「MICHELIN Guide Nara 2022」An Interview with Starred restaurants

"I would like to thank everyone who has been a part of the journey of Gokan Uogin. June 2022 marks three years have passed since we opened Gokan Uogin. Two and a half of those years were spent in the COVID-19 pandemic. Every day was a struggle, worrying about the future, and without compensation. Yet even in those most trying of times, customers continued to make reservations. I was determined that every customer leave the restaurant satisfied, so that they would come and dine with us again. On days when we had no reservations, I would look at our operations from the customer’s point of view , trying and tasting new ideas over and over. As I did so, little by little, the number of customers supporting us grew. This award does not belong only to me. It belongs also to the diners who favoured us with their custom, and the suppliers, staff and families who supported us. Everyone who was involved in our journey had a role to play in this success. I hope that this relationship with Michelin will make more people aware of us. I would be delighted to have the opportunity to put smiles on their faces through our cooking. Always with the spirit of taking on challenges, we will strive humbly yet unwaveringly forward, aiming to scale new heights." - MICHELIN Guide Japan