MOTO, Founder

“I arrived in London from Osaka in 1998 with no money, no family, no friends, and very little English.

Brixton welcomed me with open arms and made me feel at home.

Growing up in Osaka, food was always at the centre of life. My mum, Yachiko, was a wonderful cook, while my dad, Chuji, had a gift for bringing people together. Our home was filled with laughter, conversation, sake, and friends gathered around the table.

Food has always brought people together. I love people. Cooking became my language.

From a market stall on Brick Lane to a little kitchen at The Jazz Crypt in Camberwell, and eventually to Brixton Village, I have been sharing Osaka’s beloved comfort food, especially okonomiyaki.

“OKAN” means “mum” in the Osaka dialect of Japanese. Somewhere along the way, I became not only a mum to my two sons, but also an OKAN to many people around me.

My two sons, Nuno and Noi, continue to support me and make me stronger every day.

Today, through OKAN and OTON, my mission remains the same:
To create a little piece of Osaka in London and beyond, where food brings people together and everyone feels welcome around the table.”