He began by cutting fish for his parents’ fish shop and catering business. After graduating high school Takayama served an eight year apprenticeship at Sushiko in Tokyo. His first United States restaurant Saba-ya was opened in Los Angeles in 1980 and his second was Ginza Sushiko. His Bara Masa in Las Vegas included the upscale shabu-shabu dining room Shaboo which charges about $500 per person without drinks.