Isseki Santori Group Launches New MAKUAKE Project 'Torikage,' Redefining Yakitori by Returning to its Roots.
The Isseki Santori Group is launching "Torikage," a new project to redefine yakitori, marking a return to the company's origins. This initiative aims to reconstruct every aspect of the yakitori experience, from technique to atmosphere, in an effort to address industry-wide challenges such as a shortage of chefs and rising costs. The project is being launched on the crowdfunding platform MAKUAKE to garner support and raise the profile of the yakitori industry.
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- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 21:00
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The "Isseki Santori Group" has launched a new project, "Torikage," to redefine yakitori. This project is an initiative to present the "new possibilities of yakitori" by returning to the group's origin, yakitori, and reconstructing everything from technique and space to the overall experience.
Project Overview
The Isseki Santori Group started in 2020. Now, preparations are underway for the opening of our 20th store. While we have expanded into various business models such as sushi, yakiniku, and bars, our first store was the yakitori restaurant "Gensen Yakitori Isseki Santori Honten."
When we first opened, it was right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though we were inexperienced with our first store, we were simply thanked for being open for business. On the other hand, we believe that the reason we were appreciated just for being open was because of the legacy of our predecessors who had carefully preserved the food culture of "yakitori."
Once again, we are launching this project to express our gratitude to the food culture of "yakitori" itself, which supported us at the beginning and continues to do so, and to the senior chefs who have protected it.
"Torikage" is a "return to the origin" project for the Isseki Santori Group, which has developed multiple business models like yakiniku and sushi, to once again face yakitori head-on.
By establishing our own wholesale functions and procurement routes, we have optimized both the quality of ingredients and their prices. Furthermore, we have re-examined everything from grilling techniques and cooking temperatures to the timing of service, pursuing the essence of the yakitori genre. Our hope is that after re-presenting the value of yakitori as a "Japanese food genre" that is becoming a staple, people will once again recognize its merits.
Challenges Facing the Yakitori Industry
A moment with Representative Yoneda and Mr. Suzuki from Miyazaki.
Currently, the yakitori industry is facing the following challenges:
・A chronic shortage of yakitori masters (shokunin).
・Financial difficulties for poultry farms.
・Soaring prices of raw materials.
While yakitori may seem simple at first glance, it requires advanced techniques and delicate management behind the scenes. Against this backdrop, the idea that "we must redefine the value of yakitori" became the starting point for this project.
To Elevate the Status of the "Yakitori" Genre
The environment surrounding yakitori is not easy, with a decline in yakitori masters and a lack of successors for poultry farms.
On the other hand, considering the richness of Japan's food culture, we feel a significant gap in the treatment of the people who support it.
Therefore, we at the Isseki Santori Group decided to create a brand in yakitori that would be recognized worldwide.
A structure where, through yakitori, producers can say they are glad they continued their work.
Yakitori might be plain. It might not be flashy.
But this genre, which thoroughly utilizes the flavor of the ingredients, cannot lie; it is honest, profound, and a culture we can be proud of as Japanese people.
"Torikage Isseki Santori" store interior image. "Torikage Isseki Santori" store interior image.
Through the support purchases on MAKUAKE, we hope that you will take even a small interest not only in our group but also in the yakitori industry and, by extension, the entire Japanese food and beverage industry.
Special MAKUAKE Rewards (Partial Excerpt)
・【Early Bird】Omakase Course for 2 + Gold Membership + Lunch Set Ticket (¥17,600)
※Includes standard "Omakase Course," Gold Membership (5% off at all stores, normally ¥100,000 enrollment fee), and a lunch set ticket / Limited to 150 people
・【Early Bird】Omakase Course for 2 + All-You-Can-Drink + Gold Membership + "Samujo" Lunch Set Ticket (¥23,600)
※Includes standard "Omakase Course," Gold Membership (5% off at all stores, normally ¥100,000 enrollment fee), and a lunch set ticket / Limited to 150 people
・¥70,000 Meal Voucher + Gold Membership (¥50,000)
※Includes Gold Membership (5% off at all stores, normally ¥100,000 enrollment fee) / Limited to 30 people
・¥550,000 Meal Voucher + Brilliant Black Membership (¥500,000)
※Includes Brilliant Black Membership (20% off at all stores, normally ¥300,000 enrollment fee) / Limited to 30 people
・【Torikage Isseki Santori】One-Day Store Manager Right + Black Membership (¥200,000)
※Includes Black Membership (15% off at all stores, normally ¥100,000 enrollment fee) / Limited to 3 people
For other rewards, please check the MAKUAKE page.
■Comment from Representative Takushi Yoneda
Isseki Santori started from a yakitori restaurant.
And now, we are returning to yakitori once more.
Into a single skewer, we pour everything we have built.
Our gratitude to those who have supported us, our resolve for those we will meet from now on, and our hopes for the future of the yakitori industry—we pour it all in.
We are launching "Torikage Isseki Santori" in Shinsen.
We would be delighted if you could support us in this challenge.
And someday, when you taste a skewer of yakitori at this restaurant, we will surely create a future where you will think,
"I'm glad I supported them back then."
Project Overview
The Isseki Santori Group started in 2020. Now, preparations are underway for the opening of our 20th store. While we have expanded into various business models such as sushi, yakiniku, and bars, our first store was the yakitori restaurant "Gensen Yakitori Isseki Santori Honten."
When we first opened, it was right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though we were inexperienced with our first store, we were simply thanked for being open for business. On the other hand, we believe that the reason we were appreciated just for being open was because of the legacy of our predecessors who had carefully preserved the food culture of "yakitori."
Once again, we are launching this project to express our gratitude to the food culture of "yakitori" itself, which supported us at the beginning and continues to do so, and to the senior chefs who have protected it.
"Torikage" is a "return to the origin" project for the Isseki Santori Group, which has developed multiple business models like yakiniku and sushi, to once again face yakitori head-on.
By establishing our own wholesale functions and procurement routes, we have optimized both the quality of ingredients and their prices. Furthermore, we have re-examined everything from grilling techniques and cooking temperatures to the timing of service, pursuing the essence of the yakitori genre. Our hope is that after re-presenting the value of yakitori as a "Japanese food genre" that is becoming a staple, people will once again recognize its merits.
Challenges Facing the Yakitori Industry
A moment with Representative Yoneda and Mr. Suzuki from Miyazaki.
Currently, the yakitori industry is facing the following challenges:
・A chronic shortage of yakitori masters (shokunin).
・Financial difficulties for poultry farms.
・Soaring prices of raw materials.
While yakitori may seem simple at first glance, it requires advanced techniques and delicate management behind the scenes. Against this backdrop, the idea that "we must redefine the value of yakitori" became the starting point for this project.
To Elevate the Status of the "Yakitori" Genre
The environment surrounding yakitori is not easy, with a decline in yakitori masters and a lack of successors for poultry farms.
On the other hand, considering the richness of Japan's food culture, we feel a significant gap in the treatment of the people who support it.
Therefore, we at the Isseki Santori Group decided to create a brand in yakitori that would be recognized worldwide.
A structure where, through yakitori, producers can say they are glad they continued their work.
Yakitori might be plain. It might not be flashy.
But this genre, which thoroughly utilizes the flavor of the ingredients, cannot lie; it is honest, profound, and a culture we can be proud of as Japanese people.
"Torikage Isseki Santori" store interior image. "Torikage Isseki Santori" store interior image.
Through the support purchases on MAKUAKE, we hope that you will take even a small interest not only in our group but also in the yakitori industry and, by extension, the entire Japanese food and beverage industry.
Special MAKUAKE Rewards (Partial Excerpt)
・【Early Bird】Omakase Course for 2 + Gold Membership + Lunch Set Ticket (¥17,600)
※Includes standard "Omakase Course," Gold Membership (5% off at all stores, normally ¥100,000 enrollment fee), and a lunch set ticket / Limited to 150 people
・【Early Bird】Omakase Course for 2 + All-You-Can-Drink + Gold Membership + "Samujo" Lunch Set Ticket (¥23,600)
※Includes standard "Omakase Course," Gold Membership (5% off at all stores, normally ¥100,000 enrollment fee), and a lunch set ticket / Limited to 150 people
・¥70,000 Meal Voucher + Gold Membership (¥50,000)
※Includes Gold Membership (5% off at all stores, normally ¥100,000 enrollment fee) / Limited to 30 people
・¥550,000 Meal Voucher + Brilliant Black Membership (¥500,000)
※Includes Brilliant Black Membership (20% off at all stores, normally ¥300,000 enrollment fee) / Limited to 30 people
・【Torikage Isseki Santori】One-Day Store Manager Right + Black Membership (¥200,000)
※Includes Black Membership (15% off at all stores, normally ¥100,000 enrollment fee) / Limited to 3 people
For other rewards, please check the MAKUAKE page.
■Comment from Representative Takushi Yoneda
Isseki Santori started from a yakitori restaurant.
And now, we are returning to yakitori once more.
Into a single skewer, we pour everything we have built.
Our gratitude to those who have supported us, our resolve for those we will meet from now on, and our hopes for the future of the yakitori industry—we pour it all in.
We are launching "Torikage Isseki Santori" in Shinsen.
We would be delighted if you could support us in this challenge.
And someday, when you taste a skewer of yakitori at this restaurant, we will surely create a future where you will think,
"I'm glad I supported them back then."