Located in the heart of the East Village, Tsukimi offers a modern take on kaiseki, a multi-course Japanese dinner. The name Tsukimi translates to moon viewing and refers to the mid-autumn harvest festival honoring the moon at its fullest and brightest.

Tsukimi team

Takanori Akiyama, Executive Chef/Owner
Born into a family of sushi chefs in Miyazaki, Japan, Chef Takanori Akiyama's culinary journey was destined from the start. After honing his skills in the art of kaiseki cuisine in Tokyo, he moved to New York in 1995. In 2012, he opened SakaMai in the Lower East Side as their Executive Chef, and continued to oversee its operations while opening Tsukimi in 2019. As Executive Chef at Tsukimi, Akiyama draws on his rich experience to create a modern and dynamic tasting menu that follows the traditional flows of kaiseki but is distinguished by bold interpretations and flavors.

Karen Lin, General Manager/Owner
Karen Lin, a certified sake and wine sommelier, curates Tsukimi's diverse beverage program. Born in Taiwan and raised in Japan and California, her passion for Japanese cuisine led her to transition from a career in pharmacy to hospitality. Before co-founding Tsukimi, she accepted the Executive General Manager position at SakaMai, a Lower East Side izakaya with an extensive sake program. As General Manager and Owner at Tsukimi, Lin is responsible for the thoughtfully selected sake and wine pairings designed to complement Chef Akiyama's flavors.

Noriko Nishida, Executive Sous Chef/Pastry
Born and raised in Osaka, Noriko Nishida's love for cooking was nurtured by her mother's homemade meals. After attending the Tsuji Culinary Institute, she made the bold decision to move to New York in 2013, where she had the opportunity to work at SakaMai. It was there she was deeply inspired by Chef Akiyama's culinary artistry. Now, as Tsukimi's Executive Sous Chef and Pastry Chef, she has developed a passion for desserts, integrating traditional Japanese flavors and techniques into her unique creations.

Shiho Tanaka, Head Sommelier/Captain
Shiho Tanaka brings a unique perspective to the world of wine and hospitality. Originally from Tochigi, Japan, she moved to New York in 2008 to pursue a career in professional dance while also working in restaurants. After joining Tsukimi as an opening team member in 2019, she discovered a profound connection to the world of wine, noting the similarities between it and dance. As Head Sommelier, she is a certified sommelier and Kikizake-shi, and continues to deepen her studies while sharing her passion with guests.