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.

After hard training days, he was fully prepared to be independent.

He was born in 1971 in Hokkaido. Tokyo fascinated him a lot during his boyhood, which was why he went to Tokyo right after graduating from junior high school and started live-in training at a traditional Japanese restaurant. As the training was so hard, 4 out of 5 trainees quit in only 6 months. But he tried his hardest to learn the fundamentals of Japanese cuisine there for 7 years. After he got married and had a child, he moved to another restaurants such as a Japanese restaurant and izakaya (Japanese pub) and had further training. In 2012, he went independent and opened [Kazumiya], a compilation of his cooking career.

Mr. Tanaka is a "master of meat" who dedicates his life to offering the finest taste.

He was born in 1967 in Gifu Prefecture. As the eldest son of a family where his grandfather was a beef farmer and his father was a butcher, he has held a knife and handled meat since he was 10. He dreamed of becoming a restaurant chef from an early age, then opened his first Yakiniku restaurant at 25. His unique world view of menu structure and store design became the talk of the town, and he has opened 18 meat restaurants in Tokyo, Nagoya, Gifu, and Shiga. In particular, NIKUYA Setsugekka in Nagoya was listed in the "Michelin Guide Aichi, Gifu, and Mie 2019 Special Edition". It has also won consecutive "Tabe-Log" awards and is gaining popularity.

Mr. Yamaguchi is the head chef who established his own unique style of Kushiage preparation with Japanese soup stock.

He was born in 1943 in Kyoto. With strong encouragement from his aunt, he decided to become a chef. Entered the long-established Kushiage restaurant Shiruhisa, established in 1946, and began his full-fledged culinary training. Later, in 1982, he was involved in the launch of Rokuhara and became the manager and head chef. He has established an original style in which carefully selected ingredients are not skewered as they are but with a few extra touches. For more than 40 years, he has been at the forefront of preserving the taste of Rokuhara.

Born as the second son in the lineage of Otaru Masazushi, a well-established restaurant with a long history!

After returning home in 2006 after training at a major sushi restaurant in Tokyo for three years, Mr. Nakamura demonstrated his aptitude in multiple areas: he assumed responsibility for buying ingredients for all of Otaru Masazushi's branches, launched new businesses such as the Third Generation Otaru Nakamuraya delivery division, Rakuten online sales, and catalogue sales, and more. In 2007, he won gold in the Hokkaido Sushi Skill Competition, and in 2009 he won the Otaru Masazushi Company-wide Skill Competition, showing high skill in making sushi in addition to an entrepreneurial streak. He now is truly a sushi artisan, becoming the third generation of his restaurant.

Mr. Sakamoto has honed his skills in Japanese cuisine, but the sushi course is what will win you over.

Mr. Sakamoto was born in 1983 in Kanagawa Prefecture. After training at a Kyoto restaurant for 5 years, he honed his skills in the sushi department of Nadaman restaurant in a hotel in Tokyo, Nadaman in Yokohama, and other such places. He has been involved with Sushi Tsukiuda since its opening in September 2016. At Sushi Onikai, he has served as head chef since it opened in November 2019. As a sister restaurant of Sushi Tsukiuda, it mainly serves nigiri. While many restaurants offer a course of nigiri with side dishes, this restaurant is trying to compete primarily with nigiri and to satisfy customers with sushi alone. 

A budding talent that began with an obsession with the charms of yakitori (grilled chicken) at the famous Birdland.

Chef Imai was born in 1973 in Saitama Prefecture. In his 20's, he worked various odd jobs while he pursued a career as a rock musician. He started working at a high end Japanese restaurant at age 27 with the hope of being a cook, but was dissatisfied with the restaurant he chose for its high salary. Eventually, at age 29, with the thought of joining a restaurant he would personally like to eat at, he started working at the famous Birdland in Ginza. There, he was fascinated by the complexity of yakitori and immersed himself in that world. Following a stint at the Birdland in Kita-Senju, he opened Yakitori Imai in 2006.

Over 20 years of experience in Japanese cuisine! Mr. Chen wants to bring smiles to people through delicious food.

Fascinated by Japanese food, he came to Japan and has been engaged in Japanese cuisine for more than 20 years, honing his skills. He has long been devoted to crab and blowfish cuisine in particular and has mastered those fields. After obtaining permanent residency in 2011, he further pursued his Japanese culinary skills. Having had the opportunity to be involved in the launch of Kani Kani Jo from the initial planning stages, he was appointed head chef when it opened. Every day, he strives to bring smiles to many people's faces with his exquisite cuisine, which is made with a little extra care, as well as high-quality ingredients such as crab and blowfish.

Mr. Kikuchi offers authentic Italian cuisine that not only focuses on taste but also on the presentation of each dish.

He was born in 1992. During high school, he worked part-time at a local Italian restaurant, and there he discovered the joy of cooking. After graduating high school, he attended a two-year cooking school. Then, through a friend's referral, he started working at Miyoshi Corporation's group company, Cardinal Co., Ltd. After that, he worked at "Sabatini at Daimaru Tokyo" and learned the foundations of Italian cuisine there. In 2020, he moved to the sister restaurant "il Cardinali Ginza" as a chef, and three years later, he became the head chef. While carrying on the flavor of "il Cardinale Ginza main branch", he wants to create his own unique dishes.

Ms. Wakamiya offers guests food that is kind to the body and soul.

Hello, my dears, This is Tamie from Japanese Fermented Degustation Bar ODORU. My wish is to be your friend, and this thought is based on my own experiences, such as traveling to many countries and living overseas. What always comes to my mind is that you can experience a place more deeply when you have friends there, even in the middle of your travels. Among those experiences, dining is something that fully stimulates all five senses, making your experience richer and deeper. For that reason, I've opened my place in Osaka, the city where I grew up and where I still fall in love with every day. I'd love for you to have a local experience, just as we Japanese enjoy at home-savoring the umami and dashi uniquely of Osaka, as well as fermented foods and seasonings that are distinctly Japanese. At my place, I focus on using domestic ingredients and elements of Buddhist cuisine, which promote both physical and mental health. You can even enjoy a mini-lesson on Japanese dining culture while you dine. I will be very happy if you come to love Japan even more through these experiences than you know now. Thank you. Sincerely, Tamie

Attracted by the authentic taste, Mr. Kato devoted himself to Italian cuisine.

He was born in 1976 in Tokyo. After graduating from high school, he went on a trip to Rome with friends and was so impressed by the delicious food he tasted there that he decided to enter the culinary world. After graduating from Tama Technical College For Cooking, he joined WDI Capricciosa Corporation. When the president of the current company decided to start his own business, he was invited to join the company in 2005. Currently, Mr. Kato is the head chef at "RESTAURANT ASADOR CarneSio" and also serves as the company's vice president.

Mr. Owada is creating new landscapes in Roppongi's French cuisine with charming dishes that blend the classic and modern.

Mr. Owada was born in 1988 in Chiba Prefecture. Growing up watching his father, who was a French chef, he aimed to walk the same path. After graduating high school, he went to France, where he became accustomed to the food and culture of that country. He then studied under the chef Mr. Koji Watanabe at the famous Tokyo restaurant L'ecrin Ginza. After working in several restaurants, such as Quintessence in Kitashinagawa, Marche de Jyuban in Azabu-Juban, Le Bistro, and 336ebisu in Ebisu, he currently works at RRR Kobe Beef & Wine Otemachi.

Mr. Nara produces a relaxing time for precious guests.

Having worked at honda in Akasaka for 8 years, he currently serves as manager. He has the J.S.A. SAKE DIPLOMA (Japanese sake sommelier) qualification. With this qualification, he proposes sake and small dishes that go well with it. Every day, he devotes himself to providing his guests with a blissful experience.

Mr. Moji values the spirit of hospitality more than anything else and provides visitors a blissful moment.

He was born in 1976 in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka. He grew up under the influence of his father, who was the president of the Japan Cooks Association, and his brother, a French chef. Although he had no intention of entering the culinary world, his promise to his mother led him to train at a sushi restaurant through his father for three years. He once left cooking but began to pursue it seriously when he met an excellent sushi chef at 22. After working at the highest-selling Sushi restaurant in Japan, he opened Sushi-dokoro Shinmon, which was renamed Sushi M ji three years ago.

World renowned chef of traditional Tokyo-style Sushi in Kyoto.

He was born in 1974 in Kanagawa. He was raised being surrounded by seafood, as his father owned a local fish restaurant and one of his relatives also ran a sushi restaurant. That is why he also decided to be a sushi chef, and entered the field dreaming to be a skillful master. He had training at several restaurants including one owned by his relative, a renowned one in Ginza, and [Sushi Shimizu] in Shimbashi. He got independent in 2006, and looked for a place to open his own restaurant. He fell in love with the atmosphere of Gion in Kyoto, and decided to open a sushi restaurant there to spread Tokyo-style sushi in Kyoto. Now it is one of the most renowned sushi restaurant in Kyoto with many fans even abroad.

A young chef leading a new style of oden restaurant.

Mr. Kobayashi was born in 2002 in Fujimino-shi, Saitama. He graduated from culinary school and honed his skills through experiences in Italian and Japanese cuisine. Since February 2024, he has been the chef at Toyosu Kinpura, bringing vitality to the restaurant. With a desire to offer oden to visitors from overseas as well, he welcomes guests with meticulous preparation every day. His sincerity shines through in both the dishes he serves and his approach to customer service. He welcomes guests every day with careful preparation as he wants "visitors from overseas to enjoy Oden as widely as possible." His sincerity shines through in both the dishes he serves and his approach to customer service. This young chef's honesty is reflected in the cooking he serves and the service he provides to customers.

Mr. Takada makes the most of his experience and welcomes the guests with his time-consuming cuisine.

Mr. Takada was born in 1971 in Miyazaki. He trained in the Western-style food department of a hotel. After working at Jiyugaoka patisserie, he worked as a sous-chef at an embassy in Tokyo in Aoyama, where he learned French cuisine and cuisine from around the world. Then after serving as sous-chef at an Italian restaurant in Tokyo, he worked at Ore no French/Italian affiliate before joining his current company in October 2019. He is now working as the head chef of the culinary department of "restaurant REGINA," "Ryuduki TEPPAN," and other affiliated restaurants.

Experience and passion poured into each dish, an endless pursuit of Japanese beauty.

Mr. Minagawa was born in 1983 in Gunma. From an early age, he loved to create things with his own hands, and as he grew up, he became deeply fascinated with the artistry of Japanese cuisine. After eight years of training at a sushi restaurant, he worked at a Japanese cuisine and Unagi (eel) dishes restaurant for ten years, followed by two years honing his skills at a soba specialty restaurant. In 2022, he opened Sushiyab Nobu, offering an original course featuring a wide range of dishes, including sushi, Japanese cuisine, and soba.

Mr. Yamato entered the world of cooking without hesitation because his family also owned an izakaya (Japanese pub).

He was born in 1983 in Okinawa. He had been interested in cooking since he was a child, with his family owning an Izakaya, a Japanese-style pub. He had been helping out at home since he was a student, and after graduation, he entered the world of cooking without hesitation. After training in Kyoto and Shiga, he returned to Okinawa, where he has been working as a chef at [Uruma Shimin Shokudo] since May 2019. He says, "I want people to have a chance to eat delicious food made with the ingredients of Uruma City and deliver it to the producers."

The next-generation global culinary leader who creates each dish with a passion for the ingredients.

The next-generation global culinary leader who creates each dish with a passion for the ingredients. Fascinated by the meticulous and delicate cooking techniques and the history of French cuisine, he moved to France. He studied and honed his skills in restaurants in Burgundy and Provence.  After returning to Japan, he worked at several French restaurants before joining TRUNK HOTEL. In 2023, he became the chef of TRUNK (KITCHEN). With French techniques at his core, he offers dishes full of surprises and appealing dishes adapted to the diversity of today's circumstances.