Sushi Tazumi, loved by the locals for 70 years, is a sushi restaurant located just a 1-minute walk from Nishioji Station in Kyoto's Nishikyo Ward. With a cozy atmosphere, a first-floor L-shaped counter with 9 seats, and a second floor with tatami seating, the restaurant is always bustling with local customers. The head chef, the female owner, and the staff are all friendly and create a warm and welcoming environment. The restaurant offers a wide variety of side dishes, allowing customers to enjoy a casual dining experience. On this particular day, we started with sashimi and tempura from the side dish menu before ordering sushi. The fish was fresh, the cuts were generous, and the vinegared rice had a hint of sweetness typical of the Kansai region. The seasoning of the rice was perfect, complementing the fish beautifully. The medium fatty tuna and seasonal yellowtail sashimi were both excellent choices. The tempura platter included shrimp, shrimp and shiso leaf rolls, smelt fish, shiitake mushrooms, shishito peppers, carrots, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes, all fried to a crispy perfection and served with either tempura dipping sauce or green tea salt. The scallop and cheese sandwich tempura was a standout dish, with the semi-raw scallop sandwiched between a large leaf and cheese creating a delightful aroma and rich flavor. The fatty tuna sushi with sweet vinegared rice was also a highlight, showcasing the high quality of the tuna. The tamago (egg) soup, not listed on the menu but available upon request, was a perfect way to end the meal. With a comfortable atmosphere and good value for money, I would definitely visit again when I return to the area.

On the evening of March 30th, my friend and I went to Tazumi for our second stop of the night. I had always known about this place but thought it seemed a bit intimidating to enter. The atmosphere inside was indeed filled with regular customers. I really wanted to try the grilled blowfish, but I'll save that for next time. We enjoyed some appetizers, bamboo shoot simmered in broth, seared tuna rolls, and squid and shiso leaf rolls with our drinks. The seaweed was incredibly delicious - it had a great aroma and melted in my mouth. I would like to come back alone next time and have a chat with the chef and the hostess. Thank you very much.

When I went after New Year's, I was surprised to see the place with a New Year's version! Today, I was able to talk with the staff behind the scenes. It's amazing how you can encounter different people's ways of life! 🎉

I'm full. Very satisfied.

At the West Inn, there aren't many sushi restaurants, so I searched and found this place. I made a reservation just in case, and it was a good decision because it was fully booked! The counter was about half full with regular customers, but the rest of the seats filled up quickly, with a constant turnover. It's easy to casually drop in. We ordered "hamo sashimi" and "grilled silver cod with salt" as starters before the sushi. The thick and juicy volume of the hamo sashimi was delightful, with just the right amount of salt and lemon. The sushi prices are clearly displayed on a wooden board for easy payment. The sea urchin on the nigiri sushi was generously served, making it a bit challenging to eat (laughs), but it was a satisfying amount. We also had fresh squid, tuna, shrimp, squid fin, and wasabi roll. The wasabi roll with cucumber was a unique touch, and the wasabi flavor was quite strong. There is a wide variety of side dishes, so you can enjoy it as a sushi izakaya or savor the sushi. The landlady's hospitality was also pleasant and welcoming.

※April 2016 revisit※ I revisited this place again, this time with my wife. We planned to go to Eric's (a nearby standing bar) afterwards, so we wanted to eat something delicious before that (laughs). Even though I wanted to eat slowly, I know this sushi restaurant serves delicious food no matter what, so we ended up staying for less than 20 minutes. The chef remembered us and chuckled, saying "You're early today too" (laughs). I'm sorry, chef. The food was delicious as always! The tempura of young ayu was crispy and slightly bitter. I don't think the chef fries it himself, but it's really good! The appetizers were as good as ever. There were grilled nodoguro and kinki as well. The variety of dishes is amazing. The nigiri sushi included flounder, tuna, turban shell, and botan shrimp. My wife, who has had her fair share of good sushi, was impressed. The price for this quality of food? Almost all the customers are regulars, so it may be intimidating for newcomers, but I really love the atmosphere, including that of the regulars. Except for the smoking (laughs). It was raining when we left, so the chef gave us an umbrella. It's disposable, so I'll make sure to return it. We now have an excuse to come back. It's a really wonderful restaurant. I feel bad staying for too long, but what should we do next time? Can we stay for about 45 minutes? (laughs) ※March 2016※ Located one street south of Nishioji Shijo on the west side. There are plenty of restaurants in this area, and the competition is fierce. However, this sushi restaurant has been around for a long time, away from the hustle and bustle. I always thought it looked expensive and was hesitant to enter, and there's a similar-sounding restaurant called Tatsuya Sushi nearby, so I thought they were related, but it's actually Tatsumi, and I realized this after over 20 years (laughs). On this day, my wife was getting her nails done, so I decided to stop by and have some sushi to go. The place was crowded with regulars. The appetizers were great, and the nigiri sushi was relatively affordable (see menu). I wasn't expecting much, but after trying the four appetizers, I immediately realized that this was a proper sushi restaurant. I had fresh pickled vegetables and two pieces of nigiri sushi, green onion and turban shell. The rice was well-pressed, and the quality was much higher than expected. I received a call that my wife's nails were done, so we hurriedly left. I felt bad for using the restaurant like that. I often go to Den Shichi, a sushi restaurant in Nishikyo, which is part of the Kushiya series, but in terms of quality and status, this place seemed superior as a sushi restaurant. It's a great place for casual dining. I'll visit again when I have more time. The cigarette smoke is a bit bothersome, though (laughs). Thank you for the meal.

I often visit this sushi restaurant. At first glance, it may seem intimidating to enter because it looks small, but once you go in, you'll find a counter with 10 seats and a tatami room. They also have banquet options on the second and third floors. Despite the unassuming exterior, the staff is very friendly and welcoming. The prices of the sushi are not displayed, but the fish is always delicious. They particularly focus on high-quality tuna, and their sea urchin is a must-try. I'm not sure how many pieces are in each order. They also serve great dishes like golden eye snapper.