This article was written by our expert who is surveying the industry and constantly updating business plan for a Japanese restaurant.
Our business plan for a Japanese restaurant will help you build a profitable project
Opening a Japanese restaurant is an exciting venture, but selecting the right equipment can feel overwhelming.
The challenge lies in understanding the specialized tools needed for authentic Japanese cuisine without overspending or missing essential items.
Japanese restaurants have unique requirements, and equipment costs can quickly escalate if you don't plan carefully for both traditional and modern cooking methods.
Complete Japanese Restaurant Equipment List
Opening a successful Japanese restaurant requires careful planning and the right specialized equipment. This comprehensive list covers everything you need to create authentic Japanese dishes and provide excellent service.
Sushi & Sashimi Equipment
- Sushi display case - Refrigerated showcase for fresh sushi and sashimi presentation
- Sushi knives (yanagiba, deba, usuba) - Specialized blades for precise fish cutting
- Sushi rice cooker - Commercial-grade cooker for perfect sushi rice consistency
- Bamboo sushi mats (makisu) - Traditional rolling mats for maki preparation
- Wooden cutting boards (hinoki) - Japanese cypress boards for fish preparation
- Rice paddle (shamoji) - Non-stick paddle for handling sushi rice
- Sushi counter refrigeration - Built-in coolers for ingredient storage at workstation
- Fish scaling tools - Specialized equipment for preparing whole fish
- Tweezers (bone removers) - Precision tools for removing small bones
- Nori sheets storage - Dry storage containers for seaweed sheets
Grilling & Teppanyaki Equipment
- Teppanyaki grill - Large flat iron griddle for hibachi-style cooking
- Robata grill - Traditional charcoal grill for yakitori and grilled items
- Konro grill - Compact charcoal grill for small grilled dishes
- Takoyaki pan - Specialized pan for making octopus balls
- Okonomiyaki griddle - Flat cooking surface for Japanese pancakes
- Yakitori skewers - Bamboo and metal skewers in various sizes
- Binchotan charcoal - High-quality Japanese charcoal for authentic flavor
- Teppanyaki spatulas - Specialized flat spatulas for griddle cooking
- Ventilation hood - Powerful exhaust system for smoke removal
Noodle Preparation Equipment
- Ramen cooker - Multi-basket noodle cooking system with timers
- Udon noodle maker - Machine for making fresh thick wheat noodles
- Soba noodle maker - Equipment for preparing buckwheat noodles
- Noodle strainer baskets - Various sizes for different noodle types
- Broth warming kettles - Keeps soup bases at proper serving temperature
- Noodle portion scales - Ensures consistent serving sizes
- Bamboo strainers - Traditional tools for noodle preparation
- Noodle cutting boards - Specialized boards for hand-cut noodles
Rice & Grain Equipment
- Commercial rice cooker - Large capacity for steamed rice preparation
- Rice warmer - Keeps cooked rice at serving temperature
- Rice washing bowls - Specialized bowls for rinsing rice properly
- Sushi rice mixer - Mechanical mixer for seasoning sushi rice
- Rice storage containers - Airtight containers for dry rice storage
- Rice serving paddles - Various sizes for portion control
Tempura & Frying Equipment
- Tempura fryer - Specialized deep fryer with temperature controls
- Tempura paper - Specialized paper for draining excess oil
- Wire skimming tools - Removes debris from frying oil
- Tempura batter mixing bowls - Prevents overmixing for light texture
- Oil thermometer - Monitors oil temperature for perfect frying
- Draining racks - Allows excess oil to drain from fried items
Specialized Cooking Equipment
- Donabe clay pots - Traditional earthenware for hot pot dishes
- Steamer baskets - Bamboo steamers for dim sum and vegetables
- Miso soup warmer - Keeps miso soup at proper serving temperature
- Sake warmer - Traditional equipment for heating sake
- Dashi strainer - Fine mesh strainer for clear broths
- Mortar and pestle (suribachi) - Grinding bowl for seasonings
- Hot stone bowls - Ceramic bowls for bibimbap and hot dishes
Kitchen Preparation Tools
- Japanese knife set - Complete set of traditional Japanese knives
- Knife sharpening stones - Whetstones for maintaining blade sharpness
- Mandoline slicer - Precision vegetable cutting equipment
- Mixing bowls (various sizes) - Stainless steel and ceramic options
- Measuring cups (Japanese style) - Traditional measuring tools
- Chopsticks (cooking) - Long chopsticks for food preparation
- Grater (oroshi) - Traditional grater for daikon and ginger
Refrigeration & Storage
- Walk-in cooler - Large storage for fresh ingredients
- Sashimi-grade freezer - Ultra-low temperature for fish storage
- Reach-in refrigerator - Easy access for frequently used items
- Ingredient prep cooler - Refrigerated prep tables for sushi station
- Sake storage refrigerator - Temperature-controlled sake storage
- Dry storage shelving - Organized storage for dry goods
Service & Presentation
- Japanese tableware - Authentic bowls, plates, and serving dishes
- Chopstick dispensers - Hygienic storage and dispensing
- Sake serving sets - Traditional tokkuri and ochoko sets
- Bento boxes - Traditional lunch box containers
- Lacquerware - High-quality serving pieces for special occasions
- Ceramic tea sets - Complete sets for tea service
- Wooden serving boards - Natural presentation platforms
Beverage Equipment
- Tea brewing equipment - Traditional and modern tea preparation
- Sake dispenser - Temperature-controlled sake serving system
- Ice machine - Produces clear ice for beverages
- Beverage refrigerator - Chilled storage for drinks
- Hot water dispenser - Instant hot water for tea preparation
Cleaning & Safety
- Three-compartment sink - Washing, rinsing, and sanitizing
- Hand washing stations - Separate sinks for staff hygiene
- Dishwasher (commercial) - High-temperature cleaning system
- Sanitizer dispensers - Food-safe cleaning solutions
- Fire suppression system - Specialized system for kitchen fires
- First aid supplies - Emergency medical supplies
- Non-slip mats - Safety flooring for kitchen areas
Technology & Management
- POS system - Point-of-sale with Japanese menu capabilities
- Kitchen display system - Digital order management
- Inventory management software - Tracks specialty ingredients
- Reservation system - Manages seating and special requests
- Menu translation system - Multilingual menu support
Our financial plan for a Japanese restaurant will help you build a profitable project
What Equipment Budget Should You Plan?
Most Japanese restaurant owners spend between $60,000 and $300,000 on equipment, depending on their concept and size. You really can't go below $40,000 for even the smallest setup because you need specialized equipment for authentic Japanese cooking and proper food safety compliance.
- Small Sushi Bar
A small sushi bar or casual Japanese eatery needs around $40,000-$80,000, with most of the budget going toward sushi equipment and basic kitchen setup.
- Medium Japanese Restaurant
A medium-sized restaurant with full menu offerings typically runs $80,000-$180,000, including teppanyaki grills, specialized cooking equipment, and dining room setup.
- Large Japanese Restaurant
A large restaurant with multiple concepts (sushi, teppanyaki, traditional dining) can easily hit $180,000-$300,000, especially with high-end equipment and extensive kitchen facilities.
Equipment Budget Examples
Small Sushi Bar ($40,000 - $80,000)
Small sushi bars focus on essential equipment for fresh sushi and sashimi preparation, with basic hot food capabilities. The goal is authentic quality with efficient space utilization.
| Equipment Category | What's Included | Budget Range |
|---|---|---|
| Sushi Station | 6-foot sushi display case with refrigeration, professional sushi knives, cutting boards, rice cooker, and basic prep tools | $12,000 - $20,000 |
| Kitchen Equipment | Small commercial range, single-door reach-in cooler, small fryer for tempura, basic prep equipment | $8,000 - $15,000 |
| Refrigeration | Walk-in cooler (6x8), under-counter refrigeration for sushi station, small freezer for fish storage | $6,000 - $12,000 |
| Service Equipment | Basic POS system, Japanese tableware, chopstick dispensers, sake serving equipment | $4,000 - $8,000 |
| Specialized Tools | Complete Japanese knife set, bamboo mats, rice paddles, traditional serving pieces | $3,000 - $6,000 |
| Cleaning & Safety | Three-compartment sink, hand sink, basic dishwasher, sanitizing equipment | $4,000 - $8,000 |
| Installation & Setup | Equipment delivery, installation, electrical work, permits and inspections | $3,000 - $6,000 |
Medium Japanese Restaurant ($80,000 - $180,000)
Medium restaurants offer diverse Japanese cuisine with specialized cooking stations and enhanced presentation. Investment focuses on authentic cooking methods and efficient service systems.
| Equipment Category | What's Included | Budget Range |
|---|---|---|
| Sushi & Sashimi | 12-foot curved sushi display case, complete professional knife set, multiple rice cookers, sushi prep station | $20,000 - $35,000 |
| Grilling Equipment | Teppanyaki grill station, robata charcoal grill, takoyaki pan, specialized ventilation system | $15,000 - $25,000 |
| Noodle Station | Ramen cooker with multiple baskets, broth warming kettles, noodle preparation tools | $8,000 - $15,000 |
| Kitchen Equipment | Commercial range with wok burners, tempura fryer, steamer, rice warming equipment | $12,000 - $20,000 |
| Refrigeration | 10x12 walk-in cooler, sashimi-grade freezer, multiple reach-in units, prep coolers | $10,000 - $18,000 |
| Service & Dining | Complete Japanese tableware collection, sake service equipment, advanced POS system | $8,000 - $15,000 |
| Specialized Equipment | Sake warmer, donabe clay pots, traditional serving pieces, tea brewing equipment | $5,000 - $12,000 |
| Installation & Training | Professional installation, staff training on equipment, permits, ventilation installation | $8,000 - $15,000 |
Large Japanese Restaurant ($180,000 - $300,000)
Large Japanese restaurants operate with multiple specialized stations and high-end equipment for authentic cuisine presentation. Focus is on efficiency, authenticity, and premium dining experience.
| Equipment Category | What's Included | Budget Range |
|---|---|---|
| Sushi Operations | Multiple sushi display cases, walk-in sushi prep room, complete knife collection, automated rice systems | $40,000 - $60,000 |
| Teppanyaki Section | Multiple teppanyaki tables with built-in grills, entertainment lighting, specialized exhaust systems | $35,000 - $50,000 |
| Traditional Kitchen | Robata grills, multiple wok stations, specialized ovens, traditional clay pot cooking equipment | $25,000 - $40,000 |
| Noodle Production | Fresh noodle making equipment, multiple ramen cookers, specialized broth preparation systems | $15,000 - $25,000 |
| Refrigeration Complex | Large walk-in cooler complex, ultra-low temperature fish storage, specialized sake storage | $18,000 - $30,000 |
| Service Systems | Advanced POS with Japanese language support, automated ordering system, extensive tableware collection | $12,000 - $20,000 |
| Beverage Equipment | Sake dispensing systems, traditional tea ceremony equipment, specialized beverage refrigeration | $10,000 - $18,000 |
| Specialty Equipment | Sushi robot systems, automated rice washing, traditional pottery and serving pieces | $15,000 - $25,000 |
| Installation & Systems | Complete professional installation, custom ventilation, comprehensive staff training, all permits | $15,000 - $25,000 |