Meet MASATO HORIKAWA | Japanese Restaurateur & Owner of SUSHI REPUBLIC in Miami

We had the good fortune of connecting with MASATO HORIKAWA and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi MASATO, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
I want my legacy to be about building bridges — between cultures, people, and generations. As a Japanese entrepreneur running a sushi restaurant in the U.S., I strive to share the spirit of Japanese hospitality (omotenashi) with the world.

I want people to remember me as someone who always put quality and heart first — in both business and relationships.

If my work inspires others to pursue their vision with passion, while staying kind and humble, then I believe I’ve done my part.

What should our readers know about your business?
Sushi Republic could have easily ended with the second generation.
Or it could have been handed off to someone with no connection to Japan.

That’s actually quite common in the world of restaurant M&A.
But for me, letting that happen was simply not an option.

Things weren’t smooth.
In fact, the restaurant industry was going through incredibly tough times—
a global pandemic, rising costs, and ongoing labor shortages.
There were moments when it felt like everything was working against us,
and honestly, I nearly broke under the pressure.

But even then, some of our team chose to stay.
Not just because it was their job,
but because they were moved by the smiles of regular customers saying,
“Hey, I’m back,” or
“I just love the sushi here.”
They kept giving everything they had to each and every plate, every day.

Watching them, I realized something very clearly:
Sushi Republic was not meant to end.
Not yet.

That’s when I made a decision:
I would pour everything I’ve ever learned, experienced, and built into this place.
To rebuild it, not just as a business—
but as a place that means something.

Now, step by step, we’re bringing Sushi Republic back to life,
as a truly local, heartfelt restaurant.
Not a chain, not a trend,
but a place where people connect—through food, through stories, through trust.

There’s really just one thing I want people to remember:
No matter the era, no matter the challenge—
we never gave up.

That is the pride of Sushi Republic.

And if someone out there feels that same spirit,
that same desire to protect something real and meaningful,
I believe they’ll find their way to our door. Naturally.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My day begins with a quiet walk along the beach in Surfside.
I love that moment just before the town wakes up—walking alone on the untouched sand.

After that, I head to **SUSHI REPUBLIC**, the restaurant I inherited as a third-generation owner.
This isn’t just a business.
It’s a place where we continue a story that began back in 1997.

When a friend visits, the first thing I do is introduce them to my team.
I want them to feel the energy of the space and to witness firsthand how much heart we put into each and every piece of sushi.
That, to me, is the most important part.

For dinner, we sit together at the counter.
Not as customers, but as characters in the story—sharing in its flavor and feeling.

After the meal, we take a seat outside.
We let the night breeze wrap around us as we talk about life.
That quiet moment becomes the perfect way to end the day.

Then we go for a drive around the city of Miami.
South Beach is full of energy—day or night, it radiates the essence of Miami.

When I was a child, I grew up watching *Miami Vice* with my father in Japan.
I still remember the thrill of seeing the Colony Hotel for the first time—it finally felt like I had arrived in the Miami of my dreams.

Showing friends the street art of Wynwood and the famous **Wynwood Walls** is always a highlight.
And spending time in the **Miami Design District** lets them experience another side of the city—its deep connection to art and creativity.

I don’t believe in flashy plans.
All you need is real time, real food, and real connection—the things that truly make Miami unforgettable.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my parents, who gave me the courage to pursue my dreams overseas. I’m also deeply grateful to my incredible team at SUSHI REPUBLIC — without their dedication and hard work, none of this would be possible.

And of course, to our many customers who believed in us, even during difficult times — thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your support and smiles are what keep me going every single day.

Website: http://sushirepublic.net/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sushirepublic.miami/#

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sushi-republic-surfside