, a sushi shop dating back 120 years. Located near ANA Crowne Plaza New Sky Hotel not far from Kumamoto Station, the recently renovated shop is a great fusion of the modern and traditional. Both lunch and dinner are available. The taisho Okazaki-san is a fourth-generation itamae. Owing to its proximity to the ANA hotel, Uoyoshi gets a good ratio of foreign clientele and the taisho is used to serving non-Japanese speaking customers.
Dropping by for lunch, I ordered the tokujo nigiri set (¥3,850). While sushi is the star, Uoyoshi also offers tempting soba, crisp tempura, and combination meals. The nigiri itself was impeccably prepared with a focus on locally caught, in-season fish. The taisho has an excellent eye for quality, and the nigiri lunch I ordered had a great variety of fish and served as a great introduction to Kumamoto sushi.
I spoke with Okazaki-san about Kumamoto’s sushi culture and he mentioned that while a lot of great fish is available locally, much is highly sought-after by top restaurants in cities like Osaka—a testament to its quality. The waters of the Amakusa region of Kumamoto Prefecture are extremely biodiverse with lots of food for fish to feed on, meaning Kumamoto has access to an extremely wide variety of excellent seafood.
Uoyoshi
Address: Gofukumachi 2-chome 22, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City
Phone: 096-352-4062
Website: https://tabelog.com/kumamoto/A4301/A430101/43006401/
Tachi Zushi
For a different, more relaxed take on sushi, head to Tachi Zushi. Located just off Shower-dori near the Shimotori and Sunroad Shinshigai Arcades, this spot delivers quality fish in a lively, izakaya-like atmosphere. Opened in 2015 by a chef who honed his skills in Osaka for nearly a decade, Tachi Zushi marries fantastic sushi with a fun environment and accessible prices.
Tachi Zushi was likely one of the pioneers of kobore-mori in Kumamoto, an indulgent, overflowing sushi roll piled high with treasures like ikura (salmon roe), uni (sea urchin), and tuna. Tachi Zushi is also one of the few restaurants in Kumamoto using southern bluefin tuna sourced from the Indian Ocean. The flavorful red meat from southern bluefin tuna is much leaner, making for some delicious akami sushi.
Their revamped lunch menu boasts generous sets. I chose the "Shiroi Kakuni & Sushi Set," complete with a deeply flavorful seafood miso soup. It's a satisfying feast for any fish lover and is guaranteed to conquer a hearty appetite.
The interior is also decorated with memorabilia from popular manga/anime, so take a look around while you’re waiting for your food!
Tachi Zushi
Address: Shimotori 2-8-5, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City
Phone: 096-354-9999
Website: https://www.tachizushi-kumamoto.com/
These three unique restaurants offer just a glimpse into Kumamoto's stellar sushi and seafood offerings. So, alongside Kumamoto ramen, akaushi wagyu, and local sake, make sure Kumamoto sushi is high on your must-try list during your visit. You might just discover your new favorite taste of Kumamoto!
