Okayama Prefecture, which faces the Seto Inland Sea , has many local conveyor belt sushi restaurants, but my personal favorite is " Sushi Yukan." It's a restaurant with over 50 years of history, headquartered in Kurashiki City. Currently, it has 11 stores in the Okayama Prefecture (as of June 2026).
2026.06.26We interviewed a conveyor belt sushi restaurant from Okayama that has been featured on national television, to learn about their dedication and philosophy.
*Some photos were provided by the store.
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Table of Contents
- Our commitment is to "skin that feels like human skin and handmade production."
- Originating in Okayama Prefecture! Uses naturally grown "Asahi Rice".
- Our signature dish is "fresh bluefin tuna" that has never been frozen.
- Safety, security, and culture: "Attention to detail"
- An immersive, interactive "open kitchen" experience.
- The people are also part of the store's charm! "Bright and warm customer service"
- Towards a "happy scene" where everyone can smile.
Our commitment is to "skin that feels like human skin and handmade production."
This time, we visited "Sushi Yukan Asahi"Tsu branch. This is the first store in Okayama Prefecture of a new brand that was developed with the aim of further evolving " Sushi Yukan ," and it opened in 2025. It is a sophisticated Japanese modern space based on light wood, with an atmosphere that makes you feel the traditional culture. We spoke with President Eiji Takahashi about the commitment to high-quality sushi that is popular at " Sushi Yukan."
"We have been one of the first in the Western Japan conveyor belt sushi industry to offer 'Edomae nigiri' (sushi made with rice at body temperature)," the president said. "What further improves and maintains quality is the sincere technique of our chefs who hand-prepare the fish, cook the rice, and continue to make the sushi. We value the style of preparing everything from scratch in our restaurants. It is because we had this technique from the beginning that we were able to provide high-quality sushi," the president added.
Originating in Okayama Prefecture! Uses naturally grown "Asahi Rice".
They have an extraordinary commitment to rice, as evidenced by their "body-temperature rice" concept. They use " Asahi rice ," which originates from Okayama Prefecture. It is the ancestor of Koshihikari and Sasanishiki varieties, and the president gives it his seal of approval, saying, "When combined with the toppings, it crumbles softly in your mouth. It has a sweetness to it and is perfect for sushi. It goes especially well with fatty toppings."
Sushi Yukan is the first company to support the Okayama Prefecture Natural Farming Executive Committee (formerly the Okayama Prefecture . Please enjoy the taste of Asahi Rice and the sushi gently prepared by our chefs at body temperature!
Our signature dish is "fresh bluefin tuna" that has never been frozen.
Their biggest point of pride is their "fresh bluefin tuna." The president says, "We used to source frozen tuna, but we happened to get some fresh tuna in stock and were blown away when we tasted it."
The taste and texture are completely different and incomparable! Currently, I buy whole bluefin tuna, hand-picked by Yamakichi, a famous wholesaler in Tokyo, and Date Maguro, a brand from Ehime Prefecture, without ever freezing them.
With a strong resolve that "fresh tuna is difficult to manage and presents challenges in transportation, but if we're going to use it as our signature dish, we can't mix in even a little bit of frozen tuna. It can't be called authentic unless it's 100% fresh," they gradually switched from frozen to fresh bluefin tuna starting in 2012, and by 2020, they were using only fresh tuna. The restaurant also holds tuna cutting demonstrations, which are enjoyed by customers as a valuable experience.
Safety, security, and culture: "Attention to detail"
Their passion isn't limited to just tuna and rice. The miso soup uses "Asahi Rice," which is grown naturally in Okayama Prefecture , and " Miracle Miso," made by "Marumi Koji Honten " in Soja City , using 100% naturally grown soybeans from Okayama and Hokkaido , with absolutely no additives. You can also enjoy "Miracle Sake," a sake brewed with naturally grown rice by " Kikuchi " in Kurashiki City .
Furthermore, the president stated that they make no compromises, even when it comes to additive-free pure rice vinegar, additive-free soy sauce, fresh wasabi, and seaweed. "We want to be as particular as possible so that customers can eat with peace of mind. We don't just want to provide sushi; we want our customers to experience the traditional sushi culture," he said.
The teacups that immediately catch your eye when you sit down are made of ceramic, reflecting the idea that "sushi restaurants typically use large, ceramic teacups." This demonstrates a commitment to safety and security, as well as meticulous attention to detail.
An immersive, interactive "open kitchen" experience.
"Since customers are going out of their way to visit us, we want to offer them not only delicious sushi, but also a unique experience that can only be found here." With this sentiment in mind, the Tsu store is a live space that focuses on an "open kitchen," where customers can see the entire process of the chefs preparing and cooking the sushi right in front of them.
From the dynamic straw-grilling booth where bonito and Spanish mackerel are seared, the aroma fills the restaurant along with the flames, and from the frying area, you can hear the sound of tempura being fried and see the oil moving.
This is an interactive conveyor belt sushi restaurant, including a popular tuna cutting show. In the lobby's "Tuna Showcase," carefully selected fresh bluefin tuna are beautifully displayed.
The people are also part of the store's charm! "Bright and warm customer service"
In addition to our commitment to quality and taste, the cheerful and courteous service from our staff is also a major attraction. "Especially in this age of increasing automation, we deliberately chose the path of creating a store where you can feel the warmth of human connection."
"With our open kitchen that's completely visible, we're always conscious of being in the same space as our customers. Above all, we want our customers to enjoy their meal in a pleasant atmosphere," says the president. I also experienced the comfortable service firsthand when I had sushi at the restaurant on a different day than the interview.
Towards a "happy scene" where everyone can smile.
Sushi Yukan has built a unique position in the market by consistently adhering to numerous principles and providing authentic flavors and an unforgettable experience. Their straightforward desire to "create a restaurant where both customers and staff can smile and feel happy" clearly outlines their future direction. Why not visit this Okayama-born conveyor belt sushi restaurant, brimming with authentic flavors and meticulous attention to detail?
[Sushi Yukan Yuukan Asahi Tsu Store] Location: 113-1 Yokoiue, Kita-ku , Okayama City Okayama Prefecture ( within the parking lot of Every Okanaka Tsu)
TEL: 086-259-1005 (Reservations for visits are not accepted)
Opening hours: Weekdays 11:00-15:00 (Last order 14:45), 17:00-21:00 (Last order 20:45)
Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays: 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM (Last order 9:15 PM)
Parking: Available (Every Okanaka Tsu Parking)
*Please check the official website or Instagram for the schedule of the tuna cutting show.
■Stores in Okayama Prefecture (Please check the official website or Instagram for each store's business hours, reservations, etc.)
[Sushi Yukan Shin Kurashiki Store] Address: 1559-1 Tamashima Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture
TEL: 086-523-5151
[ Sushi Yukan Takahashi Store]
Location: 1084-1 Nakahara-cho , Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture Prefecture (Polka 1F)
TEL: 0866-21-2002
[ Sushi Yukan Yuukan Uno Store]
Location: 1-39-5 Uno , Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture
TEL: 0863-33-8666
Official Instagram is here
[ Sushi Yukan Saidaiji Store]
Location: 532-7 Saidaiji Higashi-ku, Okayama City , Okayama Prefecture Prefecture
TEL: 086-944-7770
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