Japanese Restaurants
(See also the Asian Fusion section)
Bamboo Sushi
172 S. Market Street (in the Fairmont Hotel), San José, CA 95113
408.294.2244
Mon-Sat: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
The Fairmont has a sushi cart serving the Lobby Lounge. Sake is available too.
Rating: ??
It’s in the Fairmont!
Ninja Star Sushi Bar
130 East Santa Clara St., San José, CA 95113
408.297.0568
Mon – Sat: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Used to be called Godzilla Express, which sounded much more fun
Rating: *** $$$
Take South Market to Santa Clara Street and turn right. It is a few blocks down on the left. 0.5 miles.
Gombei Japanese Restaurant
193 Jackson St., San José, CA 95112
408.279.431 1
Mon – Sat: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM and 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM
This place is old school: cash only and no website.
Rating: ** $$$
1 .1 Miles by car , or take light rail north to the Japantown/Ayer stop, then walk north on North First Street one block, then turn right on Jackson Street.
Kaita Restaurant
215 Jackson St, San Jose, CA 95112
408.287.5551
Mon – Sat: 1 1:30AM – 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 9:30PM
Rating: ** $$
1 .1 miles by car , or take light rail north to the Japantown/Ayer stop, then walk north on North First Street one block, then turn right on Jackson Street.
Chris says: “You don’t go to Kaita for the complex rolls that so many places have started to specialize in, but you go for very fresh fish rolled expertly and presented simply.”
Kazoo Restaurant
250 East Jackson St., San José, CA 95112
408.288.9611
Mon – Thu: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM; Fri: 11:30AM – 2:00 PM and 5;00 PM – 10:00 PM; Sat: Noon to 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 9:30PM; Sun: Noon to 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Rating: **** $$
1 .1 miles by car , or take light rail north to the Japantown/Ayer stop, then walk north on North First Street one block, then turn right on Jackson Street.
Chris says: “As close as you can come to a Japanese restaurant being sainted.”
Minato Japanese Restaurant
617 North 6th St., San José, CA 95112
408.998.9711
Tues -Thu: 1 1:30 AM-1:30 PM and 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM; Fri – Sat: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM and 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Rating: *** $$
1.2 miles by car, or take light rail north to the Japantown/Ayer stop, then walk north on North First Street one block, then turn right on Jackson Street, then left on North Sixth Street.
Chris says: “I’ve been going here for years. The Minato Dinner Box is a very good deal and offers most of the best things of the restaurant.”
Tsugaru Japanese Restaurant
224 Jackson St., San José, CA 95112
408.275.1493
Mon – Fri: 1 1:30 AM – 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM; Sat: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Rating: *** $$
1.25 miles by car, or take light rail north to the Japantown/Ayer stop, then walk north on North First Street one block, then turn right on Jackson Street.
Chris says: “The prices are strange, as some prices are high and some very reasonable.”
Sushi Zen
1305 N 1st St., San José, CA 95112
408.453.1070
Mon – Fri. 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM and 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Sat: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Rating: *** $$$
1.3 miles by car, or take light rail north to the Japantown/Ayer stop, then walk back south on North First Street a little over one block.
Chris says: “I still haven’t managed to read the entire roll menu. You could eat five different rolls every day and not have gone through the whole menu in a year!”
172 S Market St
San Jose, CA 95113
130 E Santa Clara St
San Jose, CA 95113
193 Jackson St
San Jose, CA 95112
215 Jackson St
San Jose, CA 95112
250 Jackson St
San Jose, CA 95112
617 N 6th St
San Jose, CA 95112
224 Jackson St
San Jose, CA 95112
1305 N 1st St
San Jose, CA 95112