Iconic Japanese restaurant in Collingswood closes indefinitely after co-founder’s passing

COLLINSGWOOD, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — After the sudden passing of one of its owners, a beloved and nationally recognized Japanese restaurant in South Jersey announced its indefinite closure.

Sagami in Collingswood is shutting its doors for the foreseeable future as it copes with the passing of co-founder Chizuko Fukuyoshi, who passed away on July 15.

The announcement was made on Sagami's website and a sign posted on its front door that reads: "Please check back for further updates."

Fukuyoshi of Haddonfield was 79. She was born in Tokyo and emigrated to New York City in 1969. There, she met her partner Shigeru of 52 years, and four years after meeting they moved to Haddonfield and then opened Sagami in nearby Collingswood.

The restaurant has served the community there for more than 50 years.

In a commemorative post on Facebook, Kain-Murphy Funeral Services said Fukuyoshi's life revolved around Sagami and its customers.

“Some of these clients became her best friends and almost like family and she would do anything for them,” read part of the post.

Sagami was recognized by the James Beard Foundation as a semi-finalist for Outstanding Restaurant in 2017 and 2019.

Shigeru was a semi-finalist in the outstanding chef category last year.