One of the things many tourists look forward to when visiting Japan is tasting authentic sushi.
However, the prices at high-end sushi restaurants can be a bit steep for budget-conscious travelers. That’s why sushi chain restaurants, which offer delicious sushi at reasonable prices, come highly recommended.
In this article, we will introduce affordable sushi chains that provide high-quality sushi and have locations all across Japan. No matter which restaurant you choose, you are sure to be satisfied.
Enjoy Great Sushi at Affordable Prices All Over Japan
The charm of sushi chain restaurants spread across Japan lies in their convenience and high quality.
With locations everywhere, not only in tourist spots but also in rural cities, you can enjoy the same quality sushi. Their affordable pricing allows you to savor delicious sushi without worrying about your budget. Additionally, they offer a wide variety of menu options, from traditional sushi to creative rolls, ensuring satisfaction for people of all ages.
If you want to easily enjoy authentic sushi, sushi chain restaurants are highly recommended.
Conveyor Belt Sushi “Kaiten-zushi”
Conveyor belt sushi, or “kaiten-zushi,” features sushi plates placed on a rotating conveyor belt that travels through the restaurant.
Customers can pick their desired plates as they pass by, making it a convenient and enjoyable dining experience. The appeal lies in its convenience and affordability. Prices are often indicated by the color or design of the plates, allowing diners to eat according to their budget.
Affordable Sushi chain 1 : Sushiro
| Number of Stores | 640 Stores (as of July 2023) |
| Cashless payment | VISA・MasterCard・JCB・American Express・Diners Club・DISCOVER |
| Price | From 120 yen (including tax) per plate *Items and prices may vary in some stores. |
| Official Website | https://www.akindo-sushiro.co.jp/en/ |
Akindo Sushiro Co., Ltd., a leading company in the conveyor belt sushi industry, operates the Sushiro chain.
With the motto “Delicious sushi to fill your stomach. Delicious sushi to fill your heart,” Sushiro has its headquarters in Suita, Osaka Prefecture, and primarily operates in the Kinki, Chubu, and Kanto regions.
To reduce costs and ensure consistent quality, Sushiro uses a central kitchen system. To provide fresher sushi, seafood is delivered alive directly to the stores from the point of catch.
In addition to high-quality sushi, Sushiro also offers a wide range of side dishes, including popular items like fries and curry, as well as various desserts. Favorites include pudding and chocolate cake, along with traditional Japanese sweets like candied sweet potatoes and matcha warabi mochi.
Sushiro is a highly recommended place where you can enjoy affordable and abundant Japanese sushi and cuisine.
Affordable Sushi chain 2: Kura Sushi
| Number of Stores | 542 Stores (as of July 2023) |
| Cashless payment | VISA・MasterCard・JCB・American Express・Diners Club・DISCOVER |
| Price | From 110 yen (including tax) per plate minimum *Items and prices may vary in some stores. |
| Official Website | https://www.kurasushi.co.jp/en/ |
The history of Kura Sushi begins with a privately-owned sushi restaurant. In 1984, the company officially entered the conveyor belt sushi business. In 1995, Kura Corporation (now Kura Sushi, Inc.) was established, expanding conveyor belt sushi nationwide.
Today, Kura Sushi has grown into one of the top five major conveyor belt sushi chains in the industry, with stores primarily in the Kinki, Kanto, and Chubu regions. Kura Sushi is known for its “Muten” (additive-free) sushi, which does not contain the four major additives. The company is known for its inventive approach, developing ideas that have been adopted by other conveyor belt sushi chains, and it operates with customer satisfaction in mind.
One of the attractions for both adults and children is the “Bikkura Pon!” game, installed in the ordering system at Kura Sushi restaurants nationwide. For every five plates returned via the plate counter system, customers get one chance to play the game. If they win, they receive a prize (a small toy). When a win is indicated, the machine at the table dispenses collaboration goods such as keychains featuring animated characters.
Kura Sushi is a place where families and friends can enjoy delicious sushi in a fun and affordable way.
Affordable Sushi chain 3: Uobei
| Number of Stores | 172 Stores (as of July 2023) |
| Cashless payment | VISA, Mastercard, JCB, AMEX |
| Price | From 110 yen (including tax) per plate minimum *Items and prices may vary in some stores. |
| Official Website | https://www.genkisushi.co.jp/en/ |
Uobei is one of the brands operated by Genki Sushi Co., Ltd., headquartered in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture.
Their concept is to deliver delicious, freshly made sushi quickly and enjoyably. The first Uobei store opened in Kawagoe in September 2009, and now there are many locations.
The distinctive feature of Uobei is the absence of a conveyor belt; instead, orders placed via a touch panel are delivered directly to the customer on a high-speed lane. The interior is stylish and clean, allowing both children and adults to enjoy freshly made sushi in a fun and safe manner, with the convenience of conveyor belt sushi.
Although Uobei has fewer locations compared to Sushiro and Kura Sushi, it is highlighted here for its high-quality sushi. While there are many sushi chains, Uobei maintains high quality at an affordable price.
In recent years, Uobei has shown significant growth and has become a popular, affordable sushi chain. Be sure to give it a try.
Affordable Sushi chain 4: Hama Sushi
| Number of Stores | 581 Stores (as of July 2023) |
| Cashless payment | VISA・JCB・MasterCard・AMEX・Diners |
| Price | From 110 yen (including tax) per plate minimum *Items and prices may vary in some stores. |
| Official Website | https://en.hama-sushi.co.jp/ |
Hama Sushi opened its first store in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture, in November 2002. Operated by Hama Sushi Co., Ltd., its group companies include Sukiya Co., Ltd. and Nakau Co., Ltd.
By 2016, Hama Sushi had expanded to all 47 prefectures in Japan. The company prides itself on using 100% domestically produced rice. Additionally, all fish are prepared in-store, and sushi plates that have been on the conveyor belt for a certain amount of time are automatically removed to ensure freshness at all times.
Like other sushi chains, Hama Sushi offers a diverse menu and has many locations, making it easy to find even outside major urban areas.
Recently, Hama Sushi has revamped its stores with the concept of next-generation conveyor belt sushi restaurants. It’s a sushi chain worth visiting when you spot it during your travels, whether in the city or the countryside.
Affordable Sushi chain 5: Kappa Sushi
| Number of Stores | 292 Stores (as of July 2023) |
| Cashless payment | VISA・Mastercard・JCB・AMERICAN EXPRESS・Diners・UnionPay |
| Price | From 110 yen (including tax) per plate minimum *Items and prices may vary in some stores. |
| Official Website | https://www.kappasushi.jp/menu2/en |
Kappa Sushi, operated by Kappa Create Co., Ltd., is a well-known conveyor belt sushi chain.
To enhance service and customer satisfaction, Kappa Sushi has undertaken the “Kappa’s Renewal,” revising its ingredients, menu, and store systems.
Emphasizing the freshness that is vital to sushi, Kappa Sushi uses the freshest ingredients possible, cut in-store, along with carefully selected rice and vinegar to enhance product value. In the kitchen, they use a rice molding machine to achieve the ideal softness, where the rice breaks apart within 1-2 seconds when picked up with chopsticks.
Items like salad gunkan (seaweed-wrapped sushi) are prepared, cooked, packaged, and inspected in a centralized factory before being delivered to stores, ensuring consistent taste.
Kappa Sushi can be found not only in city centers but also along major highways. If you come across one, be sure to stop in and try their sushi.
Try Affordable and Delicious Sushi Chains
At Japan’s conveyor belt sushi chains, you can enjoy delicious sushi at an affordable price no matter where you are in the country.
One of the attractions is that you can start eating sushi as soon as you enter the store. Additionally, they offer a wide variety of desserts and drinks. The prices are very reasonable. It might be fun to find and compare different sushi chains.