Mountain climbing, which Kanemoto calls his hobby, is actually far from just a hobby. Last year, he attempted to reach the peak of Himalayas, which is 5,550m high. Two days before he reached the peak, he fell and was in severe pain but kept it to himself. He maintained his strong will, telling himself he would never give up, and managed to reach the peak. When he saw a doctor after returning to Japan, they discovered that he had two broken ribs.
Kanemoto had helped out in the restaurant since early childhood. During his teenage years, he also worked hard in the reconstruction efforts after World War II. His father, who dabbled in the black market and did everything he could to preserve his restaurant, was old-fashioned and always tough on him. From his mother, he learned how to operate a business by cherishing the customers.
Preserving a tradition comes with a great deal of responsibility, but times change. A business will struggle to survive if you don't work hard and rely on its name value. Kanemoto traveled to France and dined at every well-known restaurant. He devoted himself to adding new menu items, starting with wine. He also invested a great deal in training his employees. The owner, who would be in the kitchen, continued to pursue the ideal restaurant even before the concept of owner/chef had been established.
Hidden beneath his soft smile is his firm belief that each day is a challenge and he strives each day to satisfy his customers completely. No matter his age, taking the easy way out is not an option for this proud man.
