Sushi Mizutani

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Sushi Mizutani was a famous sushi restaurant in Ginza, Tokyo, owned and run by master chef Hachiro Mizutani. It opened on January 12, 2005, and closed on October 29, 2016. The restaurant had no fixed menu and could seat only up to 10 guests at a time. The dress code was business casual, and reservations were required.

Mizutani was known for his serious approach to sushi. He was highly regarded by peers, with chef David Kinch calling him a personal favorite. CNN’s Kelly Wetherille listed Sushi Mizutani as one of the best five restaurants in Tokyo.

In 2015, the restaurant faced controversy when journalist Mo Bangfu, who was not Japanese, said he was refused a reservation. The restaurant responded that foreigners are more likely to cancel reservations and that they require reservations through a hotel concierge or credit card company, noting they did not view the policy as discriminatory. Mizutani retired and closed the restaurant due to age, illness, and the planned closing of Tsukiji Market.