Chikamatsu, a sushi restaurant located just a 3-5 minute walk from Yakuin-Odori Station, boasts the highest rating in Kyushu and is known as a legendary sushi spot where reservations are nearly impossible to secure. It has been selected as one of the top 100 sushi restaurants in Japan from 2021 to 2025 and has also received Tabelog Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards from 2017 to 2026.The warm hospitality of the head chef and the perfect balance of tension create an atmosphere that is truly characteristic of a renowned establishment. Photography is prohibited, so I savored each piece of sushi while etching the experience into my memory.Here’s the menu I enjoyed:-----------------------------◾️ Simmered Octopus We started the course with perfectly simmered octopus, which had just the right firmness. It retained the characteristic chewiness of octopus while delivering a delightful sweetness that captured my heart from the very first dish.◾️ Ginkgo Nuts These bite-sized ginkgo nuts are perfect as a snack with drinks. The moment you pop one in your mouth, a sweet corn-like flavor spreads, followed by the unique bitterness and aroma of ginkgo.◾️ Spear Squid The nigiri of spear squid was rich and creamy. By finely cutting and shaping the squid, it naturally spreads in your mouth when you take a bite.◾️ Arare In Kyushu, "Arare" often refers to the high-end fish, Kue, which left a memorable impression with its sweet fat!◾️ Shinko The nigiri of Shinko had a pleasant acidity. The balance between the sourness and saltiness of the rice and the Shinko was perfect, evoking the arrival of early summer.◾️ Kiss The nigiri of Kiss was rich and fluffy, with a translucent beauty and refined sweetness that was captivating.◾️ Abalone Chawanmushi This hot, creamy chawanmushi hid a large and impressive piece of abalone. It melted in my mouth, blending beautifully with the umami and chewy texture of the abalone.◾️ Lean Tuna The beautifully shaped marinated tuna nigiri was outstanding. The saltiness of the soy sauce paired perfectly with the rice.◾️ Fatty Tuna The nigiri of fatty tuna featured two thin slices layered together, offering a depth of flavor. The fat content varied slightly between the layers, allowing me to enjoy both the rich taste of the fat and the inherent umami of the tuna.◾️ Mehikari Grilled to perfection, the Mehikari glistened with a delicious sheen. The subtly sweet sauce and fluffy texture were irresistible!◾️ Kohada The nigiri of Kohada, a staple at high-end sushi restaurants, had a gentle acidity and the delightful aroma of blue fish that expanded with each bite.◾️ Small Sea Bream The nigiri of small sea bream was cut thick, providing a satisfying bite. The richness of the fat was remarkable, making it hard to believe it was sea bream.◾️ Sweet Shrimp The nigiri of sweet shrimp was firm and had a delightful bounce, with the shrimp taking center stage over the rice. Some pieces were prepared by the second-generation chef, and the quality was on par with the head chef's.◾️ Horse Mackerel The nigiri of horse mackerel had a pleasant aroma of green onions. There was no fishy smell, just a lingering umami that stayed on my palate.◾️ Sea Urchin This sea urchin gunkan was rich and melted in my mouth, with an incredibly strong sweetness that was exquisite.◾️ Clear Soup The clear soup featured vegetables and eel dumplings. The deliciousness of the ingredients was complemented by the gentle and profound umami of the broth.◾️ Anago This nigiri of anago combined a well-balanced sweet sauce with fluffy eel, creating an incredibly delicious piece. There were no negative textures from small bones, showcasing the chef's meticulous work.◾️ Tamago The tamago was light and fluffy, melting in my mouth like a soufflé. The balance of the egg's richness, the saltiness of the dashi, and the dessert-like sweetness was exquisite.◾️ Tekka Maki To finish, I could choose between dried gourd rolls and tekka maki. This rolled sushi was packed with the deliciousness of various parts of tuna, complemented by the enticing aroma of nori.-----------------------------After finishing the course, I was enveloped in an indescribable sense of fulfillment. This is truly an exceptional sushi restaurant, so I highly recommend a visit.Thank you for the meal!*Instagram Gourmet Account https://www.instagram.com/shunsuke.naka/ (Followers have surpassed 10,000!)*Gourmet Blog https://syn-gourmet.com*Comprehensive Links https://lit.link/syngourmet