Ginza IWA

Ginza IWA is in Tokyo. The venue is led by chef-patron Hisayoshi Iwa, who works in the first-floor dining room, while his second in command looks after guests on the basement level.

Dining rooms and counter setting

After a recent expansion, the restaurant has two intimate dining rooms. Each room has a counter with seven seats, creating two separate counter settings across the first floor and basement level. The documented arrangement places Hisayoshi Iwa in direct charge of the first-floor room, with the lower level overseen by his second in command.

Sake and apprenticeship

Hatsukame, from Shizuoka Prefecture’s oldest brewery, is identified as Chef Iwa’s favorite pairing for sushi. His lineup also includes products from breweries with which he has maintained long-term relationships.

Training is part of the work around the restaurant. Chef Iwa places importance on passing techniques to apprentices, and one of those apprentices went independent with his own Tokyo restaurant in 2023. A stated next goal is to develop a sushi chef capable of standing in charge at the counter of the restaurant.