Chef Ikuma Sato, Chef Junpei Yamanashi, Grand Chef Tadashi Sawauchi, Executive Chef Keiichiro Fujino, Chef Katsuji Kato and Senior Pastry Chef Vi
Hotel Okura Manila at Newport World Resorts hosted ARITA WAGYU: An Okura Culinary Collaboration, a three-night dining experience held from July 29 to 31, 2026 at Yawaragi Restaurant, bringing together Japanese culinary tradition and Filipino hospitality.
Marking the 70th year of friendship between the Philippines and Japan, the collaboration introduced guests to Arita Wagyu through a multi-course menu curated by Grand Chef Tadashi Sawauchi of Okura Hotels & Resorts and Yamazato Japanese Executive Chef Keiichiro Fujino, together with the Hotel Okura Manila culinary team.
Kojiro Oda from Okura Nikko Hotel Management, H.E. Ambassador ENDO Kazuya, Madame ENDO Akiko and Hotel Okura Manila General Manager, Jan Marshall.
With nearly five decades of experience in Japanese cuisine, Grand Chef Sawauchi previously led Yamazato at The Okura Tokyo and today oversees Japanese culinary operations across the Okura Group. For the three-night collaboration in Manila, his participation extended beyond the menu. Throughout the evenings, he personally introduced selected courses, sharing the preparation, techniques, and considerations behind the dishes directly with guests.
Across the three evenings, guests experienced Arita Wagyu through a thoughtfully composed menu presenting the wagyu across different courses and preparations. A selected sake pairing was also offered to complement the dining experience.
Joining Grand Chef Sawauchi and Japanese Executive Chef Fujino were Assistant Chef Jumpei Yamanashi of The Okura Tokyo, Yamazato’s Specialty Sushi Chef Ikuma Sato, Specialty Teppan Chef Katsuji Kato, and Yawaragi’s Senior Pastry Chef Vi Serrano, bringing together their respective culinary expertise throughout the collaboration.
The opening evening on July 29 welcomed H.E. Ambassador ENDO Kazuya, Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines, and Madame ENDO Akiko, alongside representatives from the Embassy of Japan, media partners, and guests with a shared appreciation for Japanese cuisine. The succeeding evenings continued to welcome guests and valued partners of Hotel Okura Manila, including Newport World Resorts President and Chief Executive Officer Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez, Senior Vice President for Marketing Mitch Suarez, and Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales Kathy Mercado, with each night offering a distinct setting for the Arita Wagyu dining experience.
Raised in Miyazaki Prefecture, Arita Wagyu comes from Arita Farm, which has dedicated more than seven decades to raising Japanese Black cattle. In 2025, Arita Wagyu received a Gold medal in the Wagyu category at the World Steak Challenge, while Arita Wagyu Co. was recognized with the Large Producer Award. Bringing Arita Wagyu to Hotel Okura Manila, Mr. James Arita, Chief Executive Officer of NIKUJILLE, and Ms. Toshiko Arita, Vice President, joined the culinary collaboration representing the family behind the award- winning wagyu.
Throughout the event from the opening to the last night, Mr. Arita shared the story of Arita Farm and its philosophy in raising its cattle. He shared, “Seeing guests experience and enjoy our wagyu is our greatest happiness,” a sentiment that captures what it means for the family to share their legacy beyond Japan, from around the world and now in the Philippines. For Hotel Okura Manila, the three-night collaboration is a reflection of its continues commitment to introducing Japanese culinary traditions and Filipino hospitality through meaningful dining experiences.
Chef Ikuma Sato, Chef Junpei Yamanashi, Grand Chef Tadashi Sawauchi, Executive Chef Keiichiro Fujino, Chef Katsuji Kato and Senior Pastry Chef Vi
Hotel Okura Manila at Newport World Resorts hosted ARITA WAGYU: An Okura Culinary Collaboration, a three-night dining experience held from July 29 to 31, 2026 at Yawaragi Restaurant, bringing together Japanese culinary tradition and Filipino hospitality.
Marking the 70th year of friendship between the Philippines and Japan, the collaboration introduced guests to Arita Wagyu through a multi-course menu curated by Grand Chef Tadashi Sawauchi of Okura Hotels & Resorts and Yamazato Japanese Executive Chef Keiichiro Fujino, together with the Hotel Okura Manila culinary team.
Kojiro Oda from Okura Nikko Hotel Management, H.E. Ambassador ENDO Kazuya, Madame ENDO Akiko and Hotel Okura Manila General Manager, Jan Marshall.
With nearly five decades of experience in Japanese cuisine, Grand Chef Sawauchi previously led Yamazato at The Okura Tokyo and today oversees Japanese culinary operations across the Okura Group. For the three-night collaboration in Manila, his participation extended beyond the menu. Throughout the evenings, he personally introduced selected courses, sharing the preparation, techniques, and considerations behind the dishes directly with guests.
Across the three evenings, guests experienced Arita Wagyu through a thoughtfully composed menu presenting the wagyu across different courses and preparations. A selected sake pairing was also offered to complement the dining experience.
Joining Grand Chef Sawauchi and Japanese Executive Chef Fujino were Assistant Chef Jumpei Yamanashi of The Okura Tokyo, Yamazato’s Specialty Sushi Chef Ikuma Sato, Specialty Teppan Chef Katsuji Kato, and Yawaragi’s Senior Pastry Chef Vi Serrano, bringing together their respective culinary expertise throughout the collaboration.
The opening evening on July 29 welcomed H.E. Ambassador ENDO Kazuya, Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines, and Madame ENDO Akiko, alongside representatives from the Embassy of Japan, media partners, and guests with a shared appreciation for Japanese cuisine.
The succeeding evenings continued to welcome guests and valued partners of Hotel Okura Manila, including Newport World Resorts President and Chief Executive Officer Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez, Senior Vice President for Marketing Mitch Suarez, and Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales Kathy Mercado, with each night offering a distinct setting for the Arita Wagyu dining experience.
Raised in Miyazaki Prefecture, Arita Wagyu comes from Arita Farm, which has dedicated more than seven decades to raising Japanese Black cattle. In 2025, Arita Wagyu received a Gold medal in the Wagyu category at the World Steak Challenge, while Arita Wagyu Co. was recognized with the Large Producer Award.
Bringing Arita Wagyu to Hotel Okura Manila, Mr. James Arita, Chief Executive Officer of NIKUJILLE, and Ms. Toshiko Arita, Vice President, joined the culinary collaboration representing the family behind the award- winning wagyu.
Throughout the event from the opening to the last night, Mr. Arita shared the story of Arita Farm and its philosophy in raising its cattle. He shared, “Seeing guests experience and enjoy our wagyu is our greatest happiness,” a sentiment that captures what it means for the family to share their legacy beyond Japan, from around the world and now in the Philippines.
For Hotel Okura Manila, the three-night collaboration is a reflection of its continues commitment to introducing Japanese culinary traditions and Filipino hospitality through meaningful dining experiences.
For room or dining reservations and more information, you may call +63 2 5318 2888, email info@hotelokuramanila.com, or visit the hotel’s website at https://www.hotelokuramanila.com/offers
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