[Hotel Okura Niigata] Daisuke Tsutsui Appointed Executive Chef

Hotel Okura Niigata (Location: Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture; General Manager: Masanori Honda) is pleased to announce the appointment of Daisuke Tsutsui as Executive Chef, effective July 1, 2026.

Daisuke Tsutsui, Executive Chef, Hotel Okura Niigata

Daisuke Tsutsui joined Hotel Okura Niigata in 2000 and has since honed his skills under successive executive chefs and chefs in the Western cuisine and banquet culinary departments. He served as Sous Chef at the French restaurant "Starlight" from 2017 and as Chef of "Buffet Restaurant Tsubaki" from 2020, leading the culinary department while inheriting Okura's traditional techniques and continuously pursuing new initiatives.

He has also dedicated himself to acquiring a wide range of culinary skills, including "ice sculpting," a technique he has worked on since joining the company, creating sculptures from blocks of ice using chainsaws and chisels to adorn banquet halls and other spaces. In addition to winning domestic ice sculpting contests, he actively participates in culinary competitions to improve his skills. His dedication was recognized with a commendation from the Niigata Prefecture Chefs Association.

Upon his appointment, Tsutsui stated his ambition: "I will sincerely strive to deliver inspiration and comfort to each and every one of our guests. While inheriting tradition, I will always keep new challenges in mind to ensure that many guests say, 'This is truly Okura's cuisine,' and I will continue to move forward to provide even greater satisfaction."

Hotel Okura Niigata will continue to offer cuisine and exquisite moments that welcome many guests from Niigata Prefecture, as well as from Japan and abroad, while inheriting Okura's traditional techniques and flavors.

Daisuke Tsutsui Brief Biography■

Date of Birth: April 5, 1980

2000: Graduated from Tokyo Culinary School

2000: Joined Hotel Okura Niigata Co., Ltd.

2017: Sous Chef, French Restaurant "Starlight" (at the time)

2020: Chef, "Buffet Restaurant Tsubaki"

2025: Deputy Manager, Culinary Department, Hotel Okura Niigata

2026: Manager, Culinary Department & Executive Chef, same hotel

Major Awards■

2004: 1st AJCA Challenge 2004 Culinary Contest, Winner

2015: 10th Ice Sculpture Contest, Winner

2015: Northern Kanto Ice Sculpture Competition, Silver Prize

2015: 7th Okura Nikko Hotels Culinary Competition, 3rd Place

2015: Niigata City Chefs Association President's Commendation

2016: Niigata Prefecture Chefs Association President's Commendation

2024: Japan Federation of Chefs Associations Academy Medal, Bronze Medal

Major Affiliations■

Japan Escoffier Association

Japan Federation of Chefs Associations

Hotel Okura Niigata■

Opened in 1978 with 265 guest rooms. Located in the heart of Niigata City facing the Sea of Japan, at the foot of the Bandai Bridge, a National Important Cultural Property overlooking the Shinano River. It is conveniently located within easy reach of JR Niigata Station, government offices, business districts, and entertainment areas. It boasts the largest scale and highest grade not only in the designated city of Niigata but also on the Sea of Japan coast, with a proven track record of hosting the Imperial family and VIPs from various fields, international conferences, national conventions, and academic conferences. As a hotel built in the home prefecture of Kihachiro Okura, the great figure who built the former Okura conglomerate, it is part of Okura Hotels & Resorts, which expands overseas centered around The Okura Tokyo.

Postal Code: 951-8053 6-53 Kawabata-cho, Chuo-ku, Niigata City TEL: 025-224-6111 (General Inquiries) Access: 20-minute walk from JR Niigata Station, approx. 5-minute taxi ride. Official Website: https://www.okura-niigata.co.jp/