Washoku Guide
Cities/Chicago/Sushi/Tenjin
Chicago · Sushi · a la carte

Tenjin

JapaneseTraditional SushiSashimiTeriyakiTempuraFamily Japanese

Tenjin is the lovingly renamed continuation of Lincolnwood's 30-year Japanese institution Renga-Tei, now owned and operated by Fukuoka-born Chef Naoki Nakashima and his wife Yoshimi — both from Japan — who purchased the restaurant in 2023 and named it after their hometown district in Fukuoka City.

Price
¥¥
Area
Lincolnwood
Since
2023
Chef
Naoki Nakashima
Tenjin — authentic japanese restaurant in Chicago, Lincolnwood
Plate № 13
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About
When Renga-Tei owner Hisao Yamada retired in 2023 after more than three decades, the Lincolnwood Japanese dining institution passed to Naoki and Yoshimi Nakashima, a couple originally from Fukuoka, Japan. The Nakashimas renamed the restaurant Tenjin — the neighborhood in Fukuoka City where both grew up — signaling a new chapter while honoring the restaurant's deep roots in the community. The menu maintains Renga-Tei's traditional Japanese framework of sushi, sashimi, teriyaki, and tempura, prepared with Japanese precision. Tenjin is one of the most genuinely Japan-rooted dining experiences in the northern Chicagoland suburbs, with ownership, kitchen leadership, and culinary philosophy all originating directly from Japan.
Neighborhood & visiting

Tenjin sits in Lincolnwood, one of Chicago's neighborhoods where authentic Japanese kitchens have taken root. Reservations are available online — for a focused sushi counter this is strongly recommended. Check the posted hours before you go — traditional sushi restaurants often close between service periods.

Why it's on Washoku Guide
  • Owned and operated by Fukuoka-born Chef Naoki Nakashima and his wife Yoshimi, both originally from Japan — making Tenjin one of the most authentically Japanese-owned restaurants in the Chicago suburbs.
  • The restaurant carries forward 30+ years of Lincolnwood Japanese dining heritage from the beloved Renga-Tei, ensuring community continuity and an established loyal clientele.
  • The name 'Tenjin' — the home district of both owners in Fukuoka City — reflects a personal, heartfelt Japanese identity rarely matched by competitor concepts.

Formerly Renga-Tei (30+ year institution). Purchased by Naoki and Yoshimi Nakashima in 2023; renamed Tenjin in 2024. Lincolnwood is a suburb immediately north of Chicago city limits. Hours should be verified directly as the website does not publish them clearly.

Links
Reserve →Website →Map →Instagram →

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Frequently asked

About Tenjin

Is Tenjin an authentic japanese restaurant in Chicago?
Yes — Tenjin is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for japanese in Chicago: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused sushi format.
Where is Tenjin located?
Tenjin is located at 3956 W Touhy Ave, Lincolnwood, IL 60712, Chicago, USA in the Lincolnwood neighborhood.
Do I need a reservation at Tenjin?
Tenjin accepts reservations online. For an authentic sushi experience, especially at a focused counter, booking ahead is strongly recommended.
What is the price range at Tenjin?
Tenjin sits in the ¥¥ price range — typical for japanese of this format in Chicago.
Keep exploring
All Japanese restaurants in Chicago →Sushi in Chicago →Authentic sushi worldwide →All cities →