When Shimogamo first opened its doors in Chandler in 2003, Japanese fine dining was still a rarity in Arizona. Mika Otomo’s parents wanted to change that. Their vision was simple but ambitious: to bring the authentic flavors of Japan to the desert, offering an experience rooted in tradition rather than adaptation.
Two decades later, that vision continues to flourish under Mika and her husband, Executive Chef Daisuke Itagaki, who together have expanded Shimogamo into one of the Valley’s most respected Japanese dining destinations. With their leadership, the restaurant has grown beyond a neighborhood favorite into a cultural bridge, a place where food tells stories and traditions are preserved with care.…