PH Embassy, Imperial Hotel Tokyo Feature Michelin-starred Filipino Dining In Celebration of 70th Anniversary of PH-JP Friendship
[L-R] Imperial Hotel Executive Chef Yu SUGIMOTO; Imperial Hotel Tokyo Deputy General Manager Akihiko IWASHITA; Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano; and Toyo Eatery Head Chef and Owner Jordy Navarra, during the Opening Ceremony and Media Launch of the Philippine Fair 2026.
TOKYO, 03 September 2026 – In celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Normalization of Philippines-Japan Diplomatic Relations, the Philippine Embassy in Japan partnered with Imperial Hotel Tokyo to launch the “Philippine Fair” featuring Michelin-starred Filipino restaurant Toyo Eatery at Imperial Viking Sal, Japan’s finest buffet-style restaurant.
[L-R] Imperial Hotel Executive Chef Yu SUGIMOTO; Toyo Eatery Head Chef and Owner Jordy Navarra; Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano; Philippine Airlines (PAL) Country Manager for Japan Tomoyuki NAGAO; and ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) Tourism and Exchange Team Assistant Director Naoko FUJIKAWA at the Philippine Fair 2026 media launch.
The month-long culinary promotion, organized with the support of the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) and Philippine Airlines (PAL), brings the culinary team of Toyo Eatery to Tokyo as part of Imperial Viking Sal’s “Journey Around the World through Cuisine” series and runs throughout September 2026.
[L-R] Commercial Counsellor Froilan Emil D. Pamintuan; Agriculture Attaché Maria Alilia G. Maghirang; Imperial Hotel Executive Chef Yu SUGIMOTO; Imperial Hotel Tokyo Deputy General Manager Akihiko IWASHITA; Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano; Toyo Eatery Head Chef and Owner Jordy Navarra; Deputy Chief of Mission Christian L. De Jesus; and Tourism Attaché Niel P. Ballesteros during the launch of the Philippine Fair 2026 at Imperial Hotel Tokyo.
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano led the opening ceremony and media launch on 01 September 2026, together with visionary Chef Jordy Navarra of Toyo Eatery, Imperial Hotel Tokyo Deputy General Manager Akihiko IWASHITA, and Imperial Hotel Executive Chef Yu SUGIMOTO.
Toyo Eatery’s signature versions of Filipino favorites [clockwise] sisig, adobo, kamote cue, lambanog with a banana cue twist, mango mustard mocktail, kinilaw, and kabayan, make their way into Imperial Viking Sal’s “Journey Around the World through Cuisine” series.
Toyo Eatery collaborated with Imperial Viking Sal’s culinary team to develop a specially curated lunch and dinner menu which features Toyo Eatery’s signature versions of Filipino favorites adobo, sisig, kinilaw, kabayan, kamote cue, and lambanog with a banana cue twist.
Ambassador Garcia-Albano highlights that the Philippine Fair 2026 at Imperial Hotel Tokyo comes at a remarkable time as the Philippines and Japan commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Normalization of Diplomatic Relations between the two countries.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador Garcia-Albano noted that in the Philippines, sharing a meal is one of the most heartfelt expressions of friendship, hospitality, and community; while in Japan, it is a form of art and cultural expression. “The Philippine Fair brings these two traditions together, creating a delicious dialogue that showcases the distinct flavors and culinary philosophies of our two countries, and a fitting tribute to the 70th anniversary of Philippines-Japan friendship this year,” she added.
