In 1980, Yoshio Kamata, established the restaurant and named it after the lead character of a popular TV show in Japan.
“Our 40 years in this business is credited to our customers,” said Misako Kamata, Yoshio’s daughter and president of Yano Enterprises Corp., which operates the restaurant.
Misako expressed her appreciation to community members, saying, “They are our extended family that supports and helps our business grow.”
She said they have loyal customers who have introduced the restaurant to their children and grandchildren.
“Now their children and grandchildren are our customers. We grew up together and we know each other’s family,” she added.
In 1990, as the local economy flourished, the Kamata family demolished its old building in what is now the Paseo de Marianas area and erected a three-story building at the same location.
Kinpachi Restaurant is a family business founded by the late Yoshio Kamata.
Kinpachi Restaurant owner Misako Kamata with her mother Keiko Kamata. Contributed Photos.
Restaurant manager Sonia Siwa said the restaurant business has faced many challenges over the years.
These included Typhoon Kim in 1986, the Asian currency crisis in 1998, the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S., the Japan Airlines’ pullout in 2005, Super Typhoon Soudelor in 2015, the Delta Airlines pullout in 2018, Super Typhoon Yutu in the same year, and now the Covid-19 pandemic.
Notwithstanding all these challenges, Misako said Kinpachi continues to serve quality Japanese dishes: tempura, sashimi, sushi rolls, katsu curry, ramen, soba, udon, among other all-time favorites.
“We have a certain style of cooking, but we change menus on a regular basis,” she said. “We pay attention to what our customers like.”
The Kinpachi management, she added, is always concerned about the welfare of its employees, in particular, and the local community, in general.
She said they provide training and employment to local students who work part-time at Kinpachi to gain skills and experience.
For their part, the Kinpachi staff members are involved in community services, which include the monthly cleanup of the Garapan tourist district.
Kinpachi also distributed free meals to community members following typhoons Soudelor and Yutu.
“Despite the present situation with the pandemic, we thank community members for making our restaurant a part of their lives, and we hope to continue serving them in the coming years,” Misako said.
Today, Tuesday, to celebrate its 40th anniversary, Kinpachi is serving a $40 special menu — tempura, tuna sushi and shrimp sushi. The restaurant will also hold a raffle draw whose prizes include $40 gift certificates, sake and other gift items from Japan.
For more information, call 234-6900.
