DESPITE economic challenges in the CNMI, Kinpachi Japanese Restaurant has preserved the legacy of Japanese cooking and its long-standing relationship with the island community.
Today, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, Kinpachi Restaurant, located on Coral Tree Avenue in Garapan’s tourist district, marks its 45th anniversary, celebrating its role in maintaining ties between Japanese culture and the island’s way of life.
The oldest continuously operating Japanese restaurant in the CNMI first opened in 1980. When Yoshio Kamata founded Kinpachi 45 years ago, one of his goals was to bring the tourist area to life through Japanese ties to the island community.
“When we started the business, the place was a jungle. Only the Hanamura and Galaxy restaurants were the business establishments along that road,” said Misako Kamata, the current owner and daughter of Yoshio-san.
Since then, the dining establishment has become a neighborhood institution on Saipan and a second home to local families who flock there for sushi, ramen, udon, tempura, and many other Japanese dishes.
When her father passed away, Misako-san said her mother, Keiko Kamata — known to everyone as Mama-san — took over operations. And when Mama-san passed away last year, Misako-san carried on the family tradition, continuing to serve Japanese dishes to tourists and locals while keeping cultural ties alive through organizing the Saipan Awaodori team.
Misako-san expressed deep appreciation to the CNMI community, saying that in both good and bad times, the local people have supported Kinpachi for 45 years. Over the years, she added, they have earned the loyalty of customers spanning up to four generations of Saipan families.
“From the great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, and children, I consider them as my own extended Kinpachi family. They love Japanese food and Kinpachi food. I do really value their loyalty,” Misako-san said.
Another way she shows gratitude to the community is by volunteering her time to nurture young residents through the Saipan Awaodori Team, giving them the opportunity to learn Japanese culture and experience new things in life.
She noted that the CNMI is an island of diverse cultures. Through Awaodori, children are trained to embrace Japanese culture through music, dance, and food. “These,” she said, “promote stronger friendship between the island and Japan.”
Now, even in the face of the CNMI’s most challenging times, Misako-san said, “I am still looking forward to 50 years of continued service to my Kinpachi family. Let us help each other and aim for a brighter future.”
Strong ties
Kinpachi Japanese Restaurant has long been considered “our own” by notable families on Saipan.
The Cabrera family from Capital Hill recalled 45 years of friendship with the Kamata family.
Oliva Cabrera said her parents, Gregorio and Escolastica, had been good friends with the Kamatas since Kinpachi began. The Cabreras were among the island’s earliest entrepreneurs. Right after World War II, once residents were released from Camp Chalan Kanoa, Escolastica opened a small beauty shop. Her business later expanded into an ice cream and snack store, and eventually into a department store in Susupe.
Today, Oliva and her siblings continue Escolastica’s legacy as operators of the island’s oldest local delicacies business. She remembers her parents often inviting the Kamata couple to their home for Novenas, where the Kamatas would bring restaurant specialties like sushi and barbecue.
In turn, the Cabreras would prepare Chamorro delicacies such as bread, apigigi, potu, and fresh harvests from Gregorio’s farm. At that time, Misako was still in school, but after completing her education she helped her parents run Kinpachi.
“Mr. and Mrs. Kamata were a very nice couple. They liked to sit down with my parents and tell stories,” Oliva said.
She added that Kinpachi Restaurant has remained a favorite of her family across generations. “My favorite is their fresh ramen,” she said, adding that the restaurant remains well known among younger members of the Cabrera clan.
Her younger brother, Eloy Cabrera, 59, shared similar memories. “My parents were influenced by Japanese culture. We grew up eating a lot of Japanese soup,” he said, recalling how his mother often made miso soup and sashimi.
Eloy said his father was a close friend of Mr. Kamata. “I guess my dad found Kinpachi Restaurant very comfortable to drink and dine. And us, the children, we loved the Japanese food. My favorite is katsu-don. Very good — they make it very good,” he said.
He added that Kinpachi employees have always been warm and welcoming.
More blessings
Board of Education member Andrew Orsini also shared fond memories, saying his family has been loyal Kinpachi customers.
“Every time we dined at Kinpachi, we would always greet Misako’s mother, Keiko. I’m very fond of her,” Orsini said.
He described the restaurant as “atmospheric, calm, and welcoming to both locals and tourists,” adding that Kinpachi “is a very positive business in the CNMI” and one that many people continue to patronize.
Orsini thanked Misako Kamata and her late parents for their long years of service to the islands. “It’s one of the longest-serving restaurants in the CNMI, still operating despite economic challenges. I give them more blessings for years to come. My hat’s off to them,” he said.
Ruel R. Villacrusis, general manager of RNV Construction, also expressed gratitude to the Kamata family. He praised Misako-san, her late parents, and their longtime employees, including Sonia, for reaching such a rare milestone.
“Not all businesses can reach that milestone,” he said, adding that he is grateful to God for his long friendship and business ties with Misako-san.
Villacrusis said he will always remember how the Kamata family supported him when he was starting his construction business. “I will not forget that for the rest of my life,” he said.
Having lived on Saipan since 1987, Villacrusis recalled that his big break came when the Kamatas entrusted him with the contract to build their family home in Garapan. “There would never be RNV Construction without the help of Misako-san,” he said.
‘From the great-grandparents, grandparents, parents and children, I consider them as my own extended Kinpachi family. They love Japanese food and Kinpachi food. I do really value their loyalty.’
<p style=”text-align: right;”><strong>—Misako Kamata, owner, Kinpachi Japanese Restaurant</strong>
Kinpachi Japanese Restaurant owner, Misako Kamata, third left, with employee Sonia Siwa, center; manager Yoshiko Song, left; maintenance worker Alberto Ignacio, second left; food server Vangie Lagmay, second right; cook Zacarias Sakisat, backrow; and accountant Priscilla Mendoza.
Saipan Awaodori founder and Kinpachi Restaurant president Misako Kamata, center kneeling, and the Saipan Awaodori team members pose for a photo while taking a break from practice at the Koblerville Youth Center on Monday.
Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas “RB” Camacho, fourth left, with Tokyo Koenji Awaodori Director Kiyotaka Shimada, fourth right, Saipan Awaodori co-founder Misako Kamata, third left, Paseo De Marianas Promoters Inc. Director Hideaki Sawada, second right, and members of the Saipan Awaodori Team.
Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano
Misako Kamata, right with her parents, the late Yoshio Kamata and Keiko Kamata when they first opened Kinpachi in Sept. 1980.
Oliva Cabrera and her brother Eloy pose for photo after an interview at their store on Capital Hill.
Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano
Board of Education member Andrew Orsini with his family and guest.
Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano
RNV Construction General Manager Ruel Villacrusis stands next to the picture of their first project, the residence of the Kamata family in Garapan.
Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano
RNV Construction General Manager Ruel Villacrusis, his family and office staff dine at Kinpachi Restaurant.
Contributed photo
The Igitols and Arriolas are among the loyal customers of Kinpachi Japanese Restaurant.
Contributed photo
Kinpachi Japanese Restaurant owner Misako Kamata with members of the Saipan Awaodori team.
Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano
The Alepuyo family enjoys dining at Kinpachi Restaurant.
Contributed photo
