Photo: Eric England
Downtown Asian restaurant Koto Sushi Bar will close this Friday, Dec. 20, after 34 years in business.
Chef Hajime Keruma and his wife Song-mi opened the restaurant, one of the city’s few world cuisine dining options at the time, in 1985. Hajime Keruma, considered an influential pioneer in Nashville's sushi scene, died in 2017 at age 64 (read more here).
The Keruma family owns the building in which Koto operates, at 421 Union St., and has put it up for sale. They acquired it for $575,000 in mid-2007, according to Metro records.
"We're happy to take a rest from food, and see what else is out there," James Keruma, son of the founders, tells the Scene. He adds that the building is under contract, but he isn't ready to name the potential buyer.
The family also expresses gratitude to Koto's clientele. In a release today, Song-mi Kerama encourages customers to stop by this week. "The family would ... love a chance to give a final goodbye in their restaurant to friends who have been patrons for decades." The release adds that the family will explore sushi catering in the new year.
“The Keruma family wants to thank all of our loyal customers for supporting our success over the past 34 years,” a sign posted on Koto entrance door reads. “While we’ll miss this chapter of our lives, especially our customers who have become our friends and family, we’re looking forward to what the future holds.”
