Skip to content

The Weekend

Jesse Ito relaxes during a boat ride though the canals of Yanagawa on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025 in Yanagawa City, Japan. The boat is called a donko-bune.Museum of the American Revolution head Scott Stephenson at Philly's only Revolutionary-era tavern, A Man Full of Trouble.Road trip, Charlottesville, VA
Jesse and Matt Ito’s Big Japan adventureThe father-son trip to the elder's home village was never a sure thing. Even though the two worked at the same restaurant, spending time together was just not how things went.

Matt Ito moved from Japan to South Jersey in 1976 and opened a beloved sushi spot. His son, Jesse Ito of Royal Sushi & Izakaya, worked there from childhood. They spent countless hours together but they'd never visited Japan together, too busy. Until now.


Also this weekend:

🪿 The great Wawa food debate

🦪 A Perfect Philly Day filled with oysters, history, and boardgames

📷 A photographer's experience documenting the President’s House saga

Has Wawa’s food changed too much?Three Inquirer staffers discuss the beloved chain.

Matt Ito moved from Japan to South Jersey in 1976 and opened a beloved sushi spot. His son, Jesse Ito of Royal Sushi & Izakaya, worked there from childhood. They spent countless hours together but they'd never visited Japan together, too busy. Until now.


Also this weekend:

🪿 The great Wawa food debate

🦪 A Perfect Philly Day filled with oysters, history, and boardgames

📷 A photographer's experience documenting the President’s House saga