In the basement of a Tokyo office building, 85 year old sushi master Jiro Ono works tirelessly in his world renowned restaurant, Sukiyabashi Jiro. He is the only Japanese chef to ever be awarded Three Stars from the prestigious Michelin guide. As his son Yoshikazu faces the pressures of stepping into his father’s shoes and taking over the legendary restaurant, Jiro – san relentlessly pursues his lifelong quest to create the perfect piece of sushi.

Look for this documentary coming to a film festival near you. This film is for anyone obsessed with food, Japanese culture, and film.

If you’re in the Los Angeles area, there is a screening on Thursday, May 19 beginning at 6:00pm at the Japanese American National Museum’s Tateuchi Democracy Forum in Little Tokyo. Director David Gelb, editor Brandon Driscoll-Luttringer, and producer Kevin Iwashina will be on hand to talk about their experiences on creating a highly acclaimed independent film. Get details here.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi teaser

Filmmaker update since the earthquake and tsunami in Japan:

In light of the terrible earthquake and the ongoing nuclear calamity in Japan, we’d like to offer a brief update on Jiro in Tokyo.

Fortunately, Jiro’s hometown of Hamamatsu is south of Tokyo and was out of harms way.

Jiro and his son Yoshikazu are still hard at work making sushi every day. Although many fisheries and towns that have for decades provided fish to the Tsukiji market have been completely wiped out, Jiro is making due with materials from unaffected regions in Japan and continues to make sushi of the highest quality.

Jiro is no stranger to trying times. He was born during the Great Depression, and has worked through not only the aftermath of World War II, but also other damaging earthquakes and disasters that have threatened Japan over the decades.

Jiro’s perseverance though difficult circumstances is of great inspiration to us. We wish the best to all those affected by the disaster, and encourage those who are able to give to charities to help the afflicted.