Gastronomy becomes key draw for high-end travelers to Japan

International interest in fine dining is soaring, but capacity is limited

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Satoru Araki prepares sushi at his restaurant, Sushi Satoru, which has attracted attention from foreign visitors thanks to a mention in the latest Michelin Guide for Tokyo. (Photo by Phoebe Amoroso)

PHOEBE AMOROSO, Contributing writer

TOKYO-- Satoru Araki is meticulously slicing a prime cut of chutoro (medium fatty tuna) into morsels as he serves up a course of nigirizushi (hand-pressed sushi) in the backstreets of the upmarket Tokyo suburb of Hiroo.

A former professional boxer, Araki opened Sushi Satoru in July 2022 -- a simple counter of six seats that has already generated a buzz in Tokyo's sushi scene. On the counter is a copy of The Michelin Guide Tokyo 2024, in which Sushi Satoru is mentioned for the first time. It has yet to win a Michelin star, but the reference has attracted interest from foreign visitors to Japan, which Araki wants to encourage.

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