Sake pairing in Japan

Kanazawa, Ishikawa

Chef Takashi Yamamoto runs a 10-seat kaiseki counter in Kanazawa with a 15-course menu, sake pairing, and English-friendly service.

Tokyo

Sukiyabashi Jiro is a 10-seat counter-only Edomae sushi restaurant in Ginza run by chef Jiro Ono, booked by phone about two months ahead.

Tokyo

An 8-seat counter branch of Sushi Kanesaka inside Palace Hotel Tokyo, led by chef Shinji Kanesaka, offering a 10-course dinner omakase for about ¥44,800.

Fukuoka

Twelve-seat Edomae sushi counter in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, run by chef Kazuya Ebi, with a Michelin star and a 10-course omakase.

Sapporo, Hokkaido

Ten-seat Edomae sushi counter in Sapporo's Chuo Ward with a Michelin star, a 10-course omakase, and phone-only reservations that book out roughly a month ahead.