CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — After a 17-year career as an investment banker in Japan, Yuichi Hojo moved to Charlottetown in 2018 with his wife, Tomomi, with the idea of opening an authentic Japanese restaurant.
On Wednesday, that idea became a reality as Hojo’s Japanese Cuisine officially opened its doors for the first time. The restaurant is located at 119 Kent St. above MacAulay's Bakery and Deli and next to Tim Hortons. Islanders will remember the space as the long-time home of Pat & Willy's Cantina. Hojo’s has seating for up to 90 people. The licensed restaurant also has local craft beer on tap from Upstreet Craft Brewing and Copper Bottom.
The restaurant is employing about 12 people, including award-winning head chef Masashi Katsuki, deputy head chef and ramen specialist Yoshihisa Takashima and senior chef Eisuke Koyama.
The restaurant is serving traditional Japanese food. Some of the menu items include sushi, sashimi, ramen and a variety of soups. There is also a noodle-making machine in the corner of the restaurant. Customers can order off a traditional menu or use an iPad with images and descriptions of the menu items. The restaurant is open Tuesdays to Saturdays 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sundays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
