Nakato Japanese Restaurant celebrates 50 years in Atlanta

Things to Do

Nakato Japanese Restaurant celebrates 50 years in Atlanta

Now located on Cheshire Bridge Road, and operated by her granddaughter, Sachi Nakato Takahara, Nakato Japanese Restaurant is celebrating 50 years in 2022, with a series of throwback specials and promotions.

Nakato’s Tatami Rooms were created by a Japan-based architectural firm in the exact specifications of traditional Tatami Rooms that are found throughout Japan. Although Nakato’s Tatami Rooms have been closed during Covid, guests could enjoy a multi-course dinner uniquely prepared for their group by the Executive Chef.
Courtesy of Nakato Japanese Restaurant

The Nakato Dining Room today, featuring hundreds of Origami Japanese Cranes (symbolizing peace and longevity), that were created for the restaurant’s 45th Anniversary
Courtesy of Nakato Japanese Restaurant

Pivot was the name of the game during COVID, and Sachi was a leader in pivoting to Curbside Pick-Up while the restaurant in-house dining was closed for several months.
Courtesy of Nakato Japanese Restaurant

Executive Sushi Chef Yoshifusa Kinjo’s magnificent Sashimi and Nigiri artistry is as delicious as it is beautiful.
Courtesy of Nakato Japanese Restaurant

The Tea Garden of the original Nakato Japanese Restaurant was designed for its zen asthetic by owner Tetsuko Nakato, including rocks that she hand-selected. This photo was taken right after the restaurant opened in 1972 and features one of Nakato’s lead servers.
Courtesy of Nakato Japanese Restaurant

Although Sachi Nakato Takahara manages Nakato, her mother Hiroe Nakato, and sister Yuki Nakato Takahara both provide input and guidance.
Courtesy of Nakato Japanese Restaurant

Hibachi combination plates have always been some of the most popular dishes at Nakato. All of the Hibachi Meals at Nakato are served with soup, salad, rice and noodles as well as a choice of proteins.
Courtesy of Nakato Japanese Restaurant

A traditional staple of Japanese cooking, Sukiyaki and Shabu-Shabu Hotpots, are presented tableside where guests can cook their own dishes with the fresh ingredients presented.
Courtesy of Nakato Japanese Restaurant

Sachi and her grandmother Tetsuko, celebrating the traditional 7-5-3 Day, honoring children who are ages 7, 5 and 3.
Courtesy of Nakato Japanese Restaurant

One of Nakato’s semi-private Teppanyaki Rooms where guests leave their shoes at the door and sit on the floor to enjoy the Hibachi Chefs dazzle with their entertaining culinary techniques.
Courtesy of Nakato Japanese Restaurant

Taken in 1974 of the front of the original restaurant location, showcasing its traditional Japanese aesthetic.
Courtesy of Nakato Japanese Restaurant

One of Nakato’s newest creations, the Sushi Cake has become a popular way for Sushi lovers to celebrate special occasions, while creating that “wow” factor.
Courtesy of Nakato Japanese Restaurant

The founder of Nakato, Tetsuko Nakato and her daughter Hiroe, worked with then Governor Jimmy Carter (pictured along with his wife Rosalynn and daughter Amy) to help woo Japan-based businesses to open US divisions in Atlanta.
Courtesy of Nakato Japanese Restaurant

Nakato

The battered fried veggies and shrimp in the tempura bowl from Nakato traveled well. CONTRIBUTED BY NAKATO JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Nakato Japanese Restaurant offers six different rice bowls, each served with miso soup, as a $15 lunch special available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. The restaurant also offers the bowls as part of a $60 Rice Bowl Family Meal that feeds four people. CONTRIBUTED BY NAKATO JAPANESE RESTAURANT

The rice bowl family meal includes four rice bowls along with five fried shumai, edamame, a seafood roll, spicy tuna roll, fried rice and miso soup. Pictured (from left) are the edamame, seafood roll, spicy tuna roll and shumai. LIGAYA FIGUERAS / LIGAYA.FIGUERAS@AJC.COM

The chicken oyako-don is one of the rice bowls that are offered at Nakato as part of a $60 rice bowl family meal that feeds four people. CONTRIBUTED BY NAKATO JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Nakato opened on Cheshire Bridge Road more than 45 years ago, serving as one of Atlanta's first Japanese restaurants.

Hibachi meats at Nakato. (Heidi Geldhauser / handout photo)

1/20

Nakato’s Tatami Rooms were created by a Japan-based architectural firm in the exact specifications of traditional Tatami Rooms that are found throughout Japan. Although Nakato’s Tatami Rooms have been closed during Covid, guests could enjoy a multi-course dinner uniquely prepared for their group by the Executive Chef. Courtesy of Nakato Japanese Restaurant

Today's Gallery Headlines

Tucker head coach James Hartry

Tucker coach James Hartry's final game leading the Tigers basketball team

Qualifying week in Georgia kicks off high-stakes filing frenzy

PHOTOS: Qualifying week begins in Georgia

Tucker head coach James Hartry

Photos: Cambridge defeats Tucker in second round of state basketball tournament

cedar grove, cairo

Photos: Cedar Grove defeats Cairo in first round of state tournament

More Galleries

Salem Campground Covington

PHOTOS: See the 'Places in Peril' across Georgia for 2026

Autotrader 400

PHOTOS: Tyler Reddick wins again at Autotrader 400

Allyson Phillips (center), Laken Riley’s mother, prays at UGA’s Tate Plaza on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, during a memorial service for her daughter. Riley was attacked on Feb. 22, 2024 while running in Oconee Forest Park on the UGA campus and killed. (C.J. Bartunek for the AJC)

PHOTOS: Hundreds honor Laken Riley with 5K, memorial on UGA campus

Region 5AA Championship : Holy Innocents vs. KIPP Atlanta

PHOTOS: Holy Innocents’ wins Region 5AA championship in basketball