Hello everyone, this is Sushi Hatake!
Today, I’d like to share some thoughts on a topic that many event organizers struggle with: food for corporate gatherings.
“Don’t Want to Fail” — The Organizer’s Dilemma
When you’re put in charge of organizing a company party or networking event, the fear of failure often takes over. You end up choosing the same safe options every time.
Pizza. Finger food. Catered platters.
Nobody complains, but nobody talks about it either. The food becomes background noise, and the atmosphere stays exactly the same.
You don’t fail, but you don’t succeed either.
Sound familiar?
Why Does Party Food Never Leave an Impression?
In most cases, food is simply “served, eaten, and forgotten.” It doesn’t spark conversation, nobody takes photos, and it leaves no lasting memory.
But food has the power to transform the atmosphere of a gathering. This is especially important when many attendees are meeting for the first time.
The Moment the Atmosphere Changed
At one corporate gathering I catered, there was that familiar awkward silence at the start. Many attendees were meeting for the first time, and you could feel the tension — people unsure of what to say to each other.
Then, the sushi chef started making sushi right in front of them.
The atmosphere began to shift.
“What kind of fish is that?”
“This is actually the best season for it.”
Conversations started naturally, sparked by the sushi. A chef never runs out of things to talk about — we have plenty of “material” to work with.
Before long, people from different departments and positions were sharing the same experience, the barriers between them dissolving naturally.
“We Experienced Something” Beats “It Was Fancy”
The gatherings people remember aren’t defined by how expensive the food was — they’re defined by the experience.
A chef making sushi right before your eyes. The live atmosphere. Conversations sparked naturally. Energy in the room.
The food doesn’t become the main attraction — the food becomes the bridge that connects people.
That’s the philosophy behind what Sushi Hatake does.
This Works Best For:
- Gatherings where many people are meeting for the first time
- Small to medium-sized groups (4 to 20 people)
- Events where you want to make a lasting impression
- Client entertainment or hosting external guests
- International guests who want an authentic Japanese experience (English available)
On the other hand, if your priority is keeping costs as low as possible, or if you’re hosting a very large event, this might not be the right fit. I’ll be honest — it’s not for every situation.
Frequently Asked Questions from Event Organizers
Here are the questions I get most often when organizers reach out.
Q. How much does it cost?
We offer courses ranging from ¥4,000 to ¥7,000 per person. The minimum order is ¥60,000. For example, you could book a ¥4,000 course for 15 people, or a ¥7,000 course for 9 people. Mix and match is also possible.
Q. What’s the minimum number of guests?
We can accommodate groups as small as 4 people. Up to about 20 guests is the comfortable range for one chef to handle properly. For larger groups, please inquire.
Q. Does the venue matter?
As long as you’re within Tokyo’s 23 wards, we can come to your office meeting room, a rental space, or even a private residence. Transportation is included in the price. Other areas are available upon request.
Q. What do we need to prepare?
Just a table-sized workspace and access to running water. We bring all the equipment and tableware. No special preparation is needed on your end.
Q. What does the day look like?
We arrive about one hour before the start time to set up. The service itself typically runs 2-3 hours. We handle cleanup afterward, so there’s minimal burden on the organizer.
Q. Can you accommodate allergies?
Yes. Just let us know in advance. We can work around shellfish, certain fish, and other allergies as flexibly as possible.
Q. Is there a cancellation fee?
Cancellation fees apply starting 7 days before the event. We’ll provide full details when you inquire.
Q. Can you issue a receipt for business expenses?
Yes, we can issue receipts under your company name for expense reporting purposes.
We Don’t Just Serve Food — We Create the Atmosphere
What Sushi Hatake provides isn’t just sushi. It’s using sushi to shape the atmosphere of your gathering.
You don’t need to know the term “mobile sushi catering.”
If you’ve ever thought, “I want this event to feel different” or “I want to change the energy in the room” — consider this as one of your options.
We provide sushi catering services throughout Tokyo. For more details and examples of past events, please visit the links below.