Sushi Taito (鮓 たいと) Amakusa

I drove from Kumamoto City to Amakusa. It was my first visit, and the scenery along the way was breathtaking. I was particularly moved when I saw Mount Unzen appear across the Ariake Sea as I crossed over to Kamishima.The owner shared a lot of information with me, and I learned for the first time that this unique area is surrounded by three distinct seas: the Ariake Sea, Yatsushiro Sea, and the East China Sea.We started with squid. The intricate lattice pattern of the knife cuts and the brown soy sauce brushed on it made for a beautiful presentation. The squid was sweet, and the vinegared rice was also sweet. I was a bit surprised at first, but I quickly got used to it. What left a strong impression on me was...Kasugo. The flesh was very thick, and it had a slight richness that is rare for this type of fish. It offered a texture and flavor I had never experienced before.Shinko served in three slices. Perhaps because it is a seasonal delicacy, I had thought it would be less satisfying for the price, but I changed my mind. Even though it’s seasonal, I believe that a size of two or three slices is delicious. It had a fresh aroma and a perfect balance of flavor.Hamagatsuo. This was also my first time tasting this flavor. The fine grain of the meat and the color reminiscent of medium fatty tuna suggested a certain richness. However, it was not overwhelming; it had a subtle, delicate fat.There were many other pieces that stood out, making for a very satisfying experience. This is definitely a place to visit in the evening to fully enjoy the meal. I hope to do that next time.After the meal, I went to the nearby Jumanzan Observatory. It was only a 10-minute drive, but the view there was also stunning. What a wonderful place! Less

A solo trip to fully enjoy Amakusa.I had a late lunch at Sushi Taito.Perhaps because it was late, I was guided to a private room instead of the counter, and the sushi served was exceptional.All the pieces were presented already prepared, allowing me to savor each one slowly.The sushi, featuring fresh ingredients from Amakusa, was beautifully crafted.Each piece burst with flavor.I initially thought the rice was seasoned with red vinegar, but it turned out to have a distinct tang without being red vinegar, yet it had a well-defined profile.What is it about Amakusa's sushi?It was simply outstanding. Less

I finally visited Sushi Taito, a long-awaited experience.The deliciousness of the sushi is beyond words; every bite made me close my eyes and exclaim, "Mmm!"There were just five seats at the counter, occupied by my husband and me, along with one other couple. At first, it was a bit tense and quiet, but thanks to the chef's warm personality, we quickly broke the ice and enjoyed a wonderful time together.Since we traveled from Osaka, making a reservation was quite challenging, but I will definitely come back again!It was a great meal. Less

I made a reservation by phone. Since there are only 5 seats at the counter, I recommend booking early.This was my second visit; I came for dinner this time since my first visit was for lunch.I was amazed by how delicious everything was during my first visit, but this time it exceeded my expectations even more.The fish served was, of course, delicious, but the standout was the sushi rice, which was so good that I felt there’s no other sushi quite like it. In the evening, they also serve appetizers, and the sea urchin and abalone were luxurious! It really complemented the drinks.It was so delicious that I didn’t want it to end, so I ordered extra nigiri, and I also had them prepare some maki sushi to take home, which was so good that it disappeared in no time.Although Amakusa is a bit far, I believe this restaurant is worth visiting multiple times, even from a distance. Less