From Sushi to Success in Tokyo
Eat, Drink & Succeed Around the World
Where culture, conversation, and connection
turn travel into opportunity
Chicago, IL — Internationally renowned speaker and author of Eat, Drink & Succeed, Laura Schwartz brings her signature approach to connection and leadership to a global series, Eat, Drink & Succeed Around the World, created for modern travelers, leaders, and cultural connectors.
The ability to Eat, Drink & Succeed transcends borders — and in Japan, it is refined into an art form.
Here, presence is the differentiator, turning shared moments into lasting partnerships and thoughtful ideas into action and that’s what we are doing here, together throughout the country.
NEXT STOP: Tokyo, Japan
In the world hub of Tokyo, Japan, networking moves at the speed of innovation without losing touch with tradition. Towering skyscrapers and bustling crosswalks set the stage for conversations that span cultures, industries, and viewpoints — yet beneath the city’s energetic pace lies a deep respect for presence, etiquette, and thoughtful exchange. From intimate izakayas tucked down side streets to sleek lounges high above the neon lights, Tokyo offers environments where professionals connect not just through business cards, but through shared experiences, authentic curiosity, and genuine engagement. In this installment of Eat, Drink & Succeed Around the World, we explore how Tokyo’s rhythm of rapid thinking, cultural depth, and hospitality creates fertile ground for connection that leads to opportunity.
Pull up a chair and join me as we Eat, Drink & Succeed in Tokyo, Japan.
Filled with Experience and Energy: Inakaya Roppongi
🔗 https://www.roppongiinakaya.jp/
Since 1970, Inakaya Roppongi has captivated everyone from U.S. Presidents and global celebrities to curious travelers who simply wander in. The experience is theatrical, communal, and unmistakably Japanese. Fresh, seasonal ingredients are displayed before you—inviting you to point to your selection.
Your meal is prepared over open charcoal flames and passed back on long wooden paddles—turning dining into shared performance.
Atmosphere
Inakaya’s long, communal seating encourages shared experience and organic interaction. It’s equally suited for new friendships, emerging business partnerships, or gatherings of international colleagues. The constant hum of activity—ingredients, flames, paddles in motion—ensures the energy at the table carries the conversation forward, even during natural pauses.
Conversation
One standout ingredient—the vibrant orange fish displayed before you—is not only a must-order, but a natural icebreaker.
The fish is called Kinki, a Japanese Thornyhead (Channel Rockfish), prized for its rich umami flavor, high fat content, and sweet, buttery flesh that melts in your mouth. Sourced from deep waters near Hokkaido, it’s lightly salted and grilled over charcoal—returning on its paddle looking almost deep-fried, though it’s not.
It’s delicious, unexpected, and sparks conversation immediately—especially when seated shoulder-to-shoulder at Inakaya’s signature long, C-shaped table.
Why It Works
Inakaya proves that connection thrives where energy, openness, and shared experience converge—turning a meal into a moment and a table into a catalyst for conversation.
A Grand Dinner in Tokyo: Shunbou at the Grand Hyatt
🔗https://www.tokyo.grand.hyatt.co.jp/en/restaurants/shunbou-restaurant/
For a refined business dinner in Tokyo—where discretion, design, and dialogue matter—Shunbou at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo offers an exceptional setting.
Atmosphere
This formal, authentic Japanese restaurant features just 101 seats, thoughtfully designed to showcase the four seasons of Japan through cuisine, architecture, and materials. Anchored by Aji-ishi, a rare Japanese granite stone, the space feels calm, grounded, and intentional.
Conversation flows easily between dinner guests, yet remains private and unoverheard by others—making Shunbou an ideal environment for discussing business, exchanging ideas, and building trust without distraction.
Conversation
The Aji-ishi (Aji Stone) displayed from the exterior through the interior of the restaurant is more than a design element—it’s a story waiting to be told.
Aji-ishi is a prized, fine-grained silver-grey granite sourced from Japan’s Kagawa Prefecture, renowned for its durability, beauty, and distinctive Seto Ripple patterns. Traditionally used in tombstones (O-ishi), garden stepping stones (Tobi-ishi), and temple architecture, it has also found its way into luxury interiors—and even sushi preparation surfaces.
It’s a subtle yet powerful conversation starter, inviting reflection on craftsmanship, permanence, and the Japanese reverence for natural materials.
What to Order
At Lunch: Shunsai
A beautifully presented, three-tiered seasonal bento offering both variety and surprise. Selections change regularly but typically include an amuse-bouche, appetizers, sashimi, a charcoal-grilled daily dish, simmered and deep-fried dishes, steamed rice, miso soup, pickled vegetables, and dessert. Visually stunning and thoughtfully paced, it mirrors a great conversation—layered, engaging, and full of discovery.
At Dinner: Kaiseki
Choose the Kaiseki menu for a traditional multi-course experience balancing flavor, texture, color, and presentation with exquisite precision. Just as importantly for business dining, it removes the awkwardness of lengthy menu decisions. By placing your trust in the chef, you’re free to focus fully on your guest, the conversation, and the relationship you’re building.
Why It Works
Shunbou exemplifies the Eat, Drink & Succeed philosophy: when the environment is thoughtful and the experience intentional, conversation deepens—and meaningful connections follow.
Quick Sit-Down or Stand-Up: Shinbashi Ekimae Building No. 1 (Near Ginza)
Just steps from the rail lines and adjacent to Shinbashi Station, Shinbashi Ekimae Building No. 1 has a sub-basement warren of casual izakayas, tiny restaurants, and standing drinking spots. No reservations, close quarters, and an open-door policy to spontaneity—this is where Tokyo’s everyday rhythm comes alive.
Come for a quick bite or an impromptu drink and stay for the surprising quality, warmth, and energy of a truly local experience.
Atmosphere
Think of this as a living, local “food hall,” Showa-style. Individual venues range from four seats to perhaps twenty, with many guests standing shoulder-to-shoulder at counters. You’re immersed in the rail-line ecosystem—surrounded by commuters fresh from work in suits alongside travelers in casual wear coming off a day of exploring.
You’ll be seated (or placed) by a hostess or bartender, often in close proximity to fellow diners. A simple nod or quiet konnichiwa goes a long way. It’s lively, efficient, and wonderfully unpretentious—perfect for people-watching and effortless connection.
Conversation
Built in 1966, Shinbashi Ekimae Building No. 1 is a classic Showa-era structure, and its nostalgic charm is one of its greatest assets.
The Showa Era (1926–1989)—under Emperor Hirohito—was Japan’s longest imperial period and one of profound transformation. It spanned pre-war expansion, World War II, and post-war devastation, followed by Japan’s remarkable economic miracle. This era gave rise to modern infrastructure like the Shinkansen, rising living standards, and enduring pop culture—from early anime to iconic television and design.
You’re not just eating in a building from that era—you’re experiencing a piece of Japan’s living history.
What to Order
This is the perfect place to order instinctively and share.
- Start with yakitori or kushiyaki
- Add small plates like agedashi tofu, grilled fish, or seasonal vegetables
- Pair with a highball, draft beer, or a small pour of sake
Menus are often handwritten or posted overhead—pointing is perfectly acceptable and part of the fun. Trust the bartender, order a few items, and let the experience unfold.
Why It Works
Shinbashi Ekimae Building No. 1 embodies the spirit of Eat, Drink & Succeed: informal, human, and rich with opportunity for connection. It’s proof that powerful conversations don’t require white tablecloths—sometimes they begin standing at a counter, just as the train doors close behind you.
Innovative Break: Avatar Robot Café DAWN
🔗 https://dawn2021.orylab.com/
Avatar Robot Café DAWN is a permanent, experimental café operated by Ory Lab Inc., redefining what connection, inclusion, and participation can look like in the modern world.
At DAWN, guests are served by avatar robots—OriHime and the taller OriHime-D (approximately 120 cm robots)—which are remotely operated by human “pilots.” These pilots are individuals who, for a variety of reasons, are unable to physically go out into the world, yet are fully present through technology.
This is not novelty for novelty’s sake. It is purpose-driven innovation.
Atmosphere
DAWN feels like stepping into the future—warm, thoughtful, and quietly powerful. Robots take your order, deliver food, and engage with guests, all while seamlessly integrating advanced technology with human intention.
The café embodies a new form of social participation, where physical limitations do not limit contribution. It’s futuristic, yes—but also deeply human.
Conversation
The robots may catch your eye, but the true stars are their pilots.
Each robot is controlled in real time by a person bringing their voice, personality, and presence to the experience. Guests are encouraged to learn more about the pilots and their stories—many of which are extraordinary examples of resilience, creativity, and empowerment.
Learn more about the pilots here:
🔗 https://dawn2021.orylab.com/pilots/
DAWN offers a natural and meaningful conversation starter around technology, accessibility, and the future of work—showcasing how innovation can amplify the best of human ability rather than replace it.
Why It Works
Avatar Robot Café DAWN perfectly embodies the Eat, Drink & Succeed philosophy: connection evolves, opportunity expands, and when we lead with intention, everyone has a role to play—sometimes in ways we’ve never imagined.
About Laura Schwartz
Professional Emcee, Moderator, Keynote Speaker, and Author Laura Schwartz knows how to make live events succeed. Whether hosting a global convention, moderating high-stakes conversations, or delivering a keynote on leadership and connection, Laura brings experience, energy, and authenticity to every stage. A former White House Director of Events under the Clinton Administration, she has been named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the Global Events Industry for seven consecutive years (2019–2025). Along with her cast at ITV London, Laura and her team won the prestigious Drum Awards “Podcast of the Year” in 2021.
For more information on Laura Schwartz or to inquire about hosting, moderating, or keynote engagements, please contact Ashley Brooks at ashley@lauraschwartzlive.com or 312-767-7415.