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Now that sushi is popular all over the world and everyone has an opinion about it, the time is right to see how good it can be.

Located, in the Ginza area of Tokyo in an unassuming basement at the Tsukamoto Sogyo Building is Jiro’s sushi. It is a small, 10-seat restaurant that requires reservations booked months in advance and $300 dollar a plate. However it is worth it because sometimes the old ways are still the best ways.





In Jiro Dreams of Sushi, Sukiyabashi Jiro, is an 85-year old sushi chef who relentlessly pursues the craft of sushi making. Jiro keeps everything simple and that is one of the keys to success. He talks a lot about how to be successful, throughout the documentary, and his words speak volumes to all generations. In interviews, Jiro explains that the secret to success is to fall in love with your work, work hard, and constantly strive to improve no matter what skill level you are at. If we all followed that simple formula we will all be better off. There is no whining or complaining at Jiro’s as apprentices must spend 10-years learning.

So what makes Jiro’s sushi different from the grocery store or convenience stores? It requires total dedication to improving and satisfying customers. In his younger days, Jiro went to Tsukiji fish market, himself, and made valuable connections to different fish vendors. He puts his trust in their knowledge. He also puts his trust to which rice dealer to buy from. Also, Jiro has a keen sense of taste and he only serves the very best. He also pays attention to his customers, for example he seats men and women in a certain way because women get smaller portion so they can finish when everyone else does. Jiro’s also looks out for left handed patrons and he knows to put their sushi near the left side. It is the little things like that, that keep people happy and willing to return.



The hardest thing for Jiro is the thought of being forced to retire due to his age. That means his son, Yoshikazu, will have to continue. His father’s legacy is so great that is why it will be so difficult.

What I loved about watching Jiro Dreams of Sushi was what Jiro said during an interview, that most of the work is done for him, he just serves and entertains. The preparations are all done by his apprentices that he teaches for free and he says that he couldn’t be successful without their help.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi has a wonderful classical score featuring Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and Philip Glass. It is interesting to see how the music fits the simple and elegant interior design of the restaurant so well.

So if you have a craving for sushi and you have always wondered how sushi is prepared in Japan then watch this amazing documentary now available on Netflix for streaming.

Highly Recommended for all ages.

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"The Asian Aperture" is ©2012 by Jason Fetters. All contents of Crazed Fanboy are ©2012 by Nolan B. Canova and Terence Nuzum.

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