Story

I first visited Toriyasa in the autumn of 2019, years before its reopening. My brother, a friend of the previous owner, suggested I pay my respects as I was planning a nearby restaurant project. I remember being slightly intimidated by the aura of such an established institution, though the owner greeted me warmly.

Then came 2020. The pandemic emptied the streets. While I narrowly avoided a bad contract, I was devastated that my plans had stalled. But as the saying goes, "Fortune is unpredictable." Months later, a better property appeared right on the Kamo River. To my surprise, the owner was the very same man I had greeted months prior. I had declined his initial offer of a property without even looking at it! I rushed to Kyoto to secure what is now our restaurant, Kacto.

Three months after Kacto opened, the owner called me to a bar in Gion. I went with trepidation, fearing I’d done something wrong. Instead, he asked, "Would you like to take over Toriyasa?" At first, I laughed and said it was impossible. But after looking into it, I realized it was a challenge I was meant to take.

It has been three years since that night. After operating alongside the previous owner and spending a year on renovations, the new era of Toriyasa begins.

There is a personal connection here, too. While the restaurant is famous for the samurai Sakamoto Ryoma’s visits, I discovered my own great-great-grandfather may have crossed paths with him. At sixteen, my ancestor was present during a famous clash at the Teradaya Inn (a Ryoma landmark) and later studied under Katsu Kaishu—Ryoma’s own mentor.

As we take on the responsibility of this legacy, we hope to hear our long-time patrons say, "It has truly become even better."

March 2026