Wakana Sushi

Tucked away on a quiet residential backstreet in Toshima, this six-seat counter offers handmade nigiri prepared by a solo octogenarian female sushi artisan. No glossy menus or modern flash—just wooden hiragana tiles on the wall, a cup of hot tea, and genuine machi-zushi hospitality. Regulars flock here for the unpretentious tokujo sets, where generous, thick-cut slices of melt-in-your-mouth chutoro and fluffy anago drape over hearty mounds of seasoned rice. Everything moves at an unhurried, heartfelt pace, right down to the bonus tuna rolls, house pickles, and crisp nori handed across the wooden counter. Bring cash.