Sushi Kibatani Kanazawa: Enjoy Michelin-starred Restaurant & Kanazawa’s Authentic Seafood
Kanazawa, popular among foreign tourists, has been known as one of Japan's leading cultural cities since the Edo period (1600-1868). The city, which flourished as a castle town, still retains many traditional buildings and historic spots today.
Blessed with natural surroundings such as the sea and mountains, Kanazawa is also characterized by its unique regional food culture. You can savor traditional local dishes that carry on traditions, as well as sushi made with fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan.
Today, we'll introduce you to the charm of the popular "Sushi Kibatani" in Kanazawa!
Table of Contents
-Three Charms That Make Sushi Kibatani Beloved by Both Locals and Tourists
-My personal favorites! 3 menu items you should definitely try
-3 popular sushi restaurants in Kanazawa alongside Sushi Kibatani
-3 Restaurants in Kanazawa Where You Can Enjoy Authentic Japanese Dishes Like Sushi Kibatani
Kanazawa Offers Various Exquisite Gourmet Experiences, Including Fresh Seafood
Facing the Sea of Japan, Kanazawa offers a wide variety of seafood. From Nodoguro, known as Kanazawa's premium fish, to winter snow crab and Kobako crab, and summer rock oysters, the attractive point is that you can enjoy fresh seafood no matter which season you visit.
Kanazawa also has many dishes unique to Japan. "Kaga Ryori," a local cuisine of the Hokuriku region, is characterized by using local ingredients that are at their most delicious in each season and presenting them in beautiful tableware such as traditional crafts.
Please enjoy Kanazawa's gourmet offerings that delight both the eyes and the palate!
For Authentic Sushi in Kanazawa, Sushi Kibatani is Highly Recommended!
Source:Tabelog
Among Kanazawa's many excellent sushi restaurants, "Sushi Kibatani" is my top recommendation. Despite being located in an area called a sushi battleground, it consistently maintains high popularity and is known for being difficult to book.
The course menu, where attention to detail can be felt in each dish, offers the attractive point of savoring Hokuriku region's seafood prepared in various cooking methods. The numerous dishes using ingredients at their "Shun (the freshest and most delicious period)," which is valued in Japanese food culture, are carefully prepared from appetizers to desserts.
Please slowly savor the supreme sushi in the restaurant's calm atmosphere.
Overview and Access to Sushi Kibatani
Address: 1-8-26 Hikosanmachi, Kanazawa City
Access: 18-minute walk from Hokuriku Railway Kanazawa Station Exit A7
Business Hours: 17:00-21:00
Closed: Sundays
Phone Number: 076-256-1218
Official Website: None
Three Charms That Make Sushi Kibatani Beloved by Both Locals and Tourists
Outstanding Sushi Created Using Exquisite Ingredients
Source:Tabelog
When it comes to Kibatani's greatest charm, it's definitely being able to taste exceptional sushi.
The chef personally visits the fishing port every morning to carefully select ingredients, using almost exclusively Hokuriku region ingredients except for tuna. The key point is adding careful extra touches that bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients. You can enjoy sushi that can only be tasted at Kibatani, such as squid, tuna, and sea bream aged to perfection.
The sushi vinegar mixed into the rice is a blend of red vinegar and rice vinegar, characterized by a mellow acidity that enhances the umami of the seafood.
Please savor the supreme sushi from the chef who trained at famous Tokyo establishments.
Enjoying Not Only Exquisite Sushi but Also Sake Pairing
Source:Tabelog
Enjoying various Japanese sake alongside exquisite sushi is one of my favorite ways to experience Kibatani. The carefully selected Japanese sake, mainly from breweries in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures, pairs well with Hokuriku seafood. The attractive point is being able to savor local flavors not only through food but also through drinks.
There are also locally produced wines, so please try changing your drinks with each dish. The marriage of seasonal fresh seafood and Japanese sake is truly a blissful moment.
The Chef's Skill in Creating the Perfect Flow According to Customer Preferences and Portion Sizes
Source:Tabelog
What captivates many visitors to Kibatani is the chef's craftsmanship and attentive hospitality.
While the menu consists only of course meals, he adjusts according to each customer's preferences and pace. From the timing of service to the size of the rice portions, you can't go wrong by trusting and leaving it to the chef.
The meticulous attention and supreme hospitality that allow you to relax and enjoy your meal is one of the reasons for this restaurant's popularity. When you visit Kibatani, please also enjoy communicating with the chef.
The basic ordering style at Sushi Kibatani is "Omakase"
Kibatani's menu is based on a course meal called "Omakase". "Omakase" is a system where you leave everything to the chef, including the food content and timing of service. In Western countries, you may have heard it called a "Chef's Tasting Menu".
The attractive point of "Omakase" is that you can taste the most delicious ingredients of the day prepared with the optimal cooking method, and enjoy a special course unique to that day.
My personal favorites! 3 menu items you should definitely try
Fatty Tuna
Source:Tabelog
What I particularly look forward to in Sushi Kibatani's course is the tuna nigiri.
Sushi Kibatani carefully sources tuna primarily from Hokkaido. The fatty tuna that melts in your mouth is so delicious that you'll want to eat as many pieces as possible. You can taste the rich umami flavor, which pairs perfectly with the shari (rice) that has a mellow taste from blending two types of vinegar.
Please enjoy Sushi Kibatani's tuna, which is served in various styles such as marinated in soy sauce or seared.
Spanish Mackerel from Himi
Source:Tabelog
Spanish mackerel, which becomes delicious from autumn to winter, is also one of my favorite sushi items.
Spanish mackerel loses its freshness easily, so it's generally not considered suitable for sashimi or sushi. However, at Sushi Kibatani, they immediately source Spanish mackerel caught in Himi City, Toyama Prefecture, so you can enjoy it as sushi while it's still fresh.
Winter Spanish mackerel is fatty and you can taste its rich umami and sweetness. Sushi Kibatani's Spanish mackerel, which appears as nigiri as well as an appetizer in a small bowl, pairs excellently with sake.
Blackthroat Seaperch from Himi
Source:Tabelog
The Blackthroat Seaperch from Hokuriku, famous as a high-grade fish, is called "Nodoguro" in Japanese. The name spread nationwide when Japanese professional tennis player Kei Nishikori said "I want to eat nodoguro" at a post-match press conference.
For sashimi and sushi, it's recommended to have it during the fatty spring to summer period, which is the spawning season.
Sushi Kibatani's Nodoguro sushi is served directly to your hand because the topping is large and tends to fall apart. Please savor the exquisite taste of this perfectly seared delicacy.
Reservations at Sushi Kibatani are difficult to get, so you should book early!
Source:Tabelog
Sushi Kibatani values attentive service and operates by reservation only with just 9 counter seats. Reservations can be made through the reservation website or by phone.
Since it's a popular restaurant, it's recommended to make a reservation as soon as your travel itinerary is decided. If you're on a waiting list for cancellations, make sure to provide a contact number where you can definitely be reached in Japan, such as your hotel or mobile phone.
When you come to Kanazawa, enjoy exquisite cuisine at restaurants loved by locals!
If you're unsure about choosing restaurants during your trip, joining a food tour led by a local guide is also recommended. This tour visits three restaurants carefully selected by a guide who knows Kanazawa inside out.
Exquisite gourmet food you can eat on the tour:
- Authentic style Japanese cuisine
- "Oden", Kanazawa's specialty hot pot dish with various ingredients simmered together
- Exquisite izakaya food recommended by the local guide
- Japanese sake from various regions across Japan
What I want to recommend is that you can enjoy your meal with confidence even if you're not confident about Japanese dining etiquette. Feel free to ask the guide anything you don't understand, such as how to eat or about the ingredients!
<Information>
Meeting point: In front of the Korinbo Ramoda bldg.
Tour area: Restaurants in the Kanazawa area
Start time: 18:00
3 popular sushi restaurants in Kanazawa alongside Sushi Kibatani
Otome Sushi
Source:Tabelog
"Otome Sushi", located in a corner of Kanazawa's busiest entertainment district, is one of my favorite sushi restaurants alongside Sushi Kibatani. It has received two Michelin stars and is also known as a restaurant where reservations are difficult to get.
The head chef's dedication is in the careful preparation to bring out the natural deliciousness of fresh ingredients. For the shari (rice), locally produced rice is used and cooked fluffy in a clay pot. The shari, shaped with skilled technique, has a texture that melts in your mouth.
Kanazawa's specialty Kobako crab uses the shell as a vessel, filled with crab meat, eggs, and crab miso, allowing you to enjoy various flavors. Please try it!
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Address: 4-10 Kiguramachi, Kanazawa City
Business hours: 12:00 - Last entry 13:30 / 17:00 - Last entry 19:00
Closed: Wednesdays, Sundays, and holidays
Phone number: 076-231-7447
Official website: https://kiguramachi.com/shop/237/
Komatsu Yasuke
Source:Tabelog
"Komatsu Yasuke" is a popular sushi restaurant run by Kazuo Morita, known as a legend in the sushi world. Both tourists and locals frequently visit to taste the sushi made by the owner, who is 94 years old as of 2025.
The "legendary squid", cut so beautifully it's almost translucent, allows you to enjoy the squid's authentic rich sweetness and chewy texture. My recommendation is the signature dish "Hakusan", which tops rice with tuna, sea urchin, and grated yam.
Currently, head chef Morita may sometimes be absent, but there are chefs who have inherited his skilled techniques, so you can always savor the exquisite taste!
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Address: Kanazawa Chaya Annex 1F, 2-17-21 Honmachi, Kanazawa City
Business hours: 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 (Complete reservation turnover system)
Closed: Wednesdays and Thursdays
Phone number: 076-231-1001
Official website: None
Kourin Sushi
Source:Tabelog
Established in 1951, "Kourin Sushi" is a renowned sushi restaurant passed down through generations. Located right next to Omicho Market, known as "the kitchen of Kanazawa citizens," it offers a wide variety of fresh seafood.
My recommendation for this restaurant is that you can order sushi pieces individually at reasonable prices. Please try various types of seafood.
With the desire to "spread the deliciousness of Japanese sushi to people around the world," the attractive features include staff who can speak English and an English menu.
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Address: 79 Hakuromachi, Kanazawa City, Kanazawa
Business hours: 11:30-13:30 / 17:30-21:30
Closed: Wednesdays and Sundays
Phone number: 076-231-5964
Official website: http://www.kourin1.com/
3 Restaurants in Kanazawa Where You Can Enjoy Authentic Japanese Dishes Like Sushi Kibatani
Tempura Koizumi
Source:Official website
If you want to taste tempura in Kanazawa, visit "Tempura Koizumi." At the calm atmosphere counter seats, you can savor crispy tempura made with seasonal ingredients from Kanazawa.
In the "Omakase (Chef's tasting menu)" course meal, please enjoy not only tempura but also sashimi, specialty dishes, and exquisite desserts.
Hot tempura fried right in front of you becomes even more delicious when paired with well-chilled Japanese sake!
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Address: 34 Ikeda-machi 4-chome, Kanazawa City
Business hours: 12:00- / 18:00-20:00
Closed: Sundays
Phone number: 076-223-0023
Official website: https://tempura-koizumi.jp/
Tsubajin
Source:Official website
For authentic local cuisine, I recommend "Tsubajin," established in 1752. At Tsubajin, which is frequented by many locals, you can fully enjoy traditional course meals that make use of local specialties such as Nodoguro and sea bream.
The local cuisine of this region, called "Kaga Ryori," is characterized by gorgeously presented dishes and a large number of items. I'm always captivated by the tableware made using traditional crafts.
Please enjoy traditional flavors at this long-established restaurant loved in Kanazawa.
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Address: 5-1-8 Teramachi, Kanazawa City
Business hours: 11:30-14:00 (L.O. 13:00) / 17:00-21:00 (L.O. 19:00)
Closed: Wednesdays
Phone number: 076-241-2181
Official website: https://tsubajin.co.jp/en/
Kifune
Source:Hitosara
"Kifune," renovated from an old private house over 100 years old, is a popular restaurant nestled in the atmospheric teahouse district. The owner's carefully crafted menu is renewed monthly, allowing you to enjoy seasonal dishes whenever you visit.
When I visited at lunchtime, there were courses starting from 2,500 yen, and the attractive point is that the price range is reasonable compared to typical high-end restaurants.
Since both lunch and dinner are limited to 4 groups per day, if you're interested, I recommend making a reservation as soon as your travel plans are decided!
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Address: 1-9-69 Hikoso Machi, Kanazawa City
Business hours: 11:30-15:00 / 17:30-22:30 (Sundays also open 7:00-9:00)
Closed: Wednesdays
Phone number: Inquiries 076-220-6131 / Reservations 050-5871-4856
Official website: None
When You Come to "Kanazawa," a City Where Japanese Tradition and History Live and Breathe, Enjoy Exploring the Town
After savoring Kanazawa gourmet food, why not explore the traditions and history while walking through the town? By participating in this tour guided by local guides, you can feel the charm of Kanazawa even more deeply.
My recommendation points:
- Enjoy the city of Kanazawa efficiently in a short time
- Guided to spots unique to local guides
- Savor local cuisine lunch in a beautiful Japanese garden
- Tea time with matcha and Japanese sweets in the charming teahouse district
If you want to feel the atmosphere of Kanazawa from the perspective of local people, please check it out!
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Meeting point: Family Mart+Drug Komeya Kanazawa Musashi Store
Tour area: Omicho Market-Kanazawa Castle Park-Kenrokuen Garden-Japanese Sweets Museum-Higashi Chaya District
Start time: 10:00
