Sushitsune

Sushitsune (寿し常) is a Japanese sushi restaurant operator whose history dates back to 1949, when the first shop opened in Nakajuku, Itabashi Ward, Tokyo. The brand has since grown into a multi-format chain offering Edomae-style nigiri, kaiten (conveyor-belt) sushi, standing sushi bars, and seafood-focused dining. Its corporate entity, Sushitsune Co., Ltd. (株式会社寿し常), was established in May 2020 as Project Sumire and renamed in June 2020 after taking over 26 of 37 stores from the previous operator, Toyoda. It is now a subsidiary of Tokyo Ichiban Foods, a listed company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The chain operates under several formats and names, including Edomae Nigiri Sushitsune (江戸前握り 寿し常), Seafood Restaurant Sushitsune (海鮮処寿し常), Kaiten Sushi Mawari Sushi Shibuya Sushitsune (回転寿司 廻り寿し 渋谷寿し常), Standing Sushi Sushitsune (立喰い寿しすしつね), and Sushi no Uotsune (寿しの魚常). Locations are concentrated in Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Saitama prefectures, often inside shopping centers and station buildings such as Atre Ueno, Atre Omori, Keio Crown Street Sasazuka, Esola Ikebukuro, Shibuya Parco, and Kichijoji Marui. Sushitsune positions itself on the idea of making genuine Edomae sushi accessible and affordable. Its management philosophy, "Inaho no Kokoro" (the heart of the rice ear), expresses humility and gratitude, comparing a bowing rice stalk to the proper attitude of a merchant. The company emphasizes fresh ingredients, in-house tuna farming, and value pricing. It is known for its "Kiwami Ichiban Honmaguro" (極海一番本まぐろ) tuna, raised through its own aquaculture operations in Hirado, which received an excellence award at a tuna competition and was praised by the New York sushi figure KUNI. In recent years, Sushitsune has continued to refresh its brand and menu, including the renovation of its main Otsuka store into the Sushitsune Sohonten in August 2024. The chain offers seasonal menus, early-bird promotions, and a range of sushi and side dishes at various price points, from affordable nigiri to premium tuna selections.

Sushitsune's origins trace back to April 1949 (Showa 24), when the first Sushitsune shop opened in Nakajuku, Itabashi Ward, Tokyo. In 1953 (Showa 28), the brand expanded to the Otsuka Station front shopping street in Toshima Ward, opening Sushitsune Honten. Over the decades, the company introduced several innovations: in 1999 (Heisei 11), it introduced uniform pricing for Edomae sushi; in 2000, it began holding tuna carving shows; in 2002, it opened its first standing sushi format; and in 2004, it offered "raw mackerel" (nama saba), which was rare at the time, under the name Sushitsune Takumi. In 2006, it opened a Sushitsune in Lalaport Toyosu with a distinctive market-style design. In 2012, it opened Edomae Tokyo Sushitsune Tokyo Solamachi, where the Sky Tree Bowl with a large shrimp tempura became a media topic. In 2016, it opened Kaiten Sushi Senju Sushitsune at Kitasenju Marui. In November 2019 (Reiwa 1), it opened Kaiten Sushi Shibuya Sushitsune at Shibuya Parco. However, the operating company at the time, Toyoda, faced deteriorating performance due to industry competition and the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020, Tokyo Ichiban Foods established Project Sumire as a receiving company to take over part of Toyoda's business. On June 1, 2020, Project Sumire acquired 26 of Toyoda's 37 stores, changed its trade name to Sushitsune Co., Ltd., and moved its headquarters into the Otsuka Sushitsune Honten. Tokyo Ichiban Foods aimed to strengthen group collaboration and expand seafood sales to external restaurant operators through the acquisition. In August 2024 (Reiwa 6), the Otsuka Honten was renovated and reopened as Sushitsune Sohonten. Today, Sushitsune operates multiple formats across the Tokyo metropolitan area, continuing its mission to make authentic Edomae sushi accessible to a wide audience.

• First Sushitsune shop opens in Nakajuku, Itabashi Ward, Tokyo.

• Sushitsune Honten opens in the Otsuka Station front shopping street, Toshima Ward.

• Introduces uniform pricing for Edomae sushi.

• Begins holding tuna carving shows.

• Opens first standing sushi format store.

• Offers rare 'raw mackerel' and opens Sushitsune Takumi.

• Opens Sushitsune in Lalaport Toyosu with market-style design.

• Opens Edomae Tokyo Sushitsune Tokyo Solamachi; Sky Tree Bowl becomes media topic.

• Opens Kaiten Sushi Senju Sushitsune at Kitasenju Marui.

• Opens Kaiten Sushi Shibuya Sushitsune at Shibuya Parco.

• Project Sumire is established as a receiving company by Tokyo Ichiban Foods.

• Project Sumire acquires 26 of 37 stores from Toyoda, changes name to Sushitsune Co., Ltd.

• Sushitsune Sohonten (formerly Otsuka Honten) renovated and reopened.

Affordable, accessible Edomae-style sushi for everyday dining and special occasions, with a focus on fresh ingredients and in-house tuna farming.

• Kiwami Ichiban Honmaguro

  Premium tuna raised through in-house aquaculture in Hirado, used in nigiri and other dishes.

• Autumn Nigiri (Aki no Minoru Nigiri)

  Seasonal nigiri set featuring autumn ingredients, priced at 2,980 yen (3,278 yen with tax).

• Sky Tree Bowl

  Signature rice bowl topped with large shrimp tempura, popular at the Tokyo Solamachi store.

• Honen Zen

  A seasonal set meal with early-bird discount available until October 11.

1. 1寿し常｜公式サイトsushitsune.co.jp
2. 2会社概要 - 寿し常｜公式サイトsushitsune.co.jp
3. 3寿し常 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
4. 4Sushitsune - Wikidatawikidata.org