Very young gizzard shad nigiri

Very young gizzard shad (Shinko)

【Nigiri sushi: Hikarimono】
Shinko refers to juvenile konoshiro (gizzard shad) measuring less than 10 cm in length. Every year, sushi restaurants across Tokyo compete to secure the season’s first catch at the market, sometimes driving prices above US$1,000 per kilogram. Because the fish are so small, sushi chefs typically place two to ten of them on a single piece of nigiri. Although shinko is not particularly fatty, it is prized for the fresh, delicate flavor unique to young fish. Its soft skin and mild taste create a refined character distinct from that of kohada. Rather than being valued for rich umami or fattiness, shinko is cherished as a seasonal delicacy that evokes the freshness of early summer, and many sushi connoisseurs eagerly await its brief season.

【Related contents】
List of Silver-skinned fish (Hikarimono)

(Updated May 19, 2026)