Kamata was invited by a friend to play golf here, but he saw something else — a future for his family and his chance to serve authentic Japanese food to the people.
Little did he know that the small, crudely built restaurant with wooden planks in front serving as a bridge to ward off water from the canal 30 years ago would flourish and live to serve the people for years to come.
Kinpachi Restaurant started with four waitresses, one Japanese chef and one local cook. The place opened from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch, and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner. Being next to a night club gave them the chance to provide delicious food to late night customers.
Papasan’s wife Jeiko, referred to as Mama-san, and daughter Misako-san stayed mostly in Tokyo when Kinpachi was in its infancy stages. Papa-san kept rein of the operations, but this changed when he noticed his ailing health.
He started initiating Misako-san into the business and he had a reason for it — he wanted Misako-san to take over the restaurant someday. Papa-san’s health began to fail for the worse and was confined more and more to bed. Misako-san started to take over the business operations.
In 1988, Papa-san succumbed to cancer of the liver, leaving behind his wife and daughter, and the restaurant.
Like any dutiful daughter, Misako-san took over and led the way to where the restaurant is now.
Today, Kinpachi stands out as one of the most flourishing restaurants on Saipan, with its fair share of tourists and locals for customers. From a capacity of 32 persons, it has expanded to accommodate over a hundred persons, with a second floor for special occasions.
Kinpachi has seven cooks, six waitresses and three supervisors to oversee to the day to day operations.
Despite the economic crisis, Kinpachi strives and manages to survive. Misako-san hopes that the economy will pick up so they can still be around for more years to provide food and jobs for the next generation.
Sonia Siwa joined Kinpachi in 1985 after she met Papa-san in Manila. Siwa was working for a Japanese company and jumped at the chance to try her luck on Saipan.
Met with only a few buildings, dusty streets and a very lonely environment, Siwa did not let discouragement defeat her.
She remembers Papa-san as an individual who treats his employees as family members.
“He was always there for us,” Siwa said. She recall how, during the Typhoon Kim in1986 that devastated the whole island, Papa-san braved the strong winds and flooding water to go to the restaurant, prepare Oniguri and deliver the food to his employees at the barracks, the building now occupied by Victoria Hotel.
“There was no power, we had been starving and suddenly, Papa-san appeared wearing boots and urging us to eat,” Siwa said. She said Papa-san also helped them hold the windows to prevent from being blown away.
Even after Papa-san passed away, Siwa said Misako-san and Mama-san kept up the tradition of making every employee feel that they matter.
“Most of the employees in the restaurant have been with us for a long time, and that is because the company believes that happy employees give better service,” Siwa said.
Letter from an employee
Here is a letter from Ronnie Boy Fedelicio, Kinpachi’s longest staying employee, addressed to Misako-san and her mother, Mama-san. Papa-san met Fedelicio in Manila in 1982 and recruited him to work for Kinpachi. He arrived here in May 1982.
September 15, 2010
Dear Misako-san and Mama-san,
Good morning and happy anniversary. I am so happy because until now, I am still here working for your company. I would like to give thanks to Papa-san because if not for him, I would not be here now.
I know that the business became slow since 2001 because of the World Trade Center bombing, because some airlines ceased their flights to Saipan, and because of so many other challenges but because of you and Mama-san, you still manage to run the company in good and stable condition.
I am very proud of you both in how you handled this company after Papa-san passed away.
I’m hoping and praying that this company will have more years to serve the people. Again, Happy 30 years anniversary and God bless us always.
Ronnie Boy
30 years after
Siwa said 30 years after its opening, Kinpachi has undergone many changes.
“The building has changed and expanded, but the service has remained the same through all these years,” Siwa said.
Two of the original tables when the restaurant was opened still exist, although they have changed the tables’ legs.
“We cannot let go of those tables, because they are the restaurant’s legacy from Papa-san,” she added.
Kinpachi Restaurant serves Japanese cuisine to its clients from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Entering its cool and dimly lit interior with Japanese lanterns hanging from the ceilings will immediately set a diner’s mind and mood at ease.
The restaurant has served about half a million customers in the last three decades and still continues to be a popular destination despite being surrounded with a whole new generation of bars and restaurants.
Delectable cuisine
Kinpachi’s extensive menu provides over a hundred dishes, including regular Japanese favorites, Japanese drinks and beverages. The restaurant also pays attention to the health of its customers and has come up with Health Alert food items on the menu.
Check out its mouth-watering Sushi set, delicious array of seafood including shrimp, octopus, tuna or yellow fin on sushi rice and tekkamaki served with vinegar and marinated vegetables. The set also comes with pickles and miso soup.
Saipan is crowded with Japanese restaurants and, from time to time, you will check out the other restaurants, but you will always come back to Kinpachi not only for its tasty dishes but for its excellent customer service.
In celebration of its 30 years of existence today, Kinpachi restaurant offers special discounts and will be sharing giveaways to customers. Kinpachi is across from Fiesta Resort & Spa.
For reservations/inquiries, call 670-234-69
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