I visited the highly popular sushi restaurant "Shimazu," which finally earned Tabelog GOLD this year, located in the Shirokane-Takanawa area of Tokyo, for lunch. During lunch hours, the second chef, Baba, prepares the sushi.The restaurant is just a short walk from Shirokane-Takanawa Station, but the entrance is a black door without any signage, so you might get a little lost if you don’t know this information. When the time comes, the owner warmly welcomes you.There are 8 seats at an L-shaped counter. The gentle atmosphere makes you feel at ease right away, creating a comfortable environment that reflects its GOLD-class status.The drink menu had various options, but since it was lunchtime, I enjoyed a highball and a bit of Japanese sake.~ Appetizers ~◯ Kue Shabu-Shabu The Kue shabu-shabu served with grated daikon. Cooking it enhances the flavor, resulting in a delightful, bouncy texture, and the daikon adds a refreshing touch that elevates the taste even more.◯ Octopus from Yokosuka and Shako from Otaru These octopus and shako are rarely found in Kyushu. They are simply enjoyed with wasabi. The octopus has a great bite, while the shako offers a concentrated flavor. This dish truly showcases the quality of the ingredients.◯ Nodoguro Rice Bowl The skin is nicely grilled, and the tender, fatty flesh is wonderful. The slight acidity of the rice complements it perfectly, creating a well-balanced dish.◯ Sawara The sawara is cooked to perfection. Its fluffy texture crumbles beautifully, and the refreshing taste of the seaweed adds a nice touch.~ Sushi ~ ★ Kombu-marinated Tai ● Isaki ● Sumiika ● Akagai ★ Tokishirazu ● Aji ● Haruko-dai ★ Chutoro (Salted) ● Akami-zuke ★ Otoro ● Kohada ★ Sweet Shrimp ★ Bafun Uni ★ Anago I also ordered a Toro-taku roll as an addition. The tamago had a rich flavor reminiscent of castella, which I really enjoyed.In a wonderful atmosphere, I savored the refined sushi. If I have the chance to visit again, I would love to try it for dinner. Less