Conveyor Belt Sushi in Tokyo
conveyor belt sushi chains in Tokyo — Sushiro, Kura Sushi, Hama Sushi, Uobei. How to order, when to go, and which to pick.
Four chains to compare
Per-item pricing: check pieces, sides and drinks
Branch-specific: check-in and delivery systems
Tokyo’s casual sushi chains let you order a few dishes at a time, usually through a screen or another ordering system provided at your seat. Sushiro, Kura Sushi, Hama Sushi and Uobei differ in menus, branches and service format. This guide explains those differences and the steps to follow when you arrive.
Start with a convenient branch and its current menu. A low starting plate price does not describe every item, and fast delivery to your seat does not mean a short entrance queue.
Best for: A casual meal where each person chooses their own dishes. Check cooked options, seating and any dietary requirements before choosing a branch.
Sushiro, Kura, Hama, Uobei
The Big Four Chains (and How They’re Different)
Sushiro（スシロー）
Sushiro offers sushi, side dishes and seasonal items. Consider it when a convenient branch has the menu and seating that suit your group.
- Price: Check the current branch menu; a starting plate price is not a price for every dish.
- Ordering: Follow the order screen and language options at your assigned seat.
- Queue or reservation: Check the branch’s official method and arrival instructions.
- Examples to look for: Tuna, salmon, shrimp dishes and current seasonal specials.
Kura Sushi（くら寿司）
Kura’s Bikkura Pon game uses eligible returned plates; eligible phone-order spending is tracked separately. Some branches offer an optional paid game mode, so check the on-screen choice and charge before ordering. Do not assume every plate or order advances the same counter.
Kura combines sushi with side dishes such as noodles, tempura and desserts. For someone who avoids raw fish, check the current cooked dishes and their ingredients; the plate-return game is a separate part of the experience.
Price: Check the current menu for the branch and item; the Kura Harajuku branch has its own linked dine-in menu. Do not use one chain-wide plate price as a budget promise.
Ordering: Kura’s first-visit guide shows table-screen ordering and a phone-order code; check the language options at your actual seat.
Seat reservation: Kura Harajuku lists web seating reservations. With a reservation, follow Kura’s arrival check-in instructions: use the reservation number at the entrance terminal and keep the issued seat slip. Walk-ins use the branch’s own reception process.
Menu ideas: Shrimp tempura or a dessert alongside your sushi. If a character collaboration interests you, check its current menu and purchase conditions.
The gacha: Capsules contain small toys, stickers, or keychains. Not valuable, but fun
Hama Sushi（はま寿司）
Hama Sushi offers sushi and side dishes through a branch-specific menu. Its official menu shows different item prices and links to urban-store menus. Compare the Tokyo branch you plan to visit rather than relying on a chain-wide weekday flat-price claim.
- Price: The general menu includes items at ¥110 including tax, alongside higher-priced dishes; urban menus and individual branches can differ.
- Ordering: Use the screen and language choices available at your seat.
- Useful check: Compare the dishes you actually intend to order, not only the lowest advertised plate price.
Uobei（魚べい）
Uobei’s operator description explains touchscreen orders delivered to seats on high-speed lanes rather than sushi circling past for browsing. Use the seat assignment and arrival signal at your branch; a passing order may belong to someone else. Speed of delivery does not guarantee a short queue or meal.
Price: Use the current menu at your branch. The operator notes that Shibuya Dogenzaka may differ from its general advertised starting price.
Ordering: Touchscreen
Best for: The order-delivery format; leave time for the actual queue, meal and checkout.
Shibuya location: Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka is listed at 2-29-11 Dogenzaka, Sixth Central Building 1F. Checked 18 October 2026, the branch listing gave 11:00–23:00 weekdays and 10:30–23:00 weekends/holidays, with last orders at 22:30; check again for the visit date.
Check in, order, then pay
How to Order
Ordering and check-in steps vary by chain and branch. Separate a waiting number, a reservation confirmation and an assigned seat number; use the instructions at the actual restaurant:
Check in through that branch’s walk-in or reservation process; a printed waiting number does not by itself assign a seat.
Wait for a seat assignment, then use the order screen or method provided at that seat.
Browse categories: Recommended / Popular / Salmon / Tuna / Shrimp etc.
Before confirming an order, check the item, price, pieces and quantity. Follow your seat’s arrival signal; a delivery-lane plate for another seat is not yours to take.
At Kura, return only designated sushi plates to the return slot; Uobei may use a different checkout process. Follow the branch instructions.
Review the displayed bill for quantities, drinks, sides and optional charges before completing payment by the branch’s method.
First-timer picks if you are overwhelmed by the menu:
Salmon (サーモン): Reliable and mild.
Maguro / tuna (まぐろ): The classic starting point.
Ebi / shrimp (えび): Sweet and familiar.
Tamago / egg (たまご): Mild and useful as a palate cleanser.
Chawanmushi (茶碗蒸し): A savory steamed-egg side dish.
Check condiments and branch notices
Wasabi and Other Condiments
Check the item description and the condiments provided at your table. Some dishes are served without wasabi for you to add yourself; do not assume every chain has the same “with wasabi” screen option. If an ingredient must be avoided, check the actual dish information rather than relying on the absence of a condiment.
When to Go
Lunch, dinner, weekends and school holidays can be busy. A visit outside meal peaks may be easier, but leave time for a queue. Opening time also varies, so check before planning an early visit.
Use the branch’s official reservation or waiting-list information when available, and follow its arrival check-in instructions. An app entry can help with planning; it does not guarantee immediate seating or a fixed number of minutes saved. Leave room in your schedule for the queue, meal and checkout.
Match the chain to you
Which Chain Should You Pick?
| Interest | Chain to consider | What to compare at the branch |
|---|---|---|
| Sushi and seasonal specials | Sushiro | Current menu, item prices and entry method |
| A plate-return game alongside the meal | Kura Sushi | Eligible plates/orders and any optional game charge |
| Sushi and side dishes at a nearby branch | Hama Sushi | Urban-store prices and the total for the dishes you intend to order |
| Ordered dishes delivered on high-speed lanes | Uobei | Actual queue, seat instructions and checkout |
For a group that wants cooked dishes, check the current side menu at all nearby candidates. The right choice depends on the current menu and the service features you want.
Choose the style of meal
Chain Sushi and Counter-Service Sushi
A casual chain meal lets you choose dishes individually and keep track of the bill as you order. A counter-service sushi meal may offer a chef-led sequence, different ingredients and closer interaction with the chef; check the actual menu and price rather than treating all counters as one category.
Choose the format that fits the occasion and your budget. A chain meal can suit a casual lunch, while a chef-led counter may suit an occasion when you want to spend more time on the sequence and conversation.
If sushi is only one stop in your food plan, compare our ramen chain guide and family restaurant guide.
Common questions
FAQ
How should I estimate the bill?
Add the prices of the dishes you expect to order, including the number of pieces per dish. Include drinks, soup, desserts and optional game charges separately. The entry-level plate price is not a reliable average, and there is no fixed upper limit on the bill.
Can I use a credit or IC card?
Check the chosen branch’s payment information or ask before ordering. A chain-level list of methods may not describe every branch or checkout terminal.
What should I do about an allergy?
Read the current official allergen information for the specific dish and ask the branch about ingredients and cross-contact. A touchscreen photo or an allergen list alone is not a guarantee of suitability. If the restaurant cannot confirm the conditions you need, choose another meal.
Do dishes still circulate on a belt?
The format varies. Uobei describes delivery of ordered dishes on high-speed lanes. Kura’s first-visit guide also explains covered sushi plates and a separate order lane. Follow the actual branch’s instructions, and take only dishes made available to you or delivered for your seat.
Keep exploring
Explore More Tokyo Guides
Use these neighborhood guides to combine a meal with accommodation and other nearby stops:
