🍜 Sushi Kyu (Mie Prefecture)

Located in the bustling Ise Jingu (Ise Grand Shrine) front town of "Tokuho Yokochou," surrounded by various dining establishments and souvenir shops, the sushi restaurant was established during the Edo period's Tenpo era (1830-1844) by the first owner, Morita Hisakazu, and later developed into a ryokan (traditional inn). The current appearance of Sushi Kyu is from its renovation in the first year of Heisei (1989). The restaurant's signature dish is the well-known local cuisine from Ise-Shima, "Tekone-zushi" (手捏寿司). Tekone-zushi is a hearty fisherman's dish that originated from the Shima fishermen, who, during their fishing breaks, would slice freshly caught bonito into thin pieces, drizzle it with soy sauce, and eat it directly with their hands along with rice. The distinctive feature of Sushi Kyu's Tekone-zushi is that it is made with vinegared rice from locally grown Koshihikari rice, generously topped with thick slices of bonito sashimi marinated in a sweet and salty soy sauce. The sign at the entrance and the large beams on the ceiling retain the characteristics of the ryokan era, creating a comfortable and tranquil retro atmosphere. On the last day of each month, they hold a "Mizukake Yashiki" (晦日寄席), and on the morning of the following day, the 1st, they serve "Sakuzuke" (朔日粥), a porridge made with seasonal ingredients.

The signature dish is the most famous local cuisine of Ise-Shima, "Tekonezushi" (手捏寿司). The nostalgic interior is also worth noting. The "Ise Road Set" (Ise路膳), which comes with Matsusaka beef steamed in sake (contents may vary by season), and the "Yamato Mud Rice" (山藥泥麥飯) are also very popular.