The worst experience of my life. We had spot at 17:30 and at 18:00 the lunch/dinner was over. The staff super rude and impolite. 2.000€ box for 4 people. It’s a rip off. SHAMEFUL!!!! The only good thing about lunch was that only us were there. SHAME

I read many of the negative Google reviews for Jiro before dining here, and after experiencing it firsthand, I feel compelled to add some context. Most of the unfavorable reviews appear rooted not in the quality of the food or service, but in a misunderstanding of Japanese culture and of what Jiro is. This is not a Western fine dining experience. It is not loud, indulgent, alcohol forward, or leisurely by design. It is a disciplined, highly intentional expression of craft, tradition, and respect for the chef, the ingredients, and the diner. Yes, the meal is concise. Yes, there are expectations around dress, fragrance, and behavior. And yes, you eat approximately 20 pieces of sushi in about 30 minutes. That is the point. This is an art form, not a tasting menu meant to stretch into the evening. Judging it by Western dining norms entirely misses what makes it extraordinary. The hospitality we experienced was exceptional. Our original flight to Tokyo was canceled, our rebooked flight the following day was delayed, and we were racing from Narita to make our reservation. The restaurant graciously extended our booking window by 15 minutes, stored our luggage during the meal, and treated us with warmth and professionalism throughout. Afterward, Yoshikazu Ono even took a photo with us outside, which was an unexpected and generous gesture. As for the food, it was without exaggeration the best meal I have ever eaten in my life. From the sequencing of the sushi, to the temperature and texture of the rice, to the very first bite of tuna, it is almost impossible to describe how perfect it was. Every detail felt deliberate, refined, and deeply considered. If you are looking for a loud, indulgent, Western style dining experience, this is not it. But if you are willing to meet Japanese culture on its own terms and experience mastery at the highest level, Sukiyabashi Jiro is extraordinary. Respect the rules, trust the process, and you will be rewarded with something truly unforgettable.

This is a place where you will taste nigiris and sushis that cannot be found anywhere else. If you appreciate sushi, I find it impossible that you will eat here and conclude that the food was not at least exceptional. Then, I would like to offer an easy way for people to find the place. There is nothing hidden or discrete about it. When on the surface around the Ginza subway station, look for a men's clothing shop called Suit Square. The shop is at the corner where the subway entrance C6 is. If you can find the shop, you will see the stairs leading into the Ginza Sta. subway. At the bottom of the stairs you will see a white sign on the wall with the names of 4 distinct restaurants that can be accessed through double glass doors to your left. One of the restaurants is Jiro Sushi so go through the doors, turn left and you will be in a small subterranean hall with said 4 restaurants. Jiro is the one across the hall. Some reviews mentioned that the restaurant is near a bathroom. No, it's not. The bathroom is outside the restaurant which is great. 80% of the restaurants and eateries in the US, Canada, and Europe that I have ever been have toilets less than 3 meters away from a table where people are eating at. This place is nothing like that. The place does not have a cold atmosphere like some other reviews say. This is a formal Japanese restaurant where one is supposed to concentrate their senses 100% on the eating experience. There is no music, no TV showing the last CNN breaking news, nor people chit chatting. It's an environment for a quiet, peaceful meal. The time that one can spend in there is more than enough to go through all 21 pieces of nigiri at your pace, around 40 minutes. Japanese can be very practical: if you are done eating, pay and leave because other people are waiting to eat too. It's like that in all the ramen places I've been to in JP where you even pay first, get the tickets, eat in 10-15 minutes, and leave so there is nothing wrong with Jiro in this regard either. Finally, the amount of food. 21 pieces of nigiri and sushi are a lot. I'm a 160-lb male and I can eat. I was hungry on the day I went there and I left the place feeling I could not eat anymore. If you are still hungry, they will ask if you want to eat more - for an extra - so the amount of food should not be an issue either.

+3

I left feeling really let down after this much-hyped sushi spot. Most of the sushi was just okay, but some pieces were chewy and tough, which isn't what you expect at this level. The rice was overly sour, throwing off the whole balance, and one mackerel sushi completely fell apart when I gently picked it up with my chopsticks—totally unacceptable for a place like this! That said, the chu toro, o toro, and squid were phenomenal—silky, fresh, and perfectly executed, the highlights of the meal. But overall, for the high price, it felt overpriced compared to so many better sushi experiences in Tokyo and Japan. Service was a big disappointment too. The chef was unapproachable—I bowed each time, but he just turned away without a word or smile, everything felt like an assembly line with no warmth or personal touch. This isn't the legendary Japanese hospitality you hear about. They rushed us through 20 pieces in about 40 minutes, no pauses or care, leaving me bloated and uncomfortable instead of satisfied. And get this: after the main sushi, they kicked us out from the counter to a table for dessert, while Japanese guests at the counter kept ordering more sushi without issue. Felt discriminatory and unfair. The glowing 5-star reviews seem driven more by the Jiro documentary fame than actual quality. This isn't authentic tradition—it's rushed and inconsistent. I wouldn't recommend it unless you're dying to check off a bucket list item. Skip it for something truly special.

We had a very disappointing experience. As visitors who are not familiar with Japanese culture and customs, we received no explanation whatsoever about what was expected from us or how the service worked. Instead of helping us understand, we felt unwelcome from the moment we arrived. The product and overall experience were far from what we expected, especially considering the price. We were charged approximately €500 per person for what amounted to around 30 minutes of service, and throughout the entire time we felt rushed and as if they wanted us to leave as quickly as possible. What was most upsetting was how they treated my mother-in-law, who has diabetes. When she briefly took out her phone to check and regulate her condition, the staff looked at her with clear disapproval and did not even wait for her before continuing the service. We found this lack of understanding and empathy completely unacceptable. Given the price, reputation, and expectations surrounding this place, the experience was extremely disappointing. We do not understand where its reputation comes from and would not recommend it.