Sushi has been in the culture of Japan since ages and the love and passion for sushi is still found in the Japanese culture. Sukiyabashi Jiro Honten, the 10-seat counter restaurant run by the 94-year-old Jiro Ono, widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest sushi chefs, had held a three-star rating since Michelin published its first guide to Tokyo dining in 2007.
With many other sushi restaurants that were not included in the 2020 guide, Sukiyabashi Jiro Honten was also one of them. It happened with Sukiyabashi Jiro Honten because they no longer accept bookings from the general public, the Michelin Guide said in a statement.
On its homepage, Sukiyabashi Jiro Honten said it was no longer taking reservations by telephone, and overseas diners would have to book through their hotel concierge.
A call to the restaurant before regular opening hours was met with an answering machine message apologizing for no longer accepting bookings.
According to Reuters, Obama dined at Sukiyabashi Jiro during a 2014 visit, taking a stool alongside Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the narrow wooden counter. The U.S. president declared the meal, the “best sushi” he had ever had, according to reports at the time.
