When searching for a new sushi-ya to visit in Tokyo during my recent trip in February, Hiroo Ishizaka was a name that kept coming up on this subreddit. Many mentioned Hiroo Ishizaka for it's exciting take on Edo style sushi, offering something a little special compared to the thousands of other sushi spots in Tokyo that strive to deliver a similar experience.
Hiroo Ishizaka quickly became one of the places I was most excited to try on my most recent trip to Tokyo.
Tucked away up a rear staircase to the second floor on a quiet street in Hiroo, Sushi Hiroo Ishizaka has a more homey feel than many other places I have visited. The small restaurant is run by a husband and wife team, Chef Ishizaka san and his wife, who explained each bite that was served and made an extra effort to speak English with every diner that evening.
The omakase begins with a few seasonal dishes before moving into nigiri. Highlights included mackarel, chutoro, botan ebi, sea urchin, and anago eel. However, surprisingly, my favourite was actually the Niigata shiitake wrapped with rice, shiso, and seaweed. A vegetable only bite packed with intense flavours, something I’ve never had before at any other Sushiya.
When we asked about what inspired the bite, Ishizaka-san explained that vegetable sushi briefly became popular for a single year about 20-30 years ago. His master showed him a similar dish at the time, which inspired the mushroom perilla sushi that soon became his signature bite. It perfectly showcases the style of the sushi on display at Hiroo Ishizaka. A personal yet unique take on sushi, something that was a common theme throughout the dinner.
I’d visit again in a heartbeat. It lived up to the hype and offered a distinctly different experience compared with the sea of sushi spots all across Tokyo.
Apologies but the photos are out of order and I don’t recall the names of each of the sushi served.
Visit Date: Feb 2026
My Score: 8.5/10
Tabelog Score: 3.29 (as of Feb 2026)
Reservation Difficulty: MODERATE. Foreigners through Tableall only.
by GReeeeN_