Meet Toshiyuki Shinagawa | Japanese Restaurant General Manager

We had the good fortune of connecting with Toshiyuki Shinagawa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Toshiyuki, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Our motto is to share and contribute to spreading Japanese food culture in the United States through our daily activities.
Japanese cuisine has already made its way into the U.S. in various forms.
However, there are still many traditional, local Japanese dishes that have yet to be introduced on a larger scale.
At Hana Ichimonme, we are committed to offering these authentic, regional Japanese meals and sharing them with the local community here in the U.S.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve dedicated my career to sharing authentic Japanese food culture in the U.S. through our restaurant, Hana Ichimonme.

What sets us apart is our focus on regional, traditional dishes that you don’t often see outside of Japan. Many places offer popular Japanese foods like sushi and ramen, but we aim to introduce deeper, local flavors that represent the heart of Japan.

I’m most proud and excited to see people here in the U.S. discover these unique dishes and enjoy a true taste of Japan’s hometown flavors.

But getting here wasn’t easy. Bringing authentic Japanese cuisine to a different country comes with a lot of challenges — from sourcing ingredients to educating customers who may not be familiar with certain dishes. We faced many obstacles, but with passion, teamwork, and a strong belief in our mission, we’ve been able to overcome them one by one.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that food has the power to connect people across cultures. It’s not just about serving a meal, but creating an experience that brings joy and understanding.

Through Hana Ichimonme, I hope to continue sharing not only delicious food, but also the traditions and stories behind each dish. Our goal is to build a bridge between Japan and the local community, one meal at a time.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting Los Angeles, I’d create a Downtown LA-based itinerary that blends history, culture, amazing food, and some of the best city views. Here’s how we’d spend the week:

Day 1:
Start the trip with a classic Downtown experience — breakfast at The Original Pantry Cafe, an LA landmark. Then, we’d explore Olvera Street, the birthplace of Los Angeles, to enjoy the historic atmosphere and local Mexican culture. For dinner, we’d go to 71Above, enjoying fine dining with panoramic views of the city.

Day 2:
A full art and architecture day. We’d visit The Broad Museum, stroll around MOCA, and admire the architecture of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Lunch would be casual at Grand Central Market, sampling different vendors. In the evening, we’d have drinks at Spire 73, the highest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere.

Day 3:
Japanese culture day in Little Tokyo. We’d grab coffee at Cafe Dulce, visit the Japanese American National Museum, and shop for Japanese groceries and gifts. For dinner, we’d enjoy a special meal at Shin-Sen-Gumi, with traditional Japanese hot pot.

Day 4:
Chinatown adventure! We’d have dim sum at Yang Chow, explore local markets, and take in the unique street art. At night, we could catch a show at The Theatre at Ace Hotel or enjoy cocktails at Apotheke LA, a hidden speakeasy-style bar.

Day 5:
Relaxation day. We’d start with brunch at The Bloc, do some shopping, and check out FIGat7th. In the afternoon, we’d take a historic walking tour of DTLA, learning about its Art Deco buildings and hidden spots. Dinner would be at Faith & Flower, known for its creative, modern American cuisine.

Day 6:
For something different, we’d explore Arts District. Coffee at Stumptown, checking out local street art and galleries, and lunch at Wurstküche for gourmet sausages. Later, we’d unwind with sunset drinks at Everson Royce Bar in a cozy outdoor patio setting.

Day 7:
Final day: Slow morning with breakfast at Verve Coffee Roasters, and a visit to The Last Bookstore — a must-see for any book or art lover. We’d finish the trip with a farewell dinner at Redbird, enjoying an elegant meal in a historic cathedral-turned-restaurant.

What I love about Downtown LA is how it’s constantly evolving. You can feel the history of the city while also experiencing its modern, creative energy. It’s the perfect place to explore new flavors, cultures, and hidden gems, and I’d love for my friends to experience that balance of old and new with me.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people who have supported me along the way, but if I had to dedicate my shoutout, it would be to all of my mentors and friends who have shared their knowledge and passion for Japanese food culture with me.

Without their guidance and inspiration, I wouldn’t have been able to take on the challenge of bringing authentic, regional Japanese cuisine to the U.S. I also owe so much to my team at Hana Ichimonme, who work tirelessly every day to create an unforgettable dining experience.

And of course, I can’t forget the local community and our customers. Their support, curiosity, and love for Japanese culture motivate us to keep going.

Thanks to all of them, we are able to share a part of Japan with the world.

Website: https://www.hanaichimonmeusa.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanaichimonmeusa/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%E4%BF%8A%E5%B9%B8-%E5%93%81%E5%B7%9D-b21a25261/

Twitter: https://x.com/Hanaichimonme7

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064069631785

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hana-ichimonme-los-angeles-4?osq=hanaichimonme

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hanaichimonme-littletokyo

Image Credits
Toshiyuki Shingawa