Nippon, Houston's oldest Japanese-owned restaurant, to shutter in November

Another historic Houston icon is shuttering. Nippon, Houston's oldest Japanese-owned sushi bar, announced its upcoming closure via social media Monday night.

The authentically Japanese mainstay will close on Nov. 17, giving its devoted fans a chance for one last meal. Members of the founding Yoshida family made the announcement on Instagram. 

"As the oldest Japanese-owned restaurant in the area, Nippon has been a cornerstone of Japanese cuisine in Houston," read the post. "It’s undeniable that without your support, there would be no stories, cherished memories, and enduring friendships. Thank you, Houston, for everything!"

Naoki Yoshida, son of owners Naomitsu and Emi Yoshida, told Chron that the closure stems from his parents' retirement. "Two months ago, out of the blue, my dad was just like, 'I can't do this anymore'," said Naoki. "[He] still wants to keep serving Houston."

The 78-year-old family patriarch is the owner and main sushi chef at Nippon. As for upcoming plans, the Yoshidas will continue working at the restaurant until its final day of service. Naoki also plans to join his father as a chef during the last few weekends of operation. As for the space itself, the Yoshidas are looking for new tenants.

"When I did the post, it reached out to a lot more people than I even anticipated," Naoki said, explaining that the restaurant rarely does online marketing.

Tributes to the restaurant have already begun pouring in via social media. "First place I ever got to experience a real bowl of ramen," read a comment on Instagram. "This is a huge loss for the city," read another.

Tucked away at 4464 Montrose Blvd., just near the Montrose Bridge, Nippon was a rarity in the city's dining scene. Established in 1986 by the Yoshida family, Nippon was one of the only "Japanese-owned" Japanese restaurants in Houston and embraced Japanese food when sushi was a rarity. Nippon was also one of the remaining stalwarts in the ever-changing Montrose neighborhood.

To the non-Japanese community, Nippon was largely known for its sushi bar offerings and popular lunch bentos. However, among the Japanese community, Nippon was known for staples like sukiyaki hotpot and katsudon, which features a deep-fried pork cutlet simmered in soy sauce and topped with simmered egg and onions. 

The 38-year-old veteran Montrose restaurant was an early introduction to authentic sushi and ramen. Fans of the longtime eatery include members of Houston's small Japanese community, visitors to the Museum District, office lunch crowds and even visiting MLB players like former Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui and 2009 World Series MVP Hideki Matsui.