"MITANI - The Mariage of Sushi" Celebrates Acclaimed, Sold-Out World Premiere at the San Sebastián International Film Festival

Following the premiere, Mitani and the MITANI New York team presented a sold-out culinary experience for only 16 guests. The evening brought the film's world to life through the "Mitani Mariage"—Mitani's distinctive pairing of sushi and seasonal dishes with Champagne, wine, and sake. By bringing cinema and gastronomy together, the event offered guests an intimate, multisensory expression of Mitani's culinary philosophy.

On September 24, the documentary was screened at the Basque Culinary Center, one of the world's leading institutions for culinary education. Following the screening, Mitani took the stage to discuss his journey, his culinary philosophy, and his profound gratitude for every ingredient and the life it represents. The program included a lively exchange with students aspiring to careers in the culinary world.

Competing for the prestigious Culinary Zinema Award, the film received an enthusiastic response from its international audience. Its directors, producers, and members of the MITANI team were subsequently invited to attend the festival's official Closing Ceremony.

A Message from Yasuhiko Mitani / Owner, MITANI New York

"The people we met from around the world, the connections we formed through food, and the opportunity to share what we have always valued with a global audience have given us memories and experiences that we will treasure for the rest of our lives.

We will carry everything we have gained from this experience with us while remaining steadfast in the principles at the heart of Team Mitani. We hope you will continue to follow and support us as we carry forward this 'relay of life.'"

From a Four-Year Waiting List in Tokyo to a New Stage in New York

MITANI New York, the setting for Mitani's latest chapter as portrayed in the documentary, opened in Manhattan in May 2026.

Located inside the historic luxury hotel Lotte New York Palace, the restaurant features two dining rooms, each centered around a six-seat sushi counter. This intimate setting allows the team to devote its full attention to each guest and every element of the dining experience.

Mitani's story began with a six-seat restaurant in Yotsuya, Tokyo, which became renowned for its four-year waiting list. MITANI New York now brings his culinary philosophy, craftsmanship, and spirit of hospitality to a new international stage.

The "Mitani Mariage": A Culinary Philosophy Rooted in a Relay of Life

Yasuhiko Mitani began training as a sushi chef at the age of 15 and has devoted nearly half a century to his craft.

His signature concept is the "Mitani Mariage"—a distinctive approach that pairs sushi and seasonal dishes with Champagne, wine, sake, and tea.

Mitani approaches the bounty of the sea and the land with profound respect and gratitude. He honors the life of every ingredient and gives it renewed expression through each dish and every piece of sushi he creates.

He carefully considers each ingredient's condition, freshness, temperature, aroma, umami, and finish, composing every course so that each dish, piece of sushi, and accompanying beverage enhances the others.

The finest ingredients, from Japan, sourced each day are prepared as seasonal dishes and sushi, accompanied by rare Champagnes, Burgundy wines and other fine wines, exceptional Japanese sake, and tea.

Cuisine, beverages, tableware, surroundings, hospitality, and the time shared at the counter come together as one complete expression: THE MITANI EXPERIENCE.

MITANI New York is available by reservation only. Each course is composed according to the season and the availability and condition of the ingredients on the day.

MITANI New York

Restaurant: MITANI New York
Address: 455 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022
Location: Inside Lotte New York Palace
Opened: May 2026
Seating: Two dining rooms, each with a six-seat sushi counter
Reservations: Required
Courses: Sushi Mitani / Mitani Mariage / Premium Mitani Mariage
Reservations: https://www.exploretock.com/mitani-new-york-new-york
Official Website: https://mitaniny.com/
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 212-994-9831

Film Information

Title: MITANI – The Mariage of Sushi
Genre: Feature Documentary
Directors: Ivan Kovac / Keita Ideno
Executive Producer: Tomohiro Ishii
Development Producer: Norihito Watanabe
Producers: Hiroki Nakasone / Tomoyuki Suzuki
Featuring: Yasuhiko Mitani and others
Production Company: TOMODE BASE Co., Ltd.
Produced by: MITANI – The Mariage of Sushi Production Committee
San Sebastián International Film Festival: https://www.sansebastianfestival.com/ 

Media Contact

MITANI New York
Contact: Emi Kobayashi
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE MITANI NEW YORK