New Dining Venue "Oysters & Sushi ITTO" Opens in Kanazawa's Higashi Chaya District

"Oysters & Sushi ITTO" (Kaki to Sushi Itto), a new dining venue by TAIMATSU Inc., opened on May 7, 2026, in the heart of Kanazawa's iconic Higashi Chaya district. The restaurant is co-located inside the MUSASHI JAPAN Kanazawa Higashi Chaya store—a Japanese kitchen knife brand—creating an unusual setting where traditional craftsmanship and food culture exist side by side.

A Japanese-Modern Food Experience Rooted in Tradition

ITTO's concept centers on a "wa-modern" sensibility that builds on respect for Japanese tradition and culture. Fresh seasonal fish is sourced each morning from Kanazawa's market, fine sake is brought in directly from breweries across Hokuriku, and all dishes are served in pottery crafted by local Kanazawa artisans, including Kutani-ware. This combination of fish, sake, and tableware reflects the venue's philosophy of "chisan gaisho"—locally produced, globally shared—aiming to bring the value of Japanese ingredients and food culture to both domestic and international visitors.

Set Inside a Japanese Knife Shop

A defining feature of ITTO is its location within the MUSASHI JAPAN Kanazawa Higashi Chaya store. Visitors can explore beautifully crafted Japanese kitchen knives, learn about their history and the artisans behind them, and then sit down immediately to taste food prepared using those same blades. The combination of the "thing" (a knife purchase) and the "experience" (a meal) in a single continuous visit is rare to find anywhere.

Signature Menu Items

Hand-Rolled Sushi

Hand-rolled sushi

The centerpiece of the menu is hand-rolled sushi featuring fresh fish sourced daily from Kanazawa's market along with domestic natural fish, aged using a proprietary technique to bring out maximum umami. The rice uses Ishikawa Prefecture varieties selected by season, and the seaweed comes from long-established nori supplier Mikuniya. Each portion is roughly 1.3 times the size of a standard sushi piece. Guests roll their own sushi and eat it in two bites, enjoying how the flavors shift—a hands-on format that blends the artisan's craft with the diner's own participation.

Sample prices (tax included)

Hand-rolled sushi set (5 pieces / 2 side dishes / pickled ginger / dashi soup): ¥3,600
À la carte: Natural nodoguro ¥1,100 / Natural sea bream ¥500 / Natural tuna ¥500 / Natural sawara ¥500 / Natural striped jack ¥500, and more

Oyster Tsukesoba

Oyster tsukesoba

The other flagship dish is "Oyster Tsukesoba" (oyster dipping noodles). A rich broth is made by slow-simmering oysters and kelp with flying-fish stock at low temperature, then blended until smooth. This is paired with homemade thick noodles made solely from wheat and kansui. The chashu pork uses shoulder from six-grain-fed pigs, slow-cooked over four days.

Sample prices (tax included)

Oyster tsukesoba (single): ¥1,800

Branded Oysters from Ondo, Kure City, Hiroshima

Oyster options

The oysters on the menu are "Kakimusume," a branded variety from Ondo in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, raised over two years. They are prized for their large size and a rich flavor that is clean with no unwanted odor. Guests can order them raw or grilled, or as a sushi topping.

Sample prices (tax included)

Oysters (raw or grilled): 1 pc ¥800 / 3 pcs ¥2,300

ITTO Set

ITTO set

The "ITTO Set" brings together the three signature items—oyster tsukesoba, raw oyster, and hand-rolled sushi—in a single order. It offers first-time visitors a straightforward way to experience the full range of what ITTO has to offer.

Sample prices (tax included)