The Fuji restaurant, located next to Las Canteras beach, opened its doors in 1967 and is the first Japanese restaurant established in Spain. John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson are among its illustrious customers.
The Fuji restaurant, situated in the Guanarteme district of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, just a few meters from Las Canteras beach, celebrates 59 years of uninterrupted activity. This establishment holds the title of being the first Japanese restaurant to open its doors in Spain in 1967, long before sushi became popular in the country.
A pioneer born from the Port of La Luz
The history of Fuji is linked to the Port of La Luz, which in the 1960s was one of the main logistical bases for the Japanese tuna fleet in the Atlantic. Dozens of Japanese ships docked there each month, attracting a significant Japanese community to the city. It was then that entrepreneur Toshihiko Sato saw the opportunity to offer sailors a piece of their homeland.
Sato opened Fuji in 1967, at a time when Japanese cuisine was hardly known in Spain. The venue quickly became a meeting point for the Japanese community and for Canarians curious to try exotic flavours. Today, nearly six decades later, it remains a gastronomic reference on the island.
Hollywood clients and intact tradition
Among the illustrious diners who have visited Fuji are two Hollywood stars: John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson. Both have returned during their visits to Gran Canaria, the latter after filming the movie The Beast. The restaurant boasts a menu that stays true to Japanese tradition, avoiding the Western adaptations that dominate many establishments today.
“Fuji offers a cuisine that is much more faithful to Japanese tradition than to Western adaptation,” sources from the establishment state.
The venue, located on Pedro Castillo Westerling street, just a few steps from Las Canteras, maintains an atmosphere that transports diners to classic Japan. For the residents of the capital of Gran Canaria, Fuji is not just a restaurant, but a piece of living history that continues to attract both tourists and locals.
A legacy that endures
Fuji has witnessed the evolution of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Spanish gastronomy. When it opened, talking about sushi in Spain was a rarity; today, it is a common dish in any supermarket. However, Fuji has managed to maintain its essence, offering dishes such as sashimi and tempura made with traditional techniques.
For Canarians, this restaurant is a local pride: it shows that culinary innovation also came from the islands, not just from major capitals. Moreover, its longevity is an example of how a business can adapt without losing its identity. Those who have yet to visit have the opportunity to taste authentic Japanese cuisine just a stone's throw from the beach.
Fuji opens from Tuesday to Sunday, both at lunchtime and in the evening, and accepts reservations for groups. A perfect plan for food lovers who want to travel to Japan without leaving Gran Canaria.
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