A Field History of Ventura Boulevard’s Sushi Corridor
Bizen
Sherman OaksCLOSEDLast verified 2026-06-15
Bizen was a small, traditional, unpretentious Edo-style sushi bar at 13447 Ventura Blvd in Sherman Oaks, on the "Sushi Row" stretch of Ventura Boulevard, run by chef Toshio Shikami (born June 19, 1952 in Osaka, Japan; died April 17, 2018). Shikami also appeared as the head sushi chef in Albert Brooks's 1991 film Defending Your Life (per IMDb). The restaurant closed around the time of his death, and the wine-and-sushi bar Sushi Note opened in the same space (founders Dave Gibbs, Andy Paxson, Silvia Gallo; chef Kiminobu Saito). No Michelin recognition or awards were found for Bizen itself (the Michelin listing at that address is for the successor, Sushi Note), and no documented chef-lineage tree or precise opening year could be sourced. Note: the verbatim Rafu Shimpo obituary I retrieved does NOT state a duration of ownership or mention the film; the widely repeated "over 30 years" phrasing traces to the Los Angeles Times / Legacy.com obituary version, which I could not load directly (HTTP 403), so duration is treated as unconfirmed/LORE.
How to read the verdictsVERIFIED confirmed against sources ONE WITNESS a single account CONTESTED sources disagree LORE repeated, unverifiable LIVING a number that changes BUSTED the record contradicts it. Every claim shows its sources; prices & counts are living numbers — verify before you dine.
Founder(s)
VERIFIED
Bizen was owned and run by chef Toshio Shikami, born June 19, 1952 in Osaka, Japan, a longtime resident of Granada Hills, California. He died April 17, 2018, at age 65. He personally worked the sushi bar (known to regulars as 'Toshi').
Toshio Shikami — Rafu Shimpo (2018-04) · link “long time former owner of 'Bizen Restaurant' of Sherman Oaks”
Obituary | Toshio Shikami of Granada Hills, California — Fukui Mortuary (2018) · link “Birth Date: June 19, 1952 ... Birthplace: Osaka, Japan ... long time former owner of 'Bizen Restaurant' of Sherman Oaks”
Current owner / ownership
VERIFIED
Current operating entity / parent company for Bizen: none. Bizen is closed; the business does not currently operate under any owner or parent company, and its address is now occupied by the unrelated Sushi Note.
After Bizen closed, its space at 13447 Ventura Blvd was taken over by Sushi Note, a wine-focused omakase bar that opened in July 2019. The team (David Gibbs of Augustine/Mirabelle, head bartender Silvia Gallo, and Andy Paxson) keeps a photo of 'Toshi' on the wall as a tribute; chef Kiminobu Saito, who built a following at 4 on 6 in Encino, runs the kitchen.
Hitting all the Notes at Sushi Note in Sherman Oaks — Please The Palate · link “The name is also derived from a note that Silvia found on the door of the previous sushi bar in that location saying 'we will be back' ... Chef Saito ... built a following ... at 4 on 6 located in Encino”
Sushi Note (Sherman Oaks, CA) — kevinEats · link “Sushi Note opened in July 2019 in the former home of the late Toshio Shikami's Bizen ... David Gibbs ... Silvia Gallo ... Andy Paxson ... Head Chef Kiminobu Saito, former co-owner of the longstanding 4 on 6 in Encino (content confirmed via search; site returns a TLS certificate error on direct fetch)”
Signature dish(es)
VERIFIED
Bizen was an unpretentious, traditional (non-trendy) sushi bar emphasizing fresh fish and technique. The 2009 review singled out the halibut carpaccio ('heaven melting in my mouth'); the 2006 blog praised its vegetable and vegetable-tempura rolls. Regulars were greeted by name.
Trendy isn't a key ingredient for Bizen — Daily Sundial (CSUN) (2009-10-19) · link “this is not a trendy sushi restaurant and that's an extremely good commodity ... [halibut carpaccio] heaven melting in my mouth ... [regulars] are greeted by their first names.”
Location
VERIFIED
Bizen was located at 13447 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 (phone 818-906-7274), a narrow storefront on Ventura Boulevard between Sunnyslope and Greenbush avenues.
Trendy isn't a key ingredient for Bizen — Daily Sundial (CSUN) (2009-10-19) · link “13447 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423; (818) 906-7274”
Status
VERIFIED
Bizen is permanently closed. It ceased operating around the time of owner-chef Toshio Shikami's death in April 2018; the space was subsequently taken over by Sushi Note.
Obituary | Toshio Shikami of Granada Hills, California — Fukui Mortuary (2018) · link “Death Date: April 17, 2018 (age 65)”
Sushi Note (Sherman Oaks, CA) — kevinEats · link “Sushi Note opened in July 2019 in the former home of the late Toshio Shikami's Bizen (content confirmed via search; site returns a TLS certificate error on direct fetch)”
Find out why wine lovers are flocking to the new Sushi Note in Sherman Oaks. — Ventura Blvd Magazine (ourventurablvd.com) · link “the space where Bizen ... previously operated ... [Gallo] slid a note under the door to see if the space was available [after learning of the closure].”
History & milestones
VERIFIED
Bizen was a small, intimate, deliberately untrendy neighborhood sushi bar with limited two- and four-person booth seating in addition to bar seating, and it consistently held a health 'A' rating.
Trendy isn't a key ingredient for Bizen — Daily Sundial (CSUN) (2009-10-19) · link “small and intimate, perfect for a romantic date ... this is not a trendy sushi restaurant and that's an extremely good commodity ... adorable two and four person booths”
The subject’s own story
VERIFIED
No first-party brand narrative from an official Bizen website or corporate/parent site was found. Bizen was an independent, single-location neighborhood restaurant with no surviving official site; the successor Sushi Note's coverage does not attribute its name or story to Bizen, only to a 'we will be back' note left on the prior tenant's door.
Hitting all the Notes at Sushi Note in Sherman Oaks — Please The Palate · link “The name is also derived from a note that Silvia found on the door of the previous sushi bar in that location saying 'we will be back.' After a couple of weeks, she inquired about the space and Sushi Note was born.”
Other notes
VERIFIED
After Bizen closed, the omakase-and-wine bar Sushi Note opened in the same 13447 Ventura Blvd space, created by Augustine wine bar co-owner Dave Gibbs with Andy Paxson (owner of Simplethings in Toluca Lake) and Augustine head bartender Silvia Gallo, with chef Kiminobu Saito (formerly of 4 on 6 in Encino). It opened in 2018.
Find out why wine lovers are flocking to the new Sushi Note in Sherman Oaks. — Ventura Blvd Magazine (ourventurablvd.com) · link “Dave Gibbs (Augustine wine bar co-owner), Andy Paxson (Simple Things owner ...), and Silvia Gallo (Augustine head bartender) ... Chef Kiminobu Saito ... occupies the space where Bizen ... previously operated.”