Yoshinori Horii

Owner, Sohonke Sarashina Horii (Tokyo, Japan)

Yoshinori Horii is the ninth-generation proprietor of Sohonke Sarashina Horii, one of Japan’s most celebrated soba establishments, founded in 1789 during the Edo period. For decades, he has dedicated himself to preserving and advancing the techniques, traditions, and cultural heritage of Edo-style soba, while sharing its rich history with new generations in Japan and around the world. In recognition of his contributions to Japanese culinary craftsmanship, Horii was named a recipient of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare’s prestigious Contemporary Master Craftsman (Gendai no Meikō) award in 2024. He also serves as executive board member of the All Japan Society of Food Studies and Vice Chairman of the Edo Tokyo Brand Association.