How Many Plates Do You Eat? A Look into Japanese Sushi Culture (Part 1)
- Shiho Nishida
- Jul 22
- 3 min read
Hello from Sushi Academy Ginza!
Summer is in full swing here in Japan.With schools on summer break, families and tourists are out and about, filling the streets with energy and excitement.It’s a lively and joyful season! 🌻
Now, let’s talk about something we work with every day in our classroom—sushi.Sushi is no longer just a Japanese tradition—it has become one of the most beloved Japanese foods around the world.
But have you ever wondered...“How do Japanese people usually enjoy sushi in their daily lives?”It’s a simple question, but an interesting one, isn’t it?
Today, we’d like to share some fascinating insights from a recent consumer survey on conveyor belt sushi (kaiten-zushi) conducted by a major Japanese food company, Maruha Nichiro. 🍣
◆How do people in Japan enjoy sushi?
Let’s start with a simple question: “How do Japanese people usually eat sushi?”According to a recent survey (multiple answers allowed), here’s how people responded:
At conveyor belt sushi restaurants (kaiten-zushi) – 65.5%
Buying sushi at stores or supermarkets – 49.6%
Making sushi at home, such as hand-rolled sushi – 18.6%
Dining at non-conveyor belt sushi restaurants – 18.2%
As you can see, conveyor belt sushi is by far the most popular way to enjoy sushi in Japan!
No doubt about it—conveyor belt sushi is the most popular choice!Even our staff sometimes say, “We’re tired today... Let’s just grab some quick kaiten-zushi!” 😄
These days, conveyor belt sushi restaurants are evolving into full-on food entertainment experiences.From touch-screen ordering systems to high-speed "bullet train" delivery lanes, and even collaborations with popular anime, it's more than just a meal—it’s fun!
At the ongoing Osaka-Kansai Expo, Sushiro has opened a futuristic expo location that’s getting a lot of attention. The future of sushi is already here!
◆How often do people go to conveyor belt sushi?
When asked “How often do you go to kaiten-zushi?”, 38.6% of respondents said they visit at least once a month.
That means more than one in three people in Japan are enjoying conveyor belt sushi on a monthly basis!Let’s take a look at the breakdown by age group:
Teens: 35.5%
20s: 49.0%
30s: 43.1%
40s: 35.5%
50s: 32.8%
As you can see, kaiten-zushi is popular across all generations, with fairly consistent numbers.
From students to grandparents, it’s a go-to spot for everyone.Do you have a favorite kaiten-zushi place you visit with your family?
◆How many plates do people usually eat in one visit?
Another fun question is: “How many plates of sushi do people usually eat in one sitting?”The overall average is… 9.9 plates!
Average for men: 11.6 plates
Average for women: 8.2 plates
What do you think—more or less than you expected?
We’d love to hear about your personal best!How many plates have you eaten in one go? Let us know in the comments!
In our next blog post, we’ll be sharing some fun insights into Japan’s most popular sushi toppings! 🍣
Everyone has their own favorites, and sushi preferences often show a bit of personality, too.Stay tuned—you might find your favorite on the list! Source: Maruha Nichiro “Sushi Consumption Survey 2025” Data referenced from a 2025 consumer survey by Maruha Nichiro.
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