A pure and simple Izakaya! Nothing pleases us more than making our customers happy.

Since graduating from university, I've spent all my time working in various izakaya Japanese bars. This one's my tenth! Unlike other jobs, I love how you can see the customers' genuine reactions. I try my best everyday to prepare whatever dish the customer wants, even if it's not on the menu.

Making a career out of his favorite dish

Having always had a passion for food, he entered the world of cooking in order to delight customers with delicious food. He is a veteran cook who's been working at Rikyu for 15 years. Charcoal-grilled beef tongue is a simple yet profound dish. Every day he focuses all his attention on broiling the meat just right to provide his customers with the best, exquisite taste.

Experience of apprenticeship era in Bologna, Italy ensures chef's works.

He was born in Tokyo in 1975. After graduating from culinary school, he trined for 3 years at "Osteria" in Funabashi, before leaving for Italy. For the 7 years he spent in Italy, he wandered from northern Italy to southern Italy with Bologna as his base, and gained experiences from numerous restaurants, with the Michelin-starred restaurant "IL SOLE" at the center. After returning to Japan, he joined the Sicilian restaurant "Don Cicco" in Shibuya and worked for 6 years under chef Tsutomu Ishikawa. In March 2013, he opened "Trattoria Antica Ciuri Ciuri".

Dishes created from the heart by a chef who has always loved to "create things."

Born in January 1958 in Gunma Prefecture. The chef, who says he has always liked to "create and complete things", began cooking through a part-time job. After seeing the depth of the art of cooking, he began to seriously pursue becoming a chef. Each dish is carefully prepared from the heart with the thought that "customers will sincerely say that it is delicious."

Making a career out of my favorite dish

I loved eating gyutan (beef tongue), and I was a fan of Rikyu's gyutan. I often went to the restaurant, and the staff always made sure that I enjoyed myself, so that's what led me to enter the world of cooking.

Filled with the strong desire to perfect the way of the bartender,

I am active as a youthful force and inheritor of many years of meticulousness.

A chef's job is to bring joy to people.

Born in Matsue in 1973. He says his dream was always to have his own restaurant. He had an interest in cooking, and worked part time at a restaurant, while also often cooking at home. He began working at a sushi restaurant at the age of 24. His good points are that he enjoys serving people, and making them happy. This is what he believes is an important part of being a chef. He spent four years learning all of the ins and outs of sushi and Japanese cuisine to become independent. His heart's desire is to open a restaurant where customers feel welcome, and that serves original, heart-felt food.

We aim for a cozy restaurant that you will feel comfortable strolling into.

Daisuke was born on August 23rd, 1976 in Toyama Prefecture. During his college days, he worked part time at the original Momoya, and that was his impetus for entering the culinary world. At first, he was working in an industry unrelated to food and drink, but his feeling of delight at cooking and serving customers was so strong that he decided to become a chef. After gaining experience at various Japanese style restaurants, he opened Momoya Kamimaezu. Presently, he is paying special attention to timing the serving of his specialty skewers just right, and he displays his abilities while greeting customers with an easy-going, inviting atmosphere.

Passionately dedicated to the art of the grill

When he was looking for a part-time job during his student days, Mr. Hashimoto asked to come work for us at Yakitori Fukusumi. He was so drawn by the complexities of cookery, he decided to stay on with us as a chef after graduation. He has enthusiastically dedicated himself to mastering the art since then, and these days we leave the grilling up to him.

Eels, the pride of the proprietor who has continued to handle them since Sansho opened in Asakusa some 30 years ago

After training at an unagi (eel) wholesaler, he opened the unagi specialty restaurant Sansho in 1985. He refuses to compromise on taste and freshness, only procuring enough fresh unagi for the day. In addition to his infallible skills and judgement, he has been winning over customers with his warm and sociable hospitality.

After 40 years at Dojo Iidaya, he knows everything there is to know about dojo (pond loaches)

Born in Miyagi prefecture in 1951, he went to Tokyo to find a job that was different from that of everyone else. He became an apprentice at Dojo Iidaya after learning that it was a restaurant that served dojo (pond loaches), something he rarely ate back home. He has worked and studied the foundations of cooking for over 40 solid years at Dojo Iidaya, and now that he is the head chef, he supports the kitchen with his discerning taste buds, as well as techniques backed by his experience.

It all started back when I used to help my mother in the kitchen.

He started training in traditional Japanese cuisine at age 18. He endeavors to ascertain exactly what his guests want by chatting with them as he prepares their delicious meals.

After all, the love of cooking lead to this profession.

Nothing says Sendai like gyutan (beef tongue)!

Nothing says Sendai like gyutan (beef tongue)! Interested in local ingredients, he took a job at Rikyu where he is now in charge of the grill. His motto is to take high quality ingredients and carefully grill them to perfection. "Grilling gyutan is fairly straightforward, and yet the flavor differs with each chef. I find that fascinating," Takashi remarks, as he affectionately tends the grill.

An interest in cooking that started in high school. A life devoted to Japanese cuisine and fish-based cuisine.

Born in Shizuoka prefecture in 1977, the proprietor's interest in cuisine started in high school. He started his career as an apprentice in Japanese restaurants in Shizuoka, achieving expertise in all forms of fish-based cooking at the likes of Uogashi Maruten, at both the main and branch restaurants. Since 2011 he has been at Uogashi Maruten Fuji, where he excels in all forms of Japanese cuisine.

Our whole-hearted hope is that you will eat our delicious food and smile

Ever since Mr. Satou was a child he enjoyed food and always loved watching people smile and enjoy themselves as they ate. Thanks to his father, who ran a butcher shop, he was strongly influenced to want to see people enjoy delicious food. He succeeded his father in his butchering business and hormone-manufacturing business, and working there for 25 years he acquired a lot of know-how. At the age of 46 he stepped into the food industry for real, setting up his own shop, and after that opened "Sakura". It's now been over 15 years since the restaurant opened, and he's still doing his best to make sure his customers are happy day after day.

Brings delicious tastes to life with his cooking experience that can't be confined to one culinary style

Born in 1981 in Hida, Gifu Prefecture. Aspiring to become a chef, he trained at the Japanese food restaurant "Izakaya Fumi" in Nagoya city's Chikusa district and "Karatoya" in the Sakae district from the age of 18 on. After that, he returned to Takayama and opened this restaurant in 2012, turning his dream into a reality.

He brings all of the culinary skills he's cultivated to life here at Kagura

He entered the culinary world at the age of 18. First, he built up experience at authentic Japanese restaurants all around Osaka. He then offered his skills to the owner of Kagura in 2012, where he was promoted to head chef.

Deeply impressed by the Italians' service and delicious food

Born in 1974 in Tottori, the chef decided to pursue this path while visiting Italy and being drawn to its delicious cuisine and friendly people. After graduating from a culinary school, he entered an Italian restaurant. In 1998, he joined "Vino Hirata" and became head chef in 2009. In May, 2010, he became an owner chef.

Stepped into the world of culinary from an admiration of white chef coats

Born in 1960 in Aichi prefecture. The glamour of French cuisine left a great impression on him and he set his mind on becoming a French chef himself. He polished his skills at numerous noted restaurants, including The Westin Nagoya Castle, Au Bec Fin Ponto-cho branch, Maxim's de Paris Nagoya branch, and Imperial Wing. In 2004, he took the position of executive chef at Aile d'Ange main branch, a role he maintains to the present day.