Auberge TOKITO

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About

About

An Auberge That Cherishes the "Moment"

ときと

Envision a new
and beautiful Japan Enrapture the world

“Tokiiro” — the color of the Japanese crested ibis. It is a hue that does not define the sky as simply “blue” or “vermilion,” but instead finds beauty and quiet joy in its ever-changing transitions—an embodiment of the Japanese sensibility. We embrace this color as our symbol, reflecting upon the generous and graceful aesthetic of Japan that may be fading in the modern age. Free from the constraints of form and fleeting trends, we seek to evolve the experiences of cuisine, tea, and stay—creating a place where Japanese food and culture, along with the chefs who bring them to life, can take flight and reach the world.
回廊

Staff

Our team returns to Tachikawa from around the world
to reconnect with members bound by a common past
and shared aspirations for the future.

  • 石井 義典

    Executive Chef-Producer

    Yoshinori Ishii

    @yoshi_tokito

    Upon returning to the Japanese restaurant industry for the first time in 20 years, the venue of choice for engaging in a brand-new challenge is Tachikawa, Tokyo.

    esponsible for the first Michelin two-star Japanese restaurant in Europe with kaiseki UMU (Mayfair, London). Widely-renowned in the UK as the pioneer of ikejime.

    After building his career on achievements as the sous-chef at Kyoto Kitcho Arashiyama, Ishii pursued an overseas career and worked as a chef at the UN ambassadors’ residences in Geneva (Switzerland) and New York (USA). In 2010, he was appointed as the executive chef at UMU, a kaiseki restaurant in London where he maintained one Michelin star. In 2015, he led the establishment to two Michelin stars, the first Japanese restaurant in Europe to receive the accolade, which he maintained until 2021.

    In the UK, he is widely known as the pioneer of ikejime (a method of preparing fish to maintain freshness and quality), which he passionately and persistently taught people involved in the fishery and restaurant businesses. He made it possible to procure bright-eyed fish maintaining a level of freshness never before seen in the UK, contributing greatly to the industry. His uncompromising attitude reveals his motivation and commitment to providing superb ingredients.

    His commitment is also present in the tableware, which Ishii creates and uses to present his dishes. At Auberge TOKITO in Tachikawa, Tokyo, his unique view of the world is expressed through his numerous handmade ceramics skillfully coordinated with his dishes.

  • 大河原 謙治

    General manager / Head chef

    Kenji Okawara

    Okawara’s career started at Kyoto Kitcho Arashiyama where he thoroughly mastered not only basic cooking techniques, but also flower arrangement, tea ceremony (tea kaiseki), tableware, scrolls, and other aspects of Japanese culture that are inseparable from Japanese cuisine. In the kitchen, his natural skills, flexibility, and decision-making ability distinguished him as he was entrusted with various duties.

    He handled many catering jobs and has a wide range of experience, including preparing kaiseki cuisine at the Kyoto Imperial Palace, temples, and overseas such as Italy, Ukraine, and India. His experiences taught him how to first think of ways to make impossible situations possible, and to this day, his capacity to create is a great asset.

    10 years after joining, he was posted as sous-chef at the Kyoto Kitcho Toyako branch (inside the Windsor Hotel Toya) where he worked during the Hokkaido Toyako Summit held in July 2008. In 2010, he became the head chef of the Toyako restaurant, and since then was awarded two Michelin Hokkaido stars in 2012 and 2017. In 2019, seeking a new challenge, he was welcomed as the head chef at Ito, a kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto, which received one Michelin star in 2020, just half a year after opening and which maintained the stars in 2021. In August 2021, he was appointed to the pre-opening office of Auberge TOKITO. Young talents have gathered under Okawara not only for his technical skills, but also for his unique natural qualities and ability to take action.

Story

  • 庭

    Inheriting Tradition for the World and the Future.

    "Auberge TOKITO" was born to preserve the historic architecture of "Mumon-an"—a site long cherished by the Tachikawa community—and to serve as a sanctuary for sharing the profound culture of Japanese cuisine with the world and future generations.

  • The Creation of a New Expression of Japanese Cuisine

    At Auberge TOKITO, our aim is to create a new expression of Japanese cuisine. What we seek is not simply “seasonality,” but the singular moment when each ingredient is at its most vibrant. Rather than conveying the seasons through vessels or decorative elements, we present the inherent vitality of the ingredients themselves, expressed directly on the plate.

    Rather than being bound by the conventional frameworks of kaiseki—its strict adherence to seasons and form—we honor the essence of Japanese cuisine while striving to expand its possibilities even further. It is precisely because we deeply understand Japanese culinary traditions that we are able to explore new forms of expression. At times incorporating global influences, we elevate Japanese cuisine into a richer, more expansive form.

    Above all, what we value most is the people behind each ingredient. Who cultivated it, and who brought it to harvest—by engaging sincerely with the dedication and craftsmanship of our producers, we believe that true depth is born in each dish.

    The blessings of nature, the passion of its people, and the sensibility of the chef—
    all converge in a single plate.

    TOKITO continues, quietly yet steadily, to shape a new future for Japanese cuisine.

    List of Producers
  • An Auberge Shaped by This Place

    Our commitment to the auberge style stems from a desire to offer more than just a meal—it is an experience to be savored with all five senses. A dish enjoyed amidst natural light, the flow of air, the presence of the garden, and the subtle shifts of atmosphere—such depth cannot be conveyed in a fleeting moment of dining alone.

    Here, the body is nourished and the mind gently unwinds. It is a place to fully experience such moments, at your own pace.

    This site was once home to Mumon-an, a long-cherished establishment in Tachikawa. Originally opened as a hotel in 1938, it later served as accommodation for aviation personnel during wartime, and then as a kaiseki restaurant welcoming guests until 2019. With a deep respect for its history, and a desire to carry it into the future, we chose to open our auberge in this very place.

    Within a space shaped by history, we layer a contemporary sensibility.
    From Tachikawa, we offer a truly singular and meaningful experience—one that can only be born here.

  • ときと

    A New Future for Japanese Cuisine,
    from Tachikawa

    Japanese cuisine holds a power that resonates across the world. Yet at the same time, there is a growing reality: fewer young people are choosing the path of becoming chefs. That is precisely why we believe it is important to share the truth—that being a chef is a profession with the potential to thrive on a global stage.

    Japanese cuisine is a rich cultural heritage sought after by the world. At Auberge TOKITO, we refine cuisine not as a fleeting technique, but as a reproducible and enduring culture, while also nurturing talent capable of succeeding internationally. We are committed to pursuing both.

    We envision chefs who can discern ingredients for themselves, create beyond regional constraints, and craft a complete dining experience that encompasses not only the dish, but also the vessel and the space. From here, chefs nurtured at TOKITO will go on to the world, creating a new cycle of talent and inspiration.

    From Tachikawa, a new future of Japanese cuisine will expand into the world—
    and at its center stands Auberge TOKITO.

    With this vision firmly in mind, we dedicate ourselves each day to both our cuisine and the cultivation of people.