Located in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, known as a castle town, the Higashi Chaya District preserves the ancient streets to this day.
In the castle town of Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, local districts act to preserve the ancient streets to this day. The Sushi Mitsukawa finds itself in the heart of nostalgic surroundings, with chef Koji Mitsukawa crafting sushi that uses Kanazawa’s famed ingredients.
Mitsukawa studied at a famous sushi restaurant in Ginza for five years. After moving to Germany, he worked in sushi restaurants overseas for three years in Dusseldorf. After returning to Japan, he opened his own sushi restaurant, Sushi Mitsukawa, two years later in 2005. News spread quickly about his nigiri and delicate side dishes, and the restaurant became popular. Afterward, he opened Sushi Mitsukawa Roppongi Hills in 2019, followed by Sushi Mitsukawa Niseko in 2020, determined to share the taste of his sushi.
The sushi at Sushi Mitsukawa uses Kanazawa's bounty of ingredients in classic Edomae-style. "We provided seared blackthroat seaperch before anyone else," says Mitsukawa, who maintains tradition but never forgets evolution. "Listening to the expressions of ingredients and customer feedback, we are working hard to improve ourselves," he said. As for seafood and vegetables, in addition to buying fresh from the local Omi Market, the restaurant skillfully also uses produce sent directly from Nanao Port in Ishikawa Prefecture and Toyosu Market.
The restaurant’s vinegared rice is made from two different varieties of rice from Ishikawa Prefecture, while the vinegar is sourced from Kyoto and the salt from Noto. Favourites included the blackthroat seaperch hand roll, available year-round, plus the Kobako crab chirashi sushi, which is only available for two months from November.
For sake, Kagatobi, Tengumai and other styles from Kanazawa account for two-thirds of the restaurant’s offering. There are usually about 10 other kinds available, including the Dassai in Yamaguchi, Mitsukawa's hometown. There is an original collaboration with a local sake brewery, and its refreshing taste pairs well with sushi.
Housed in a renovated 100-year old building, the restaurant possesses an understated, tasteful appearance. Inside the restaurant is an L-shape counter for up to eight guests, carved from a 200-year old Japanese cypress from Tono, Gifu Prefecture. “The counter is like a stage with customers sitting in the audience seats,” he says. Guests can enjoy Sushi Mitsukawa with family, friends, and colleagues, enjoying the dinner performance in front of them while absorbing the history of Kanazawa.
------------------------------------------------------------------
* The availability of this webpage does not guarantee that the restaurant presented provides services in English, unless otherwise stated. Please be aware that English services may also depend on staff availability at the restaurant.
Access
A 10-minute taxi ride from Kanazawa Station (JR Hokuriku Main Line (Maibara - Toyama)). Take a round bus of Hokuriku Railway (clockwise bound) from bus stop No. 7 at Kenrokuen-guchi (East exit) or other buses for about 10 minutes, get off at Hashibacho bus stop, and walk for about 5 minutes.
・From bus stop No. 4, take all JR buses for 10 to 15 minutes, get off at the Hashibacho bus stop, and walk for about 5 minutes.
