Taro Arai is the “chief dreaming officer” (CDO) at Mikuni (mikunisushi.com), the sushi restaurant with nine branches across Northern California (soon to be 10!) and many devoted fans. When my family and I first moved to the area, everyone told us we had to try Mikuni. (We have and we love it.) But Mikuni is about much more than Japanese food, and while Arai may be full of dreams, he’s also fantastic at bringing them to life. 

Please share the Mikuni story with us. 

My family and I immigrated to the U.S. from Japan in 1985, and my dad worked as a reverend at Sacramento's First Japanese Baptist Church. My mom would cater for the congregation with her delicious sushi; meanwhile, I had no money, no English, and no friends, but was full of dreams! My dad, who had never cooked in his life, had a dream of opening a restaurant. In 1987, we opened the first Mikuni in Fair Oaks; since then, we’ve continued to grow. We started the first sushi bus, taking sushi to people and making them more aware of our restaurants; and created Sushiology classes where we teach people, including school children, how to make sushi.

Our faith is very important—Mikuni means “Kingdom of God”—and helping others has always been a driver for Mikuni.  We set up the Mikuni Charitable Foundation in 2006, which has raised millions of dollars, and we also have a “Rescue Roll” on our menu; the proceeds from the roll and the foundation have helped many local and international causes, most recently those affected by the wildfires in Maui. 

Tell us more about your role as chief dreaming officer.

I took over the job of chief dreaming officer back in 2003 when my dad retired. I always say, “Dreaming is free, why not dream big?” My daughter, Chiyoh, is our marketing director, but she also manages my calendar. I don’t know what I’m doing each day until I check it. These days, I’m still involved in sushi and catering for private functions—where I go to people’s homes, prepare food all night, and share the Mikuni story. I also go to schools and host Sushiology classes, demonstrating how to make sushi. I’m sometimes asked to speak at events, and we often give back to the community and various charitable organizations; for example, we’ve raised over $3.7 million from our annual golf tournament alone through the Mikuni Charitable Foundation. Recently, people donated $16,000 just to eat and play golf with me! This is more than a job or career—it’s my calling.

How do you come up with additions to the menu? Is there room to be creative when many regulars have their favorites?

Since I get to prepare anything (“omakase,” which means “I’ll leave it up to you”) at catering events, I create many dishes on the spot with what I have. With my three granddaughters, I plan to make a YouTube channel where we’ll create new dishes together and speak three different languages. 

You’re a regular feature in several local cities and can be trusted to serve tasty food, no matter the location, but what is the brand's ethos and how does that play out day-to-day?

Our mission statement to be the most loving and loved company in the world. We want to keep showing our love with our words and actions to our Creator and to everyone we meet. 

You're opening a new Mikuni in the El Dorado Hills Town Center. How is that going?

We’re in the process of getting permits and hoping to open by the holidays. We’re super excited!

What’s your favorite way to relax? 

I don’t relax! Time is ticking, and I want to keep moving. I’ll relax when I die.

Best perk of the job? 

Getting to spend time with the people I love and traveling the world to visit farms. Exploring! 

Photos by Jyo Bhamidipati ©stylereadersmedia.