Introducing Janome Sushi

Hello, fellow travelers!
I’m Igaguri, a writer for Sarukuma 🌰

Today I’d like to introduce you to
“Janome Sushi”,
located in Ohama, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture.

This is a renowned high-end sushi restaurant that needs no introduction in the area.

I felt slightly hesitant about whether casual clothes would be okay… but the okami (the lady proprietor) warmly welcomed our family — even with a 3-year-old in tow!

Since we had a small child with us, they kindly showed us to a private room!

I worried our little one might tear the paper shoji screens!

But no need to worry!
They slide upward!!

Convenient parking is available right next to the restaurant.

Janome Sushi’s Recommended Menu

When I called to make a reservation, I was told:
“If you can decide on the side dishes in advance, we can serve you more smoothly. The sushi will be hand-pressed fresh after you arrive, so please don’t worry.”

This time I went with the Omakase Nigiri set for ¥5,000
(includes a small appetizer, 12 pieces of nigiri sushi, miso soup, and dessert).

The appetizer was “Octopus Egg Salad” — a true regional specialty.

A flavor I’d never tasted before! No fishiness whatsoever — just clean, delicious umami.

Now, let me walk you through the nigiri lineup!
Yellowtail (buri)
Bigfin reef squid (aori-ika)
Fresh raw mackerel (nama-saba)
Red sea bream (madai)
Kuruma prawn (lifted live from the tank just before serving, with the head miso on the side)

Fatty tuna (toro)
Pufferfish (fugu)

Silver-stripe round herring (kibinago)
Fresh raw octopus (nama-tako)
Barracuda (kamasu)
Purple sea urchin (murasaki uni)
Pen shell adductor muscle (tairagi) — sorry, this was the one shot I missed taking up close 💦
That makes the full set of 12 pieces.

The fresh raw mackerel was so thick — incredible!!!

I started with the pufferfish first!
Which one would you reach for first?

Soy sauce is only used for the yellowtail and the toro!

The rest are already pre-seasoned with Amakusa sea salt, citrus, plum paste, or ponzu sauce, so you enjoy each piece exactly as the chef has prepared it \(◎o◎)/!
A first-time experience for me!

So delicious…

The miso soup leaned on the sweeter side, so yuzu-kosho (yuzu pepper paste) is offered to taste!

Dessert was sweet potato ice cream and…

…zenzai (sweet red bean soup) and simmered kombu seaweed.
A cup of warming hojicha (roasted green tea) was also served (⋈◍>◡<◍).✧♡

For our little one, we ordered the Young Lord/Lady Course (Wakasama Himesama Course) for ¥1,000
— chawanmushi (savory egg custard), and 6 pieces of kid-friendly nigiri (Hirasuzuki sea bass, shrimp, tuna, tamago, squid, and octopus).

We also added a kappa-maki (cucumber roll) on the side ☆

And here’s a lovely touch — they kindly cut the kappa-maki into 8 pieces instead of the usual 6, making it easier for our little one to eat!

The chawanmushi came topped with a thick slice of kamaboko (steamed fish cake)!

My child used to think chawanmushi was just “unsweet pudding” and refused to eat it.
But Janome Sushi’s version was so rich with dashi flavor that the entire thing was polished off!!

I would have loved a tiny bite myself… ( ;∀;)

And as a final treat, our child even received an adorable sushi-shaped candy at the end!
The okami thoughtfully checked with us first: “Is it okay if I give this to your child?” (T_T)

Even when our energetic little one asked for a high-five, the staff happily obliged…
Combined with truly first-class hospitality, we savored an unforgettable taste of Amakusa’s finest seafood (T_T)

Right now in Amakusa, you can enjoy the season’s prized purple sea urchin!
Local raw uni from Amakusa is so exquisite that it’s said even “uni-haters” turn into uni lovers after one taste!

I highly encourage you to seize this opportunity and savor this gem for yourself (^^♪

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Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is current at the time of reporting. Prices and hours are subject to change. Please confirm before your visit.