[ozonemania]

Those boats were popular probably 10 years ago, not as much anymore. Basically it's a water-based conveyor belt with small plate food which you pick yourself... you're charged based on how many plates you have on your table.

Japanese/sushi restauarants abound... my favourite used to be Sakae on Alberni but it's gone (the ugly McDonalds parking lot building). I heard the chef opened a restaurant on Commercial Dr called LIME. Maybe someone here has been there, but if the chef is there the food is probably very good.

There's a place I've wanted to try downtown called Miku on West Hastings. Looks expensive but innovating and interesting. Apparently the staff were hired in Japan and brought here.

If you want raw oysters, maybe call ahead and ask if they have oysters and if they don't if you can get them to bring some in for that day. I'm sure most good sushi restauarants would have no problem acquiring good fresh oysters if they wanted.