CLOSURE: Japanese restaurant closing its doors after 40 years in Toronto
Published February 24, 2026 at 3:32 pm
A Japanese restaurant that’s been in business for many decades in Toronto has announced that they will soon be shutting down and closing their doors.
Nami announced that they are closing down a restaurant located in Toronto, letting people know about the sad news with a social media post and a message on their official website beginning with the words, “Sayonara, Toronto.”
“We wanted to thank our many guests and loyal staff over the years – we are honoured to have hosted countless first dates, birthdays, Bay Street power lunches, office parties and every celebration in between. We welcomed the Japanese Royal Family in our Tatami Room, as well as Hollywood, music and sports royalty – from Meg Ryan, Russell Crowe, Meryl Streep, Carrie Fisher, Billie D Williams, Pat Morita, Jean Claude Van Damme and many, many others, to U2, The Rolling Stones, Whitney Houston, to Hideki Matsui, Endoh Tsubasa, Yusei Kikuchi, and catered for the LA Angels and Lakers,” reads a post on social media from Nami announcing the closure of the restaurant.
“Proud Torontonians to visiting tourists have all come to try our now world-famous Sushi Pizza, invented by our chef Kaoru Ohsada in the 1980s and now considered a must-try Toronto, if not Canadian, dish. Originally designed by famed architect, Raymond Moriyama (who also designed the Ontario Science Centre and Toronto Reference Library), walking into Nami is like arriving in Kyoto with kimono-clad servers and private booths. Except for the innovation of the Sushi Pizza, Nami is known for its traditional Japanese menu, of which our Black Cod, Wagyu steaks and Sukiyaki are guest favourites. Nami’s chefs served up the finest sushi and sashimi at the Sushi Bar or else expertly grilled seafood and steaks at the Robata Bar.”
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On Instagram, the post accumulated around a hundred likes and many comments within just hours from people who are sorry to see Nami go.
“Thank you, Toronto, for supporting us and loving us over the years. We were proud to have been a downtown Toronto landmark– with our iconic blue wave out front and Samurai greeting you at the door,” the closure announcement continues.
“We are hoping the Nami legacy can live on with a new product and merchandise line, including T-shirts, Tote Bags, Postcards and more, and the first ever Nami Sushi Pizza Maker – please visit our website for more details and join our mailing list for updates. Please send us your pictures and stories, sign our guestbook, and drop by for a final meal.”
The last day for Nami on Adelaide East in Toronto will be March 7.