Diners' Choice: Japanese restaurants in Hawaii

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Japanese cuisine in Hawaii? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

J-Shop

5.0

5 (23)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Honolulu

About the restaurant

<< We are BYOB, so please bring your favorite liquor >>
Our restaurant is a small, hidden izakaya restaurant located inside the J-Shop supermarket.
J-Shop is a Japanese fresh food store run by a company that imports fresh fish, wagyu beef, vegetables, and fruit directly from Japan several flights a week.
Please enjoy the freshest Japanese foods at Izakakaya.

Top review

Misa

Dined on Dec 21, 2024

Food and customer service were excellent. Would definitely go back to this restaurant.

Tempura Ichika

4.9

4.9 (22)

$50 and over

Japanese

Ala Moana

About the restaurant

Discover the vibrant allure of Honolulu’s culinary scene at Tempura Ichika, where Michelin-starred chef Kiyoshi Chikano redefines refined dining with an exceptional Tempura Omakase experience. As Honolulu’s sole full-time resident Michelin-star chef, Chikano infuses his deep-fried creations with a perfect blend of tradition and innovation

Top review

Marijo

Dined on Dec 28, 2024

Tempura omakase was outstanding. Unique selection and presentation. Restaurant has modern decor with clean lines. Nicely done!

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Experience

Omakase Tempura Special

Han no Daidokoro

4.9

4.9 (687)

$50 and over

Japanese

Honolulu

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Ward, Han no Daidokoro specializes in Japanese style A5 grade yakiniku. We offer 7 days a week with luxe A5 Wagyu from Japan, Miyazaki and Washu beef from Oregon at the Ward Village. We are conveniently located on the first floor of Anaha. (Across the Whole foods, next to the Istambul) Come join us today for an unforgettable experience!

Top review

ToshioVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Staff members are very friendly and food is excellent. Location is very convenient.

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Popular dish

Seared Washu Beef Sushi

Popular dish

Steamed Washu Beef

Popular dish

Seared Miyazaki Beef Sushi

Omakase By Aung

4.9

4.9 (297)

$50 and over

Japanese

Kaimuki

About the restaurant

Taste the umami!BYOB! (WE DO NOT SELL ALCOHOL )
Omakase By Aung is modern, up beat and contemporary sushi omakase restaurant located at 567 Kapahulu Ave next to world famous Waikiki beach in Honolulu. Mixture of Edomae style nigiris and model innovative nigiris will be served in 1 hour 45 minutes long Omakase meal. Seasonal fish from around the world are used in the 15 courses omakase meal.
Omakase by Aung provides single 15 courses menu to all customers for both Lunch and Dinner Service.
Chef Aung will provide laid back and fun experience for all sushi lovers. Open kitchen with a long 12 seats sushi counter in the middle of the restaurant allows interactive experience between the customers and the chefs.

Top review

Katherine

Dined today

Such an amazing first omakase experience with Chef Aung, Leslie, and Sarah! Every course was so delicious and diverse, while great music was playing. Made us feel special for our anniversary and we left very full! Recommend to all!

Engawa by Islander Sake Brewery

4.8

4.8 (214)

$50 and over

Japanese

Kohala Coast

About the restaurant

Welcome to Engawa, a small restaurant limited to 20 guests per night, where we offer an exquisite experience of Japanese cuisine. We invite you to indulge in a memorable dinner experience. Our menu is a celebration of traditional Japanese cuisine, featuring an array of exquisite dishes prepared with the finest local ingredients. From fresh sushi and sashimi to hearty tempura and other savory dishes are crafted to bring out the authentic flavors of Japan. Enjoy a unique culinary journey with chef & brew master Chiaki Takahashi, where each dish complemented by our award-winning hand-crafted sake, designed to enhance your dining experience.
At Engawa, we pride ourselves on providing not only exceptional foods but also an inviting atmosphere and impeccable service. To ensure you have a wonderful evening with us, we recommend making a reservation. Our attentive team is here to accommodate your needs and preferences, making your visit truly special.

Top review

richard

Dined on Dec 26, 2024

One of a kind Christmas holiday experience. Very exclusive and one of a kind. The four courses were all designed to pair well with well with sake. The optional sake pairing was super interesting. I was surprised by how different these sakes were, though maybe that has to do with the host making suitable choices for my western tastebuds. Took a bottle of "Anna" home. It was well sealed and packed in bubble wrap, and arrived well as checked luggage (can't take this onboard).

Wasabi Bistro - Honolulu

4.9

4.9 (781)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Waikiki

About the restaurant

Wasabi Bistro Hawaii is one of the Honolulu’s casual dining, with an atmosphere of relaxing out-house theme. The restaurant was founded in 1992 as one of the Japanese restaurants in Oahu as a hidden spot, for family and friends to gather, and it has been treasured for many years.

Wasabi Bistro Global is a modern take on intricate, traditional Japanese food enjoyed in a quiet elegance of an intimate bistro setting. Subtly decorated with exquisite Japanese art and artifacts, the dining areas have been designed to offer guests the utmost privacy. Enjoy a front row seat at the sushi bar and watch the intricate handwork of our master chef, as he displays his skills in the art of sushi making.

Top review

Kristen

Dined today

Food was delicious and very fast to come out. Will go back again

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Papaya Seafood Motoyaki

i-naba Hanalei'i Honolulu Sushi and Grill

4.7

4.7 (23)

$50 and over

Japanese

Mccully-Moiliili

About the restaurant

Chef's Counter: Supervised by Tyler Burges.
He has formally worked as the executive sous-chef at the three-star Michelin in San Francisco.
He is currently the executive chef of "SMOKE DOOR" in Yokohama.
He will deliver the moment when ingredients bloom the most.
You can enjoy all of this in Hawaii.

Hanaleiʻi” is a coined word derived from the place name Hanalei on Kauai island. Hanalei means “crescent”. Our restaurant name “Hanaleiʻi” symbolizes “We will strive for success until becoming the full moon …”.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 6 days ago

Very good experience! I’m very recommend this place

Izakaya Matsuri

4.8

4.8 (464)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Honolulu

About the restaurant

"Welcome to Izakaya Matsuri!"
We offer you freshest Sashimi, Sushi and various chef Specials in Japanese cuisine along with selected Sake, Shochu and wines to complete your meal. Izakaya Matsuri is located in the center of town- on Young St. with lots of free parking for our customers.
(*We do not provide highchairs, or baby seats for children since we are Japanese - Izakaya style restaurant which is mainly for adults.)
* Please, aware that your reservation may be cancelled if you do not confirm your reservation, please cancel your reservation within 12 hours prior to your reservation,
or you will be subject to charge the cancellation fee per person $30.
Do text, or call us to cancel (business cell) 808-745-5858. (The cancellation fee will be automatically charged if it happens after 12 hours prior to your reservation time)
* You will be charged the fee for NO show.($50 per person on your credit card)
* Please, be aware we may add group service charge20 % for a table of 5 or more.

Top review

ElwinA

Dined on Dec 25, 2024

We had a wonderful time! Service was excellent and food was delicious. We really enjoyed the amaebi head miso soup, deep fried baby shrimp and the Omakase Chirashi. We will definitely be back for more!

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4.8

4.8 (893)

$50 and over

Japanese

Wailea

About the restaurant

2nd Anniversary Special! On 11/8/2024 when you walk into Oao you can expect to get HALF-OFF ALL SUSHI! No reservations will be taken on that day it is 1st Come 1st Served! Come celebrate Oao's 2nd Birthday on 11/8!

Oao, is Wailea's hottest & newest Sushi Bar & Grill founded by Chef Bernardo Oao Jr. Here we utilize fresh, locally sourced, and authentic ingredients to serve our customers the finest Sushi & Japanese cuisine (with a French Flair) Maui has to offer! Come eat & talk story while dining on our delicious assortment of Fresh Sushi, Juicy Steak, and Delicious Cocktails.

Oao at Wailea is NOT a BYOB establishment. Wine & Sake are ok to bring but bear in mind that we charge a $35 Corkage Fee per bottle brought.

Top review

cathyVIP

Dined 5 days ago

We went during happy hour and got a table with no problem. The service was great and the food is absolutely amazing :). Thank you for a great experience every time!

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Popular dish

Spicy Tuna Rice Cakes (3pc)

Han no Daidokoro/Waikiki

4.7

4.7 (7)

$50 and over

Japanese

Waikiki

About the restaurant

Located in Waikiki, Han no Daidokoro specializes in Japanese style A5 grade yakiniku. We offer 7 days a week luxe A5 Wagyu from Japan, Miyazaki and Washu beef from Oregon at the Kuhio Ave. We are conveniently located on the first floor of Lilia. (2nd floor has Waikiki super market) Come join us today for an unforgettable experience!

Top review

Thomas

Dined 3 days ago

Outstanding experience and outstanding food. If you are looking for a great Japanese Yakitori (not sushi) experience with the best cuts of Japanese beef you will be very happy. Our waiter Cory was excellent and did a great job explaining our options and grilling our Miyazaki on our pace. Definitely will return on our next visit.

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