I can say I've been there and done that! Yes the fish is fresh! The sushi is excellent! It could be the best sushi in town if ur a local and know that sushi bars are limited in Hilo. Since making reservations has changed, we kinda stopped going. I'm just kinda saddened knowing how a conservative town Hilo is and that the owners don't allow that opportunity for everyone to enjoy their gift of sushi. A lot of people have been turned off by the fact that gotta wait over a year for a rez. And yet you see on social media the same people partaking at the restaurant quite frequently. Just saying. Was us for a little while but we made sure to invite friends who never tried it. I guess money talks even in our sleepy little town where a lot of small businesses and eateries are going under. So unfortunate. Wish there could be more comparable sushi bars to serve everyone, well get Genki now so good thing. Maybe izakayas could do well? read more

I can't get enough check to Takenoko Sushi. Cheff Mr. Igarashi is the best sushi cheff. Takenoko is my absolutely the favorite place to dine. It is worth waiting for the moment. You just can't walk in........ Very busy for reservation.... But worth waiting for months and months ... If you could not get in. Just be patient for the openings. You won't regret. read more

Takenoko Sushi - Best best toro is in Takenoko Sushi - Japanese Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Great traditional Japanese food, that's expected with the style here. Chef was attentive and efficient, makes sense why there are a limited number of seats. I got a variety of items, not just sushi to have a better idea of the quality of food. It was all delicious! The service besides the chef was alright, seemed a little disinterested, would've been 5 stars otherwise. Kenichi's in Keauhou also has great Japanese food, as well as Sansei and Hakone in Waikoloa. I would also say that Ebisuya in Hilo also has good sushi too. In my experiences at those other establishments, their individual styles of food was also top notch. After eating, tried to make a following reservation, none for the rest of the year, I'm on a waiting list if someone cancels... Well, not to worry, there are other great sushi places on this island. read more

Takenoko Sushi - Chawan mushi - Japanese Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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I tried to go for lunch but they have a sign saying that they are fully booked for the entire year of 2019 (Jan 1 - Dec 31) for both lunch and dinner. I guess this is one restaurant I will not be able to try in the near future. read more

This is based on my experience a couple of years ago; just getting around to reviewing it. It's pricey but good. However it's really, really difficult to get a reservation so I haven't been here in a long time. The sushi is simple and well-executed. read more

Super friendly service. Dessert was yummy. Disappointed in the portion and cost of the sishi. Very pricey! A $7 hand roll with 2 small slivers of fish. Flavors nothing to unique and kinda blan. read more

Really good sushi. Insider yourself lucky if you can get a reservation. I like how they make sushi everything is handmade the sushi chef been doing this for years and opened up in Hilo. I always try to eat there while on business trips read more

Possibly the 2nd best sushi in the State. Certainly the best sushi I've had on a neighbor island. I'm just stunned that it's in Hilo. Yes. You read that right. The 2nd best sushi in the State of Hawaii is in Shawshank. Tip: You MUST make a reservation. Just call it in. The GF and I took a family member here for dinner last weekend and were blown away by the quality of the sushi found here. It was so good, that I immediately made reservations for lunch the very next day to take my best friend and his GF to. Fantasic quality, and the GF and I were pleasantly shocked. Also, the final bill was shockingly cheap - over half as much as my favorite restaurant, Sushi ii, on Oahu. But there's a reason for that... The Omakase service is limited. Other high-end sushi restaurants will keep serving you until you stop them. Takenoko's owner/chef stops offering items after a set quantity. At that point, you can order additional items until the cut-off time. Did you catch that last part? OK, pay attention here. Not only is the Omakase limited, but you cannot hang around for hours if another seating time is approaching. For example, if your reservation is at the 5:30pm seating time, you can sit and eat as long as you don't go past the next seating time at 7:30pm. You will be politely asked to finish up so that other patrons can be seated. So for all of you blabbermouths who sit, drink your own booze and socialize... GTFO. Ultimately, you and your party will not be able to sit and eat forever... which is why our tab was lower than on Oahu. And we really weren't blabbermouths. But let me remind you that the quality of the fish was remarkable, and 90% of the chef's selections are flown in from the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo 2x a week. So in conclusion, I have to give Takenoko Sushi 4/5 stars. I have to give the edge in quality and overall dining experience to Sushi ii in Honolulu - they have a greater selection of fish and menu items than Takenoko. But! the tab at Sushi ii is easily two or three times the price of Takenoko, hands down. Omakase for three, plus two desserts came out to $131 before tip. And you can see why the tab is lower when the chef stops serving Omakase after a set number of items. At nearly every other sushi joint, the chef will keep serving you (and racking up the bill). The other problem I thought of was, this superb restaurant is in Hilo of all places. If you live in Hilo, then you'll probably disagree with this review. This restaurant will offer you the best sushi you've ever had... That's because you live in Hilo. Sorry. The truth is that there are several other restaurants on Oahu that trump Takenoko, but this little restaurant serves remarkable sushi at an unbelievably lower price. If you're ever in Hilo, eat here and be happy. Then flee the town of Shawshank as soon as you can. read more

I had never been here before, but my mother is a regular, she and her girlfriend's eat here about once a month and she'd been telling me for about a year that I simply had to eat there when I visited. I'm an avid sushi lover, so of course I was excited to go. We got the omakase and it was fun watching this traditional sushi chef work his magic, however, I was a bit disappointed. For the price of what I was paying for I was expecting to be blown away, but I wasn't. My mother did tell me later that she thought that maybe the fish wasn't as fresh as usual, because she also didn't find the sushi as appealing as she usually did. Of course the two of us were recovering from a bit of a flu I'd brought with me from New York, so that may have been why we weren't really enjoying ourselves. The best piece of fish I had was the toro, which wasn't surprising to me since that is supposed to be the better cut of meat. I had a few pieces of salmon, which were also very good, but everything else just wasn't that outstanding. For instance I had a slice of hamachi that I found unable to chew through easily, it lingered in my mouth for a while. His rice was also a bit cumbersome. It kept falling apart and sticking to my plate, never a good sign. My least favorite piece was a flounder, which he told me to try with a different sauce. Unfortunately this sauce was overbearingly strong and wound up staying on my tongue for too long, I couldn't get the taste out of my mouth which was unfortunate because it tainted some other pieces I tried later. If you come here not knowing what to order the chef will tell you, and there's also a TV that shows the different things he offers, so just wait for one to catch your eye. Of course you could always do the omakase and he'll give you a wide range of things to eat, but be careful, some may not be to your tastes. All in all, it was good, not amazing. I was expecting a lot more for the price I was paying, the rumors I'd heard, and the extensive reservation waitlist. My mother has been again more recently and said that it was excellent again, so maybe I just went on a bad day. I guess I'll try it again next year. read more

Takenoko Sushi - It looked gorgeous, but I think I only enjoyed 3 of the 6 pieces. - Japanese Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Having been spoiled by my frequent visits to the sushi coasts of Hokkaido and Hokuriku, My friends consider me a sushi snob. Up until this point, i have tried and refused to eat sushi at restaurants in Hilo. However, this place has changed that! The quality of fished used is unmatched in Hilo and is equal to the places I frequent on Oahu (there are only 2 places on Oahu that I will eat sushi at)! The sushi is rather expensive but worth the price if you are into higher than normal quality fish. Try the toro and you will be convinced as well! read more

In my honest opinion, when I first went I had very high expectations considering the price you pay. I left satisfied, however I discovered I was convincing myself that my bill was worth $100. I really started thinking about it and for the average person who likes sushi, eating here is probably just a novelty. You wait in line to make reservations and the fact that you go through the hassle of doing so, you've already become biased towards the place. I was given reservations so I went in blind, completely unbiased. Bottom line, it's great food. But is it worth every penny? Probably not. I'd say though, if you have the money and the patience to make reservations, go for it. You might be surprised. On a side note though, the atmosphere is truly amazing and when I sat there, it felt like I was in Japan again. Staff was incredibly friendly as well as the chef. He's a very humble man, and you can tell he truly loves what he does. read more

I need to find a way to come back and eat here... The waitlist is crazy stupid. :( When you DO finally get a chance to eat here. It's worth every penny. The Chef and food will exceed whatever expectations you have and then some. The sashimi cuts are thick and full of flavor. The Omakase is totally worth the price (~$50). Consider Takenoko's a place to go to if you can't afford to go to Japan. If you have the opportunity to eat here DO IT. Don't question it. read more

I know the prices may make you think twice about coming here, but just try it! The fish is amazing. Its so soft it's almost like it melts in your mouth. I have never experienced such quality of fish before. Everyone was also very nice! I tried to order the omakase and a mini poke bowl as I thought an omakase wouldn't fill me up, but the waitress suggested I order the omakase first and see how I feel before ordering the poke bowl. Man am I glad she suggested that because I was so full after the omakase. Truly great service. If you haven't tried a variety of different fish, I strongly suggest ordering the omakase. It costs $42, but it truly is quite the experience. Before today, the only different types of fish i had tried was ahi and salmon. After finishing the omakase, I realized I actually liked certain types of fish I never imagined I'd ever like (let alone ever order). If I hadn't tried the omakase, I would have never discovered my like for certain fish. If you don't care about that kind of stuff, just stick with what you know you like. If you are into discovering new tastes, then order the omakase! If you plan on eating here, make reservations months ahead of time. They will call you the day before your reservation date to remind you :) I strongly recommend you all try this place out at least once in your lifetime. It was a great experience and one I will never forget. read more

Yes, they are typically booked six months to a year in advance and they are pricey. The venue is tiny. However, the sushi is fresh, tastes amazing and is nicely plated. You receive polite, prompt service and you can bring your own alcohol or purchase Japanese beer or sake from them. Dessert was delicious! Call to pick reservations a year in advance and locals can request to be on a "stand by" list. Also, don't forget that they have "takeout" if notified 24 hrs in advance! However, I do wish that they would move to a larger space to have double the current occupancy. read more

I realized when I had toro here that I'd never really had true toro before--this place is that good. Dining here is definitely a treat. You'll have to make a reservation, but it's worth it. The restaurant seats only 8, like others have said, so it's a nice place to go if you want to have a more intimate setting for your dinner and really enjoy the experience of having your sushi made for you personally by the chef. The quality of the fish here is amazing and the best I've ever had. Some of the fish is flown in from Japan and not available in Hawaii. It's traditional sushi for the sushi purist--the focus is on the freshness, texture, and flavor of the fish and nothing else. Takenoko is definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Hilo. read more

A lot of new restaurants with pricey menus don't make it in Hilo simply because they don't serve a meal that lives up to the bill. Takenoko Sushi is the opposite: while you'll pay a bit more than usual, you'll enjoy one of the best sushi experiences you've had in return. The entire staff is extremely friendly and courteous, greeeting you with a chorus of "Irasshaimase" as soon as you enter the door. Seating is at a bar, right in front of the sushi chef, who prepares everything as you marvel at his deft handiwork. The first time I visited, I ordered the Omakase ($38), or the "chef's choice." This included 8 pieces of expensive, fresh japanese fish on rice, from salty sea urchin to buttery toro, and a fatty tuna roll to top it off. If you're looking to sample what the high falutin' sushi connoiseurs are ordering, don't let the price scare you away! It's an experience that you won't find anywhere else in Hilo! The fish is fresh and flavorful, unlike anything else I've had before. I didn't care too much for the urchin or the fish with delicate flavor (like the yellowfin or flounder), but I'm certain other people love them. These nigiri are served on top of some of the best tasting rice you can get, which I actually didn't notice until I visited my second time and had a mini sake oyako don. Distilled down to just salmon sashimi, salmon eggs, and rice, it really brought out the flavors that each ingredient offered, for only $10! Also notable are the Nigiri set and Chirashi, both ~$20. For the price, you get an excellent amount of fish to try, which is deceptively filling if you take your time and appreciate the flavors. Everything here includes freshly grated wasabi. I personally don't enjoy wasabi, and I feel that it overpowers a lot of the subtle notes of fresh fish. If you don't like it either, make sure to request your order without wasabi. You can always add it to your shoyu if you change your mind! As a fan of green tea, I feel it necessary to note that their matcha tea is quite enjoyable, as well as the matcha cheesecake. It's a small slice but sure to please matcha fans. This restaurant is BYOB, and don't forget to bring one for the chef! The seating area is also quite limited, so MAKE SURE you try to make reservations if you intend to stop by. You can walk-in for lunch sometimes, but dinner is basically booked at least 2 weeks in advance. read more

Make sure you have reservations! Limited amount of seating available. My GF was able to squeeze us in for a Sunday lunch. The staff here is super friendly with great service. We ordered a bunch of Nigiri sushi (served per piece). Tamago, Unagi, Toro, Hamachi all were fresh quality, melt in your mouth deliciousness! I had the coffee cheesecake and green tea ice cream and even the desserts are delicious! If you're in Hilo and want great sushi and service I highly recommend coming to Takenoko Sushi! I think they are BYOB as well and don't forget to drink with chef! I will definitely be back read more

You won't find California, Dragon or Rainbow Rolls here...only the REAL deal. Genuine sushi. Probably the best I've ever had, and I've had sushi in Japan. Arashi, the sushi chef and his wife run this small, clean, comfortable and welcoming sushi oasis. They are friendly, efficient, and offer the most humble and polite customer service as you can expect from Japanese cuisine. Most of the menu items are ordered weekly from Japan, and by far the freshest Japan exclusive sushi ingredients I have ever had. There are only eight seats available, so attention and customer service is never sacrificed for bigger crowds. Make sure to call for reservations! read more

Amazing! What an unbelievable surprise! We ordered the omakase (chef's choice - at $38) which turned out to be an excellent decision - who would know better than the sushi chef, right? EVERYTHING was to perfection, even the miso soup with mitsuba and high quality green tea! Left completely full and so very happy! We had the best Saba I have ever had, and I consider myself a bit of a connoisseur having lived in Japan. Toro was melt in your mouth amazing, tried new things which are now new favorites - red snapper and akule! Never had them raw before!!! Save up and come here for a special occasion... It's absolutely worth it! read more

First, like others have mentioned, make a reservation. Whether it is for lunch or dinner, it is best to reserve a seat as the restaurant does not accommodate more than 8 people. Dinner reservations can be had at 3 times: 5, 7 and 9pm. Second, the sushi is by far the best sushi we have ever had. Chef Arashi informed us that 90%+ of the fish is flown fresh from Japan. We are talking about some quality stuff here. The selection is not huge but that's a testament to quality. They do not have an endless assortment of silly rolls but what they do have they do right. Chef Arashi and his staff are attentive and polite. I could not have asked for better. If you want a light but filling lunch, I highly recommend the Chirashi bowl. read more

Me amd my group of friends walked in one time. We were so hungry they have a lot of empty sits. The chef asked us if we have a reservation. We said no. And he told us to make a reservation in advance to eat there. How rude! There's only one customers and all.empty sit! Don't wanna reserve 3 month in advance just to eat sushi! read more

Omakase all the way! even if you don't eat certain kinds of sushi, give it a try! live a little! open up and experience a different world of sushi if you never tried! well worth the wait and well worth the experience that you'll never EVER forget! read more

Takenoko Sushi - Don't let this sign fool you when you get to the front door of Takenoko...because it's actually true! you have been warned. - Japanese Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Let's forget about the fact that this place is in Hilo... This is some of the best sushi I have ever had! The chef is fast and efficient! I don't know what possessed him to move to Hilo after working in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Honolulu but I'm glad he did! Try the Bluefin Toro..it melts in your mouth! read more

This little place offers an intimate dining experience. They offer quality fish with friendly service in a place that only serves 8 people at the bar, so it's cozy. We ordered omakase and every bite was fantastic. We also ordered some local fish that was expertly cooked and delicious. The focus here is really on letting the elegance and flavors of the fish come through without sauces and extras. We got in last minute on a fluke and a cancellation. Next time, I would definitely get a reservation as this is sushi not to be missed. read more

Pristine fish. Fresh wasabi. Toasted nori kept in a heater to preserve flavor and crispness. No expenses were spared at Takenoko Sushi. Chef Arashi's extreme, almost obsessive dedication to quality makes Takenoko Sushi a standout in Hilo. read more

We just love it here!!!! Ever since they opened we always can't wait to go back! But you neeeeeed to make reservations! The best is when u go with a bunch of people. The place seats 8 so call up 7 friends and enjoy lunch or dinner. And it's byob. This place never dissapoints! read more

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This was such a treat in Hilo. It's worth making a reservation and sitting in a secluded setting. It's nice to have all of the chefs attention on you and your handful of guests sitting next to you. The sushi itself was incredible. It was the best sushi I've ever had. The toro is a must! As well as the salmon. They just melted in my mouth. I wish I could've eaten slower to enjoy it more. I felt a little rushed. But that was just their amazing service keeping up with everything. read more

Takenoko Sushi - I got omakase. From left to right: Toro (amazing), ika (not my favorite), salmon (so tender!), and shrimp (best shrimp ever!) - Japanese Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Simply put, this is the best overall restaurant on the Big Island by far. Comparatively to all other restaurants on the Big Island, it is in its own class. You would be hard pressed to find better sushi in the state of Hawaii and probably the entire US. You are looking to spend anywhere from $20 - $120 depending on what you get. I have even heard people spending upwards of $200. Personally, I only spend about $40-60 a visit and I am one of those guys in Ken's that get the Sumos. Now the question is: is it worth it? Yes and No depending on who you are. Let me explain what I mean by this. Takenoko is for sushi purists and connoisseurs. They primarily serve nigiri sushi. Thus, if you are more of a California roll/sushi fusion person, this place is not for you. If you think that sushi is "just rice and raw fish", this place is not for you. If you think great sushi and ahi poke are the same (although poke is delicious), this place is not for you. Now, if you are looking to have real sushi, Takenoko is actually really very inexpensive. $40-$60 for top of the line sushi is a great deal. Some tips, they are essentially reservation only AND you will need to plan months in advance. My friend and I managed to get a weekly standing reservation, thus I recommend you do the same if you want to eat here on a regular basis. If you know what kind of sushi you like, do NOT order the Omakase. However, if you are new to sushi and looking more for a experience than getting full, it's a great option. If you are a sushi enthusiast, want a true sushi experience, watched Jiro Dreams of Sushi multiple times, and/or looking for that great date spot; look no further. read more

I was told this is some of the best sushi you can get outside of Japan. Based on the fact that it's almost impossible to get a reservation I had high hopes. The place is small and empty. When we arrived for our lunch reservation we were the only customers. The prices for some of their nigiri are conveniently hidden. For example when you order a blue fin tuna nigiri you don't realize that a small slice of fish on a patty of rice will set you back $7.5 dollars. The quality of the sushi is good, but I would not call it mind blowing. After spending $40 + I was still hungry. Honestly, I'd rather go to the Suisan fish market and spend $40 getting their fresh Poke and Ahi by the pound. I am never coming to Takenoko sushi again. read more

Amazing authentic Sushi reservations are hard to get though! They are booked months in advance. Great atmosphere. BYOB read more

Takenoko Sushi - I like the view from here - Japanese Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

This place is wonderful. We stopped by late, yet even though they had a party coming in an hour, they still seated us. We were treated with utmost courtesy, and the sushi was AMAZING. By far, the best tuna we've ever had (and we've had sushi all over the US, including Morimoto's in NYC). The decor is adorable, the facility is spotlessly clean, and in short, we can't recommend it enough. read more

If your looking for the upper echelon in Authentic Japanese foods, this IS it. I have a standing lunch reservation and YOU should have one too.. lol! I'm going to Japan because of the Chef and Pam! They're amazing food led me Japan.. read more

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My shortest review: ^________^ The real deal guys. True sushi. No rolls, no baby stuff, amazing quality and freshness. Great service and ambiance! read more