Matsuki Sushi — Restaurant in Takayama

I came to Matsuki Sushi 6 years ago based on my hotel’s recommendation and 6 years later, I came again!

The first time was lovely and I got to sit at the counter, but had a hard time communicating with the staff and chef (who was very enthusiastic) at the time. However, today was so great! I came on a weekday right at opening for dinner and got to sit at a table with the tatami mats on the first floor. The staff spoke English very well and gave us an English menu, but chef (one of three generations running the family establishment — very cool) was visibly excited and gave us the Japanese menu which had additional items on it. He literally came from inside the counter to our table. He asked if we could read it, and well, there were some pictures, there’s Google translate, and some had hiragana so it was easy. The staff were very attentive and patient.

I recommend the fried shrimp to everyone for ¥1,000, it was so delicious and worth it. The umeshu and sake (based on the staff’s recommendation) were also really good.

The chef hoped the prices were reasonable for the omakase and even asked us if we couldn’t eat anything and if wasabi was ok. Honestly, the prices for the omakase are VERY reasonable. The otoro was the best and the crab miso soup was calming in the cold weather.

Thank you to the chef and staff of Matsuki Sushi who took care of my friend and I tonight! I hope to come back again in a few years. I’m glad the chef was excited to hear that I came back after 6 years, and I hope him and his family are still here many years later. Please stay healthy and well!

Also, shoutout to the waitress who spoke English and asked about my BTS jacket and keychain! 🥰 It was lovely to have a...

We came here based on the reviews score and expected to have a great experience . Our mistake was not reading the low score reviews . They offer a set menu which we never go for , we prefer to choose our sushi . Since there was no other choice we went for it . The tempura was good . The yellow tail , snapper , octopus and minced tuna sushi were low quality , it was hard to chew , lots of residuals left . I never ever had sushi this low quality . The beef was extremely fat and hard to chew . We had great experiences in Tokyo and expected the same here . What a major disappointed. It seems that they do this to tourists because they are not returning customers . If I were the chef I would have been embarrassed to serve such a low quality meal . After our dinner I looked at the negative reviews and the answer from the manager is always the same, it is a template he is using . This tells you they do not really care . My advice , stay away from this place , go someplace else .

PS . As expected I received the same standard response from the restaurant as a lot of unhappy customers received . That person is not even embarrassed by the negative reviews . They do not change anything . They continue to do the same thing to the tourists and do not care as long as they get a lot of money for low quality food. It is unethical, discriminatory and very disrespectful towards the foreign tourists . No shame . Same complaints , same standard answers and no changes . I wonder if there is any Japanese Business Bureau that oversees what the business do / their services in regards to the foreign tourists . They should be held accountable for...

This restaurant is, without a doubt, one of my favorite places to eat on the planet. The food is absolutely exquisite—each dish is crafted with the highest quality ingredients and an incredible level of thoughtfulness. It stands out in its category as the best for both its price and overall experience.

Beyond the food, the design is impeccable. The plates and plating are truly special—each dish feels like a work of art, presented with the same care and attention that goes into its preparation. The entire space is beautifully curated, from the stunning live-edge wood to the warm, inviting ambiance. Every detail has been considered, creating an experience that feels timeless.

The people here shine with kindness, and the chef-owner makes you feel completely at home, adding to the magic of the experience. It’s the kind of place where time slows down, and you can just be—immersed in the moment, savoring every bite. Thank you Mr Kiyotaka!!!

Every time we visit, we find ourselves returning for consecutive days—it’s that special. If you have the chance, don’t miss out on an unforgettable meal here. This is by far one of our favorite spots...