Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka Store: Best Sushi Train in Tokyo

Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka Store, owned by Genki Sushi Co., Ltd, is a chain of sushi restaurants found all over Japan specializing in affordable but high-quality sushi. Located in Shibuya, not far from the world-famous Shibuya Crossing, this specific branch is a favorite for travelers looking for a high-tech dining experience.

Uobei isn’t your typical traditional Japanese sushi restaurant. Neither is it a conveyor belt or rotating sushi (kaiten-zushi) restaurant. At Uobei, they do things a little more high-tech. You order from a tablet, with plates starting at 100 yen, and your food arrives in front of you at lightning speed, thanks to a sushi train.

Many travelers wonder: Genki or Uobei? While the popular Genki Sushi branch in Shibuya has recently closed, Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka Store remains the best high-tech alternative in the area. They are owned by the same company and offer a nearly identical experience. For another great meal in Shinjuku, be sure to visit Numazuko Shinjuku Main Store.

If you are looking for more information about Tokyo and Japan, I highly recommend you pick up a guidebook such as Lonely Planet Best of Tokyo 2020

Arriving at Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka Store

While Genki might be the more popular option in Shibuya, Uobei always seems busy, especially during the dinner rush hours and on weekends. If you visit during these times, expect there to be a wait. With quick turnaround times, the lines usually move along quickly.

If you avoid peak hours, as I did, you can immediately walk in and find a seat.

Just like Shibuya, the interior of Uobei was bright and full of color. Every seat in the restaurant was counter seating only. Cramped is how I describe it. You may not want to visit with a large group. If you are dining alone in Tokyo, Uobei would be a great option.

The ambiance was not your quiet, intimate dining experience. It was casual, boisterous, and fun. And it was loud. You had the sounds of customers, workers, and trains delivering plates of food and the non-stop clicking sound of the tablets.

How to order at Uobei

Many people think that Uobei is a conveyor belt or rotating sushi (kaiten-zushi) restaurant, but this is untrue. Though similar, at Uobei, items arrived by train.

The staff will hand you a clipboard when your seat is available. At the top of the clipboard will be a number. This number is your seat number. Above each seat will be a corresponding number.

When you find your seat, you can begin ordering immediately. There is no need to wait for a server to take your order. All orders, including food and drinks, were made by tablet. Each seat had its tablet from which to order.

The menu on the tablet had nine sections: Set Menu/Limited Time Items, Nigiri Sushi, Gunkan-Maki/Sushi Rolls/Inari, Side Menu, Deserts, and Alcohol/Soft Drinks. Select the items you want, confirm your order, and press order. You could order up to three items at a time.

After a few minutes, your items will arrive by train. Think of it as a food delivery train system. It’s a cool experience, especially if it’s your first time. Remove the plates from the train when your food arrives and press the blinking button. The empty train will return to the kitchen. It’s not something you see every day.​

Green Tea and Condiments

Everything else you need will be on the table in front or above you. On the table were soy sauce, ginger, wasabi, pepper flakes, chopsticks, powdered green tea, cups for tea, and hand wipes.

The powdered green tea (matcha) was complimentary. Just grab a cup, add a few spoonfuls of power, and fill the cup with hot water from the dispenser.

Red Center of Bluefin Tuna

First up was the Red Center of Bluefin Tuna. This tuna was bright and beautiful. And it tasted as great as it looked.

The bluefin tuna was thin and tender but still had some texture. It didn’t just fall apart or melt in my mouth. There weren’t any fat or hard-to-chew stringy bits. The flavor was mild with a slight fishy, salty taste.

Salmon with Onion & Mayo

Uobei and Genki are well known for their interesting takes on sushi. The Salmon with Onion & Mayo is one of those interesting combinations.

Sliced white onions and mayonnaise topped the thin piece of salmon. The salmon was fresh with a mild salty flavor. Exactly how it should taste. The creamy sauce added a rich flavor to the fresh salmon and crunchy onions.

Shrimp with Green Onion & Chili Oil

Next up was the Shrimp with Green Onion & Chili Oil. It looked beautiful. The shrimp was basic, with a briny flavor to each bite and a good texture.

Topping the shrimp was a combination of chili oil and sesame oil. While the chili oil wasn’t spicy, it added a smoky flavor to the shrimp. The sesame oil added a wonderful aroma, which I enjoyed. While the thinly sliced green onions added a crunchy texture, I felt they were too stringy for me.

Scallop

The Scallop Nigiri Sushi was probably my favorite of the night. The fresh scallop was buttery and creamy. It just melted in my mouth. Though there was only one piece, the scallop was much thicker than I expected. For the price, I felt like it was a steal.

Freshly Processed Yellowtail

I laughed a little when I noticed the name Freshly Processed Yellowtail. Compared to the other sushi pieces, the yellowtail was very thin. The fish had a mild, delicate flavor. With the piece so thin, it was hard to taste all the complexity of the fish.

Seared Albacore with Pepper Mayo

The chef quickly seared the Seared Albacore with Pepper Mayo. This quick sear gave the sushi a great umami flavor. The smoky flavor complemented the rich and creamy pepper mayonnaise, while the pepper added a nice spicy kick without overpowering the albacore.

Sweet Shrimp

Another favorite is the Sweet Shrimp. Each piece was tender, almost melt-in-my-mouth. The flavor was a perfect balance of sweet and salty. As with the scallop and uni, there should have been one large piece of sweet shrimp rather than two smaller pieces.

Premium Fresh Sea Urchin (Uni)

I ordered the Premium Fresh Sea Urchin. Uni is expensive, so my expectations were low. High-quality uni is bright yellow or gold; this uni was closer to brown. While creamy, it was slightly gritty with a powerful metallic aftertaste. For the price, I can’t complain.

Tuna

The Tuna had a beautiful, deep, ruby-red color. Unfortunately, while the pieces of tuna were large, they weren’t as flavorful as I expected. The white strings of fat running through the fish were somewhat chewy and the flavor was bland.

Oyster Fries

I make it a priority to order the Oyster Fries last. The thick, golden brown panko breading was perfect—crunchy, flaky, and not too oily. They were a perfect balance of crunchy panko, salty juices, and tender oysters.

Service

With ordering done by tablet at Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka Store, the interaction with workers was limited. The workers I encountered were all friendly when arriving and departing, ordering drinks, and paying my bill.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a traditional Japanese sushi restaurant, then Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka Store might not be for you. However, it is a modern, high-tech, and affordable place. Everyone needs to try a place like Uobei or Genki at least once.

Pros

• Large selection of affordable sushi
• High-tech train food delivery system
• A fun and efficient experience

Cons

• Expect a line during peak dinner hours
• Many pieces of sushi were very thin
• Minimal interaction with sushi chefs

Last Updated on February 4, 2026