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Start Your Deeper Sushi Education

Sushi Food Cuisine Education Tokyo Shibuya Spring Walk Shop Sake (Rice wine)

Sakedokoro Tamagawa Sushi

Sashimi Platter

Charcoal-grilled Conger Eel

Sushi. One of life’s little delicious pleasures. Say the word and images of towers of empty plates at kaiten (“conveyer belt”) sushi shops spring to mind. The food is so popular that the once only-in-Japan item can now be found around the world in nearly every supermarket’s take-away section.

If you want to enjoy the next level of sushi, however, you’ll have to change your perception of sushi and trade quantity for quality. You’ll also have to leave your place with other diners at the sushi-go-round and sit instead face-to-face with the sushi chef.

Sakedokoro Tamagawa Sushi is the perfect place for a newcomer to start their deeper sushi education. It’s a small shop located in the “Hyakkendana” (100 shops) area just a few minutes’ walk from Shibuya Station. The proprietor, Mr. Yamaga, is very friendly, loves to talk, and truly enjoys his craft. He serves sushi staples (tuna, squid, conger eel) as well as seasonal fish and shellfish.

Unlike kaiten (“conveyor belt”) sushi, where the purpose is to stuff yourself for a bargain, more traditional sushi shops focus on the interaction of the chef and customer. This can be a daunting task, however, if you don’t speak Japanese or the chef doesn’t speak English. At Sakedokoro Tamagawa it’s thankfully a non-issue, as Mr. Yamaga seems more than happy to help guide you through the process.

I sampled his sashimi platter, next some recommended sushi (the freshest of the day), and then finished with Mr. Yamaga’s specialty: charcoal-grilled anago (conger eel). I enjoyed watching him spin around his tiny space behind the counter, creating his mini-masterpieces.

I'll admit, I’ve had more exotic sushi at much more glamorous establishments, but Sakedokoro Tamagawa is exactly what it’s meant to be: a comfortable, frequented by locals, neighborhood sushi shop. If you’re looking for your next adventure in sushi, mark Sakedokoro Tamagawa on your map.