In a heartwarming celebration of legacy and family, the popular yakitori chain Torikizoku is gearing up for its 40th anniversary with a unique collaboration featuring Tadayoshi Ohkura, a member of the popular idol group SUPER EIGHT. This collaboration not only marks a significant milestone for the restaurant but also highlights a personal connection between Tadayoshi and his father, Tadasu Ohkura, the founder and CEO of Torikizoku.
Scheduled for May 1, 2025, Torikizoku will roll out a limited-edition menu curated by Tadayoshi Ohkura, who will also celebrate his 40th birthday just weeks later on May 16. The collaboration includes two specialty dishes: "Kushi-Nugget Green," featuring eight chicken nugget skewers topped with seaweed salt, and "Nira-Tama Green," which consists of grilled chicken skewers garnished with chives and soft-boiled eggs. Each dish is set to be available in a limited quantity of one million servings, totaling two million servings across both items.
The announcement was made during a press conference held in Tokyo on April 21, 2025, where Tadayoshi and Tadasu appeared together for the first time in public. Tadayoshi expressed his excitement, stating, "I’m really happy to be involved in Torikizoku's 40th anniversary in the year I turn 40 myself. It’s a special moment for me." Tadasu echoed these sentiments, sharing, "This is the first collaboration with my son, and it’s filled with a mix of fresh and complex emotions. I’ve always seen him as a talent on TV, not just my son, so this is a new experience for me."
The collaboration was sparked by a suggestion from Tadayoshi on Torikizoku's official X account during the company’s 39th anniversary last year. Tadasu recalled, "I was surprised by my son’s suggestion; I thought it was a joke at first. He had never been involved with Torikizoku, and it was a pleasant surprise to see him take an interest."
As part of the anniversary festivities, Torikizoku will temporarily revive its first store, located in Higashi-Osaka City, which closed in 2008 due to redevelopment. This revival is a nostalgic nod to the restaurant's roots, and Tadayoshi fondly remembered visiting the original location as a child. "I used to stop by after school to have the leftover skewers that weren’t sold. It’s a cherished memory from my youth," he reminisced.
The limited-edition menu will be available starting May 1, 2025, and both Tadayoshi and Tadasu are eager for customers to experience these special dishes. Tadayoshi remarked, "I hope that both regular customers and fans of our group will enjoy these meals. It’s important to me that they recognize the effort and passion that went into creating these dishes."
In addition to the special menu, the collaboration will feature a series of conversation videos between Tadayoshi and Tadasu, sharing memories and discussing their hopes for the future. These videos will be released on the Torikizoku app starting at 9:00 AM on May 1, 2025. Viewers can look forward to two segments: one focusing on their past experiences and another on their aspirations moving forward.
Furthermore, Torikizoku is set to launch a promotional campaign that includes novelty items such as fans and towels featuring Tadayoshi’s handwritten phrase "Super Unubore Chu". To participate, customers can order the limited-edition dishes and share photos on social media with specific hashtags for a chance to win these exclusive items.
Reflecting on their journey, Tadasu shared poignant memories about the early days of Torikizoku. "The first store opened on May 1, 1985, the same month my son was born. There’s a deep connection between my son and the restaurant. I often worried about whether I could provide for him as the business struggled in its early years," he recalled. Tadayoshi added, "It’s incredible to think about how intertwined our lives have been with Torikizoku. I take pride in being part of this legacy, especially now that we can celebrate it together."
The temporary opening of the original Torikizoku store is set for May 1, 2025, at 5:00 PM, located at 1-26-22 Ewa, Higashi-Osaka City. Both Tadayoshi and Tadasu are eager to welcome fans and customers to relive the history and celebrate the future of Torikizoku.
As the two prepare for this monumental occasion, they are hopeful that the collaboration will not only honor the restaurant’s rich history but also strengthen the bond between father and son. Tadasu concluded, "I never imagined I would have the opportunity to collaborate with my son on such a significant project. I hope this brings joy to both his fans and Torikizoku’s patrons, and I invite everyone to visit the recreated original store to experience our journey together."
