Diners' Choice: Japanese restaurants in Oahu

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Japanese cuisine in Oahu? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. 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 (25)

$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

OpenTable DinerVIP

Dined 3 days ago

The best Japanese seafood dining experience! Delicious foods and great service!

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Experience

Omakase Tempura Special

Han no Daidokoro

4.9

4.9 (689)

$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

kristinaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We have a many many times and the food is always fantastic. We have never been disappointed.

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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 (299)

$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 7 days ago

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!

Wasabi Bistro - Honolulu

4.9

4.9 (782)

$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 7 days ago

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 on Jan 6, 2025

Very good experience! I’m very recommend this place

Izakaya Matsuri

4.9

4.9 (465)

$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

Cornelia

Dined 2 days ago

The waitress was very helpful. The food was excellent! On each of our visits to Oahu, we always come for dinner at least once.

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Han no Daidokoro/Waikiki

4.7

4.7 (8)

$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 on Jan 9, 2025

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.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Kapolei, HI | Kapolei Commons

4.8

4.8 (320)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Kapolei

About the restaurant

Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.

Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other!

Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!

Top review

Marivic

Dined on Jan 6, 2025

Kai was our awesome server. They had a lunch special so it was definitely worth it today for my Birthday.

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Experience

Prix-Fixe BBQ Courses for Everyone: Starting at...

Izakaya Nonbei

4.7

4.7 (248)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Kaimuki

About the restaurant

Izakaya Nonbei has been a mainstay in Kapahulu for over 30 years serving the best Japanese food and drinks.

Top review

AnnieVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Kim and Nicole always makes sure that all guests are warmly welcomed. Food is consistently perfect and the service impeccable. They have gone out of their way to accommodate my husband and his walker with graciousness, every time we arrive. Definitely a gem of a restaurant.

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