People always ask me, “Where’s the best sushi in town?” — and you should know by now, it’s very subjective. I’m not talking about simply how fresh the fish is or its taste or necessarily creativity; if you’re going to lay out a couple hundred bucks or more for sushi, it better be a full experience beyond the tastebuds.

At the luxury level for sushi, you have sushi masters making their own shoyu, curing their seafood in unusual and innovative ways, and bringing new flavors unknown to many except the gastronomers with the most broad culinary adventures. I don’t simply expect mouthgasms, because any master chef can make that happen with their expertise in the science behind the art. I want the chef to connect with me, and make me connect my heart to the food s/he serves.

Here’s my Top 5 in luxury experiences in Honolulu, in descending order of price:

See also: Our Top 5: Sushi omakase that won't break the bank

Sushi Sho

Sushi Sho, $300

Sushi master Keiji Nakazawa is revered for his Edomae sushi, using old-school techniques that extend the life of raw fish — a throwback to the early 19th century when fresh seafood needed to last longer. Here, though, you get some contemporary twists, and he tries to use local ingredients wherever possible to reflect his surroundings and provide exclusive flavors. Salmon smoked in banana leaves. Macadamia nut shoyu. Fish served with konbu powder or vinegar egg powder (above). Expect to try things you’ve never even heard of, like the white salmon from Alaska that’s so rare, there are only one for every thousand.

The menu is seasonal, of course, so the 25-piece omakase will have changes as ingredients peak. There are two seatings per night and just 16 seats at the bar, and you can only call for reservations between 2 and 10:30 p.m. each day. If you can’t get a live body, leave a message, since the staff said the phone rings nonstop during that window of time.

Sushi Sho • Ritz-Carlton Waikiki • 383 Kalaimoku St. • Waikiki • 729-9717

A credit card must be provided, and you will be charged a cancellation fee of $300 per person plus tax if you cancel on the day of the reservation.

Sushi Ginza Onodera

Sushi Ginza Onodera, $250

When they first opened, Sushi Ginza Onodera had three tiers of omakase. They’ve since streamlined it and made it one omakase for $250, where you get four sashimi, a couple of appetizers (grilled fish and chawanmushi), seasonal items and 10 pieces of nigiri plus dessert. Like most sushi bars of this calibre, the seafood presented will be seasonal. Expect to discover zen-like innovations on Edomae-style sushi, like shiitake mushroom shoyu, green tea-smoked mackerel, and shirako (sperm sac) with house-blended scallop salt.

You’ll find yourself tasting your way around Japan, too, as the restaurant acquires specialties from various places: Kyoga firefly squid, Hokkaido hairy crab, Shizuoka trout and uni from wherever they can get it. The quality of the fish is unlike most sushi bars in town, with 80 percent of it being from Japan and 20 percent local.

Sushi Ginza Onodera • 808 Kapahulu Ave. • Kapahulu • 735-2375

Maru Sushi

Maru Sushi, $300

Reopening July 16, 2020

Maru is easily one of my favorites in the luxe category. Michelin-starred sushi chef Takeshi Kawasaki delivers a full ride of emotions with dinner, sharing beautiful and unique flavors while everyone at the sushi bar becomes excited, surprised, and exhilarated with each dish (and some men, moved to tears). Kawasaki plays with the Edomae style sushi, creating unusual new flavors with unexpected techniques, like curing uni in konbujime and salt, or mixing a finger lime dashi to make abalone sashimi taste like it’s coming out of the ocean. My favorite, above, is mackerel topped with a special blend of green onion and ginger to impart a garlicky flavor, and topped with konbu. I don’t usually like mackerel, but I love this one.

There are two omakase sets: for $180, you get six to seven appetizers and about 14 pieces of nigiri; for $220, you get six to seven appetizers and about 16 pieces of nigiri with elevated ingredients. (The actual nigiri count depends on market prices for the ingredients, most of which are flown in from Hokkaido.) [Amanda's note: couldn't confirm if this still exists]

The average price for this omakase is $300 but varies depending on what ingredients are available during that day.

Maru Sushi • 1731 Kalakaua Ave. • Convention Center • 951-4445

Sushi Izakaya Gaku

Gaku, $150

I remember the first time I put a piece of toro in my mouth at Gaku. My eyes nearly popped out of my head and I immediately made a frantic, mad grab for the plate, because I had to get another bite ASAP. The quality of the ingredients at Gaku — whether for sushi or the izakaya plates — is always top notch, so you probably have had the same eye-popping experience if you’ve eaten there. The nigiri is divine, but you may find the occasional nontraditional ingredient (like basil) or an unusual fish from Japan thrown in for a tasty, creative twist.

The omakase is in [two tiers: If you just want nigiri, you get about 15 to 20 pieces for $120; the second tier, with more variety for*] $150, includes three appetizers, an assortment of sashimi, and about seven pieces of nigiri. They use Nanatsuboshi rice from Hokkaido, one of my favorites for its lovely, soft and fluffy texture. [Amanda's note: they said they're flexible and you can choose what pieces you want, there are no tiers]

Sushi Izakaya Gaku • 1329 S. King St. • Makiki • 589-1329

Sushi You

Sushi You, $88

Sean Morris’ pick: Recently arrived from New York, Japan-born Hiroshi Sakurada transforms the okazuya Rinka Obento into an 11-seat sushi bar at night. The winner of the 2000 United States Sushi Tournament offers a generous omakase, starting with a small appetizer and house salad before working his way to some sashimi, yakimono (grilled or pan-fried dishes), and then about a dozen nigiri.

Highlights may include supple hirame with a mildly acidic ponzu, shrimp with a dab of creamy mayo and briny caviar, anago (saltwater eel) with salt, tender squid with yuzu kosho (citrus pepper), and umejiso aji (horse mackerel scented with ume and shiso). You will most likely leave here content, with a swollen belly that rivals Buddha’s.

Sushi You • 1317 S. Beretania St. • Makiki • 597-8069

Check out more rankings on Our Top 5 page.