The era of Meiji (about 125 years ago) was the period that Japan started opening its door to western modern-ization. It also coincided with the time that Tamajiro Shioi came back from France where he successfully completed his training as a professional chef in French cuisine. Soon after his return to Japan, he opened his first restaurant called “Yayoi-ken” at the Kayabacho area in Tokyo. His first restaurant served mainly western cuisine at the competitive price of only one yen per set.Because of his superb cooking skill and competitive price, Yayoi-ken soon became so popular with Tokyo residents that even the then prime minister a nd famouse writers like Junichiro Tanizaki, were among the restaurant’s frequent customers.