re: Sushi in Japan

My wife and I toured Japan for two weeks in March. I ate the best sushi I will surely ever eat in my life and it wasn't at any fancy place. I have no regrets, and neither will you. You will never be able to eat sushi around here again without being disappointed every time.

We ate at Sushi Dai literally steps outside of the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo and highly recommend it. Just get there early. Like 5 AM early. We got in line at 7:30am and waited until 12:15 before we got through the doors. According to reviews, it's the absolute best value, and I cannot argue.. And quite honestly had no experience with good authentic sushi to base it on, but I recognized the quality and the flavors said it all. There was no arguing that it wasn't great and I am forever spoiled.

We also found that tiny sushi place Koyoshi from No Reservations in Kyoto. Jesus Christ. Best Otoro I will ever eat. Best a lot of stuff I will ever eat. No English. Just say "Omakase" and nod politely when they put whatever they want down in front of you. It's literally like eating in an old Japanese couple's kitchen at home. There was some important Japanese businessman in there with his trophy wife eating fugu that kept going on and on about how we lucky we were that we found that place.

There are much more expensive sushi restaurants there, but even the midpriced joints are probably 1000 times better than anything you will find anywhere close to here. Whether you know good sushi or not, you will know once you experience it. DO IT!