San Diego Japanese restaurant Kokoro is preparing to close at the end of the month after 12 years of service. The restaurant is closing as the chef-owner decides to retire.
Kokoro Restaurant Prepares to Serve Its Final Meal
Led by executive chef Akio “Taisho” Ishito, Kokoro restaurant’s menu focuses on traditional Japanese cuisine, like Kyoto-style kappo cuisine, a multi-course seasonal omakase menu, and more. The restaurant also serves beer, wine, premium sake, and signature cocktails.
The official Instagram post from Kokoro Restaurant announced that the restaurant, located at 3298 Greyling Drive in San Diego, California, is permanently closing on August 30, 2026.
The restaurant team shared the closure news and announced that the sushi chef, Taisho Ishito, has decided to retire.
The team added a note of gratitude and wrote, “We are deeply grateful for your support, kindness, and the many memories we’ve shared over the years. Thank you for being part of our journey.”
The Kokoro team also wished Taisho and Akane best wishes for their future ahead.
View this post on Instagram
About the Restaurant
Ishito owned and operated a restaurant in Los Angeles for 15 years before moving to San Diego. He later served as head chef at San Diego’s Robata-ya Oton before opening the Kokoro. The restaurant was opened in 2014 in the Serra Mesa neighborhood, according to the Sandiegoville news report.
The aim of the restaurant was to offer authentic sushi, instead of San Diego’s Americanized sushi. The chef focused on kappo-style Japanese cooking and traditional techniques. It uses both locally and Japan-sourced fresh ingredients for its dishes. Over time, the restaurant became a local favorite and go-to spot for diners.
In 2025, Eater San Diego included Kokoro on its list of the city’s best sushi restaurants.
As Kokoro enters its final weeks of operations, it hopes to serve a few more meals with the community.
