A husband and wife have opened a new Japanese restaurant where guests can enjoy authentic cuisine in a space inspired by the atmosphere of Okinawa.
Nobuyuki and Yuka Ito are the team behind Noosa’s Tida, which means “sun” in the Okinawan language.
“We chose this name because we wanted Tida to be a place where people naturally gather, just like they do around the sun – a warm, welcoming and comfortable space,” Nobuyuki said.
The restaurant is inspired by Yuka’s connection to Okinawa, which is Japan’s southernmost region and known for its subtropical islands. Originally from Osaka, she has visited Okinawa about 40 times.
“For some time, we had been thinking about a two-base lifestyle between Okinawa and the Sunshine Coast. Through this, we began to feel that we wanted to create a space in Noosa where people could experience the feeling of Okinawa and Japan, which ultimately inspired us to open Tida,” Nobuyuki said.
Tida – which opened on January 13 in the space formerly occupied by Paradise Arcade – serves Japanese cuisine including washoku and sushi made with fresh seafood.
Chef Nobuyuki, who has more than 25 years of experience, also prepares daily special sashimi, based on the freshest seafood available.
“We also offer fresh fish dishes alongside a carefully selected range of Japanese sake and other Japanese alcoholic beverages that pair with the food,” he said.
The design and atmosphere of the restaurant are intended to reflect the natural environment of both Okinawa and Noosa.
“We feel that Okinawa and Noosa share many similarities, particularly in terms of nature and the ocean. With this in mind, we wanted to create a space that connects Okinawa and Noosa, reflecting the shared atmosphere and natural vibe of both locations,” Nobuyuki said.
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The owners said finding the right location was the biggest challenge in opening the restaurant, which is in Noosa Junction.
“It was important to find a space that matched our vision – a place where people naturally gather and where guests can feel a sense of Japan, even while being overseas,” he said.
The couple said they wanted Tida to be a place where people could relax and enjoy their food.
“Okinawa and the Sunshine Coast share similar climates, and many of the vegetables and ingredients grown in both regions are alike,” Nobuyuki said.
“Okinawa is also known as a former Blue Zone, famous for longevity. We hope to share Okinawan-inspired dishes using fresh vegetables and ingredients from Australia and the Sunshine Coast.
“Seeing smiles on our guests’ faces is our greatest joy.”
Tida is open Monday to Saturday from 5pm at 8/14 Arcadia Street, Noosa Heads.
