New Food Experience Facility 'Oysters & Sushi ITTO' Opens in Kanazawa's Higashi Chaya District, Driving Regional Revitalization Through Food

TAIMATSU Co., Ltd. (TAIMATSU, headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Wang Weihan), which promotes the appeal of traditional crafts both domestically and internationally centered on the Japanese knife brand 'MUSASHI JAPAN', has grand opened the first store of its new brand 'ITTO', named 'Oysters & Sushi -ITTO-' (hereinafter referred to as ITTO Kanazawa), on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the heart of the Higashi Chaya District in Kanazawa City.

At ITTO Kanazawa, the focus is on hand-rolled sushi featuring seasonal fresh fish sourced from Kanazawa markets, paired with fine sake from local Hokuriku breweries and served on tableware made in Kanazawa, offering a 'local production for global consumption' food experience rooted in the region. With a unique spatial design that integrates the store within the 'MUSASHI JAPAN Kanazawa Higashi Chaya' Japanese knife shop, it delivers an immersive experience where traditional crafts and food culture intersect for visitors from across Japan and the world.

■Infusing Japanese Food Culture into 'ITTO' – A 'Wa-Modern' Dining Experience Rooted in Tradition and Culture

At the core of ITTO is a 'Wa-Modern' sensibility that values tradition and culture.

In recent years, Japanese cuisine (Washoku) has garnered significant global interest and acclaim. However, the foundation supporting it is quietly weakening. The aging of farmers, a lack of successors, and a decrease in arable land are steadily eroding the background that sustains Washoku culture.

That is why we aim to be a restaurant that respects not only 'Washoku' itself but also the background and culture that support it. ITTO directly partners with local farmers, fishermen, and breweries, paying meticulous attention to each ingredient. From the cuisine to the tableware and even the uniforms, we incorporate local culture and specialties, conveying the value of Japanese ingredients and culture to domestic and international audiences, as well as future generations, through dishes reconstructed with a Wa-Modern sensibility centered on Japanese cuisine.

■A 'Local Production for Global Consumption' Food Experience Woven by Kanazawa's Fish, Sake, and Tableware

The central theme of ITTO Kanazawa is 'local production for global consumption', delivering the value of Japan to the world.

Fish: Directly sourced seasonal domestic natural fresh fish selected by expert buyers. Natural fish raised in the rich seas centered on the Noto Peninsula and the Sea of Japan have their flavors maximized through unique aging techniques.

Sake: Direct partnerships with breweries in Ishikawa Prefecture and the wider Hokuriku region. Carefully selected fine sake that complements the delicate flavors of hand-rolled sushi, with seasonal limited editions rotated regularly to offer a unique 'food and sake marriage' of the region.

Tableware: Using tableware crafted by Kanazawa artisans. Traditional crafts of the Kaga Hyakumangoku domain, including Kutani ware, further enhance the appeal of the dishes.

ITTO Kanazawa is not just a restaurant; as a 'food experience facility' where guests can experience the food culture and craftsmanship of Kanazawa on a single plate, it also contributes to the revitalization of the local economy and the promotion of primary industries.

■Savoring in the Midst of Kaga Hyakumangoku's Traditional Landscape, in the Heart of Higashi Chaya District

ITTO Kanazawa is located in the heart of the 'Higashi Chaya District', which retains the strong atmosphere of a castle town from the Kaga Hyakumangoku era. In this symbolic area visited by both domestic and international tourists to Kanazawa, it is positioned as a unique place where purchasing a Japanese knife and experiencing Japanese cuisine can be completed in a single space.

We deliver an irreplaceable dining experience for domestic customers as a special memory of their Kanazawa sightseeing, and for international customers as a gateway to the essence of Japanese culture.

■Integrated within the 'MUSASHI JAPAN' Japanese Knife Shop – An Immersive Experience Where 'Things' and 'Experiences' Intersect

One of the unique features of ITTO Kanazawa is its integration within the 'MUSASHI JAPAN Kanazawa Higashi Chaya' Japanese knife shop. It offers a globally rare spatial design where guests can first appreciate the beauty of Japanese knives, a traditional craft, learn their history and craftsmanship, and then immediately taste the 'food' brought out by their superior sharpness. It provides an immersive cultural experience where the 'purchase of a thing (Japanese knife)' and the 'experience (dining)' are seamlessly connected.

■Signature Menu ①: 'Hand-Rolled Sushi' – Wrapping Kanazawa's Seasonal Bounty Yourself

The star of ITTO is the sushi neta (topping), which consists of fresh fish from Kanazawa and domestic natural fish sourced from the market every morning, aged using special techniques. The shari (vinegared rice) uses carefully selected Ishikawa Prefecture rice depending on the season, and the nori (seaweed) comes from 'Mikuniya', one of Japan's leading long-established nori shops. The soy sauce is a sweet Western Japanese variety, and the salt is a mellow blend enhanced with the umami of scallops and kelp, maximizing the natural flavor of the neta.

Each piece is approximately 1.3 times the size of standard sushi. Guests wrap the sushi themselves in nori and enjoy it in two bites to savor the changing flavors—a highly entertaining dining experience that blends the chef's craftsmanship with the guest's own participation.

[Sample Menu (tax included)]

Hand-Rolled Sushi Set (5 hand rolls / 2 side dishes / gari / bonito broth soup): ¥3,600

Individual Hand-Rolled Sushi: Natural Nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch) ¥1,100, Natural Red Sea Bream ¥500, Natural Tuna ¥500, Natural Spanish Mackerel ¥500, Natural Striped Jack ¥500, etc.

■Signature Menu ②: 'Oyster Dipping Noodles' with Rich Aromatic Broth

Another signature dish at ITTO is the 'Oyster Dipping Noodles'. The rich broth is made by slow-cooking oysters and kelp in flying fish stock at a low temperature, then blended. It is paired with thick, homemade noodles made only from wheat and water. The chashu (braised pork belly) is prepared using shoulder loin of Rokkokubuta (six-grain pork) over four days. This unique dish concentrates ITTO's craftsmanship and dedication to ingredients into a single bowl.

[Sample Menu (tax included)]

Oyster Dipping Noodles (single): ¥1,800

■Signature Menu ③: Brand Oysters from Ondo, Kure City, Hiroshima – Raw or Grilled

For oysters, ITTO uses the brand oyster 'Kaki Musume' from Ondo, Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture. These are Pacific oysters carefully cultivated over two years, characterized by their large size and rich, non-fishy flavor. Guests can choose between raw or grilled oysters, and they are also available as sushi neta.

[Sample Menu (tax included)]

Oysters (raw or grilled): 1 piece ¥800 / 3 pieces ¥2,300

■The 'ITTO Set' – Enjoy Three Signature Dishes at Once

An 'ITTO Set' is also available, allowing guests to enjoy ITTO's three representative signature dishes—'Oyster Dipping Noodles', 'Raw Oysters', and 'Hand-Rolled Sushi'—all at once. It is designed to give first-time visitors a complete experience of ITTO's world in a single meal.

[Sample Menu (tax included)]

ITTO Set (Oyster Dipping Noodles / Raw Oysters / 2 Hand Rolls): ¥3,400

ITTO Set (Oyster Dipping Noodles / Raw Oysters / 5 Hand Rolls): ¥5,600

■Delivering Japanese Food and Culture to Domestic and International Guests

ITTO Kanazawa aims to serve as a 'Gateway to Japanese Culture' for the increasing number of inbound travelers amidst the growing Washoku boom, allowing them to experience the value of Japanese ingredients, craftspeople, and traditional crafts all at once.

At the same time, for domestic customers who cherish Washoku in their daily lives, we hope to be a place where they can rediscover the blessings of the land and the skills of artisans on the special stage of Kanazawa's Higashi Chaya District.

Through 'Oysters & Sushi ITTO', TAIMATSU will communicate the appeal of Kanazawa's food culture both domestically and internationally, contributing to regional revitalization and sustainability.