Current Mission

Sushi Chef Without Borders
– 国境なき寿司団 –

Sharing authentic Japanese food culture around the world using local, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients. Constantly moving, learning, and connecting through food.

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About Me

I’m Toshiya — a Japanese sushi chef, traveler and culinary nomad.

I was born in Kitakyushu, a city in southern Japan. At 17, I began backpacking across Japan, still just a high school student when 9/11 happened. That moment shifted everything for me. I dropped my original life plan and followed the pull of the unknown.

At 20, I moved to New York alone and began exploring North America by Greyhound bus — two months of life-changing travel across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. But it was in San Francisco that I truly found my second home.

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San Francisco Chapter

In San Francisco, I met my sushi master and trained under him. For nearly 7 years, I worked as a sushi chef, embraced the California lifestyle, and even co-founded a ramen restaurant with a friend.

I lived deeply — surrounded by hippie culture, the organic movement, and amazing people. California shaped me into the chef and person I am today. SF will always be in my heart.

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Wanderlust Rekindled

At age 26, I left the U.S. to explore again — traveling through London, Barcelona, and Rome. Within two months, I found another new home: Malta. This tiny island next to Sicily became my next sushi chapter.

Being a native Japanese sushi chef, I was fortunate to find opportunities everywhere I went. Thank you, sushi!

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3.11 and the Shift

Then came March 11, 2011 — 3.11. The massive earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan shook me to the core. It felt like the world had changed overnight, like a Haruki Murakami novel come to life.

I sold almost everything I owned and asked myself, “What do I really need in life?”

My answer: Travel to find out.

I packed a small bag with sushi tools, a laptop, and a few clothes. I left Malta with nothing but curiosity, simplicity, and a mission. I became:

Sushi Chef Without Borders.

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A Nomadic Sushi Life

I traveled across Asia, Europe, and beyond — cooking sushi in places like Thailand, Burma, Laos, Indonesia, Hungary, Croatia, Azerbaijan, Dubai, Mexico, and more.

I crafted sushi using local ingredients, always asking:

“Why import from the other side of the world? How can I evolve Japanese cuisine using what’s around me?”

The answer revealed itself:

Locality. Sustainability. Respect.

These values became my foundation. I embraced local, organic, and seasonal — blending Japanese precision with global diversity. I call it my Japanese–Californian style.

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Craftsmanship & Culture

I returned to Japan to visit masters of traditional food craftsmanship — from Katsuobushi makers in Makurazaki to Binchotan artisans. I worked alongside them, absorbing their skills, spirit, and philosophy.

It was humbling and life-changing.

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Belize: A New Frontier

In 2016, I moved to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize, and opened:

Jyoto Japanese Restaurant — Belize’s first authentic Japanese restaurant.
Sourcing local ingredients, staying true to my roots.

Then came:
• Ramen 501 – Fresh, local ramen in San Pedro downtown.
• Jyoto downtown – real Japanese style small sushi bar in San Pedro downtown.
• Sky Sushi Bar – A sushi experience in the jungle of San Ignacio.
• Ten Sushi (formerly Sky Sushi) – Our upgraded concept opened June, 2025.
• Koi Sushi – Opened December 2023 in Placencia. My main base now.
• Sushi Bus – My latest love: a school bus I transformed into a mobile sushi bar.
Find us on Instagram: @sushinomadz

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Today: Still Rolling

I’m now based across 3 towns in Belize, running 4 unique restaurants and always traveling with my sushi bus & my beloved cat, Tamago 🐈

Want to know where we are?
Check 🐱 his Instagram : @sushicatbelize

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Final Words

Life is travel. Traveling is living.
Food is my way to connect, share, and grow.

Let’s meet somewhere on this planet — over sushi, a story, and a smile.

Bon appétit & cheers!
— Toshiya

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[Contact – Urgent Only]

📷 Instagram: @toshiyabelize
📱 WhatsApp: +501-608-8024

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

ask me!

Interests

Cooking, Traveling, Art,Anthropology....and connect all !!

• arts
• culture
• books
• dining
• cooking
• japanese food
• drinking
• clothing
• reading
• traveling
• backpacking
• anthropology

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Living life !

Teach, Learn, Share

"You have a choice, to be a Traveler or Furniture "

by toshiya tsujimoto

Countries I’ve Visited

Azerbaijan, Belize, Canada, China, Colombia, Croatia, Guatemala, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Azerbaijan, Belize, England, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Laos, Malta, Mexico, Myanmar, Spain, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United States