The Art of Shiki

Joji Hattori is, in many ways, a "wanderer between worlds." He embodies art, culture, and a love for good food, making him a multi-talented individual with cross-border roots. Born in Tokyo and raised in Vienna, he looks like a Japanese person, speaks like an Austrian, and has his heart in both worlds. The successful concert violinist and conductor has always nurtured his passion for fine dining. In 2015, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of opening his own restaurant with the launch of Shiki in the heart of Vienna, where he combines the best of Japanese and European culture. Alois Traint has been the head chef at Shiki since early 2016. In 2018, the native of Lower Austria and adopted Viennese was awarded a Michelin star for Shiki, making him one of the world's rare non-Japanese chefs recognized for Japanese cuisine. The three-hat chef, who cites "joy" as the most important ingredient in his creations, possesses the largest collection of Japanese kitchen knives in Austria.