We’re not in America anymore folks. Hama-sushi isn’t your run of the mill fancy sushi roll restaurant you’ll find in the states. This island is filled with high quality sushi and sashimi and so many different places and price ranges to get it. American sushi restaurants lead me to believe that sushi rolls were normal. Oh how they have it all wrong.

Conveyor belt sushi restaurants (also known as sushi go rounds) are very popular in Japan and on the island of Okinawa. There are four major conveyor belt sushi restaurants; Hama-sushi, Kura, Sushiro and Kappa. Let’s go to dinner at one of these amazing sushi go rounds, Hama-sushi.

This is easily our favorite place to get a good, quick, cheap dinner for our family. We’ve been so much we drop the kids at the front door to go in and get our ticket while we park the car now!

How to Check In at Hama-sushi

When you walk in you’ll find check in screens. Hama-sushi is great because they have a cheat option of choosing English. No google translate needed here! You’ll choose the number of people in your party and the type of seating arrangements you’d like. You can choose a bar style seat if you are alone or a table if you have your family with you.

If there is no wait time, the computer will spit out your table number but if there is a wait, you’ll get a number that will pop up on another screen above the waiting area. Here is where I see many get confused on what to do so don’t skip ahead! Your number will be called (and in English if you chose the English language option) and you’ll take your slip back to the computer. You’ll then scan the QR code and the computer will give you your table number.

It can be intimidating but I have found that many Americans are kind enough that if they see you struggling to figure it out they will step up and show you how to do it. I’ve unfortunately caught a few people too late and their number disappeared and the computer moved onto the next number in line.

In this case, you would just bring your number to the cashiers at the front and get out the handy dandy Google Translate and try to explain you didn’t know what you were doing and missed your number. They’ll be able to help you and get you seated. But if you’ve found this article then hopefully this won’t be you when you go to Hama-sushi.

PRO TIP: Make sure to hold on to your table number receipt because this is how you will pay after you’re finished.

Time to Order!

Once you’re at your table, the fun can begin! Let’s order! There is no wait staff here so you’ll use the tablet at your table to order everything. You can choose the English language option again to make it easier to order.

Another great feature at Hama-sushi is you can choose allergens. They have all the major allergens listed and you will choose the ones you want and the foods that INCLUDE those allergens will have an allergy symbol on them. This makes it really easy if anyone in your family has an allergy or if there are different allergies.

Since there is no wait staff, it’s up to you to get yourself water, if you do not order a beverage off the menu. Faucets are available throughout the restaurant with cups nearby so you can fill yourself a cup of water to quench your thirst. Should you choose a beverage off the menu, someone will hand deliver it to you since a beverage on the conveyor belt is just a recipe for a spill.

Browsing through the items on the menu you’ll notice prices range from ¥100-¥500, with most of the plates between ¥100-¥200. You’ll order a plate by tapping on that item, choosing the quantity and hitting order.

Your order will come to you on the conveyor belt on the inside of your table. It’s always entertaining to watch the different foods that pass by on their way to other tables. A bell will chime on your tablet when something you have ordered is on its way to you via the conveyor belt.

There is no cap so order as many things as you want, but beware, they will tell you to stop after so many active orders so they can catch up. Once they are caught up you’ll be able to order more.

Drinks will be delivered by a person and you can also call for a wait staff if you have any issues with your items.

Types of Food at Hama-sushi

As far as the food itself, there are so many options, you are guaranteed to find something for everyone. Edamame, Soba, Udon, Sashimi, Tempura, Gunken and a small selection of basic sushi rolls. If you have a picky eater there is a section of fried foods to include the trustworthy bowl of fries.

They always have a seasonal menu and it’s where we look first. I don’t have an adventurous palette but my husband and son do, so they always order something new off the seasonal menu. The serving sizes are so small this is a great way to try new things and get adventurous with food.

The plates come with two pieces of whatever you ordered with some of the rolls coming with four pieces. The soups come in smaller bowls and they even have kids’ meals.

Checking Out

Once you have filled your belly with delicious food, check out is a breeze. On the tablet you ordered with, you’ll click check out and it will direct you to the front cash registers. If you ordered food and it has not been delivered you will not be able to check out yet and it will remind you that you still have food coming. If you can check out, take the table number receipt you got at the very beginning to the front cash registers. Hand them the receipt and they will scan it. You can pay with a credit card for an easy seamless check out or you can pay in yen.

Taking Hama-sushi Home

If you want to enjoy some sashimi at home, some locations have a drive through and most have a take out menu. If you have a Japanese phone (or have chosen to switch the region of your phone to Japan) you can download the Hamazushi app and order on the app to pick up in store. Otherwise, dining in can be as quick or as long as you make it. Not having a wait staff to rely on, even at the busiest of times you can get through a dinner in 20 minutes. They are very quick to get food out to you, unless it’s a tempura, those plates usually take a bit longer.

Hama-sushi has a diner atmosphere to it, laid back and family friendly. No fear if you have a screaming child, Japanese and American kids alike can be found unhappy if they didn’t get their bowl of fries fast enough.

With the prices as affordable as they are and so many options, you are sure to leave with full bellies and money still in your wallet. My family of four, two adults and two kids, has never spent more than ¥4500 for a meal and that’s on the high end. Hama-sushi is a great spot for a delicious, high quality yet quick and cheap meal. It’s a great place to dip your toes into the local food culture with its affordable prices and small portions.

Looking for more? Check out these other popular articles on Restaurants in Okinawa.