When you think about Japan, cherry blossoms, ancient temples, and neon-lit cityscapes often comes to your mind. But for many travelers especially food lovers, Sakana Sushi is just as a part of Japanese adventure, and rightfully so.
Among famous Japanese dishes, Japan has gifted the world with delicious and mouthwatering dish, named as Sushi.
It is hard to miss on eating this dish when you travel to the Japan. This blog post is all about Sushi why you need to try it on your next Japanese travel itinerary.
Sakana Sushi AZ is basically a Japanese word in which Sakana (魚) simply means “fish” and Sushi refer to favorite dishes that feature fish as a primary ingredient. Normally the whole sushi involves some form of seafood or vegetables paired with vinegared rice.
This type of sushi is like raw or lightly prepared fish served atop rice or wrapped in seaweed, combines unique taste of fish and rice.
There is no other simple definition of this type of sushi. It may include nigiri (a slice of fish over rice), sashimi-style bites, or even maki rolls where fish is the star.
One thing that sets them apart is the variety and quality of served fish, depending on regional specialties and seasonal availability.
This is more than a dish in Japanese cuisine but also a symbol of delicious Japanese food, cultural harmony and nature. Sushi was not only a Japanese food item from the past, but now it is liked by food lovers like Sushi lovers and Sushi enthusiasts including both locals and tourists.
Japanese style dishes or Japanese meals are incomplete without amazing taste of Sushi. On both special day occasions and almost every day, sushi is being liked by locals and tourists. There are variety of sushi dishes and sushi rolls to fill appetite of almost all tastes.
This represents the Japanese philosophy “shun”, eating ingredients at the peak of their season. This is the main reason why sushi chefs serve specific types of fish at certain times of the year.
At Sakana Sushi bars, you can eat Japanese experience sushi with favorite sushi rolls.
You’d think it’s simple: slice the fish, plop it on rice. Done.
But if you’ve ever tried making it at home… well, you know it’s not quite that easy.
Want to tell if a sushi chef is great?
Order tamago (sweet egg omelet sushi).
If they nail the humble tamago, chances are their Sakana Sushi is going to be spectacular.
Tokyo is favorite among sushi lovers because of having authentic taste and cozy charm of delicious smells.
Tsukiji Outer Market is the famous market in Tokyo where fresh fish is served within hours of caught. Sushi Dai and Daiwa Sushi are famous here for their early-morning queues but they are worth the wait.
If you want to get more refined experience, you can go to Ginza. This is Tokyo’s luxury district where you will enjoy top of the class Sushi with extra dishes including chicken dishes.
Osaka is known as food capital of Japan. Almost all streets of this food capital are filled with delicious foods including sushi. At Kuromon Ichiba Market, you can try freshly sliced spicy tuna, Toro- Fatty Tuna Sushi, amberjack, and sea bream from local stalls or sit down at a casual counter-serve sushi bar.
In Kyoto, you will find Sushi served as a part of multi-course kaiseki meals where you will feel joy at every bite.
Here, Sakana sushi menu comes with freshwater fish like ayu or unique local preparations such as sabazushi (cured mackerel sushi).
Hokkaido is famous for it’s cold and blue waters which produce the best seafood in Japan. You can enjoy buttery scallops, sweet shrimp, and melt-in-your-mouth uni (sea urchin) as part of Sushi.
Sapporo’s Nijo Market or Otaru’s sushi street are two of the famous markets in Hokkaido to get sushi.
Fukuoka is located in Southern Japan and welcome sushi lovers with pure taste and warmth. Basically, the Sushi made here from fish found in the Genkai Sea.
Do not forget to try their local specialties like goma saba (mackerel with sesame sauce) or sushi with squid and flying fish.
Other than Japan, try same taste sushi from:
| Fish Type | Japanese Name | Flavor Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Tuna | Maguro | Rich, meaty |
| Salmon | Sake | Buttery, smooth |
| Mackerel | Saba | Oily, strong |
| Yellowtail | Hamachi | Mild, slightly sweet |
| Snapper | Tai | Delicate, clean |
Not every fish is created equal though. Some are seasonal, some regional. I once had winter yellowtail (buri) in Hokkaido, and honestly, nothing else has quite lived up to it since.
Japan is the place where culinary excellence meets in the form of Sushi and other extra dishes. The fresh ingredients can make all the difference and they are used in Sakana with proper care.
Unlike sushi from famous Sakana Sushi bars, you will feel the same taste from local bars too.
Each Japanese region offer unique taste of Sushi to both locals and tourists. This is because the preparation styles, sauces and even water mineral content varies by region to region.
It shows that you could travel the whole country and never experience same taste twice.
Sushi is like the original and unique taste of natural sweetness of scallops without adding overpowering sauces or elaborate garnishes. In this sushi, these sauces are used to make something unique and different.
Trying sushi at famous Japanese bars or restaurants allow you to enjoy local food culture and Japanese traditions while interacting with chefs. With this, food becomes a memorable getaway to know about Japanese culture and traditions.
Not a fish lover or do not want to follow a vegetarian diet? Japan still offers incredible sushi experiences for you.
Many places now serve:
A small table or list of popular fish used in Sakana:
| Japanese Name | English Name | Flavor Profile |
| Maguro | Tuna | Rich, meaty |
| Sake | Salmon | Buttery, mild |
| Hamachi | Yellowtail | Silky, slightly sweet |
| Uni | Sea Urchin | Creamy, ocean-like |
You must know these Japanese terms that are used in different types of sushi. With a little bit know-how, you get an idea what to add and what not to for giving sushi a tasty flavor.
Other than Japan, Sushi Sakana is also available in other parts of the world like USA, Canada and other European parts, You can try from there too.
| No. | Restaurant Name | City, State | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sushi Nakazawa | New York City, NY | 23 Commerce St, New York, NY 10014 |
| 2 | Sushi Noz | New York City, NY | 181 E 78th St, New York, NY 10075 |
| 3 | Sushi Ginza Onodera | Los Angeles, CA | 609 La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069 |
| 4 | Uchi | Austin, TX | 801 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704 |
| 5 | Sushi Amane | New York City, NY | 245 E 44th St, New York, NY 10017 |
| 6 | Omakase Yume | Chicago, IL | 651 W Washington Blvd #101, Chicago, IL 60661 |
| 7 | Sushi Yoshizumi | San Mateo, CA | 325 E 4th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401 |
| 8 | Sushi Taro | Washington, D.C. | 1503 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036 |
| 9 | Shunji Japanese Cuisine | Los Angeles, CA | 3003 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405 |
| 10 | Morihiro | Los Angeles, CA | 3133 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 900 |
Short answer: mostly, yes.
Long answer: it depends on what you order and how much soy sauce you pour over everything.
Benefits include:
Risks include:
So moderation, as always, is key. Maybe don’t eat giant tuna rolls every day, but as part of a balanced diet? Totally.
Now we have to end this blog post by sharing final thoughts on Sakana Sushi. This is considered as one of the most popular items with exquisite flavors, faster service of nearby restaurants and cultural immersion.
Next time when travel to Kyoto Japan, do not forget to try delicious sushi and enjoy the vibe of eating as a local in Japan.
Sakana refers to sushi that prominently features fish, as “sakana” means “fish” in Japanese. It often
Not always. While many types are raw, some Sakana uses lightly seared, marinated, or even cooked fish depending on the type and region.
Common fish include tuna (maguro), salmon (sake), yellowtail (hamachi), mackerel (saba), sea bream (tai), and more often depending on what’s seasonal and locally sourced.
Sakana focuses specifically on the fish element, highlighting its freshness and quality, whereas “sushi” is a broader category that can include vegetables, eggs, or other ingredients.
You can try it at local sushi bars, fish markets like Tsukiji in Tokyo, omakase restaurants, or even in traditional multi-course meals (kaiseki) across cities like Kyoto and Osaka.
Yes, Japan maintains high food safety standards, especially for raw fish. Reputable restaurants and markets serve extremely fresh, safe-to-eat sushi.
If you’re allergic to fish or follow a vegetarian/vegan diet, you should avoid Sakana Sushi. However, many sushi spots offer non-fish alternatives like cucumber rolls or tofu-based options.
Prices vary widely, from under ¥1,000 (around \$7 USD) at conveyor belt spots to over ¥10,000 (\$70+) for premium omakase experiences.
Eat it in one bite, use chopsticks or your hands, dip the fish side (not the rice) lightly in soy sauce, and cleanse your palate between pieces with pickled ginger.
Yes! Many sushi schools and local cooking classes offer hands-on sessions where travelers can learn to make sushi, including varieties with fish.
