"Eight seats, one omakase, and a Kyushu-trained chef folding Okinawan catch into Edomae nigiri. Naha's quiet pick for a counter dinner for two."
About Sushi Yaginuma
Sushi Yaginuma is the kind of small Edomae counter that rewards booking ahead: eight seats and two tables in a plain, calm room in Makishi, across the street from the Hyatt Regency Naha at 3-8-27 Makishi. The owner-chef trained in Tokyo-style sushi and opened here in May 2018, and he serves an omakase only, building nigiri on seafood chosen by season and supplier and folding in Okinawan ingredients. The course runs about ¥17,500 a head, and reservations are essential because the room is tiny.
The Counter
The format is straight Edomae omakase with a local accent. Expect the classics handled with care, then a few signs of the chef's own hand, such as a chilled gazpacho served as the soup course alongside the usual miso. The seafood leans on Okinawan catch where it earns its place, so the course reads as Tokyo technique applied to a southern larder rather than a museum recreation of a Ginza counter.
Yaginuma sits in the strong middle of Naha's sushi field: a Tabelog standing that has held since it opened, and a counter small enough that the chef sets the pace himself. For how omakase works as a format, see the best omakase guide and the wider sushi guide; in town, Ryukyu Sushi Aozora is the other counter to know.
The Room
Simple and cosy rather than grand: a white-wood counter, a couple of tables, and not much else to distract from the food. With only eight seats the atmosphere is intimate and conversation carries, so it suits two people who want to watch the chef work more than a large group. Dinner starts at 18:00 and the room is closed on Sundays; the chef is open to specific requests if you flag them when you book.
Best for a Date or Anniversary
Book Sushi Yaginuma for a date or a quiet anniversary: the eight-seat counter is close and unhurried, the chef sets the rhythm, and an omakase gives the evening a built-in arc without anyone reaching for a menu. Reserve early and take the counter, not a table. The wider field is on the best restaurants for a first date guide; the city's full spread is in the Naha dining guide.
Not for
Not for a big group or a quick, cheap sushi run. With eight seats, a single omakase and a ¥17,500 course, Yaginuma is a reservation-only counter for two to four, not a walk-in for a crowd.
Frequently Asked
Is Sushi Yaginuma worth it?
Yes, for an intimate omakase in Naha. Sushi Yaginuma is an eight-seat counter where a Kyushu-trained chef serves Edomae nigiri fused with Okinawan catch, including touches like a gazpacho soup course. The omakase runs about ¥17,500, and the room has held a strong Tabelog standing since it opened in 2018.
How do I book Sushi Yaginuma?
Book ahead, and well ahead at that, because there are only eight counter seats and two tables and the chef takes omakase by reservation. Call +81 98-860-8155; the restaurant is at 3-8-27 Makishi, across the street from the Hyatt Regency Naha, and serves dinner from 18:00, closed Sundays.
What do you eat at Sushi Yaginuma?
An omakase course only: Edomae-style nigiri built on carefully chosen seafood that changes with the season and the supplier, fused with Okinawan ingredients. Expect creative touches alongside the classics, such as a chilled gazpacho served as the soup. A nigiri-only version of the course can be arranged on request.
What does Sushi Yaginuma cost?
The omakase dinner is about ¥17,500 a person, with a course for two near ¥22,000, before drinks. That is mid-to-upper range for Naha sushi and fair for a counter of this size and quality. Sake and wine pairings add to the bill; the chef is happy to discuss specific requests in advance.
Is Sushi Yaginuma good for a date?
Yes, the eight-seat counter is quiet and close, which suits an unhurried evening for two. The pace is set by the chef and the room rarely feels rushed. For more intimate tables across the site, see the first-date ranking.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Sushi Yaginuma
Reserve by phone on +81 98-860-8155. Eight counter seats; book early.
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Practical Information
Address3-8-27 Makishi, Naha 900-0013
NeighbourhoodMakishi (by Hyatt Regency Naha)
CuisineEdomae sushi (omakase)
Price¥17,500 per person; ~¥22,000 for two
Seating8 counter seats + 2 tables
HoursDinner from 18:00; closed Sun
ReservationEssential, by phone
