The number of restaurant bankruptcies is updated annually. In 2025, 900 restaurants across Japan closed their doors. Hearing this figure might discourage those considering opening their own restaurant. However, it's also true that some restaurants continue to thrive.

The 'ever-present restaurant' you see in your neighborhood—the familiar staff, the regular customers, the unchanged scenery—how strong and reassuring that consistency truly is.

Three Years Ago: The Story of a Former Ramen Shop Owner in Tokyo's Shitamachi

Mr. Asano (38) ran a chicken paitan ramen shop in Tokyo’s Shitamachi area for two years and eight months.

He had spent ten years gaining experience at renowned restaurants and had a solid track record as a manager.

"Opening a restaurant with my family was a long-held dream. I happened to come across a property listing, and immediately thought, 'This is the place!' When I contacted the real estate agent, I was told someone else was already considering it—so I ended up signing the contract almost impulsively.

My ramen concept was 'the fusion of ramen and French cuisine.' I was extremely particular about every detail, so I invested a significant amount in the interior design."

Both the shop’s exterior and the ramen itself were designed to be 'Instagrammable,' and there was even a line on opening day.

The restaurant gained moderate attention on social media, and Mr. Asano felt positive momentum right after launch.

He had hoped for future expansion. However, novelty-driven new customers halved by the second month, and he struggled to convert them into repeat visitors. Within about three months of opening, his hope turned into anxiety.

His loan repayment amounted to 11 million yen. Although he had a repayment plan, the business simply wasn’t generating enough revenue.

He experimented with price hikes and new menu items, but despite his efforts, after two and a half years, he stopped lighting the fire under the soup pot.

No matter how skilled or experienced one is, failing restaurants always have underlying issues.

It’s not that they lack effort or talent.

Perhaps their efforts are misdirected, or their goals are misplaced.

So, what do the restaurants that endure focus on? Satoko Morimoto, who eats 600 bowls of ramen a year, will reveal the answer.

Seminar Announcement by Ramen Event Producer Satoko Morimoto

We are hosting a seminar that every restaurant owner and aspiring entrepreneur should attend.

The special guest speaker is Satoko Morimoto, representative of Ramen Switch Inc.—a 'ramen enthusiast' who eats 600 bowls annually. Having observed countless successful and failed restaurants, she uniquely understands the critical challenges facing the industry. This is a valuable, limited-seating seminar for only 30 participants.

In the second half of the seminar, Mujaki Foods Co., Ltd. will host an independent business launch briefing for those who wish to open a restaurant or expand their existing business.

We encourage you to apply early.

Apply here

Seminar Details

Date: August 31, 2026 (Monday), 14:30–16:00

Speaker: Satoko Morimoto

Participation Fee: Free

Seminar Title: 'Thriving vs. Failing Restaurants'—Insights from a Woman Who Eats 600 Bowls of Ramen a Year

Capacity: 30 participants

Venue: 4F, Ebisu Garden Place Water, Tokyo

Application Form: https://forms.gle/bhiVrfkAcpLd3Yn19

About Mujaki Foods Co., Ltd.

Mujaki Foods operates 'Tora Navi,' a restaurant startup support service that fully funds aspiring chefs with passion and skill—from securing prime Tokyo locations to covering all opening costs. The company actively identifies talented chefs who might otherwise abandon their dreams due to lack of funds or know-how, and helps them achieve independence.

【Company Overview】

Company Name: Mujaki Foods Co., Ltd.

Address: 17F, Ebisu Garden Place Tower, 4-20-3 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Representative: President & CEO Hayato Tashiro

Business Activities: Operation of 'Tora Navi' restaurant startup support service, store management consulting

Official URL: https://trust-navi.com/

【Inquiries】

Tora Navi Consulting Department: Sakata & Imaoka Phone: 03-5793-3141 (Direct Line)

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Event