MASA | Otaru Masazushi

02-005-3800 (+66)2-005-3800

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Masa's Commitment

MASA is the Hokkaido style sushi dining. MASAZUSHI Thailand is the first oversea branch out of Japan. We have inherited and extended the spirit more than 80 years. The first branch is located in Otaru. We always selected the best and fresh ingredient from Hokkaido sea and we send this to Bangkok 4 time a weeks for our value customer can eat the best and fresh ingredient like you eat in the Hokkaido
At MASA, you can enjoy the savory sushi dining as you were in Hokkaido and be impress by an elegant atmosphere, reminiscent of MASA's hometown-Otaru. Also, our valued customers' happiness is always our prime concern as the Japanese chefs provide the traditional sushi by the 80 year old technique that has been passed down from generation to generation, and the Japanese translator stand by to help you understand more about Hokkaido ingredients and communication with the chefs smoothly. We will preserve the integrity of Hokkaido concept and strive for customer to be sure that "Hokkaido is here, at MASA". MASA arranges the splendid sushi by the best seasonal ingredient from Hokkaido. MASA sushi causes are as follow; Lunch course - Azami 1,990 Baht, Menu - Nigiri Omakase 4,000 Baht, Mini Omakase 4,000 Baht, Masa Omakase 6,000 Baht and Premium Omakase 8,000 Baht.
MASA is sushi dining where you can taste the real Otaru style sushi. As, Otaru Masazushi celebration is approaching we determine to keep developing with the concept; "One who continue constantly and sincerely will be professional, the professional lasts forever". We commited to serve the best sushi and impressive service .

Greeting from owner chef

I was born and raised in Otaru. My father, who at that time was a president of the company, taught me to create sushi since I was a kid, sushi has been a part of my life. The heart of making sushi is not only making delicious ones but sushi consumption culture and the proper selection of seasonal ingredients are equally important. I am willing to strietly selected the best ingredient and serve the unique sushi which reflects the nature of Japan. My first step to the global stage is MASA at Siam Takashimaya. My first store outside Otaru were Shinjuku branch and Ginza branch which ever opened since 2010. In 2019, my goal of being in the global stage was accomplished by opening the sushi dining MASA, Bangkok branch. I also create happiness for customer around the world and with relavant people such as communities and society. My mission is to create a philosophy for "create deliciousness, develop people and create happiness" for over 80 years and i will continue to strive in this philosophy

History

Mr.Shonosuke Nakamura was born in Teshio, Hokkaido in 1914 (Taisho 3), the same year World War I broke out. After he finished grade 3, his parents moved to Sakhalin island (it is part of Japanese during the wartime and was known as Karafuto). They lived together in Otomari (Корсаков), the administrative center of Karafuto island. Shonosuke’s parents sustained their family by working in forestry industry. After finishing elementary school, Shonosuku moved to Otaru and worked as a barber at “Kuroda” barbershop, where the shop owner passed away 5 years later. That’s when he moved to Inaho, Otaru, Hokkaido, where he started his own café called “Shojorin.”

In 1935

Number One Sushi Master

In 1935 (Sowa 10), I left the café under my mother and my sister’s care and began working in “Tokusentei” tempura sushi restaurant in Asakusa, Tokyo. At that time, I dreamed to be the best sushi master in Japan and learn how to make sushi in commercial areas in Asakusa. In July 1938 (Showa 13), he changed the store name from “Shojorin” to “Masazushi,” and his sushi restaurant was established.

In 1947

First Business License for Food Stall

In 1944 (Showa 19), Japan was losing the United States in the World War I. During this hard time, they had to close the restaurant. Not long after, Mr.Shonosuku got married in January, 1945 (Showa 20). To escape from the air raid, they moved to Kitahama, Abashiri, Hokkaido. After the war ended on August 15, 1945, the new era began.

At the age of 31, he tried his best to make the most out of his life. They decided to move back to Otaru on his daughter’s birthday (Shitsue, his eldest daughter, is now a senior board member of Masazushi) and started vending on Myoken riverside, where the main branch currently located. At the advent, they did not have business license but later obtained it in 1947 (Showa 22).

In 1948

The Return of “Masazushi”

In 1948 (Showa 23), Mr.Sahiro, his eldest son (currently a board member of Masazushi), was born. Upon knowing that there would be a successor, he decided to reopen his sushi restaurant in Hanazono Ichi-Chome Ichibanchi. It was a 2-story wooden restaurant with the area of 19.67 square meters (12 tsubo). Their restaurant got more and more well-known. Half-year later, they expanded the restaurant to 99.17 square meters (30 tsubo).

In 1973

Masazushi 2nd Generation Sucessor

After Mr.Masahiro, his eldest son (currently board member of Masazushi), ran Masazushi in 1973 (Showa 48), 1973 oil crisis affected Japan’s economy. The night in Hanazono commercial area became completely silent. Many businesses were bankrupted and the number of customers had dwindled. There was PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenyl) contamination in the sea. The number of sea fish and clam were diminishing. Thus, the restaurant image became worse. Moreover, in 1974 (Showa 49) Shonosuke’s best apprentice left the restaurant.

In 1977

Becoming Luxurious and Famous

In 1977 (Showa 52), Masazushi as fresh seafood restaurant full of selected ingredients with its excellent location in Otaru has become favorite restaurant for many locals. When unfamiliar faces appeared there and inquired about the selection, they were looked strangely by the locals. Shonosuke felt uneasy about it and got the idea of transforming the way his restaurant was operated. He set and showed sushi menu selection with clear prices. On July 1, 1979 (Showa 54), Mr.Masahiro, his son, run the main branch himself and made the restaurant even more famous.

In 1987

The departure of the founder and Fish Appreciation Festival
Several years later, Mr.Shonosuke started to suffer from diabetes and could not carry on his work as usual. Even staying in the wheelchair, he still greeted all customers with smile. He felt thankful to the customers, his ancestors, and even all the fish that were used in his restaurant.
There is a story being told not long before his departure. Back when Mr.Masahiro had an opportunity to give a lecture in Sakai, Osaka, he heard from the fishermen there that, in 1975 (Showa 50), there was a 200-mile fishery restriction area policy, which afflicted the fishermen. Some people suggested that “we should appreciate all things and all resources both from the land and from the sea.” So, the fishermen built a monument of gratitude and prayed for good fortune every day.

Surprisingly a month later, there was a big group of tuna surrounding the ship. This happened for 2 consecutive years.
Upon learning of the event, Mr.Masahiro thought that “if we pay gratitude to herring fish, they would probably come back to Otaru also.” He later came back to Otaru and told his father about the story. The words spread to the abbot’s ears. The abbot supported the idea and planned to start the festival on December 10 a year later, saying “there could be king of the fish who rides a huge fish deep into the ocean. We could arrange the event like this every year”. But Mr.Shonosuke untimely passed away. To fulfill his last wish, Masazushi restaurant invited nearby sushi restaurants to arrange Fish Appreciation Festival on July 1, 1987 (Showa 62).

In 1987

Origin of Otaru Sushi street

After Fish Appreciation Festival, many participated sushi restaurants are full of joy and think that “Fish Appreciation Festival” is what we should continue every year. They, then, formed an association and arranged the festival again on October 4th that year. This event is arranged not only to express gratitude to the fish, but also to advertise Otaru sushi that passed down from generation to generation all over Japan.

In 1990

2nd Generation

Due to the departure of Mr.Shonosuke, the founder of Masazushi, Ms.Yasuko, his wife, came into his place and received suggestion from the old customers “to hand down this responsibility to the family second generation when they reach the age of 40.” Not long after, Mr.Masahiro, the eldest son, became Masazushi owner on February 21, 1990.

1995

New head office & management philosophy

7th December 1995, established the main restaurant on the 5-story building, which was considered a big decision and a great risk during the time of Japan's bubble economic collapse. But with the lives of hundreds of employees at stake, the president had no choice but to keep on expanding the business.

Otaru Masazushi’s Origin

Mr.Shonosuke Nakamura was born in Teshio, Hokkaido in 1914 (Taisho 3), the same year World War I broke out. After he finished grade 3, his parents moved to Sakhalin island (it is part of Japanese during the wartime and was known as Karafuto).