Jiro Ono
Jiro Ono | |
|---|---|
| Born | Tenryū, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan |
| Occupation(s) | Sushi chef, restaurateur |
| Years active | 1951–2023 |
| Known for | Sukiyabashi Jiro |
is a retired sushi master from Japan and the proprietor of Sukiyabashi Jiro, a renowned sushi establishment located in Ginza, Chūō, Tokyo, Japan. Ono is widely regarded as one of the foremost sushi artisans alive today and is credited with pioneering contemporary methods in sushi craftsmanship.
Early years
Born in Tenryū (currently part of Hamamatsu) in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, Ono started working at a neighborhood eatery when he was just seven years old. He subsequently relocated to Tokyo to pursue an apprenticeship. After obtaining his certification as a sushi chef in 1951, he launched his own dining venue, , situated in Ginza, Tokyo, in 1965.
Restaurant
Ono’s clientele has included distinguished figures such as former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and former U.S. President Barack Obama. Obama commended the establishment, remarking, "I was born in Hawaii and have eaten plenty of sushi, but this was the finest sushi I have ever tasted."
Personal life
Ono is father to two sons, Yoshikazu and Takashi Ono, who both practice as sushi chefs. Takashi operates his own Michelin-starred restaurant. Jiro Ono gained international attention through David Gelb's 2011 film Jiro Dreams of Sushi. The family has expressed concerns about the impact of overfishing on essential sushi ingredients.
By 2023, Ono had withdrawn from the day-to-day operations of Sukiyabashi Jiro due to health reasons, with Yoshikazu taking over primary management responsibilities.