about

· chef masa ·


· 1982 ·

Masatoshi Tsujimura "Chef Masa" was born in Shimonoseki, Japan, a major fishing village in western Japan and home of the famous fugu, (blowfish or pufferfish). Chef Masa started his sushi career in America in 1982 in central and southern Florida.

· 1984 ·

Masa came to North Carolina in 1984 to open the sushi bar at Kanki Japanese House of Steaks in Raleigh. As the chef at one of the first sushi bars in North Carolina, Chef Masa introduced sushi to many first-time customers and developed a loyal following of sushi lovers.

· 1997 ·

In 1997 Chef Masa left Kanki to open his own restaurant, Waraji Japanese Restaurant. Consistently described as one of the most authentic Japanese restaurants and sushi bars in the region, Chef Masa is passionate about representing the highest quality of authentic Japanese cuisine to his customers and community.

· Today ·

Chef Masa is also actively involved with the North Carolina Japan Club and its activities to educate and to promote Japanese culture.


chef masa is passing the torch

waraji’s future looks bright!


Waraji is in good hands with new Owner-Operator, Reuben Rodillas. Reuben has a degree in Business Management from North Carolina State University as well as over 35 years of experience in the restaurant business. He spent more than three decades developing his expertise in sushi, Japanese cuisine, and all aspects of restaurant operations. Reuben began his career working alongside of Masa at Kanki Japanese House of Steaks and Sushi in Raleigh back in the early 1990’s. Masa then opened up Waraji in 1997, while Reuben continued his path into corporate management operating all Kanki locations in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area as Senior Corporate General Manager.


Summer 2021, Masa has retired and leaves his Waraji legacy to be owned and operated by Reuben who will continue to share Masa’s passion for high-quality food and exceptional customer service.


Reuben states, “Waraji’s customers expect quality and consistency. Our goal is to maintain this as well as to grow Waraji. We want to increase our capacity to serve customers as efficiently as possible. We want to continue to serve fresh, top quality fish and delicious authentic food while providing a wonderful and memorable dining experience. Waraji is known as the best sushi in the Triangle, and we intend to keep that reputation.”