Looking for the best Japanese restaurants in Christchurch? This guide covers places to eat sashimi, nigiri sushi, tempura, teppanyaki and chef’s choice omakase platters across Bryndwr, the central city, St Albans and Riccarton. Whether you want a quiet dinner for two, a sake tasting or a sushi train lunch with the kids, Japanese food in Christchurch ranges from long-running family kitchens such as Kinji to lively teppanyaki grills like @Tony’s.
1Kinji Japanese Restaurant
Kinji is an owner-chef Japanese restaurant on Greers Road in Bryndwr, run by chef Kinji, who has more than 25 years of experience and selects the seafood himself from around New Zealand. It first traded on Colombo Street from 2007 and moved to Bryndwr after the February 2011 earthquake. It suits diners who want traditional sashimi and sushi prepared to order, and small groups booking a chef’s choice meal.
Services
- Chef’s Omakase sashimi and sushi platters (pre-order required)
- Chef’s Selection Meal with seasonal entrees, sashimi, tempura and a main
- Nigiri sushi with miso soup
- Dinner service, Tuesday to Saturday
- Gift vouchers
Highlights
- Owner-chef with more than 25 years of experience
- Trading in Christchurch since 2007, originally on Colombo Street
- Locally grown organic vegetables, tofu and free-range eggs
- Locally raised marbled beef
Location & Contact
Name: Kinji Japanese Restaurant
Address: 279B Greers Road, Bryndwr, Christchurch 8053
Phone: 03 359 4697
Website: kinjirestaurant.com
2Sakimoto Japanese Bistro
Sakimoto is a Japanese bistro in Cathedral Junction on Worcester Street in the central city, open since 2014 and led by owner and head chef Seiji Shimizu, originally from Yokohama. The menu and daily specials are built around seasonal ingredients and prepared by Japanese chefs. It works well for an evening meal in town, and for families or offices ordering sushi for a celebration.
Services
- Dinner, seven days
- Seasonal daily specials
- Takeaway ordering
- Sushi boats and party platters for birthdays and corporate events
Highlights
- Open since 2014
- Owner and head chef Seiji Shimizu, originally from Yokohama
- Dishes prepared by Japanese chefs
- Gift cards available
- Central city location in Cathedral Junction
Location & Contact
Name: Sakimoto Japanese Bistro
Address: 119 Worcester Street, Cathedral Junction, Christchurch 8011
Phone: 03 379 0652
Website: sakimotojapanesebistro.com
3Tomi Japanese Restaurant
Tomi is a family-run Japanese restaurant in Edgeware Village, St Albans, opened in 2012 by Joe and Mayuko with Mayuko’s father Matsuo. The kitchen follows traditional Japanese cooking methods with some fusion, and every meal is made to order with no pre-cooked meats or pre-crumbed cutlets. It suits intimate dinners, group set menus, sake tasting and casual takeaways.
Services
- Sashimi, nigiri sushi and deluxe chirashi
- Tempura, agedashi tofu and takoyaki
- Pork katsu, pork kakuni and Saikyo miso duck
- Lunch Thursday to Saturday and dinner Tuesday to Sunday
- Takeaway bookings
Highlights
- Family owned and operated since 2012
- Premium sake list, much of it imported directly from Japan
- Vegetarian and gluten-free options marked on the menu
- Fully licensed, BYO wine only
Location & Contact
Name: Tomi Japanese Restaurant
Address: Edgeware Mall, 76 Edgeware Road, St Albans, Christchurch
Phone: 03 377 8028
Website: tomi.co.nz
4@Tony’s Teppanyaki Riccarton
@Tony’s is a teppanyaki restaurant on Riccarton Road that has been part of the Christchurch dining scene for more than 25 years, founded by chef Tony Chin and Bernard Wong. Chefs cook at the griddle in front of diners, alongside a menu of sushi, sashimi and tempura. It suits birthdays, family dinners and work celebrations, with private dining for larger groups.
Services
- Teppanyaki cooked at the table
- All you can eat teppanyaki for lunch and dinner
- Sushi, sashimi and tempura, including gluten-free batter
- Sushi and sashimi platters for home parties
- Takeaway and delivery
Highlights
- Four teppanyaki grills seating 28, plus a 36-seat main dining room
- Private dining for 20 and a VIP table for 8
- Allergy-conscious kitchen that caters for dietary needs
- Set menus for work events
Location & Contact
Name: @Tony’s Teppanyaki Riccarton
Address: 85 Riccarton Road, Riccarton, Christchurch
Phone: 03 341 6608
Website: teppanyaki.co.nz/tonys-japanese-restaurant-riccarton
5Kumo Japanese Cuisine
Kumo is a Japanese restaurant built around a sushi train, with a separate menu for lunch and dinner. It is a casual option for grabbing plates of sushi as they pass, and runs regular deals that change from time to time. Tables can be booked online or by phone.
Services
- Sushi train
- Lunch menu
- Dinner menu
- Buffet menu
Highlights
- Sushi train dining
- Dedicated vegetarian menu
- Online table reservations
Location & Contact
Name: Kumo Japanese Cuisine
Address: Christchurch
Phone: 03 339 0886
Website: kumo-cuisine.co.nz
Japanese Restaurants in Christchurch at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Kinji Japanese Restaurant | Owner-chef with more than 25 years of experience |
| Sakimoto Japanese Bistro | Open since 2014 |
| Tomi Japanese Restaurant | Family owned and operated since 2012 |
| @Tony's Teppanyaki Riccarton | Four teppanyaki grills seating 28, plus a 36-seat main dining room |
| Kumo Japanese Cuisine | Sushi train dining |
How to Choose the Right Japanese Restaurant in Christchurch
- Decide on the style of meal: a sushi train for a quick, casual bite, teppanyaki for a shared show at the grill, or a quieter restaurant for sashimi and set courses.
- Check whether omakase or chef’s choice platters need to be pre-ordered, as many kitchens need notice to buy the right fish.
- Look at the drinks list if sake matters to you; some restaurants carry premium imported junmai and daiginjo sake by the glass.
- Ask about dietary needs before you book, including gluten-free tempura batter, vegetarian dishes and allergy handling.
- Book ahead for dinner and for groups, especially on Friday and Saturday nights and for private dining rooms.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christchurch Japanese Restaurants
What is omakase?
Omakase means “chef’s choice”. The chef selects the best fish available that day and prepares a sashimi or sushi platter, or a multi-course meal, around it. Because the chef is buying for your booking, most restaurants ask you to pre-order omakase in advance.
Where can I find a sushi train in Christchurch?
Sushi train restaurants in Christchurch let you pick plates from a conveyor as they pass, usually priced by plate colour. They are a good fit for a quick lunch, children and anyone who wants to try a little of everything, and most also serve a full menu of hot dishes.
What is the difference between teppanyaki and a traditional Japanese restaurant?
Teppanyaki is cooked on a flat iron griddle in front of diners, usually meat, seafood and vegetables, and is as much a social occasion as a meal. A traditional Japanese restaurant focuses on dishes such as sashimi, sushi, tempura and simmered dishes, served from the kitchen.
Which parts of Christchurch have Japanese restaurants?
You will find Japanese food in Christchurch in the central city around Worcester Street, along Riccarton Road in Riccarton, in Edgeware Village in St Albans and on Greers Road in Bryndwr. If you are staying in the central city, the Worcester Street area is the closest, while Riccarton Road is handy for the western suburbs.
Do Japanese restaurants cater for gluten-free and vegetarian diets?
Many do, but soy sauce, tempura batter and some marinades contain gluten, so it is worth asking. Several kitchens offer gluten-free tamari, cornflour tempura and dishes marked vegetarian or gluten-free on the menu. Always mention an allergy when you book.
Do I need to book a Japanese restaurant in Christchurch?
For dinner, yes, especially on weekends. Smaller Japanese restaurants have limited seating and teppanyaki grills fill quickly with groups. Booking also lets the kitchen prepare for pre-ordered platters or set courses.
How are Japanese restaurants in Christchurch checked for food safety?
Restaurants in New Zealand operate under the Food Act 2014 and are checked by verifiers against a food control plan or national programme. Raw fish dishes such as sashimi and sushi need careful handling and temperature control, and you can read more about eating out safely on the New Zealand Food Safety website.
Can I order a sushi platter for a party?
Yes. A number of Japanese restaurants in Christchurch make sushi and sashimi platters or sushi boats for birthdays, family gatherings and corporate events. Give the restaurant a few days’ notice, as platters are made to order with fresh fish.
How We Chose the Best Japanese Restaurants in Christchurch
Every business in this guide was found by searching for japanese restaurants in Christchurch, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Christchurch, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.