source:Kurasushi

Kids-Friendly Sushi Restaurants in Tokyo: 7 Top Picks for Family Fun

Published: Jul 15, 2024

Sushi is a quintessential Japanese dish, and Tokyo boasts the highest number of sushi restaurants in Japan. In fact, nigiri zushi (hand-shaped sushi) with sliced raw fish atop rice originated in Tokyo in the early 1800s.

While Tokyo is home to many high-end sushi establishments, which might evoke images of luxury and formal dining, there's actually a wide variety of sushi restaurants catering to different tastes and preferences. Many of these are kid-friendly and welcoming to families with children.

Historically, sushi was enjoyed as fast food by commoners. Its customizable nature makes it a favorite among Japanese children who can choose their preferred toppings. Restaurants often offer special menus and services tailored to young diners.

In this article, we'll introduce you to some family-friendly sushi restaurants in Tokyo that both kids and adults can enjoy.

Fun Sushi Experiences for Kids in Tokyo

Zauo

Zauo
source:Tabelog

Zauo, located in Shibuya, is a unique seafood restaurant where guests can fish for their own meal. The restaurant features a large indoor fish tank where customers can catch their own fish, which is then prepared and served as sushi. This exciting experience is sure to thrill children and adults alike.

The fish you catch can be prepared as sashimi (sliced raw fish), grilled, or as tempura (battered and deep-fried). While all preparation methods are delicious, I recommend trying the sashimi to fully appreciate the fish's freshness.

The joy of catching your own seafood and having it prepared on the spot creates unforgettable memories. Staff members are available to assist, making it easy for beginners to enjoy fishing. This restaurant is packed with entertainment for both kids and adults.

<Restaurant Information>
- Address: B1F Himantan Jinnan Building, 1-19-3 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Closed: New Year's holidays
- Phone: 03-6427-0207
- Hours: Mon-Fri: 17:00 - 23:00 (L.O. 22:00 for food, 22:30 for drinks), Sat-Sun & Holidays: 11:30 - 15:00 (L.O. 14:30), 16:00 - 23:00 (L.O. 22:00 for food, 22:30 for drinks)
- Website: https://www.zauo.com

Tsukiji Tamasushi

Tsukiji Tamazushi
source:Official website

Tsukiji Tamasushi, established about 140 years ago near the former site of Japan's largest fish market in Tsukiji, offers delicious nigiri sushi made with fresh seafood. This restaurant provides a sushi-making experience before opening hours, available for children aged 7 and above.

During the sushi-making experience, participants dress in chef's whites and learn how to make sushi from professional chefs behind the counter. You'll learn to make both nigiri sushi and temaki sushi (hand rolls wrapped in seaweed).

The experience includes comparing your handmade sushi with the chef's creations and enjoying a meal while listening to interesting sushi facts from the professionals.

Learning to make sushi can be a great skill for future home parties. Note that this experience is conducted in Japanese only.

<Restaurant Information>
- Address: B1-2F Millennium Tsukiji, 2-15-19 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
- Closed: Sundays and holidays
- Phone: 050-2018-1705
- Hours: Weekdays from 10:30, Saturdays from 9:30
- Website: https://www.tamasushi.co.jp/experience/

Sushi Nihonbashi Sushi Class

Sushi Nihonbashi
source:Official website

Sushi Nihonbashi Sushi Class is taught by a former sushi chef who has been conducting classes for 13 years. The instructor is so skilled that he even teaches professional chefs.

While the teacher admits to limited English proficiency, the class has become popular among international visitors through word-of-mouth recommendations. An inbound course is now available, and the teacher's excellent communication skills ensure an enjoyable lesson for people from any country.

Participants can experience making sushi wearing sushi chef costumes, using professional tools, and working with fresh seafood sourced from the market. Creating and eating your own sushi will be an unforgettable experience.

<Class Information>
- Address: Regina Ginza East 501, 7-15-11 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
- Closed: –
- Phone: 03-3541-3530
- Hours: Lunch: 11:00-12:30, Dinner: 17:30-19:00
- Website: https://www.nihonbashi.cc/inbound/

Matsunozushi

Matsunozushi
source:Official website

Matsunozushi in Shinagawa offers a sushi-making experience tailored for luxury, high-end, and affluent international visitors. While often used for VIP hospitality, the experience is also suitable for families.

The instructor is a sushi chef who has worked overseas and has prepared sushi for G20 summits and the British Royal Family. This high-level chef teaches sushi-making directly in English, offering a unique experience unavailable elsewhere.

The restaurant's motto is "We don't just serve sushi; we serve Japanese culture." Through sushi, you can experience aspects of food culture unknown even to many Japanese people. They also offer menus catering to vegetarian, gluten-free, and halal dietary requirements.

<Restaurant Information>
- Address: 3-31-14 Oi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
- Closed: Sundays and holidays
- Phone: 03-3761-5622
- Hours: 18:00-22:00
- Website: https://matsunozushi.com/yoshi/for-inbound/experience/

Kid-Friendly Conveyor Belt Sushi Restaurants in Tokyo

Sushiro

For families with children looking to enjoy sushi in Tokyo without formality, conveyor belt sushi restaurants are a great option.

At Sushiro, while actual sushi doesn't rotate on the belt due to hygiene measures, you can order via touch panels. The appeal for families lies in the diverse menu. Besides sushi, they offer ramen, side dishes like french fries, and desserts such as cake, ice cream, and parfaits. The prices are reasonable, allowing the whole family to eat their fill without breaking the bank.

Sushiro has 62 locations in Tokyo. The Shinjuku San-chome branch is conveniently accessible from Shinjuku, while the Yurakucho branch is located on the 6th floor of the large electronics store "Bic Camera," perfect for a meal break during shopping. However, these restaurants can get crowded, so reservations are recommended. You can easily make reservations through their app, which supports English, Chinese, and Korean.

<Restaurant Information>
- Name: Sushiro Shinjuku San-chome Branch
- Address: B1F Shinjuku Bunka Building, 3-13-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
- Closed: –
- Phone: 03-5361-6020
- Hours: Mon-Fri: 11:00 - 23:00 (L.O. 22:30), Sat-Sun & Holidays: 10:30 - 23:00 (L.O. 22:30)
- Website: https://www.akindo-sushiro.co.jp/shop/detail.php?id=2350

<Restaurant Information>
- Name: Sushiro Yurakucho Branch
- Address: 6F Yomiuri Hall, 1-11-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Closed: –
- Phone: 03-5218-0161
- Hours: Mon-Fri: 10:30 - 22:30 (L.O. 22:00), Sat-Sun & Holidays: 10:00 - 22:30 (L.O. 22:00)
- Website: https://www.akindo-sushiro.co.jp/shop/detail.php?id=2228

Kura Sushi

Kura zushi
source:Official website

Unlike many conveyor belt sushi restaurants that now use photos instead of actual sushi, Kura Sushi still features real sushi rotating on the conveyor belt. This unique sight is sure to delight children. Of course, you can also order from a wide menu using touch panels.

Kura Sushi's "Bikkurapon" service is popular among children. For every five empty plates, you get to play a game, and if you win, you receive a small capsule toy.

Kura Sushi has 62 locations in Tokyo, all popular, but the Global Flagship Store in Asakusa is especially recommended for its additional fun elements.

This store features an Instagram-worthy interior with plain wood Japanese-style decor. Instead of capsule toys, winning "Bikkurapon" tickets allow you to play fair booth games. With multilingual staff and voice translation services available, it's definitely worth a visit.

<Restaurant Information>
- Address: 4F Asakusa ROX, 1-25-15 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
- Closed: –
- Phone: 03-5830-6106
- Hours: 11:00-23:00
- Website: https://www.kurasushi.co.jp/global_flagship/

Hamazushi

Hamazushi is another conveyor belt sushi chain with 49 locations in Tokyo. They provide child-sized chairs and kid-friendly menus to ensure young children can relax and enjoy their meal.

Features that appeal to children include order touch panels with voices from popular anime voice actors and menu items that come with coins for capsule toy machines.

The sushi menu includes not only seafood options but also sushi topped with hamburger steak, fried items, and meat. Hamazushi is also known for its delicious ramen, which is worth trying.

Another recommendation is their extensive dessert menu. I particularly enjoy their gateau chocolat and crepe cakes.

Hamazushi offers reasonable prices, so it can get crowded. Popular locations like the Akihabara Station Front shop and the Takadanobaba shop are often busy, so consider visiting during off-peak hours on weekdays or right after opening to avoid long waits.

<Restaurant Information>
- Name: Hamazushi Akihabara Station Front Shop
- Address: 3F BiTO AKIBA PLAZA, 1-18-18 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Closed: –
- Phone: 03-5295-7307
- Hours: Mon-Fri: 11:00 - 23:00 (L.O. 22:45), Sat-Sun & Holidays: 10:00 - 23:00 (L.O. 22:45)
- Website: https://maps.hama-sushi.co.jp/jp/detail/5391.html

<Restaurant Information>
- Name: Hamazushi Takadanobaba Shop
- Closed: –
- Phone: 0570-081-446
- Hours: 10:00 - 23:00 (L.O. 22:45)
- Website: https://maps.hama-sushi.co.jp/jp/detail/4352.html

Conclusion

Sushi, a representative Japanese dish, is popular among both adults and children. This article introduced kid-friendly sushi restaurants in Tokyo.

From Zauo in Shibuya where you can fish in indoor tanks, to sushi-making experiences at Tsukiji Tamasushi and Sushi Nihonbashi Sushi Class, and even VIP sushi-making experiences at Matsunozushi, Tokyo offers diverse options.

Conveyor belt sushi restaurants also provide services that delight children, such as extensive menus and toy rewards. The introduced chains - Sushiro, Kura Sushi, and Hamazushi - have numerous locations throughout Tokyo. When looking for a kid-friendly dining option, consider these conveyor belt sushi restaurants as well.

Yasuhiro

I'm Yasuhiro, a founder of MagicalTrip. My hometown is Shibuya, Tokyo so I know corner to corner about Shibuya and its close areas: Roppongi, Shinjuku and Ebisu. Hope you get ideas from my articles!