Located in the heart of Ginza, “KITAINARI GINZA” is a specialty inari sushi shop with a focus on creating nourishing inari sushi that your body will love.
Instead of the standard sugar, they use amazake (a traditional sweet Japanese drink made from fermented rice), resulting in a unique twist on classic inari sushi that the shop takes pride in.
Types of inari sushi at KITAINARI GINZA
A menu lineup that reinvents inari sushi!
Inari sushi is a type of sushi with a history that dates back to the Edo period.
Inari sushi, made by wrapping vinegared rice in deep-fried tofu pouches simmered in dashi, sugar, and soy sauce, became widely popular as a food of the people during the Edo period.
Nowadays, inari sushi comes in a wide range of styles—with mixed-in fillings or colorful toppings added for a modern touch.
KITAINARI GINZA also features a unique lineup of inari sushi that isn’t strictly bound by tradition. It’s a new-age inari sushi that not only avoids using sugar in the recipe but also features distinctive ingredients.
For example, the Truffle Set, which features truffle oil and is topped with sliced truffle—pure luxury in sushi form.
The four-piece set, available for take-out or delivery, fills the air with the rich aroma of truffle the moment you open the lid.
“トリュフセット,” Truffle Set 2,500 JPY
Take a bite, and the rich flavor of truffle hits you even more directly.
The wagyū beef soboro (seasoned ground meat), and soy-marinated egg yolk are perfectly balanced in sweetness and saltiness, harmonizing beautifully with the truffle.
With the sweet and savory seasoning of these premium ingredients and the lingering aroma of truffle, it has a rich flavor that will have you coming back for more.
“Wagyu beef sukiyaki, egg yolk pickled in soy sauce” inari sushi from the Truffle Set
Another one-of-a-kind creation is the “Game Meat Curry” inari sushi, which uses venison and is topped with curry powder as a finishing touch.
There is no unpleasant smell that can sometimes come through from gamey meats, and the spicy flavor of the curry powder really whets your appetite.
The “Burdock Balsamic Vinegar” is another inventive pick, incorporating burdock root seasoned with balsamic vinegar into inari sushi. The gentle sweetness of the amazake and the bonito dashi-infused tofu skin pairs excellently with the tartness of the balsamic.
What makes KITAINARI GINZA’s inari sushi so popular is not just the unique choice of fillings, but also their excellent nutritional balance.
With ingredients like lean, high-protein venison, burdock root rich in dietary fiber, and antioxidant-packed balsamic vinegar, it’s a lineup sure to please health-conscious diners.
(from left) Chicken Salt Rice Malt (The salted rice malt used is kōji, a beneficial rice mold used in fermentation), Wagyu Beef Sukiyaki Egg Yolk, Game Meat Curry, Burdock Balsamic Vinegar
Other popular options at KITAINARI GINZA include the “Wagyu Beef Sukiyaki Egg Yolk” and the “Ginger Perilla.”
The Wagyu Beef Sukiyaki Egg Yolk is seasoned with the restaurant’s original warishita, a special sauce used in sukiyaki.
Their warishita features akazake—a sake made with fermented rice like all sake, but chosen for its distinct sweetness and traditional use in cooking—which reflects the restaurant’s attention to detail. Its restrained sweetness helps bring out the rich flavor of the soy sauce-marinated egg yolk (listed as “egg yolk pickled in soy sauce” on their English menu).
It’s very easy to see why the Ginger Perilla is a fan-favorite inari sushi at the restaurant.
Thanks to the restaurant’s special use of amazake, it’s not overly sweet, and the tang of pickled ginger adds just the right accent.
The gari (pickled ginger) provides a satisfying texture
What takes the flavor to an even higher level is the thick glaze brushed on top of each inari sushi.
The special glaze made from dashi extracted from bonito flakes and amazake is concentrated with umami.
Because it’s made from the same ingredients as the tofu skin and vinegared rice, the flavors blend seamlessly. Brushing this thick, savory glaze as a finishing touch enhances the umami even further, and gives each bite an even more satisfying richness.
Inari sushi made with no sugar at KITAINARI GINZA
KITAINARI GINZA also offers seasonal inari sushi, available only at certain times of year.
At the time of our visit, the seasonal selections included “Goma-mamire” (“Sesame Overload”), “Takenoko no Tosa-ae” (“Tosa-Style Bamboo Shoots”) and “Yaki-Fukimiso”(“Grilled Fukimiso”).
The Sesame Overload features a hint of sweetness from honey, followed by a burst of rich, nutty sesame flavor spreads across the palate.
The Tosa-Style Bamboo Shoots offers a delightful crunch from fresh bamboo shoots, with the light sweetness of the dashi making it all the more exquisite. “Tosa-style” refers to a regional style of seasoning typically characterized by the use of bonito flakes, a hallmark of Kōchi Prefecture—an area formerly known as Tosa Province.
Seasonally-limited Tosa-Style Bamboo Shoots inari sushi
Grilled Fuki Miso balances the bitterness of fukinotō (Japanese butterbur buds) with the sweetness of miso—making it a perfect match with alcohol.
At KITAINARI GINZA, you’ll find a curated selection of Japanese sake, ranging from sweet to dry.
The Grilled Fuki Miso pairs beautifully with both rich, full-bodied sweet sake and crisp, refreshing dry sake—which may have you reaching for another glass.
Seasonally-limited Grilled Fuki Miso inari sushi
Enjoy Japan’s version of finger food!
Each inari sushi at KITAINARI GINZA is bite-sized and easy to eat with your hands—essentially the Japanese answer to finger food.
At KITAINARI GINZA, you can take in the elegant dining experience of enjoying Japanese sake while tasting their inari sushi in between sips.
When dining in, you can also enjoy Japanese sake
From the thoughtful use of health-conscious ingredients and seasonings to the refined packaging, every detail of KITAINARI GINZA’s inari sushi reflects the shop’s commitment to craft.
Available for both take-out and delivery, these inari sushi make for a delightful gift that’s sure to be appreciated.
Exterior of KITAINARI GINZA
Information
| Store name | KITAINARI GINZA |
|---|---|
| Address | Ginza NH Bldg. 1F, 6-13-5 Ginza, Naka-ku, Tokyo
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| Access |
Higashi-ginza Station 2-minute walk from Exit A1
Ginza Station 4-minute walk from Exit A3 |
| Phone number | 03-4400-8909 |
| Reservations | Accepted Phone, Tabelog |
| Payment |
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| Service charge/Table charge | Service charge 500 JPY (tax included) only when dining in store |
| Hours | 17:00-23:00（last order 22:30） take-out and delivery available until 24:00 |
| Closed | Sat-Sun. & nat’l holidays |
| Seating | 10 counter seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://www.instagram.com/kitainari_ginza/# |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of April 2025.
