When my wife Kaori and I opened Shima in 2005, it was the culmination of a dream that began nearly 25 years earlier, when I first became an apprentice at a traditional restaurant in my hometown of Shima, Japan.

In Shima, a beautiful region of Kyushu Island, the surrounding sea and mountains provided us fresh, natural ingredients all year long—as they do here in the bountiful Northwest. That parallel between my birth home and my chosen one here on Bainbridge Island inspires the dishes you’ll enjoy at Shima.

Each ingredient we select is fresh, seasonal, organic, local, and wild whenever possible. Their preparation is rooted in traditional Japanese methods to bring forth the utmost flavor and freshness, but we also enjoy experimenting with new concepts and local ingredients.

Whether you'd like to make a reservation, ask a question, or just offer a suggestion for how we can improve your experience, we'd love to hear from you. You can always reach us at 206-855-9400, or welcome@shimasushi.com. We look forward to serving you at Shima soon.

— Chef Takashi “Asa” Asakawa