Sushi Masaru Nakano Honten is a traditional sushi restaurant located a 4-minute walk from Nakano Station South Exit in Tokyo. They offer a lunch set of sushi for 1.5 people for 1100 yen. The restaurant is run by an elderly couple and has a nostalgic atmosphere. When I arrived at 1:00 pm, there were 8 customers already seated. Shortly after ordering, a small salad was served, followed by a plate of sushi, miso soup, and grapefruit about 10 minutes later. The sushi set consisted of 10 pieces of nigiri sushi and a tuna roll, which was quite filling. I was pleased to see 3 pieces of tuna nigiri. The rice was small and the fish was fresh and tasty, with a good thickness. The miso soup was made with clams and was delicious. After finishing the meal, I left feeling satisfied. Another delicious sushi experience at Sushi Masaru Nakano Honten!

Sushi Masaru is located up the hill from Nakano Station towards ZERO. We visited just before the end of the weekend lunch rush with two people. There were about 6 customers in the restaurant, mostly male. We both ordered the 1.5 servings of nigiri for 1100 yen. The sushi, carefully crafted by the chef, was truly the work of a master craftsman. To be able to enjoy such delicious sushi at such a reasonable price, we can't help but feel grateful! This is a sushi restaurant we want to visit at least once a month. *The two orange pieces in the photo are for two people.

I used it for lunch. I arrived before 1 pm, and just as I arrived, there was one seat available at the counter, so the chef said to wait a bit. There are 5 counter seats and 3 tables. For lunch, most people ordered 1.5 servings of nigiri sushi. When someone who came later ordered 1.5 servings, they were told that it's not clear what they mean! I was a bit shocked in my mind (^◇^;) You have to specify whether you want nigiri sushi, chirashi sushi, or something else. The chef is a bit blunt but has a Showa era fatherly feel. He willingly accepts changes to the order, and it's not a bad feeling! He's straightforward, which can be good! But I'm not a fan of strong personalities, so I was a bit nervous. The sushi was delicious with firm rice, and the shrimp was sweet and well-prepared. The lunch set came with salad, miso soup (with clams that day), dessert, and grapefruit for 1100 yen. Such a reasonable price! They were running out of rice towards the end. I hope this shop continues to thrive. Thank you for the meal.

Sushi restaurant located about a 3-minute walk from JR Nakano Station South Exit. When you exit the south exit and go up the slope towards Higashi-Nakano along the railway tracks, you will find the restaurant on your right. I visited for lunch on a weekday. I arrived around 1 pm, and at that time there were only 2 groups of customers, with about 5 seats at the counter empty. The chef greeted a solo customer, saying "Please disinfect and take a seat at the counter." For lunch, you can choose between nigiri or chirashi, each serving 1 or 1.5 portions. I decided on the "nigiri 1.5 portions" (tax included 1100 yen). I was lucky with the timing of my visit as there were only 5 minutes between my arrival and the arrival of 2 solo customers, and a total of about 3 groups arrived after me. The salad was served about 5 minutes after I sat down. Then, about 10 minutes later, the main nigiri dish was served, followed by miso soup and dessert grapefruit about 5 minutes later, following a steady rain-like serving pattern. The nigiri consists of 10 pieces and 6 pieces of rolls, providing a generous portion suitable even for men. The nigiri includes 3 pieces of tuna and the rolls have 6 pieces of seared tuna (not your usual tuna roll), which is a unique feature. The rice portion is on the smaller side compared to conveyor belt sushi places, and the thick tamago was quite satisfying. I was pleased to find my favorite hikarimono included in the set. The sushi, handcrafted by the chef, at this quantity for 1100 yen, offers great value for money. While it may not be considered exceptionally delicious, it is a satisfying quality and quantity for a lunch meal. The rolls were exceptionally fluffy and quite enjoyable. The salad, with shredded cabbage, mizuna, carrots, and a shiso dressing, was refreshing as a starter. The miso soup, generously poured, was clam-based and complemented the sushi well. And for some reason, a grapefruit was served at the end... The lively atmosphere created by the chef's energetic calls made the dining experience quite pleasant. Although there were no PayPay stickers outside, I found a PayPay QR code next to the cash register, which made me feel relieved (laughs). I paid with PayPay and received the expected 30% cashback, making the lunch even more cost-effective. There is also Sushi Masayoshi at Arai Yakushi, but the menu is different there. It seems they do not accept PayPay there (sweat). In any case, thank you for a highly satisfying lunch. Itadakimasu.

After eating kebab at Nakano Minami-guchi, I came here. I ordered a lunch set of sushi for one person for 800 yen (tax included). When asked if it was exceptionally delicious, I would say it was just average. As expected, the taste was normal, but personally, I found the negitoro and scallops to be delicious. The thick tamagoyaki provided a satisfying bite. The rice had a nice texture. It's a convenient option for a lunch sushi set. Wasabi was on the light side. Enjoy the flavors of the ingredients. It has a traditional sushi restaurant vibe run by a couple. It seems like the sushi set for 1.5 people might have better quality fish sometimes. One set might not be quite enough.

I visited a sushi restaurant near Nakano Station, which is undergoing redevelopment, for lunch. As soon as I entered, I could hear the energetic voice of the owner. The lunch menu was either chirashi or nigiri, so I asked for the chirashi menu. There was an option for 1 serving or 1.5 servings, and I decided to go with 1 serving. I was served a salad first, followed by a soup and dessert at the same time as the chirashi. All this for only 800 yen, which was a great value. The taste was delicious, with fresh ingredients used. The portion size was actually quite generous, and I left feeling very satisfied. It seemed like good timing as well, as when I arrived, there was only one customer at the counter seat, but soon after, all the tables were almost full. I would definitely like to visit this sushi restaurant again.

The rain has stopped since yesterday, and spring has fully arrived. The cherry blossoms have already fallen. Today, I visited a sushi restaurant along the Chuo Line that I had discovered before, but it was closed due to renovations. I heard that it reopened last month, so I arrived at 11:40, just 10 minutes after opening. Despite the closed door, the restaurant was indeed open. I was prepared for it to be full, but there was only one other customer. I ordered 1.5 servings of nigiri sushi as planned. This non-rotating sushi restaurant is not a high-end establishment, but rather located in a residential area. It reminded me of the movie "Tampopo" in terms of its atmosphere. The sushi counter displayed various ingredients, and there were many colored paper decorations. It seems to be a favorite spot for anime and voice actors, although I only recognized Gundam. There were also photos and for some reason, paper money displayed. The restaurant had two 4-person tatami rooms, with a traditional Showa era design. I was served a cabbage salad with shiso dressing, which seemed unusual for a sushi restaurant. Eventually, the sushi arrived on the sushi platter, living up to my expectations of traditional sushi. The majority were negitoro rolls, along with tuna, white fish, shrimp, and squid. I would have been happy if there was sea urchin, but that seemed to be in a different class. Nevertheless, as I savored each piece, I felt truly happy. The quiet atmosphere, with no chatter even after the other customer left, was different from the lively and bustling conveyor belt sushi restaurants. I hesitate to comment on the taste, as my palate is not very discerning, but it was truly delicious. After finishing the clam miso soup and grapefruit dessert, I felt it was time to leave. The restaurant is said to be popular, but perhaps due to its recent reopening, it was not crowded yet. If you prefer a calm atmosphere while enjoying sushi, I recommend visiting early.

This time, I would like to introduce "Sushimasa Nakano Main Store" located at the south exit of JR Chuo Line Nakano Station. The restaurant is run by a husband and wife. I visited for lunch on a weekday, arriving just in time for the 11:30 opening. We ordered the Lunch Nigiri 1.5 servings for 1100 yen, Lunch Chirashi 1 serving for 800 yen (for my companion), and a Kirin Ichiban beer for 650 yen. We also had a complimentary dish of simmered yellowtail collar to start. The yellowtail collar was tender and flavorful, with the daikon and carrot soaking up the delicious broth. The Lunch Nigiri came with a side salad, miso soup, and dessert. The nigiri included tuna, medium fatty tuna, squid, sardine, shrimp, scallop, egg, salmon, and medium fatty tuna roll, offering a generous portion. The salad consisted of shredded cabbage, carrot, and lettuce with dressing. The miso soup was rich with plenty of clam flavor. For dessert, we enjoyed a grapefruit. With a total bill of just under 3000 yen for two, it was a satisfying meal.

Sushi lunch set is very satisfying and filling!

The taste is average, but it's good that you can eat 1.5 servings of lunch for 1,100 yen. The miso soup is delicious.

Once a year, attending a seminar where you are tied up all day can lead to unexpected encounters. This time, the narrator ran into an old friend by chance at the seminar. They sat next to each other and decided to plan where to have lunch during the seminar. They secretly discussed and decided on a nice restaurant nearby using an app. When the morning session ended, it was time for lunch at Sushi Seiji Nakano Main Store. They enjoyed lunch sets with sushi and beer, and the atmosphere became lively as they caught up and shared stories. Despite the boring seminar, the lunchtime turned out to be a fun and enjoyable experience with a friend.

"Sushi Masaru Nakano Honten," located about a 3-minute walk from JR Nakano Station South Exit. It is on the 1st floor of a mixed-use building, with "Family Seafood Sushi Masaru" on the 2nd floor balcony, and to the right, a sign for "Catering & Kappo Daisuke." The lattice windows and entrance give off a traditional sushi restaurant vibe. Around 7 pm on weekdays, tables are set up outside with sushi and side dishes displayed. The lineup for the day includes Tekkamaki for 700 yen, Special Sushi for 700 yen, Medium Fatty Tuna Mix for 1,000 yen, Three-Color Roll for 500 yen, Horse Mackerel & Sardine for 500 yen, Horse Mackerel & Salmon for 500 yen, Horse Mackerel & Mackerel for 500 yen, Horse Mackerel & Amberjack for 500 yen. Side dishes include Tamagoyaki for 300 yen and Simmered Dish for 300 yen. All are reasonably priced, but since there's a time for takeaway, it's recommended to choose rolls. There's a bell on the table with a note saying, "Please press the bell once if you wish to purchase." The emphasis on "once" suggests that some customers may have pressed it multiple times in the past. When you press it once, a staff member will promptly appear. The Tekkamaki for 700 yen pack is neatly arranged with a beautiful cross-section. It's disappointing when the surface of the roll is uneven or the ingredients are overflowing. If you're dining at a restaurant, you want a perfectly rolled sushi. The tuna seems more like minced tuna, but given the price, it's understandable. Dip it in the provided soy sauce for a delightful seaweed aroma. Ordering rolls at a sushi restaurant usually comes with a wooden seaweed box (probably made of hinoki cypress) to make the rolls. This process enhances the taste of the rolls. If you want to try a takeaway sushi experience different from major chain restaurants, give this place a try.

The inside of the restaurant may be a bit hard to see from outside, but once you enter, you'll find a bright and spacious interior. The background music is digital terrestrial broadcasting. I ordered the "lunch sushi set". The miso soup is refillable. First, they serve a salad with a tangy dressing. In about 5 minutes, the sushi is served. The negitoro roll is sweet and delicious. The mackerel is fatty and sweet. The scallop, fatty tuna, and squid are thick and satisfying to eat. The egg is also quite tasty. The medium fatty tuna has a good amount of sinew and is fairly sweet.

A small farewell party for a Chinese friend who is returning to their country. We didn't have a reservation, so we asked what they wanted to eat and they said they wanted to eat non-conveyor belt sushi. We wandered around Nakano Station and found a restaurant without any information. It's amazing how you can find a place just by walking around. We found a cozy restaurant with a nice atmosphere. It had been a while since I had non-conveyor belt sushi, and it was really delicious. It also seemed reasonably priced. I definitely want to come back.

After leaving Nakano Zero, I noticed sushi packs lined up on a table outside a store called Sushimasa. I didn't see it on the way there, but it seems like Sushimasa is part of a chain like the ones in Shinjuku. There are more new stores along the way to Nakano Zero, making the walk enjoyable. I bought some sushi packs as souvenirs for my family, they were reasonably priced at around 800 yen and 600 yen. When I got home and tried them, the medium fatty tuna was delicious. The color in the photo may not be great, but the pink tuna looked beautiful. The sushi rice was a bit cold and firm, but still tasty.

Located along the railway tracks towards Higashi-Nakano from the south exit of Nakano Station is a sushi restaurant. This sushi restaurant is part of a chain with several branches in Nakano and Koenji. They also sell takeout sushi packs and are positioned slightly above conveyor belt sushi restaurants in terms of quality. Despite a previous bad experience at a different branch of the same chain, I decided to try their lunch chirashi set as it does not require skilled sushi making techniques. I ordered a small bottle of beer (600 yen) and the chirashi set (700 yen) at the counter. A lady sitting next to me was writing what seemed to be a letter on the counter. The atmosphere at this sushi restaurant was surprisingly relaxed. The lunch set came with a salad, which was served along with the beer and appetizer. The appetizer was a fish bone simmered dish, slightly on the sweet side for a beer snack. The chirashi sushi was served in a small container with fresh toppings. While the quality of the fish may not be top-notch, it was acceptable for the price. The chirashi set included ingredients like dried gourd, pickled sakura, and sweet egg, which made it a bit challenging to pair with beer. There are various ways to eat chirashi sushi, such as mixing wasabi and soy sauce on top, eating piece by piece with soy sauce, or dipping each piece in soy sauce before eating. My preferred method is to eat each piece with soy sauce, which makes it similar to a sashimi set meal. However, this method may not fully showcase the essence of chirashi sushi, especially when the sushi rice is not as flavorful as expected. The most delicious part of the lunch set was the miso soup, which contained fish bones, daikon, and carrots, and was refillable. Additionally, the set included a simple dessert of an unpeeled mandarin orange, providing a unique dining experience at a sushi restaurant.

Today, I felt like having sushi and beer for lunch, so I decided to visit Sushi Masaji, which I haven't been to in a while. It's located by the side of the railroad tracks near Nakano South Exit Police Box. The building looks like a prefab structure. It's about an 80-meter walk up from the station. There are various options, but I decided to go for the 700 yen lunch sushi set. Along with the lunch, you also get cold tofu as a side dish. I started off with a beer to quench my thirst. The lunch sushi set was satisfying, but I wanted a bit more, so I also ordered snapper and scallop sushi. The set also included a soup and a dessert banana. For 700 yen, it's quite a good deal. It had been a while since my last visit, but the satisfaction level was high. Sushi always tastes incredibly delicious here.

I walked from Nakano Station North Exit towards Nakano Zero and went to Sushimasa Nakano Main Store on the right hand side. This is my second time visiting. This time, I ate alone at the counter. I revisited. The sushi here is tastier and more reasonable than the typical conveyor belt sushi restaurants. I ordered tuna, sea bream, amberjack, squid, octopus, ark shell, scallop, shirako, and egg. They make 2 pieces of sushi for each order right away. All the pieces were generous in size and tasted great. Surprisingly, they served a salad at the beginning, miso soup with fish scraps in the middle, and a single orange at the end. After eating all that, the total price was 2900 yen. I think it's cheap considering I didn't order any alcohol. It's definitely a better deal than the conveyor belt sushi place under the arcade on the north side of Nakano Station.

Facing south from Nakano Station, walk along the tracks to your left and you will find it on your right. It's about a 3-4 minute walk from the station. It's just before 12 PM on a Saturday. There are 4-seater tables by the entrance. Inside, there is a counter and tatami seating for 2 people. The cushions on the tatami are soft and clean. There are many photos inside transparent vinyl sheets on the table, including some of a wrestler who seems to be popular in the area. I decided to try the 1,000 yen sushi set. A small plate of shredded cabbage salad is served. The set includes medium fatty tuna, egg, white fish, sea urchin, tuna, shrimp, and squid, as well as a California roll-style sushi roll with white sesame on the outside (filled with minced tuna). I was surprised to find sea urchin at this price point. The tuna was a bit disappointing, a little dry. The medium fatty tuna had quite a bit of sinew, but considering the price, it was good. A miso soup with salmon head was served halfway through, which was quite delicious. Half a mandarin orange is served for dessert. I also ordered a small beer for 350 yen, which came with a small dish of chilled tofu as an appetizer. Towards the middle of my meal, around 10 older gentlemen, a family with a baby stroller, and a group of a few older women arrived. There were also a few men and women sitting at the counter. It seems to be a popular spot among locals. Overall, I was satisfied with the quality and price of the food. I felt more satisfied than eating at a conveyor belt sushi restaurant. The tatami seating was comfortable and clean.

I wandered around Nakano Station South Exit and casually entered a sushi restaurant called Sushi Masaru. It was Thursday at 12:30 pm and there were no other customers. I recalled seeing a Sushi Masaru near Arai Yakushi, but this one was referred to as the main store in Nakano. I'm not sure if there are other main stores besides this one. The salad was served first, followed by sushi. Unfortunately, the taste was a bit disappointing, with the tuna tasting like flavorless strawberry jelly. Despite the struggle, I managed to finish all the sushi. As I looked around, I noticed a pot boiling on the stove, emitting steam. I thought they were preparing something, but then a female staff member turned off the heat and started transferring the contents into a bowl. I realized it was my miso soup, even though I had already finished the sushi. The staff kindly offered a refill of miso soup and half a mandarin orange. I struggled to finish the soup due to being sensitive to hot temperatures. The bill came out to 700 yen, which was cheap, but I felt the taste didn't match the price. However, I appreciated the hard work of the staff. It's difficult to give a negative rating, as the staff's effort was commendable.