Taking Office in April 2026! The Gourmet & Family Ambassador Reveals the “True Face of Minato Ward”
April marks the start of a new chapter in life. To widely promote the diverse charms of Minato Ward, two specialists have been appointed as “Minato Ward Tourism Association Official Ambassadors.” The “MINATO GOURMET AMBASSADOR” is Tabi Syokunin (@tabi_syokunin), a food creator who has garnered a massive following—primarily on social media—as an unconventional travel and food enthusiast. Her delightful way of eating and down-to-earth commentary have captured the hearts of many fans. Meanwhile, Minatori (@minatrip_odekake) has been appointed as the “MINATO FAMILY FUN AMBASSADOR.” As a working mom raising a one-year-old child, she is an influencer who shares information about family-friendly spots based on her own experiences. How will these two promote the charms of Minato Ward? To commemorate their appointments, we spoke with each of them about their connection to Minato Ward and their enthusiasm for their new roles.
The Culinary Adventures of a Traveler Who Has Visited All 47 Prefectures: Discovering Minato Ward’s Fine Dining and the Depth of Its Neighborhoods
"Kikaku-gai Tabi Shokujin" is a food content creator with over 110,000 followers. His videos featuring "exquisite meals" filmed as he travels across Japan have captivated a wide audience. Unbound by trends, “Unconventional Travel Foodie” values only what he genuinely finds delicious and the unique “atmosphere” of each restaurant. How exactly did this distinctive style come about? In this feature, we went behind the scenes to observe “Unconventional Travel Foodie” filming at restaurants. He shared his unique philosophy on food and his thoughts on becoming an ambassador.
――Thank you for your hard work today filming the video at “Ebisu Tenkaichi Shimbashi” in Shimbashi. Mr. Tabishokujin, do you usually come to Shimbashi often?
“Yeah, that’s true. Shimbashi really does have a lot of restaurants, and there are plenty of historic eateries that really resonate with our generation—people in their 40s and 50s. Everyone was saying how delicious the fried rice here was, and after trying it myself today, I have to say it was absolutely delicious.”
“Yeah, that’s true. Shimbashi really does have a lot of restaurants, and there are plenty of historic eateries that really resonate with our generation—people in their 40s and 50s. Everyone was saying how delicious the fried rice here was, and after trying it myself today, I have to say it was absolutely delicious.”
――You’re currently active as a food content creator, primarily on social media. Could you please introduce yourself again and tell us about your background?
“Yes. I’m from Kyoto, and I’m 43 years old. I used to work as a manager at an Italian restaurant chain with several locations. However, I’m now working full-time as a food content creator. I’m probably away from Tokyo for about a third of each month. I travel all over Japan, from north to south.”
“Yes. I’m from Kyoto, and I’m 43 years old. I used to work as a manager at an Italian restaurant chain with several locations. However, I’m now working full-time as a food content creator. I’m probably away from Tokyo for about a third of each month. I travel all over Japan, from north to south.”
――Why did you decide to transition from being a restaurant manager to a creator who posts food videos?
“The main reason is that I’ve always loved trying out different restaurants. Whenever I went out to eat in my free time, I’d take photos to keep a record. It all started with a comment from a friend. ‘If you eat so enthusiastically, why don’t you post your photos on Instagram?’ That’s how it started, and I think it was around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 that I decided to seriously pursue it as a food account. At first, it was just an extension of my hobby, but I made the transition to take it more seriously, and that’s how I got to where I am today.”
“The main reason is that I’ve always loved trying out different restaurants. Whenever I went out to eat in my free time, I’d take photos to keep a record. It all started with a comment from a friend. ‘If you eat so enthusiastically, why don’t you post your photos on Instagram?’ That’s how it started, and I think it was around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 that I decided to seriously pursue it as a food account. At first, it was just an extension of my hobby, but I made the transition to take it more seriously, and that’s how I got to where I am today.”
――You started in 2020, and now you have over 110,000 followers.
“I’m truly grateful. But at first, it was all about photos. I didn’t start posting videos until around 2021 or 2022. When I was managing an Italian restaurant, I was also in charge of the restaurant’s social media, and my account had the most followers in the entire group. That’s when I started to feel, just a little bit, that maybe I had a knack for social media.”
“I’m truly grateful. But at first, it was all about photos. I didn’t start posting videos until around 2021 or 2022. When I was managing an Italian restaurant, I was also in charge of the restaurant’s social media, and my account had the most followers in the entire group. That’s when I started to feel, just a little bit, that maybe I had a knack for social media.”
――Watching your videos, you really make the food look delicious. Do you have any particular approach or tips for filming?
“I get asked this a lot, but I’m not consciously doing anything. It’s completely ‘natural.’ For example, if a stranger sitting next to you were quietly eating fried rice all by himself, you’d think, ‘Oh, that fried rice looks good,’ right? I’m just capturing that feeling in my videos.”
“I get asked this a lot, but I’m not consciously doing anything. It’s completely ‘natural.’ For example, if a stranger sitting next to you were quietly eating fried rice all by himself, you’d think, ‘Oh, that fried rice looks good,’ right? I’m just capturing that feeling in my videos.”
――Do you have any particular standards when it comes to editing?
“I do it all on just one smartphone, but it takes me about 5 to 6 hours to finish a single video. Sometimes I’ll add a single caption while lying in bed, and other times I’ll wake up suddenly early in the morning and finish it all at once. But I don’t push myself too hard. I’ve always loved traveling and seeking out delicious food in different places. I feel truly lucky to be able to turn what I love into my job.”
“I do it all on just one smartphone, but it takes me about 5 to 6 hours to finish a single video. Sometimes I’ll add a single caption while lying in bed, and other times I’ll wake up suddenly early in the morning and finish it all at once. But I don’t push myself too hard. I’ve always loved traveling and seeking out delicious food in different places. I feel truly lucky to be able to turn what I love into my job.”
――You’ve recently been appointed as an ambassador for the Minato City Tourism Association. As someone with a unique approach to travel and dining, what are your impressions of Minato City?
“Actually, I live in Yoyogi, so I can get to Akasaka and Roppongi in no time with just one subway ride. There was a time when I thought, ‘Akasaka is nowhere near my world,’ but once I started going there to shoot videos, I realized it’s a really charming neighborhood. How should I put it? It’s a down-to-earth ‘grown-up neighborhood.’”
“Actually, I live in Yoyogi, so I can get to Akasaka and Roppongi in no time with just one subway ride. There was a time when I thought, ‘Akasaka is nowhere near my world,’ but once I started going there to shoot videos, I realized it’s a really charming neighborhood. How should I put it? It’s a down-to-earth ‘grown-up neighborhood.’”
――So you realized its charm by actually visiting the area, right?
“I love walking—I’ll walk from Hiroo to Gotanda, or walk home from Shimbashi to my place in Yoyogi. When you walk around like that, you start to see unexpected sides of Minato Ward. Right behind the skyscrapers, you’ll find long-established residential neighborhoods and historic sites. There’s even a term like ‘Minato Ward Girls,’ and while the area has a strong, glamorous image, it actually has a very deep history and many different facets. I think that contrast is what makes it interesting.”
“I love walking—I’ll walk from Hiroo to Gotanda, or walk home from Shimbashi to my place in Yoyogi. When you walk around like that, you start to see unexpected sides of Minato Ward. Right behind the skyscrapers, you’ll find long-established residential neighborhoods and historic sites. There’s even a term like ‘Minato Ward Girls,’ and while the area has a strong, glamorous image, it actually has a very deep history and many different facets. I think that contrast is what makes it interesting.”
――As an ambassador, what kind of activities would you like to pursue going forward?
“I’d like to introduce Minato Ward from a slightly different perspective—one that so-called ‘foodie’ influencers haven’t explored before. For example, I want to highlight not just high-end restaurants, but also hidden gems tucked away in back alleys and down-to-earth, everyday spots. By walking around Minato Ward as an ordinary person, enjoying the food, and sharing my experiences, I hope to inspire people to think, ‘Minato Ward is actually this interesting!’”
“I’d like to introduce Minato Ward from a slightly different perspective—one that so-called ‘foodie’ influencers haven’t explored before. For example, I want to highlight not just high-end restaurants, but also hidden gems tucked away in back alleys and down-to-earth, everyday spots. By walking around Minato Ward as an ordinary person, enjoying the food, and sharing my experiences, I hope to inspire people to think, ‘Minato Ward is actually this interesting!’”
――Finally, could you share a message with us?
“Minato Ward has it all—from high-end restaurants to down-to-earth neighborhood Chinese spots. I hope you’ll join me in enjoying the neighborhood’s culinary scene—it’s accessible without being pretentious, yet still full of excitement. Nothing would make me happier than if the restaurants I introduce inspire you to explore Minato Ward. As an ambassador, I’ll do my very best to bring you the best flavors!”
“Minato Ward has it all—from high-end restaurants to down-to-earth neighborhood Chinese spots. I hope you’ll join me in enjoying the neighborhood’s culinary scene—it’s accessible without being pretentious, yet still full of excitement. Nothing would make me happier than if the restaurants I introduce inspire you to explore Minato Ward. As an ambassador, I’ll do my very best to bring you the best flavors!”
"MINATO GOURMET AMBASSADOR: Profile"
A Real-Life Mom Shares Her Vision for a Child-Friendly Minato Ward
As the mother of a one-year-old boy, Minatori shares “outings you can enjoy with your baby” on Instagram while juggling the daily challenges of parenting. Having just started her career as an influencer, why did Minatori decide to serve as an ambassador for the Minato City Tourism Association? Behind this decision lay the “anxiety about going out” she herself had faced and her strong desire to alleviate it. We asked her to share, from a mom’s perspective, the appeal of Minato City—where cutting-edge culture coexists with a family-friendly atmosphere.
――First, could you please introduce yourself? What kind of activities do you usually engage in?
“Nice to meet you. My name is Minatori. I’m currently raising a 1-year-old son, and I mainly use Instagram to share recommendations for places to visit that are fun to enjoy with a baby. Even before I gave birth, I loved exploring famous tourist spots in Japan and traveling abroad. Since my child was born, I haven’t wanted to give up that joy, so I’ve been searching for and sharing wonderful spots where families can go together.”
“Nice to meet you. My name is Minatori. I’m currently raising a 1-year-old son, and I mainly use Instagram to share recommendations for places to visit that are fun to enjoy with a baby. Even before I gave birth, I loved exploring famous tourist spots in Japan and traveling abroad. Since my child was born, I haven’t wanted to give up that joy, so I’ve been searching for and sharing wonderful spots where families can go together.”
――Can you tell us what inspired you to start sharing information about family-friendly spots on social media?
“When I actually decided to go out in Tokyo with my child, I realized there was surprisingly little information available. I was constantly worried: ‘Will my baby really enjoy this place?’ or ‘Will the nursing rooms and diaper-changing stations be easy to use?’ Even when I asked my mom friends, they were all struggling with the same issues. That’s when I thought, ‘If I visit these places myself and share what I find, I can help parents feel more at ease and enjoy going out with their kids.’ That’s what got me started.”
“When I actually decided to go out in Tokyo with my child, I realized there was surprisingly little information available. I was constantly worried: ‘Will my baby really enjoy this place?’ or ‘Will the nursing rooms and diaper-changing stations be easy to use?’ Even when I asked my mom friends, they were all struggling with the same issues. That’s when I thought, ‘If I visit these places myself and share what I find, I can help parents feel more at ease and enjoy going out with their kids.’ That’s what got me started.”
――All the photos you’ve posted are so warm and lovely. Is there anything in particular you keep in mind when taking them?
“Thank you so much! What matters most to me is capturing the children’s smiles. I try to capture expressions that can only be seen in that specific moment and at that specific age—like the excitement on their faces when they touch playground equipment for the first time, or the sight of them crawling with all their might. At the same time, I make sure to include photos and videos that show the entire facility, as well as information about the amenities that moms and dads want to know, so that my posts give people a sense of what the place is like without having to visit in person.”
“Thank you so much! What matters most to me is capturing the children’s smiles. I try to capture expressions that can only be seen in that specific moment and at that specific age—like the excitement on their faces when they touch playground equipment for the first time, or the sight of them crawling with all their might. At the same time, I make sure to include photos and videos that show the entire facility, as well as information about the amenities that moms and dads want to know, so that my posts give people a sense of what the place is like without having to visit in person.”
――As you’ve been exploring Minato Ward with your 1-year-old, are there any spots where you’ve thought, “This place is a real lifesaver” or “I can let my child play here with peace of mind”?
“I highly recommend the ‘ITOCHU SDGs STUDIO KIDS PARK’ in Kita-Aoyama! It’s close to Omotesando, and believe it or not, it’s free. Since it operates by reservation, it never gets too crowded, so you can let even very young babies play there with peace of mind. Plus, the attached restaurant, ‘Hoshi no Kitchen,’ is wonderful too. Not only do they provide high chairs and cutlery, but they also offer free baby food—it’s a real lifesaver for families with children. Having places like this really makes you think, ‘Let’s head to Minato Ward first!’”
“I highly recommend the ‘ITOCHU SDGs STUDIO KIDS PARK’ in Kita-Aoyama! It’s close to Omotesando, and believe it or not, it’s free. Since it operates by reservation, it never gets too crowded, so you can let even very young babies play there with peace of mind. Plus, the attached restaurant, ‘Hoshi no Kitchen,’ is wonderful too. Not only do they provide high chairs and cutlery, but they also offer free baby food—it’s a real lifesaver for families with children. Having places like this really makes you think, ‘Let’s head to Minato Ward first!’”
――On the flip side, if you have any ideas for facilities or services that you think would be helpful—like, “It would be great if there were something like this!”—please let us know.
“I’d love to see more food courts where you can bring a stroller without feeling self-conscious, as well as cafes and restaurants with kids’ play areas where children can play to their hearts’ content. For parents with children, eating out is the biggest challenge. I think if there were more places like that, our time in Minato Ward would be even more enjoyable and comfortable.”
“I’d love to see more food courts where you can bring a stroller without feeling self-conscious, as well as cafes and restaurants with kids’ play areas where children can play to their hearts’ content. For parents with children, eating out is the biggest challenge. I think if there were more places like that, our time in Minato Ward would be even more enjoyable and comfortable.”
――Now that you’ve been appointed as an ambassador, how do you feel?
“To be honest, I was a little worried about whether I could handle the role, but now I feel truly honored. As I’ve been exploring Minato Ward’s attractions anew, I’ve realized there are far more family-friendly places than I ever imagined. Through my work as an ambassador, I want to make sure families with babies, in particular, fully experience that warmth and charm.”
“To be honest, I was a little worried about whether I could handle the role, but now I feel truly honored. As I’ve been exploring Minato Ward’s attractions anew, I’ve realized there are far more family-friendly places than I ever imagined. Through my work as an ambassador, I want to make sure families with babies, in particular, fully experience that warmth and charm.”
――Specifically, what kind of information would you like to share?
“Just as we have done in the past, we want to provide concrete and detailed information that can help alleviate the ‘anxiety about going out’ that moms and dads often feel. I’d be happy if Minato Ward could become a more familiar presence by sharing information that gives them the confidence to say, ‘You can enjoy yourself here with peace of mind!’”
“Just as we have done in the past, we want to provide concrete and detailed information that can help alleviate the ‘anxiety about going out’ that moms and dads often feel. I’d be happy if Minato Ward could become a more familiar presence by sharing information that gives them the confidence to say, ‘You can enjoy yourself here with peace of mind!’”
――Finally, please share a message with us.
“We’ll be sharing plenty of information on Minato Ward’s attractions—from recreational facilities to dining spots—that the whole family can enjoy. We hope this serves as a helpful guide for your outings and inspires you to visit. Let’s enjoy these “precious moments that can only be experienced right now” with your children in the wonderful setting of Minato Ward!”
“We’ll be sharing plenty of information on Minato Ward’s attractions—from recreational facilities to dining spots—that the whole family can enjoy. We hope this serves as a helpful guide for your outings and inspires you to visit. Let’s enjoy these “precious moments that can only be experienced right now” with your children in the wonderful setting of Minato Ward!”
"MINATO FAMILY FUN AMBASSADOR: Profile"