Formal — to staff
Cultural · Dining
You
初めてお伺いしたのですが、季節のおすすめを教えていただけますか？
はじめておうかがいしたのですが、きせつのおすすめをおしえていただけますか？
This is my first visit here — could you tell me what the seasonal recommendations are?
Romaji: Hajimete oukagai shita no desu ga, kisetsu no osusume wo oshiete itadakemasu ka? / Reply Romaji: Irasshaimase. Kyou wa OO to OO ga oishuu gozaimasu.
Reply
いらっしゃいませ。今日は〇〇と〇〇がおいしゅうございます。
いらっしゃいませ。きょうは〇〇と〇〇がおいしゅうございます。
Welcome. Today, [item] and [item] are particularly excellent.
Gesture & etiquette
Sit at the counter with good posture and make eye contact with the chef as you ask — counter dining is a face-to-face, direct experience. Handle fish pieces with your hands if permitted (at traditional sushi restaurants, fingers are acceptable). Eat nigiri in one or two bites — cutting it or leaving half is considered poor form. Thank the chef directly: 'Oishuu gozaimashita' (It was delicious).
At a traditional sushi counter (kappo or omakase), asking about seasonal recommendations ('kisetsu no osusume') immediately signals that you are a serious, appreciative customer — seasonal freshness is the heart of Japanese sushi culture. The itamae (sushi chef) will respond with genuine pride and guidance. Showing this cultural awareness transforms the dining experience from a transaction into a relationship.