Hama-Sushi Japan Guide for Tourists: ¥110 Sushi, Express Lanes & 5 Soy Sauces

Quick Facts

What it is

Hama-Sushi, operated by Hama-Sushi Co., Ltd. (part of Zensho Holdings Co., Ltd.), is one of Japan's largest and most technologically advanced sushi chains with over 600 locations across all 47 prefectures. Famous for its budget-friendly pricing—with dozens of standard nigiri and gunkan plates starting at just ¥110 tax-included—Hama-Sushi features modern "Straight-Lane" dining. Instead of sushi rotating continuously in the open air, every dish is prepared to order in the kitchen and delivered directly to your booth via a high-speed conveyor track. A unique hallmark is the collection of five distinct regional soy sauces lined up on every table, allowing international visitors to customize every bite to their personal taste.

How to order

Dining at Hama-Sushi is completely automated and foreigner-friendly:

1. Check in at the lobby kiosk: Step inside and use the automated ticket kiosk at the front entrance (switchable to English). Enter your party size and choose table or counter seating; the machine will print a numbered slip directing you to your assigned seat number.
2. Take your assigned seat: Walk straight to your table number. Grab green tea powder and cups from the overhead rack, and dispense hot water from the table tap.
3. Switch the tabletop tablet to English: Pick up the touchscreen tablet and select English, Chinese, or Korean to browse the full menu with photos.
4. Order sushi in batches: Submit orders for nigiri, sashimi, tempura, miso soup, and ramen. Within minutes, an audio chime will alert you, and your order will glide down the high-speed straight lane directly to your table. Remove the plate and tap "Confirmed" on the screen.
5. Note the Wasabi Policy (100% Sabi-Nuki): In modern Hama-Sushi stores, *all sushi is made without wasabi (Sabi-nuki)*. Use the small packets of fresh grated wasabi provided on your table to add as much or as little as you like.
6. Sample the 5 Tabletop Soy Sauces: Choose from five regional soy sauces on your table (Special Dashi Soy Sauce, Rich Soy Sauce, Sashimi Sweet Soy Sauce, Konbu Kelp Soy Sauce, and Citrus Yuzu Ponzu).
7. Press "Check Out" on the tablet: When full, tap "Check Out" (Kaikei) on your tablet screen. A server will do a rapid plate scan, or the screen will direct you straight to the automated self-checkout machines near the door to pay.

What to order first

All dishes below are officially featured on the Hama-Sushi Official Menu and row reference data (prices subject to regional updates):

• Standard ¥110 Nigiri Plates: Classic fresh selections including fresh salmon (Sāmon), lean red tuna (Maguro), seared salmon with cheese, and boiled shrimp (Ebi), priced at ¥100 before tax (¥110 tax-included as of September 22, 2026).
• *Luxury Three-Piece Assortments (San-shu Mori)*: Popular trio plates featuring three cuts of tuna, salmon variations, or shellfish on a single plate, priced around ¥160–¥290 tax-included (as of September 22, 2026).
• Hot Noodle Bowls (Ramen & Udon): Seasonal ramen varieties (such as shellfish dashi ramen or miso ramen) and comforting dashi udon, priced around ¥300–¥450 tax-included (as of September 22, 2026).
• Fresh Fried Sides & Tempura: Piping-hot crispy french fries, fried chicken karaage, and tempura sushi fried to order upon request.
• Desserts & Chilled Parfaits: Freshly roasted green tea parfaits, Japanese milk pudding, and seasonal cakes priced from the ¥100s to ¥300s.

Payment & practical info

Facilities and payment gateways vary slightly by individual store (verify on the Official Hama-Sushi Store Finder):

• Accepted Payment Methods: Accepts cash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, UnionPay), transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, etc.), electronic money (iD, QUICPay, Rakuten Edy), smartphone QR code payment apps (PayPay, Rakuten Pay, d-barai, au PAY, LINE Pay, Merpay, Alipay, WeChat Pay), and Zensho CooCa.
• Straight-Lane Freshness & Hygiene: Hama-Sushi's direct express conveyor system ensures food does not sit out exposed on circulating belts, maximizing food hygiene and freshness.
• The 5 Soy Sauces Lineup:
  1. Tokusei Dashi Shōyu (Special Dashi Soy Sauce — versatile umami all-rounder)
  2. Kantō-fū Nōkō Shōyu (Kanto Rich Soy Sauce — robust, traditional)
  3. Sashimi Shōyu (Thick Sweet Kyushu-style Sashimi Soy Sauce)
  4. Konbu Shōyu (Hokkaido Kelp Soy Sauce — mild and mellow)
  5. Yuzu Ponzu (Tangy Japanese citrus vinegar sauce — perfect for seared fish)
• Wi-Fi & Power Outlets: Varies by store; general dining booths do not provide personal power sockets.
• Tax-Free Status: Not eligible for tax-free shopping. Restaurant dining services cannot be exempted from consumption tax.

Good to know / Common mistakes

• Wondering why your sushi has no wasabi: All sushi at Hama-Sushi is prepared 100% wasabi-free (Sabi-nuki) to accommodate children and people who dislike spice. You add wasabi yourself from the green packets on the table.
• Missing out on the 5 soy sauces: Don't just grab the first bottle! Try tasting the Dashi soy sauce on tuna, the sweet Sashimi soy sauce on salmon, and the Yuzu Ponzu on seared cheese sushi.
• Waiting for sushi to circulate on a conveyor loop: Modern Hama-Sushi stores use direct express delivery tracks. Sushi only comes to your seat when you explicitly order it on the tablet.
• Leaving plates on the lane: When your food arrives on the express track, quickly transfer the plate to your table so the carrier can return to the kitchen.

Sources

• Hama-Sushi Official Website: https://www.hama-sushi.co.jp/ (Verified: 2026-09-22)
• Hama-Sushi FAQ & Ordering Guide: https://www.hama-sushi.co.jp/contact/faq/ (Verified: 2026-09-22)