Looking for the best Japanese restaurants in Tauranga? From sushi and sashimi counters in the CBD to izakaya-style sharing plates at Mount Maunganui and Pyes Pa, a good Japanese restaurant in Tauranga covers everything from a quick nigiri lunch to a group banquet. Sachi on Devonport Road and Satori Sushi & Sake Bar on The Strand are two places to start.
1Sachi Japanese Restaurant
Sachi Japanese Restaurant opened on Devonport Road in the Tauranga CBD in 2024, taking its name from the Japanese word for happiness. Its seasonal menu centres on sushi and sashimi alongside traditional Japanese main courses, which suits diners after a classic sit-down Japanese meal for lunch or dinner.
Services
- Sashimi and sushi rolls
- Hand rolls and nigiri
- Donburi and grilled dishes
- Tempura, entrees and sharing plates
- Japanese desserts
Highlights
- Established in 2024 in the Tauranga CBD
- Seasonal menu with traditional main courses unique to the restaurant
- Midweek Wednesday and Thursday specials
- Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Sunday
Location & Contact
Name: Sachi Japanese Restaurant
Address: 112 Devonport Road, Tauranga 3110
Phone: 07 222 1166
Website: nzsachi.com
2Satori Sushi & Sake Bar
Satori Sushi & Sake Bar sits on The Strand in central Tauranga with views across the water, and rolls its sushi fresh to order in a fusion style. Alongside sushi rolls and sashimi, the menu runs to yakitori, tempura and rice bowls, with separate gluten free, vegetarian, vegan and dairy free menus for diners with dietary needs.
Services
- Fusion sushi rolls, nigiri and salmon or tuna sashimi
- Yakitori, yakimeshi and gohan rice bowls
- Furay and tempura plates
- Group functions and sushi platter catering
Highlights
- Sushi rolled fresh to order
- Dedicated gluten free, vegetarian, vegan and dairy free menus
- Function space for groups of up to 150
- Catering platters of 36 rolls for events
- Pickup, delivery and gift cards available
Location & Contact
Name: Satori Sushi & Sake Bar
Address: 83 The Strand, Tauranga 3110
Phone: 07 575 0979
Website: satorisushi.co.nz
3Izakai Bar & Eatery
Izakai Bar & Eatery is a Japanese-style restaurant in the Bayfair Dining Precinct at Mount Maunganui, modelled on traditional izakaya dining and blending Japanese technique with Māori and local ingredients. Its shared plates and handcrafted cocktails suit date nights, casual dinners and groups of friends.
Services
- Izakaya-style shared plates
- Seasonal dishes using local ingredients
- Handcrafted cocktails and a wine list
- Table bookings and group bookings
Highlights
- Menu combining Japanese technique with Māori ingredients
- Open seven days for lunch and dinner
- Bookings of 10 or more taken by phone
- Gift vouchers available
Location & Contact
Name: Izakai Bar & Eatery
Address: Bayfair Dining Precinct, 19 Girven Road, Mount Maunganui
Phone: 07 572 0484
Website: izakai.co.nz
4Umami Fusion Kitchen
Umami Fusion Kitchen in the Pyes Pa shopping area serves a Japanese and Asian fusion menu inspired by Japan’s izakaya culture, reworked with locally sourced New Zealand ingredients. The sharing-style menu is built for families and groups, and the team caters for dietary requirements and vegetarian diners on request.
Services
- Japanese Asian fusion sharing plates
- Lunch specials Friday to Sunday
- Umami Banquet Menu for groups of six or more
- Authentic Japanese Banquet Menu by pre-order
- Private functions and online ordering
Highlights
- Happy hour from 4pm to 6pm, Tuesday to Sunday
- Private function bookings for groups of up to 50
- Gift vouchers sent by email
Location & Contact
Name: Umami Fusion Kitchen
Address: Unit 2, 83 Pyes Pa Road, Pyes Pa, Tauranga 3112
Phone: 07 575 7533
Website: umami.nz
Japanese Restaurants in Tauranga at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Sachi Japanese Restaurant | Established in 2024 in the Tauranga CBD |
| Satori Sushi & Sake Bar | Sushi rolled fresh to order |
| Izakai Bar & Eatery | Menu combining Japanese technique with Māori ingredients |
| Umami Fusion Kitchen | Happy hour from 4pm to 6pm, Tuesday to Sunday |
How to Choose the Right Japanese Restaurant in Tauranga
- Style of dining: decide between a traditional sushi and sashimi menu, a fusion sushi bar, or izakaya-style sharing plates with drinks.
- Dietary needs: check whether the restaurant runs separate gluten free, vegan or dairy free menus, and mention allergies when you book.
- Group size: larger groups should look for banquet menus, function spaces and phone bookings for parties of 10 or more.
- Location: the CBD around Devonport Road and The Strand suits lunch and pre-show dinners, while Mount Maunganui and Pyes Pa are handy for the eastern and southern suburbs.
- Opening days: many Japanese kitchens close on a Monday, so confirm hours before you head out.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tauranga Japanese Restaurants
Where can I find a Japanese restaurant in Tauranga CBD?
The central city has Japanese restaurants on Devonport Road and along The Strand, within walking distance of each other and the waterfront. For Mount Maunganui, the Bayfair Dining Precinct is the closest option, and Pyes Pa serves the southern suburbs.
What is the difference between sushi and sashimi?
Sushi is vinegared rice combined with toppings or fillings, served as rolls, nigiri or hand rolls. Sashimi is sliced raw fish, usually salmon or tuna, served on its own without rice.
What is an izakaya?
An izakaya is a casual Japanese bar and eatery where small plates are ordered to share alongside drinks. In Tauranga the style often comes with a local twist, mixing Japanese technique with New Zealand produce.
Can Japanese restaurants cater for gluten free diets?
Many can, but soy sauce and tempura batter often contain wheat, so ask for gluten free options and tell staff about any allergy. New Zealand Food Safety has guidance on food allergies and intolerances and how businesses should manage them.
Do I need to book a Japanese restaurant in Tauranga?
Booking is recommended for dinner and weekends, and some restaurants take bookings by phone only. Larger groups usually need to call ahead, particularly for banquet menus that must be pre-ordered.
Can I get Japanese food delivered in Tauranga?
Several Japanese restaurants in Tauranga offer pickup, and some deliver through a delivery partner. Check each restaurant’s website for current ordering options.
Are Japanese restaurants suitable for private functions?
Yes. Some offer private function bookings, banquet menus for groups and sushi platter catering for events held off site, so ask about minimum numbers and pre-order times when you enquire.
How We Chose the Best Japanese Restaurants in Tauranga
Every business in this guide was found by searching for japanese restaurants in Tauranga, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Tauranga, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.