Tokyo Station Budget Sushi: Kantaro Ichibangai Honest Review (Standing Sushi)
Tokyo Mate
🍣 Looking for budget-friendly sushi at Tokyo Station?
Kantaro Ichibangai is your answer!
From location and menu to prices and waiting tips,
Everything you need to know in one complete guide.
Hello! I’m Tokyo Mate, bringing you authentic Tokyo travel information.
Tokyo Station is so vast and complex that finding a good restaurant can be challenging. Today, I’m introducing a budget-friendly sushi spot at Tokyo Station where you can enjoy quick, delicious, and reasonably priced sushi even during a busy travel schedule.
This is the Ichibangai location of Kantaro (函太郎), a famous sushi brand that started in Hakodate, Hokkaido. I’ll cover everything from menu and prices to the key differences between the two Kantaro locations at Tokyo Station.
1. Budget-Friendly Sushi at Tokyo Station Ichibangai
Located on the B1 floor of Tokyo Station in Tokyo Station Ichibangai (東京駅一番街), specifically in the “Nippon Gourmet Street” area, there’s always a line at this sushi restaurant: Hakodate Tachigui Sushi Kantaro (函館立喰い寿司函太郎 東京駅一番街店).
The biggest feature here is the tachigui (立喰い, standing) style. Instead of chairs, the fast turnover means short waits and quick meals are possible. You can order piece by piece, making it perfect for a quick bite. High-quality sushi at reasonable prices makes it popular with both travelers and local office workers.
2. Two Kantaro Locations at Tokyo Station: What’s the Difference?
This is the most confusing point before visiting!
🚨 There are two Kantaro locations on the B1 floor of Tokyo Station. Make sure you don’t line up at the wrong one!
The Kantaro on the left of the map is ‘standing sushi’, while the Kantaro Tokyo on the right is a ‘conveyor belt sushi’ restaurant.
| Category | Kantaro (Left on Map) | Kantaro Tokyo (Right on Map) |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Tachigui (Standing) | Conveyor Belt (Chairs) |
| Best For | Solo dining, quick meals | Families, leisurely dining |
| Location | Near Yaesu Underground Central Exit | End of Character Street |
- ⏱ Quick meal before your train → Kantaro Tachigui
- 👨👩👧 Leisurely seated meal → Kantaro Tokyo Conveyor Belt
3. Standing Sushi Kantaro Operating Information
Here’s the operating information for the standing sushi Kantaro Ichibangai location.
| Name | Hakodate Tachigui Sushi Kantaro Tokyo Station Ichibangai | |
| Hours | 11:00 ~ 22:00 (L.O. 21:30) | |
| Closed | Open year-round | |
| Seating | All standing (no chairs) | |
| Budget | Approx. 2,000-3,500 yen per person | |
| Payment | Cards accepted, IC cards (Suica, etc.) accepted | |
| Address | Tokyo Station Ichibangai A-7, B1F, 1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 📍 View on Google Maps | |
🚆 How to Get There
- From JR Tokyo Station 'Yaesu Underground Central Exit', turn right and head toward 'Nippon Gourmet Street'.
4. Menu & Prices: Why It’s Called Tokyo Station’s Budget Sushi
The advantage here is that you can order 1 piece (single piece) at a time. Prices range from 120 to 500+ yen, so you can enjoy according to your budget.
🍣 Main Menu Prices (Tax Included)
- Budget Line: Negitoro (120 yen), Salmon (180 yen), Yellowtail (200 yen)
- Premium Line: Lean Tuna (380 yen), Anago (300 yen), Hokkaido Scallop (380 yen)
💡 Recommended Sets (No-Fail Choices)
- Tuna 3-Piece (940 yen): Lean, medium fatty, negitoro
- Shrimp 3-Piece (880 yen): Botan shrimp, sweet shrimp, boiled shrimp
💡 How to Order (Tablet)
- Order your desired sushi using the tablet at your spot.
- The tablet supports multiple languages, making ordering easy even if you don’t speak Japanese. (You can adjust wasabi and rice portions too!)
- After finishing your meal, take your seat number tag to the register and pay!
5. Honest Visit Review
- Shari Temperature: The chef prepares each piece on the spot, so the rice grains are alive and melt softly in your mouth.
- Neta Freshness: As a Hokkaido-based brand, the freshness is outstanding. The sweet taste of shellfish and fresh fish was particularly impressive.
- Atmosphere: The chef's lively voice and fast service provide a unique energy during your trip.
🙋♀️ Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
Q. Can I bring luggage (carry-on)?
A. Yes, there’s luggage storage space in one corner of the restaurant, making it great for visits on your first or last day of travel.
Q. Can I bring children?
A. Since all seating is standing, it may be somewhat inconvenient for dining with small children. (In this case, the conveyor belt restaurant is recommended!)
Q. Are there multilingual menus?
A. The tablet supports multiple languages including English, Chinese, and Korean, making ordering very easy.
If you want to save time waiting while enjoying delicious sushi among Tokyo Station’s crowds, Tachigui Sushi Kantaro is the answer.
👍 Pros: Fast turnover, order by piece, easiest solo dining
👎 Cons: No chairs, difficult to rest for long periods
🍯 Tip: Check the map carefully before going! (Don’t confuse it with the conveyor belt restaurant)
How about a delicious plate of sushi at Tokyo Station at the start or end of your trip? 🍣
🧡 Related Tokyo Station Ichibangai Travel Guides
- Same floor as Kantaro! Great places to explore after your meal
👉 Tokyo Station Character Street Guide: Hours, Tax-Free Shopping (Chiikawa/Pokemon/Dragon Ball)
- Sweet and salty must-do course: Freshly fried Jagariko
👉 Tokyo Station Okashi Land Guide: Freshly Fried Tokyo Station Jagariko & Calbee Menu Recommendations
- Sushi vs Ramen dilemma? Complete guide to the renewed Ramen Street
👉 Tokyo Station Ramen Street All-Store Guide: Map of 10 Locations Including Misokin & Hirakoya
- Everything about Tokyo Station travel! Complete guide from coin lockers to night views
Editor's Note
This article is based on the author's actual experiences and original content from blog.naver.com/tokyomate. It has been translated and adapted to provide authentic travel information about Tokyo for global readers.