Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on July 2014

While most high-end sushi shops will charge upward of ¥15,000 for the chef’s omakase seasonal selection, Itamaezushi Hanare presents the same quality for just ¥7,000. There are only two dinner course options—but two is enough. Stock is resupplied daily, with eight kinds of fish, seven seasonal appetizers, and fugu (blowfish) or asari (clam) soup to help you recuperate from the summer swelter. If you’re looking for a light meal, try the nigiri (hand formed) course (¥3,500), or swing by at lunchtime for donburi rice bowls, nigiri or a bara chirashi mixed sashimi bowl (¥1,500). The decor is pure Edo, but an English menu is still available.

4F Nishi Shinjuku Koshu Bldg, 1-19-11 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku. Nearest stn: Shinjuku.