Fukuoka faces the Genkai Sea, one of Japan’s richest fishing grounds, and its sushi is some of the best value in the country. Squid from Yobuko, sea bream, aji (horse mackerel) and sawara (Spanish mackerel) are local stars, and many counters charge half of what you would pay in Ginza.
Our database holds 24 sushi restaurants in Fukuoka prefecture in the Top 100 Restaurants awards. Ranked by rating, here are the ten highest — seven in and around Fukuoka city and three worth a short trip to Kitakyushu or Kurume.
1. Chikamatsu (近松) — 4.54
Fukuoka (Yakuin) · 9 seats
The highest-rated sushi in Fukuoka prefecture: a nine-seat counter near Yakuin-Odori Station, south of Tenjin. Closed Mondays. Closed: Monday.
2. Ten Zushi Kyomachi (天寿し 京町店) — 4.52
Kitakyushu (Kokura) · ¥50,000–¥59,999 · 6 seats
A six-seat counter in Kokura famous for seasoning each piece itself — often with salt and citrus rather than a dip in soy — so the fish speaks for itself. Worth the 15-minute Shinkansen hop from Hakata.
3. Sushi Sakai (鮨 さかい) — 4.50
Fukuoka (Nishi-Nakasu) · ¥40,000–¥49,999 · 12 seats
A 12-seat counter in Nishi-Nakasu, across the river from the Nakasu yatai stalls.
4. Kiku Zushi (菊鮨) — 4.37
Kasuga · ¥20,000–¥29,999 · 10 seats
A ten-seat neighbourhood counter in Kasuga, south of Fukuoka city, at ¥20,000–29,999.
5. Kotan (枯淡) — 4.30
Fukuoka (Sakurazaka) · ¥20,000–¥29,999 · 8 seats
An eight-seat counter in leafy Sakurazaka. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Closed: Tuesday, Wednesday.
6. Teru Zushi (照寿司) — 4.24
Kitakyushu (Tobata) · ¥40,000–¥49,999 · 10 seats
Chef Takeshi Watanabe’s counter in Tobata is one of the most famous sushi restaurants in Japan on social media, known for its theatrical presentation — book well ahead.
7. Sushi Karashima (鮨 唐島) — 4.18
Fukuoka (Akasaka) · 8 seats
An eight-seat counter in the Akasaka/Sakurazaka area.
8. Gahojin (我逢人) — 4.14
Fukuoka (Nishi-Nakasu) · ¥30,000–¥39,999 · 6 seats
A six-seat counter in the same Nishi-Nakasu building as Sushi Sakai.
9. Sushi Senpachi (鮨仙八) — 4.07
Fukuoka (Takasago) · ¥20,000–¥29,999 · 12 seats
A 12-seat counter near Nishitetsu-Hirao, at ¥20,000–29,999. Closed: Monday, Sunday.
10. Sushi Yoshida (鮨 よし田) — 4.06
Kurume · ¥20,000–¥29,999 · 9 seats
A nine-seat counter in Kurume, a short train ride south of Fukuoka. Closed: Monday.
At a glance
| # | Restaurant | Area | Rating | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chikamatsu | Fukuoka (Yakuin) | 4.54 | — |
| 2 | Ten Zushi Kyomachi | Kitakyushu (Kokura) | 4.52 | ¥50,000–¥59,999 |
| 3 | Sushi Sakai | Fukuoka (Nishi-Nakasu) | 4.50 | ¥40,000–¥49,999 |
| 4 | Kiku Zushi | Kasuga | 4.37 | ¥20,000–¥29,999 |
| 5 | Kotan | Fukuoka (Sakurazaka) | 4.30 | ¥20,000–¥29,999 |
| 6 | Teru Zushi | Kitakyushu (Tobata) | 4.24 | ¥40,000–¥49,999 |
| 7 | Sushi Karashima | Fukuoka (Akasaka) | 4.18 | — |
| 8 | Gahojin | Fukuoka (Nishi-Nakasu) | 4.14 | ¥30,000–¥39,999 |
| 9 | Sushi Senpachi | Fukuoka (Takasago) | 4.07 | ¥20,000–¥29,999 |
| 10 | Sushi Yoshida | Kurume | 4.06 | ¥20,000–¥29,999 |
Tips for sushi in Fukuoka
- Getting around: Tenjin, Nakasu and Yakuin are a short walk or one subway stop apart. See every top-rated restaurant near Tenjin Station or near Nakasu-Kawabata Station.
- Kitakyushu (Kokura) is 15 minutes from Hakata by Shinkansen — easy to combine with lunch at Ten Zushi or dinner at Teru Zushi.
- Prices: many counters are ¥20,000–29,999, well below Tokyo.
More: Fukuoka’s Top 10 Restaurants · Top 10 Ramen in Fukuoka · Fukuoka map