Former pop star Higashiyama Koki, known for his soaring vocals and 1993 hit "Kimi wa Boku no Yuuki," has faced significant challenges recently as he transitioned from music to running a ramen shop. His restaurant, Shina Soba Gyokuryu, located in Akishima City, Tokyo, closed its doors after six years of operation due to financial difficulties exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Higashiyama, often referred to as the "voice of the harmonious Billy Joel" for his clear and high-pitched singing style, enjoyed remarkable success with his debut single, which sold 350,000 copies. Following his music career, he pursued his passion for ramen, opening Shina Soba Gyokuryu where he embraced both the culinary arts and the challenges of running a business.
Despite his initial success, the ramen shop began to struggle. "The big trigger for the closure was COVID. The impact was significant. Even with government support, we couldn’t recover after the pandemic. It's frustrating to see the decline," Higashiyama shared. He mentioned putting his heart and soul—much like he did with his music—into building the ramen business, striving to create delicious dishes for loyal customers.
Unfortunately, with fewer patrons frequenting the eatery as the pandemic wore on, his financial situation became untenable. "I wanted to keep the business running, but seeing the declining customers was too difficult to handle," he reflected. With the weight of these concerns, his decision to shut down the restaurant came just after examining the local economic climate for signs of lasting recovery.
Higashiyama had also endured emotional hurdles during his training period, recalling nights filled with anxiety and tears. His culinary path began earnestly at the renowned ramen shop Shina Soba Kazuya at the age of 36, where he learned the craft from the inside out before opening up his own establishment at 44. Customers had grown fond of his shop, eagerly awaiting meals, and tireless queues would often form just before the last bowl was served.
His shop wasn’t merely another ramen restaurant; it garnered attention for its double broth soup, combining rich chicken and pork broth with delicate Japanese flavors from kombu and shiitake mushrooms. Even though the shop has closed, Higashiyama is taking the opportunity to continue sharing his creations via mail order, adapting to the changing market conditions caused by the pandemic.
Looking to the future, he has transitioned back to his music roots with renewed vigor. Following the shop's closure, Higashiyama has relocated to Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture, where he established his music studio. "Kawagoe is so quiet I had trouble sleeping at first!" he joked, highlighting the serenity of his new environment.
For Higashiyama, Kawagoe holds sentimental value, linked to memories with his mother, who expressed admiration for the area before she passed away from cancer. "My mother and I shared special moments there before she died, and it remained close to my heart. I’m really driven by my love for her," he expressed. His passion for creating music has not waned, as he balances his culinary experiences with his aspirations as an artist.
Higashiyama Koki's life has been marked by significant ups and downs, from the heights of pop stardom to the intimacy of ramen-making. While closing Shina Soba Gyokuryu marked the end of one chapter, he is embracing his next venture with hope and determination. With plans to produce and create new musical works, he aims to inspire others through both his melodies and his kitchen creations, finding harmony across all endeavors.