Artisan
Takuya Hikita
At an early age of 4, Hikita learned how to fish from his dad, who was born and raised in Numazu, Shizuoka. There, Hikita had a fateful encounter with a fish called 'Nembutsu-dai' which changed my life forever. Up until then, Hikita was scared by the sight of fish and didn't even want to touch them, let alone see them as food.
However, after going through this humbling experience of catching a fish hisself, Hikita began to appreciate the fact that every one of them had a unique character and liveliness―this is where he started to develop a profound interest in the existence of fish.
To follow his passions, Hikita received his boating license at the age of 15, and he decided to major in marine biology at university. In collaboration with local fishermen from Shizuoka, Hikita researched how the environmental impacts of their fishing activities can be reduced by developing new sustainability frameworks.
After graduation, Hikita worked at Tsukiji Market as an auctioneer of high-end fish for 10 years. And in 2018, he moved to Vancouver because he saw untapped potential in BC's beautiful shorelines. There are so many more varieties of seafood in BC, but the only ones people pay attention to and try to catch are the likes of salmon, tuna, halibut, etc. Hikita's goal is to diversify BC's local seafood industry by developing new sustainable species, so that one day we can see even more types of fish in our local grocery stores.
Fish Meister (License No.000157)
Umi-katsu
Umi-katsu literally combines “ocean” and “activity,” and represents active engagement with the ocean in everyday life.
It reflects Takuya’s philosophy of connecting people, food, and nature through everyday experiences. TSUKIJI KITCHEN supports Umi-katsu as part of its commitment to community, learning, and a healthy coast.
Umi-katsu brings people together across generations and cultures, creating welcoming spaces to learn, share, and connect. By using familiar topics like seafood, coastal environments, and food culture, it helps make the ocean feel closer — not distant, but something we all care for.
Activities include beach clean-ups, casual talks, learning sessions, and small group discussions. All are family-friendly, inclusive, and easy to join.
In short, Umi-katsu builds community through the ocean — inspiring small actions that lead to a healthier coast.
For
First Responders
Coffee is a universal invitation - simple, welcoming, and familiar. It makes TSUKIJI KITCHEN an easy place to stop in, say hello, and feel at home. To strengthen our community ties, we offer special prices for residents and tenants of The Versatile Building, and extend the same gesture to First Responders, whose role and dedication we deeply respect.
