Shows
The Mark Haney PodcastFrom Broke Sushi Kid to $90M Empire | Taro Arai's Wild American DreamTaro Arai, Chief Dreaming Officer of Mikuni Sushi, shares how he built a $90 million sushi empire from humble beginnings in Sacramento. In this inspiring episode of The Mark Haney Show, Taro opens up about entrepreneurship, family business, faith, creativity, and how Mikuni became one of the most beloved restaurant brands in Northern California.Taro’s journey began when his family immigrated from Japan with nothing but a dream. As a teenager in Sacramento, he delivered newspapers to help support his family—eventually funding the launch of what would become Mikuni Restaurant Group. Today, Mikuni operates 10 locations with over 1,400 empl...
2025-07-1042 min
Vibe With HumanityHow a POOR Paperboy Made $100M Americanizing Sushi (INSANE Immigration Story)Inspiring interview of a Japanese immigrant coming to America on money saved from paper routes
In this vibe with humanity podcast episode, Taro Arai, founder of Mikuni Sushi, shares his inspiring immigrant success story. Known as "Mr. No Problem," Taro reflects on his unique childhood in Japan, his rebellious spirit, and the challenges of cultural adaptation and language barriers upon moving to America.
From a poor paperboy to a millionaire sushi innovator, Taro explains how his family’s faith and resilience turned dreams into reality, launching what became an American sushi empire. He recounts humorous culture shocks and his jo...
2024-11-1834 min
Vibe With HumanityJapanese Immigrant Hits American Dream and Shares Millions | Mikuni Sushi’s Taro AraiTaro Arai's journey began on Kyushu, the southernmost island of Japan. His family moved to America funded by the savings from his newspaper delivery job.
In 1987, Taro's family established a humble Japanese eatery in Fair Oaks, named Mikuni. Now, 37 years later, Mikuni celebrates a significant milestone with nine branches and a workforce of 1,000 employees, marking it as one of the most prosperous restaurant chains in Northern California. Moreover, it has contributed more than $3.1 million to local charities, showcasing its commitment to community support.
______________
Taro Arai, @MikuniTaro:
Co-Founder & Chief Dreaming Officer - Mikuni Sushi 🍣
______________
#podcast #interview #inspiration
2024-03-1236 min
A Seat at the TableEpisode 22: Mikuni Sushi - From Japanese Village to American Abundance, Taro Arai Dreams BIG.Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. Growing up with the backdrop of a small Japanese village, Taro's yearning for freedom and acceptance was a seed that would eventually blossom into an American dream. Alongside his son Koki, Taro shares how he saved enough money from a paper route to fly his whole family to America as a teenager. He talks about how his father had a dream they should open a restaurant and how a chance encounter with a Japanese businessman landed them investment money which allowed...
2024-03-071h 02
Bite Sized FinanceEpisode 12: Mikuni Mastermind Taro Arai. It Started With a Dream.Join me, Kelly Brothers, on a fascinating journey through the life and adventures of Taro Arai, the Chief Dreaming Officer of Mikuni Sushi. Listen in as Taro recounts his unconventional path from Japan to Sacramento, painting a vivid picture of the cultural challenges and personal aspirations that propelled him to leave his homeland. His narrative is a testament to resilience and optimism, from funding his American dream through a childhood newspaper route to the entire family working tirelessly upon their arrival in the States. Taro's story is an inspiration for anyone who has ever dared to dream big.
Venture into...
2024-01-2751 min
The Jose Morales PodcastMikuniTaro Arai joins the show to share his families story the began in Japan. Through his families faith in god they were able to discover their purpose, this is where Mikuni was born. Taro shares Mikunis early struggles and how they were able to persevere through them.
2023-06-1242 min
Apogee StrongKotaro Taro Arai - The Mikuni LegacyKotaro “Taro” Arai was born on Japan’s southernmost island of Kyushu. At age 15, with the money Taro had saved from doing his paper route, Taro’s father decided to move to America. In 1987, Taro’s parents opened a modest Japanese restaurant called Mikuni in Fair Oaks, a suburb of Sacramento, California, to provide a living for the family.
Sushi chef Taro Arai is one of the hottest and most renowned sushi chefs to hit the restaurant scene. With seven Mikuni restaurants flourishing in Northern California, and a location outside Denver, Colorado, Taro is setting a fast pace in th...
2022-09-0342 min
What Why And How Can I#070 Mikuni Sushi - Taro AraiMikuni Sushi - Taro Arai - Chief Dreaming Officer
@mikunisushi - https://bit.ly/3DLQs32
@mikunitaro - https://bit.ly/3aI2oGw
Taro is an endless well of positive attitude, advice and encouragement!! Loved talking to this special man. The ups and downs were opportunities to Kaizen himself and everything around him. All this man does is thank God and give back to his community!!
M - motivate ourselves to do the best
I - inspire others
K - kaizen ourselves in every way
U...
2021-10-1931 min
CIARKICIARKI 051 with HOLOECIARKI 051 TRACKLIST:
Joy Orbison - swag w/ kav (w/ james massiah & bathe) [Toss Portal]
Yosh - Choose One [Distant Horizons]
Al Wootton - Sancode [Forthcoming Livity Sound]
Stones Taro - Step Into Midnight [Forthcoming CMG]
Alfredo Romero - Raspect (Interplanetary Criminal Remix) [Dansu Discs]
Para & Reaper - The Realness [B Phunkee Music]
Pépé Elle - Thump [Cheeky Music Group]
DJ Chupacabra - Grimer [Forthcoming Time Is Now]
Soul Mass Transit System - Give It 2 U [Time Is Now]
Circuit 900 - Midori [Goon Club Allstars]
Aleksandir - I Used To Dream (Ikonika Remix) [Omena]
Chungo - Shuv It [Forthcoming Dudbridge Ga...
2021-09-102h 21
Millennials & Money“1000 customers a day” with Restauranteur and owner of Mikuni Taro AraiOn this week's episode of Millennials and Money, our guest Restaurateur and owner of Mikuni Taro Araishares his money story. Taro was born in Japan where he never could seem to fit in, eventually, he savedup enough of his own money from a paper route to pay for his whole family to immigrate to America.Despite having no business or restaurant experience his dad decided to follow a dream God gave him toopen a sushi restaurant. For the first 5 years, the sushi restaurant struggled to the point they could notafford to...
2021-06-2352 min
IngrainedLeading with CompassionTaro Arai has an electric personality. As Chief Dreaming Officer for Mikuni, with nine popular restaurants and sushi bars in Northern California, his enthusiasm and generosity are well known throughout the region. But it wasn’t an easy road to success. After arriving from Japan, the Arai family opened their first Mikuni restaurant in 1987. Reverend and Mrs. Arai prepared food in the kitchen, while Taro and siblings Noamichi and Keiko worked as greeter, busser and server. After a lot of hard work and perseverance, Mikuni continued to grow and prosper. Their success has left an in...
2021-04-1907 minThe Mark Haney PodcastClassic Interviews - Taro Arai & Scott SyphaxIn this classic interview I talk with my good buddy Taro Arai, the Chief Dreaming Officer of Mikuni Restaurant and Sushi Bar and Scott Syphax, President of Syphax Strategic Solutions. Enjoy!
2021-03-2446 minIngrainedThe Sushi ProdigySushi is often a high culinary art form and its popularity continues to grow. Since the countries first sushi roll was served in Little Tokyo Los Angeles in the 1960s, is has grown into a multi-billion dollar a year industry. Interest in the cuisine is fueled by creative chefs, who push boundaries and take painstaking steps to ensure the best customer experience. One example is Billy Ngo, founder, chef and partner of Kru Restaurant in Sacramento, whose innovation and emphasis on quality has garnered loyal customers and rave reviews. As Leilani Marie Labong from SacTown Magazine put...
2021-02-2825 min
Visit Sacramento PodcastMikuni's Taro Arai on the Dream that Made the Sacramento Sushi Restaurant, Covid-19 ChallengesSacramento sushi restaurant Mikuni began half a world away with an 11-year old boy, a paper route and a dream. Today, 33 years after Chief Dreaming Officer Taro Arai raised the money to bring his family from Japan to Sacramento and founded the restaurant, it – like other Sacramento eateries – is facing an unprecedented challenge with the Covid-19 pandemic.
2020-12-1715 min
Let's Go Win PodcastFaith, Fish and Fun! - With guest Taro AraiEpisode #2: Meet the most joyous man on the planet. This story is captivating, entertaining and inspiring. We should all work to Kaizen (continuous improvement) everyday and Taro explains how he does it.Kotaro “Taro” Arai was born on Japan’s southernmost island of Kyushu. With money Taro saved from his newspaper route, Taro’s father moved the Arai family to America.In 1987, Taro’s parents opened a modest Japanese restaurant in Fair Oaks called Mikuni. Celebrating a thirty-year business milestone in 2017, with nine locations and 1,000 employees, award-winning Mikuni is one of the most successful re...
2020-06-1041 min
Sactown FCTaro Arai and Jeanne Mabry from Mikuni InterviewLuis, Danny, and Jon, interview Taro Arai and Jeanne Mabry from Mikuni, Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar. They talk about how Mikuni started, their favorite Sacramento Republic memories, their annual golf tournament, and much more!
Follow us on:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/SactownFC
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/SactownFC
We have a new Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/SactownFC/
Join our new Sacramento Republic Fans Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SactownFC/
Have a question you'd like for us to answer...
2020-03-2857 min
Fatherhood Field NotesEP28 w/ Taro Arai: The Never Ending Honeymoon, Loosing 11 Million Dollars, and SushiThis conversation with Taro Aria the Cheif Dreaming Officer of Mikuni Restaurant was incredible. He is so full of wisdom. He shares the story of him raising enough money to move from Japan to the United States as a teenager so that he could be himself. He talks about the miracles that occured to build the family business they now have...9 locations and over 32 years in the Sushi Business. He is an intentional man, husband, father, and business owner. As he is reaching 50 years old the torch is being passed down from his father to him. He shares the differ...
2019-12-021h 04
Pixel Beat[011] This Is Bat CountryAbout: This episode features music from underground caves, mines or dark caverns. The style of these themes can be atmospheric, upbeat or very chilled and relaxing. We blend a whole range of these in this episode.Artwork: by Pokémon Gold & Silver00:00 - Know the Way (Dark Cave) [The Messenger] by Rainbowdragoneyes > 01:27 - Cave [Destiny of an Emperor] by Hiroshige Tonomura, Yoshihiro Sakaguchi > 03...
2019-11-1839 minIngrainedThe Starting Point of Your Sushi Roll It’s harvest time in the rice fields of the Sacramento Valley, where virtually all of America’s sushi rice is grown. Join us as we go on a harvester ride with grower Brian McKenzie in Sutter County, to find out just how much of a hi-tech experience rice farming has become. We also visit with Taro Arai, Chief Dreaming Officer of Mikuni, a fantastic sushi chef with a passion for local rice. Mikuni uses 20 tons of California rice each month!
2019-09-2810 min
2016-01-2530 min