Shohei Takamatsu, affectionately known as “Mr. T” by his customers, employees, friends and associates, and a true restauranteering icon in Dallas, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2026, just 9 days short of his 95th birthday.
Shohei Takamatsu was born on May 6, 1931, in Osaka, Japan, the oldest child of Tomosuke and En Takamatsu. In 1958, Shohei married Shigeko Ikegami and together they moved to Hillsboro, Texas. There he completed a 2-year contract as a cotton broker. In 1961, he moved to Dallas and became an independent cotton buyer working closely with C. Itoh & Co. By 1973, the connections he made there enabled him to open the first authentic Japanese restaurant in Dallas, Royal Tokyo. It quickly became known for its outstanding traditional Japanese cuisine as well as its promotion of Japanese culture for nearly 30 years, and spawned the now ubiquitous Japanese restaurant scene in Dallas.
Shohei is survived by his wife of 68 years, Shigeko Takamatsu; his sister, Harue Takeuchi of Tokyo, Japan; his three children, Emiko “Amy” Meyers (Rodney) of Houston, Texas, Chizuko “Susie” Hastings (Warren) of Dallas, Texas, and Yoichi “Steve” Takamatsu (Melissa) of Austin, Texas; and five grandchildren, Christopher Meyers, Hanako Takamatsu, Yumiko Hastings, Midori Takamatsu and Alyssa Meyers. Preceeding Shohei in death are his parents and his brother, Masao Takamatsu of Kofu, Japan.
Visitation will be Friday, May 8 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Restland Funeral Home in Dallas. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 9, 10:30 a.m. at Northrich Church, 1101 Custer Rd. Richardson, TX 75080. Flowers can be sent in memory of Shohei Takamatsu through Rembrandt Florist, (972) 761-8989 or donations can be made to International Christian Church in memory of Shohei Takamatsu: can be given here: ICCtexas.org.