Sushi Mizukami

Every single sushi chef who trained at Sukiyabashi Jiro seems to become exceptional—and Mizukami Michinobu, the owner of Sushi Mizukami, is no exception. After sixteen years of training at both the Honten and Roppongi locations, Mizukami opened his own restaurant, bringing with him the solid technique and discipline instilled by his master. His sushi, already flawless in execution, positions him as one of the top sushi chefs in Tokyo—or even in Japan—among the middle generation. Many would say he is steadily following in the footsteps of his renowned senior, Harutaka.

The shari (sushi rice) is seasoned with only rice vinegar, following the Jiro lineage, though Mizukami’s version is slightly less salty than that of Jiro or Harutaka. This allows for a more delicate balance, especially when paired with white fish.

A devoted follower of his master’s teachings, Mizukami has gone to the market every single day for the past twenty years without fail. His ability to source fish is world-class. He buys his tuna from Yunoka, a rising star among maguro wholesalers, and his white fish from the legendary fisherman Koichi Mura, who is famous for his skill in ikejime. (In fact, it was Mizukami who introduced Mura’s fish to the highly rated Japanese restaurants Sushi Obana in Gunma and Hoshino in Shinbashi.)

His mastery of preparation techniques like simmering, curing, and marinating is truly impressive. The Kohada（gizzard shad）and Saba（mackerel）are particularly unforgettable—perfectly soft skin and spot-on seasoning that blends seamlessly with the shari.

Unlike many modern sushi restaurants that serve long sequences of small dishes followed by just ten pieces of sushi, Sushi Mizukami still offers 18 to 20 pieces in the omakase. It’s a sushi-first experience, and a deeply satisfying one for purists.

With Jiro Ono of Sukiyabashi Jiro now retired, it’s reassuring to see his legacy carried on by such skilled apprentices. For those who wish to experience the true flavor of Jiro without the infamous "world’s most expensive fast food" experience of the Ginza main store, Sushi Mizukami is the ideal destination.