Navigating Hama Sushi: A Complete Guide for Foreigners in Japan

Ever wondered how to tackle those popular conveyor belt sushi restaurants in Japan without feeling lost? Hama Sushi (はま寿司) is one of Japan's largest sushi chain restaurants with over 400 locations nationwide. While the rotating plates and touch-panel ordering might seem intimidating at first, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know for a smooth sushi experience!

Finding and Entering Hama Sushi

Locating a Restaurant

Hama Sushi restaurants are plentiful across Japan, especially near tourist areas and hotels. You can easily find locations on their official website.

Making a Reservation

During peak hours, Hama Sushi can get quite busy. To avoid waiting:

✔ Use the official app or website for English reservations ✔ Book in advance especially on weekends or holidays ✔ Check wait times on the website before visiting

Walk-in Process

No reservation? No problem!

1. Upon arrival, locate the touch-panel ticket machine near the entrance
2. Select the number of people in your party
3. Choose between counter seats (回転レーン / kaiten rēn) or table seats (テーブル席 / tēburu seki)
4. Take your numbered ticket (整理券 / seiri-ken) and wait for your number to appear on the digital display
5. When your number shows up (like "216" in the photos), approach the staff for seating

Table Setup and Equipment

Once seated, you'll notice several items at your table:

Table Essentials

• Touch panel ordering screen (タッチパネル / tacchi paneru) - available in English, Chinese, and Korean
• Soy sauce containers (醤油 / shōyu) - 5 varieties available including:
  • Regular soy sauce (濃口醤油 / koikuchi shōyu)
  • Dashi soy sauce (だし醤油 / dashi shōyu) - recommended for beginners
  • Sashimi soy sauce (刺身醤油 / sashimi shōyu)
  • Kelp soy sauce (昆布醤油 / konbu shōyu)
  • Yuzu soy sauce (柚子醤油 / yuzu shōyu)
• Wasabi packets (わさび) - individually wrapped in green packages
• Pickled ginger (ガリ / gari) - in purple packages
• Hot water tap for making tea
• Powdered green tea (お茶 / ocha)

❗ Cultural Note: In Japan, it's considered poor manners to mix wasabi directly into your soy sauce. Instead, place a small amount directly on your sushi if desired.

How to Order Food

Hama Sushi offers two ways to get your sushi:

1. Grab from the Conveyor Belt

• Ready-made sushi rotates continuously around the restaurant on a conveyor belt
• Simply take any plate that looks appealing as it passes by
• Each plate's color or design indicates its price (most are 110 yen including tax)
• Plates have RFID tags and are automatically removed after a certain time to ensure freshness

2. Order via Touch Panel

• For specific items or freshly-made sushi, use the touch panel at your table
• Switch to English, Chinese, or Korean language by tapping the language button
• Browse categories (sushi, side dishes, drinks, desserts)
• Select items and quantity, then press "order"
• Your order will arrive on a separate delivery lane directly to your table
• You can even request "small rice" sushi (小寿司米 / ko-sushi-mai) through the panel

Menu Highlights

Hama Sushi offers over 150 menu items:

• Nigiri sushi - the classic hand-formed sushi
• Gunkan maki - "battleship" style with toppings like ikura (salmon roe)
• Special rolls including California rolls
• Side dishes like tempura, ramen, and salads
• Desserts and drinks

✔ Recommended items: Rare tuna steak, California roll, Hiroshima fried oysters with tartar sauce, and Hokkaido ikura

Payment Process

When you're finished eating:

1. Press the "Check" button on your touch panel
2. Staff will count your plates and calculate your total
3. Pay at your table or at the register
4. Most locations accept cash, credit cards, and electronic payment methods
5. Budget around 1,500 yen per person for a typical meal

Tips for Foreign Visitors

Language Support

• Touch panels offer English, Chinese, and Korean interfaces
• Some locations have AI translation devices supporting up to 104 languages
• Staff are generally helpful even with limited English

Etiquette Tips

• Avoid touching sushi on the conveyor belt and then putting it back
• Use the provided chopsticks and soy sauce dishes properly
• It's perfectly acceptable to ask staff questions if you're confused

When to Visit

• Avoid peak lunch (11:30-13:30) and dinner (18:00-20:00) hours if possible
• Weekday afternoons (14:00-16:00) are typically less crowded

Cultural Insights

The "Irasshaimase" Greeting

When you enter, staff will enthusiastically shout "いらっしゃいませ!" (irasshaimase!) which means "Welcome!" Don't worry about responding—it's just their way of acknowledging your arrival.

Plate Colors and Pricing

The color-coded pricing system is a uniquely Japanese solution to making ordering efficient without language barriers. While most plates at Hama Sushi are a standard 110 yen, special items have different colored plates or designs to indicate higher prices.

Wasabi Etiquette

Japanese people typically don't mix wasabi into soy sauce. Instead, they place a small amount directly on the sushi if they want extra spice. The sushi chef has usually already added the "correct" amount of wasabi inside.

Wrapping Up

Hama Sushi offers an accessible and affordable way to enjoy quality sushi in Japan. With its English-friendly ordering system, variety of menu options, and reasonable prices, it's a perfect choice for foreigners looking to experience conveyor belt sushi without breaking the bank.

Feel free to share your own Hama Sushi experiences in the comments below!