Sushi Arata — Restaurant in Hiroshima

Preamble; This was the first restaurant I have ever been to in Japan.

The food: I do not have the words to truely convey how amazing the sushi tasted. I genuinely never imagined sushi could taste this good.

The restaurant: This restaurant is small and hidden behind another restaurant, so it is easily missed if you aren't looking for it. They have seating for 8 people around the bar/kitchen, plus two tables that appear to be used as a waiting area.

Price: At time of writing they were offering a set menu at ¥7,500 per person, and it was well worth the money.

The Staff: The chefs and waitress were friendly and approachable. The Chef prepairing the Nigiri appeared to love his craft, and is very skilled with his knife.

English: They have a flip book with pictures of cuts of fish plus their Japanese name in Romanji and their English name. The Chefs can speak and understand English. I do not know how skilled they are in the language, I was not there to test them. But they knew enough that, if you can't speak Japanese, you can get by.

Vegan/Vegetarian/Pescetarian patrons: At time of writing, your only option is the single set menu, which is 90% amazing fish dishes. As such it isn't suitable for those who are Vegetarian or Vegan. Pescetarian's should be very happy seafood, cucumber, egg and rice were the primary ingredients offered. So very suitable for the Pescetarian diet.

Additional comments: There was a lovely couple sat to the left of us, who chatted with us, that had driven 2 hours to Hiroshima and appeared to...

I don’t make a habit of writing reviews but I have too many good things to say about this place. I am from the USA and don’t speak much for Japanese aside from please, thank you, etc. Everyone in this restaurant made me feel so welcome. From the staff to the patrons, they were more than I ever could have asked. The food was unbelievable, the place was adorable and so authentic. Literally everything was perfect, if you are nervous about going so was I, please do it. On that note, logistical details for those wondering: I couldn’t figure out how to make a reservation online and couldn’t over the phone since I don’t speak Japanese. I walked in on a Wednesday as a party of one and they sat me. I was offered two menus, an 11 piece sushi set and omakase and I simply pointed to the one I wanted. Please experience it for yourself, it was an integral part of the best evening of my trip. Thank you so much...

We’ve had some incredible meals during our time in Japan, but this sushi experience truly stood out as the best so far. Every piece was a perfect balance of freshness, texture, and flavor — a real showcase of top-quality ingredients and masterful technique.

The atmosphere in the restaurant was warm and intimate, striking the perfect balance between traditional and comfort. What really made the night unforgettable, though, was the chef. Incredibly talented, clearly passionate about his craft, and also genuinely funny — he brought so much personality to the meal and made us feel right at home.

If you’re looking for a sushi experience that’s not just delicious but also memorable and full of character, this place is an absolute must. We’ll be talking about it for...