Join us for a screening of Tokito: A 540-Day Journey of a Culinary Maverick, a documentary following Michelin-starred Chef Ishii Yoshinori as he and his team embark on a journey to create a restaurant like no other.

The camera follows Chef Ishii and his team – long-time friend Okawara Kenji, Chef Hiyama and Sous Chef Sazawa – as they work towards the opening. As construction gets underway, Chef Ishii travels across Japan on a quest to discover passionate and sustainable producers, seeking out ingredients that meet the highest culinary and environmental standards.

As the team works tirelessly, navigating personal turning points along the way, the seasons change and the auberge finds its name: Tokito. The name plays on two meanings: toki is a crested ibis (Nipponia nippon) native to Sado Island featured in the film; and toki to means ‘with time,’ reflecting how things change with the seasons – just like Japanese cuisine.

The screening is followed by an opportunity to ask questions to Chef Ishii Yoshinori.

About the speaker:

Ishii Yoshinori Ishii Yoshinori trained for nine years in Kyoto before serving as official residence chef for Japan’s ambassadors to the United Nations in Geneva and New York. He went on to lead Japanese restaurants in New York and London, most recently UMU, where he held two Michelin stars for five consecutive years as the only Japanese chef in Europe to hold two stars for a Japanese restaurant at the time.

He has been appointed Goodwill Ambassador for Japanese Cuisine by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and lectures internationally on Japanese food and culture. He has also worked to spread ikejime, a Japanese fish preparation technique, teaching it directly at fishing grounds, a practice that now continues in some rural communities across the UK.

He is currently based in Tokyo as Executive Producer of Auberge Tokito in Tachikawa City, where he also creates his own ceramics.

The screening is in Japanese with English subtitles. Duration: approx. 84 minutes.

Guests who are booked to attend the screening can also enjoy 10% off drinks at the Stand on their way in.

*Please note that filming and/or photography may take place at this event. Photos and footage of the event may then be used to promote Japan House London, helping more people to discover what we offer. If you have any concerns, please contact us online or contact a member of the team on site.

Booking essential | Admission free