[Bringing the Master’s Craft to Every Table]

As you walk along the quiet, stone-paved streets of Gion in Kyoto, you will come upon “Gion Sasaki,” a discreetly nestled establishment. For five consecutive years, it has earned three Michelin stars and is reputed to be the most difficult reservation to secure in Kyoto, the world’s foremost city of haute cuisine. Proprietor Hiroshi Sasaki, admired both at home and abroad, is lauded not only for his extraordinary culinary expertise and profound knowledge, but also for a radiant spirit—like the sun itself—that seeks to convey deliciousness and bring smiles to those before him. This legendary figure in “Washoku” (Japanese cuisine), Hiroshi Sasaki, has kindly served as an advisor to Manpuku Holdings since our early days.

[Sharing the World’s Finest Culture—Washoku—with the Globe]

In 2013, “Washoku” (traditional Japanese cuisine) was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, a long-cherished goal. Tokyo is the world’s top city in terms of Michelin stars, and Kyoto and Osaka also rank among the world’s top five gastronomic destinations. Japan’s culinary culture stands at the pinnacle of global standards and is one of the nation’s most proudly held cultural assets. Yet there are significant challenges: generational transitions, the passing down of culinary techniques, and the shortage of successors in regional food industries, among others. By uniting the unparalleled capabilities of Hiroshi Sasaki with the driving force of Manpuku Holdings, we are embarking on initiatives to share Japan’s culinary culture more broadly with the world.

[Continuously Pursuing the Joy of Food]

“I want to make proposals that connect people through food and make them happier,” said Hiroshi Sasaki upon becoming our advisor. The food industry’s value chain is extensive and intricate—encompassing livestock, fisheries, agriculture, transportation, processing, and cooking. Among all these links, the most crucial element is always to envision the customer’s smile. Hiroshi Sasaki advises and supports us across a wide range of themes including product development, business model creation, branding, and the management of food enterprises.

<Provided by: MIDO味道>