About the Founder

Meaningful Journey Japan was established by Tokyo-born Motoko Watanabe, a travel & hospitality enthusiast who has spent a few decades of her life outside of Japan, in New York and Berlin. 

Motoko is a founder of ZENKICHI  NY (2006-2020) and Berlin (2015-2023), an Omakase establishment with a pioneering concept of "authentic Tokyoite dining experience”.

She designed the restaurant to function as a culinary & cultural departure port to Japan. ZENKICHI, until its last day in December 2023, was where curious diners transformed themselves into culinary travelers.

With strong educational emphasis on Japan’s authentic cuisine and its premium Sake culture, talented chefs and Motoko's fellow Sake sommeliers passionately introduced traditional craftsmanship and centuries-old breweries to the enlightened New Yorkers and Berliners.

For 18 years, Motoko made it her mission to curate meaningful culinary journeys to Japan through ZENKICHI. Currently based in her hometown of Tokyo, she is recapturing the joy of curation using the entire country as her new canvas.

Her present mission is to design one-of-a-kind itineraries full of personal care and memorable “only-in-Japan” moments, in hopes of enabling each traveler to experience an intimate connection to Japan in their own special way.