Sushi-Ya

Traditional Restaurant Tokyo, Japan

Its name translates literally to “sushi shop,” but Sushi-ya is far from ordinary. Hidden down a narrow alley in the Ginza district (and next-door to a dubious-looking “fetish bar”), the eight-seat restaurant has become the darling of food bloggers and Instagramming gastronauts, thanks to chef Takao Ishiyama's gift of the gab (he speaks near-fluent English) and superb knife skills. Like all serious sushi shops, the décor is both minimalist and elegant (all the better to focus your attention on the fish) with blonde wood and beige walls, plus a tasteful ikebana flower arrangement in the corner.