About Us
Welcome to Tokiwa Osaka — a new chapter in Japanese dining, now open in Johor Bahru. Inspired by the age-old Irori hearth cooking tradition, Tokiwa invites you into a warm, smoky hideaway where flame, flavour, and hospitality come together.
As the sister concept to Towa — a refined omakase restaurant in Singapore's Central Business District — Tokiwa carries forward the same commitment to quality and craft, but in a more relaxed, izakaya-inspired atmosphere. Here, charcoal-grilled delights take centre stage, accompanied by fresh sashimi, small plates, and a curated list of Japanese highballs, sake, and cocktails.
Whether you're a local gourmand or a curious cross-border foodie, Tokiwa offers a soulful Osaka-style experience in the heart of Eco Botanic, Iskandar Puteri — perfect for date nights, intimate dinners, or spontaneous after-hours bites.
TODA MITSUHIRO (HEAD CHEF)
At the heart of Tokiwa Osaka is our founder and head chef — a passionate craftsman whose culinary journey began in the most unexpected way: at the age of seven, when he first picked up a knife out of necessity, not ambition. Why? His mother, by his own account, was a terrible cook, and he quickly learned that if he wanted a decent meal, he’d have to make it himself.
Though his love for cooking grew over time, life initially took him in a different direction. In his early twenties, he pursued a lucrative career in construction, building a comfortable life for himself. But the fire never left the kitchen. Eventually, he made a bold decision: he walked away from a stable, high-paying job to return to his true passion — cooking — fully aware of the financial sacrifice it would require.
Now, with over 40 years of culinary experience, he brings a lifetime of stories, skill, and soul to Tokiwa. His career has taken him through the kitchens of restaurants across Japan and Singapore, each stop refining his philosophy of food: simple ingredients, cooked with care, served with sincerity.
Under his guidance, Tokiwa isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a return to roots. A place where tradition meets fire, where every dish is a quiet tribute to the path less taken, and where the smoky warmth of Irori-style cooking tells a story as rich as its flavours.