Benkei — Restaurant in Himeji

Very reasonably priced, great sushi.

After visiting the Himeji castle, I spotted this local sushi shop and went in to see if they were still serving lunch.

We don't speak the same language but somehow we managed to communicate via body language. He was friendly and very composed behind the sushi bar.

Don't worry if you don't speak Japanese, the owner serves an omakase lunch, as long as you like sashimi/sushi. The fish was fresh and generously cut. Sushi rice was spot on as well.

[Replying to another one star comment on Google] I typically can't be bothered with negative comments as people are entitled to have their own opinion, but that just looked false and inaccurate.

2000 YEN FOR ALL THESE: 8 sushi, freshly prepared soup (yeah he cooked the whole thing in front of me, from chopping veggies to boiling) a salad with lettuce, tomato and spinach sliced Japanese local apple for dessert (these are not average apples) wasabi grinded on the spot, ginger slices on the side

How's that a ripoff? Again I don't speak Japanese, so language barrier...

A true hidden gem hole in the wall spot if you're looking for sushi after visiting Himeji Castle. A locals spot where the food was Japanese home style. Pre-fixe menu. Elderly husband and wife duo that have been preparing nigiri meals for decades. Their experience really shines through in the quality of fresh ingredients chosen and skill in preparation. You do not need to know a lick of Japanese to be served here but if you do, conservation with them was very amiable. Very laidback atmosphere with the television on entertaining both guests and the preparation-duo. Their miso soup was the best I had out of my whole 2 week trip to Japan and for pennies what I paid other places. Cash only but the price was a bargain considering the amount of food you get. For a western appetite, we had enough room left for dessert at the many other dessert establishments in downtown or a bento on the Shinkansen ride...

I feel sorry to the aged couple owner but this is the truth. This sushi restaurant is overrated by almost all western foreigners. To be honest, this is a slightly above average price. The 2,000 yen fixed menu with 8 bites is understandable. But it's still too far from the best. The white meat is good. The red tuna was alright, but the others weren't as fresh. Moreover, the service is very confusing. We also had to ask other customers how to get our food. There's no need to talk about cleanliness. Above of it all, I still remember the eyes of the shop owner, glanced over to examine the correctness of my eating manners, as if this is an...