Picnic by the Sumida River & Must-Try Traditional Inari Sushi at Tokyo’s Inarizushi Specialty

Text & Photos /Happy Cloud

This little "stroll" trip in Tokyo was truly all about walking!! Hahaha, I picked some places I wanted to visit and checked off all the foods I’d jotted down in my notes. Earlier, I read that the inari sushi at "Shinoda Sushi" is the best in all of Tokyo.....Wow!! Well then, how could I not try it??

That day, following the map’s directions, I arrived at the Kanda main store, but strangely, they were only open until "2 PM" that day. Huh?? How come?? A friend mentioned on Facebook that they should be open, but that day was just weird. At first, I thought I wouldn’t get to try Shinoda Sushi this time, but a friend who knows Tokyo well suggested I go to the "Asakusa branch"—she said it’s even better than the main store!! And it’s super close to where I’m staying!!

On the day before leaving Tokyo, the weather was incredibly nice, so I followed the address to find the Shinoda Sushi (Asakusa branch) recommended by my friend. It’s actually not far from the familiar Senso-ji Temple’s Kaminarimon, but this area is much less touristy and more local. After crossing a few streets, the scenery changes completely.

This seems to be a shop frequented by locals. The owner doesn’t speak English, but luckily the sushi is simple, and there are even models. After some gestures, the owner understood what I wanted and called the chef (a young man) to make the sushi.

Wow!! Made-to-order!! With swift hands, the chef quickly prepared the sushi and arranged it neatly. The owner, with impressive skill, wrapped up the sushi. Wow!! Such intricate packaging!!

Since I don’t speak Japanese and was too focused on watching the chef make the sushi, I forgot to take pictures!! Hahaha, lately, I’ve felt that capturing moments with my eyes leaves a deeper impression than with a camera!!

Holding the packaged sushi, I started strolling again, looking for a place to eat. Along the way, I saw a vending machine and bought a bottle of green tea!! As I walked, I spotted the Sumida River!! Hahaha, time for a riverside picnic Up!!

As I walked, the weather was so nice—the sunshine was almost too warm to handle. Under the bridge, someone was taking a nap. So I found a spot under a tree with just the right shade to block the sun. I sat down, overlooking the Skytree and the passing boats, opened the sushi, and slowly enjoyed my own little picnic moment.

When I opened the package, the chopsticks were wrapped inside the paper. The sushi was simple—just two kinds: inari sushi and kanpyo rolls. The decoration was minimal, but the rice grains were distinct and delicious!! I tried the legendary "inari sushi" (traditional inarizushi). The soy-based sauce on the fried tofu pockets was moist and rich, with a fragrant aroma. Wow!! Right when I opened it, I wanted to eat the inari sushi first, but thinking its flavor might be too strong, I decided to have the other kind first so I could still taste its unique flavor.

Shinoda Sushi has been around for over 110 years and is the originator of inarizushi and kanpyo rolls. In the past, many worshippers visiting Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa would stop by for a light meal in the morning or afternoon. So most visitors here are older men and women—it preserves that old-school flavor.

The inari sushi’s fried tofu pockets are really different from what I’ve had in Taiwan—they’re more flavorful and slightly sweet. But this is totally my thing!! So good!! The tofu is soft and tender, totally unlike what I’m used to. So THIS is what real inari sushi tastes like!! Wow!! Oh no, now I might not be able to enjoy any other inari sushi anymore!! (thinking Happy Cloud)

Really, such simple sushi, yet how can it be this delicious? Paired with the chilled green tea I just bought, it’s a perfect match. But next time, I should pair it with ice-cold beer!! Having a picnic by the Sumida River in Tokyo, overlooking the Skytree, eating the best inarizushi in Tokyo at Shinoda Sushi (Asakusa)—this is pure happiness Up!!

Gazing at the beautiful scenery and enjoying the delicious food, with a gentle breeze brushing against the willow branches and my cheeks—so comfortable, so relaxing. Aimless little stroll trips often bring unexpected surprises. Ah!! I bought too little—I could definitely finish double the amount!! Next time, I’ll pack some inarizushi from Asakusa to bring back to Taiwan. Such flavorful, delicious inarizushi—Shinoda Sushi (Asakusa).

Shinoda Sushi (Asakusa)
Address: 1-1-10 Kaminarimon, Taito City, Tokyo
Phone: 03-3844-1795
Business Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Wednesdays)
How to Get There:
From Ueno Station, take the Ginza Line to Asakusa Station (3-minute walk)
From Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, get off at Tawaramachi Station (4-minute walk)

* For more details, see -->Happy Cloud’s Travel Blog*