To be a chef who always connects with his customers

Born in 1988 in Fukuoka, Tatsuya started his culinary career after graduating high school at 18. He had the opportunity to apprentice to Kenichi Shine, who was the head chef at the ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) "Soan Kosumosu." While studying under Kenichi, he learned everything about working in a kitchen from scratch, including skills and mindset. In 2013, Kenichi opened "Sansyouryou," and a year later, Tatsuya transferred there to work with him. By 2018, Tatsuya had become the head chef and manager. With an unwavering interest in food, he continues to surprise and entertain his guests with his cooking every single day.

Growing up watching his grandfather, Mr. Horiuchi's journey as a chef began with an inspiring encounter.

Growing up watching his grandfather, Mr. Horiuchi's journey as a chef began with an inspiring encounter. While helping out at his grandfather's udon restaurant in Yamanashi Prefecture, he grew up watching his grandfather's back. Naturally, he longed to become a chef and trained at a hotel in Shinjuku. Around that time, he came across Suijin-En when he visited Jindaiji Temple. Impressed by its greatness, he became a chef at Suijin-En with a strong desire to work there. Today, he brings his passion and experience to the table, serving dishes that delight his guests.

Master chef of Japanese cuisine.  

Mr. Tetsuya Miyamoto is the Technical Director of Nihon-ryori Kenkyukai (society for research on Japanese cuisine), as well as the Chairman of the Toho Cooks Association. After working as the Japanese cuisine master chef at Utsunomiya Tobu Hotel Grande, he became the Japanese cuisine master chef of Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo in April 2019.

Mr. Oda started as a hotel chef and became a meat specialist.

He was born in 1993 in Ibaraki.  He started his career as a chef in his early 20s. Initially working as a Chinese chef in a major hotel, he spent his early years in training until his mid-twenties. After that, he turned to specializing in meat and has served many quality meats to his guests. He is currently the head chef at ZEN.

He succeeded his family business as he found in Tokyo that working at a kitchen counter was fun and made him happy.

Born in 1975 in Hiroshima Prefecture. His grandmother is the founder of [Hakutaka]. As the restaurant was a part of his daily life since he was small, naturally he decided to be a chef. He went up to Tokyo after graduating from high school and had training at [Tsuyama], a kappo (traditional Japanese) restaurant in Akasaka for about 5 years, then worked as an opening staff at a Japanese restaurant in Roppongi. In Tokyo, he learned cooking techniques and realized that it was fun working as a chef at a kitchen counter. He went back to his hometown and worked at [Hakutaka] run by his family, and became the 3rd generation at the age of 28.

Mr. Kanetsuna values the importance of the relationship with people every day, serving the finest crab dishes.

He was born in 1960 in Hiroshima. Started his career as a crab chef at Kani Doraku in Osaka. After honing his skills for over 20 years, he returned to his hometown of Hiroshima. After that, he worked hard to have his own restaurant and opened Kanetsuna in 2000 as the owner. With a keen eye for selecting crabs and a proven skill honed over many years specializing in crab dishes, he invites visitors to enjoy a moment of bliss.

Providing the best of the best to convey the producer's thoughts.

Mr. Kimura was born in 1976 in Ibaraki. Born as the son of a Japanese restaurant Yoshichou, cooking has been a familiar part of his life since childhood. He was really into rugby during school, but after graduation, he took over the family business and became the 8th generation. He is known not only for his cooking but also for his eye for purchasing, and he is well-versed in the nature of the local Ibaraki area. What he always keeps in mind is to be grateful to the producers who bring the best ingredients. In order to sublimate his thoughts into a magnificent dish, he cooks with all his heart and does not cut corners in each and every job.

Mr. Kobayashi wants to offer dishes that are relaxing and not overbearing.

He was born in 1978 in Ibaraki. Grew up as the heir to a long-established inn, Motoyu Yamadaya Ryokan, he naturally decided to become a chef. He began his career at a ryokan in Kanagawa, and after studying at various places, including a Japanese restaurant, a pike eel restaurant, and a restaurant specializing in pufferfish, he became the 20th generation in 2008. His specialty is colorful and delicate cuisine that uses his wealth of experience. His innovative dishes, which use abundant local ingredients from Ibaraki, are very popular, and he has many repeat customers who come back for his cuisine.

Mr. Ono puts passion into each dish, providing heartwarming cuisine to visitors.

He was born in 1989. His mother's cooking was delicious, so he became interested in cooking at an early age. To learn the basics of cooking, he trained at a renowned Japanese restaurant and mastered traditional Japanese cooking techniques, especially obanzai. In July 2018, he opened Kyoto Stand Kiyokiyo Kiyamachi Main Branch, which has grown to become a popular bar with locals and tourists. Then, in April 2024, he opened a new Sanjo Shinsen Branch and continues to take on further challenges.

Mr. Sugimori attracts customers with the finest Edomae Sushi and Japanese cuisine, where expert skill and creativity are applied.

He was born in 1972 in Tokyo. The head chef and manager of Sushi Aoyagi. The sushi chef is a job that allows him to do what he has loved since childhood, "making things" while interacting with people. He honed his skills at sushi restaurants in the Tokyo metropolitan area, including Sushiya no Kanpachi, where he learned the art of Edo-mae techniques and Japanese cuisine. In 2017, he was appointed to his current position in recognition of his skills. Since then, he has welcomed guests from Japan and abroad at a long-established hotel located at the gateway to Tokyo, treating them to stylish courses that blend sushi and Japanese cuisine with seasonal dishes.

A chef who has studied mainly Itamae cuisine (traditional Japanese cuisine) and local cuisine.

Mr. Naoyuki Yoshida was born in 1970 in Hokkaido. At the age of 20, he entered the world of Japanese cuisine and spent his days studying as a chef at Itamae Ryori Ichifuji in Sapporo. Then, after receiving an offer from a guest visiting the restaurant from Tokyo, he moved to Tokyo at the age of 30. While gaining experience as a chef in Tokyo, he met the owner of Usagi to Kame, which has its main restaurant in Susukino, Sapporo. Currently, he is the head chef at the Ginza branch.

He started his cooking career at the age of 15

He entered the world of cooking at the age of 15, starting his training at a well-established Japanese cuisine restaurant in the Osaka Minami area. After that he worked as a chef for 17 years before he became independent. In 2012, he opened [Kawamuraryorihei] in Gokomachi of Kyoto and their Japanese cuisine, prepared with selected seasonal ingredients, became popular. In the fifth year after opening, in 2016, his second restaurant [Kyoto Gion Kawamuraryorihei] was opened. At the moment, he spends his days polishing his skills while appreciating his customers and the people around him who have supported him from the beginning until now.

An experienced Japanese chef who satisfies the hearts and stomachs of visitors.

Mr. Ito was born in 1974 in Osaka. Starting a culinary career in his teens, he studied at restaurants of various genres, including Japanese and Western cuisine. In 2019, he moved to Tokyo, where he was fascinated by sushi after relearning more about it.　Not only does he serve delicious sushi, but he also has a reputation for sourcing and grilling meats from his long experience in teppanyaki. Communicating openly with guests over the counter is one of the things he enjoys doing.

 

Mr. Iwasaki was born on January 1, 1984 in Ishikawa. After graduating from high school, he started his life as a chef at Yamashiro Onsen Ryokan in Kaga, Ishikawa. Then, he worked at the Japanese restaurant "Shibazakura" in Prince Hotel Park Tower Tokyo. During his time there, he won first place twice in the Japanese cuisine category of a cooking competition in which chefs from Prince Hotels nationwide competed for the best chefs. After working at several Japanese restaurants, he opened Kappo Ichika in July 2015. He is pursuing dishes that will surprise and impress his guests.

Mr. Hanada is enjoying his life as a chef, realizing the dream that he has been drawing since childhood.

He was born in 1971 in Fukuoka. His love of cooking since childhood led him to dream of becoming a chef in Osaka. To fulfill this dream, he began training as a chef at a catering restaurant specializing in Kyoto-style kaiseki and Japanese cuisine. The restaurant owner-chef introduced him to Mr. Kurosaki, the executive chef at the time, and he joined Hana-Goyomi. Currently, he stands at the forefront as the restaurant's Executive Head Chef for Japanese cuisine.

He brings out the best flavor of meat with his knowledge and experience.

He was born in Tottori. After working at a Teppanyaki (iron griddle grilling) restaurant in Osaka for several years, he moved to Tokyo to pursue his career as a chef. Currently, he works as a chef at Katsudon Kouei. Based on his knowledge and experience of meat acquired in the Teppanyaki world, he draws out meat's full flavor and serves it to his guests.

The desire to challenge new things made who he is today.

Born in 1958 in Nagasaki Prefecture. Thanks to his father, who was a chef specializing in Japanese cuisine at an inn, he had an interest in cooking from a young age. After graduating from a culinary institute in Osaka, he trained at several Japanese restaurants, such as Tsuruya in Osaka. He eventually returned to his hometown and opened a restaurant there, but later moved to Okinawa for a new adventure. While working at a restaurant in Okinawa, he met the owner of [wa no mi] and was asked to become a chef there.

Valuing human connections, Mr. Watanabe provides heartfelt hospitality to his visitors.

He was born in 1985 in Niigata. He entered the food business to take over the family caterer's business. Through a relationship with his master, he honed his skills at such prestigious restaurants as the long-established kappo restaurant Akasaka Tsuyama, followed by the ryotei restaurant Shimbashi Kanetanaka Main Branch. He opened his restaurant in Akasaka, Tokyo, in 2018, wishing guests to enjoy seasonal cuisine and spend time in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. He welcomes guests with the motto of connecting people to people with a spirit of hospitality.