Our Story

Rooted in family

For our family, Japango has been a labor of love from the start. Jon joined the Japango team in 2001 and when the original owner wanted to explore something new in 2008, he turned to him hoping to keep Japango in the family. Jon was excited to bring back the original head chef, Iwasan, with goals to expand on traditional Japanese cuisine, lean into more modern influences, introduce an innovative bar program and grow into a restaurant Boulder could be excited about. Erin joined the restaurant the same year Jon took it over and the rest is history! In 2013, we expanded into the space we know today, seeing so many of the goals Jon set out to achieve come to fruition. In 2020 as the world halted all around us, we welcomed Isla into the Japango family and in the wild three years since, we have continued to gain the immense gift of perspective and gratitude for the guests and the team that shape the restaurant we love.

Japango owners family photo with their baby

Meet the team

From back to front and everywhere in between, staying in business for over 20 years doesn't happen without the hard work and dedication of an incredible team, and we're so grateful for the people who keep this operation rolling. We have been lucky enough to work with many of the same people for over a decade… in some cases two! From the hosts that greet you to the experience of dining with our chefs, we hope you feel the sense of family we bring to the table.

Yukiji Iwasa

Master Sushi Chef
See what he’s Reeling in

We’ve had the great fortune of over 20 years with Iwasan at our helm. Born and raised in Nagano, Japan, Iwasan started his training to become a master sushi chef when he was just 15 years old. While his background promises a certain level of honed tradition and technique, his young-at-heart spirit and dedicated team assure there is always something exciting
Daniel Klausegger

General Manager
Daniel joined us as a server in 2018 and was quickly recognized for his incredible work ethic. He soon found his niche as a manager and became our general manager in 2020, putting out fires and keeping the smiles coming all day long. When he is not keeping the wheels of the restaurant turning, he is happily spending time with his wife and dogs anywhere outdoors
The Bar Team

Enter the Laboratory

Whether you’re in need of a perfectly crafted cocktail, a whiskey you can’t find anywhere else, or just an ear to listen, these folks have you covered. Our ever-evolving program flows with the seasons, is fueled by curious creativity and features an extensive collection of some of the most elusive Japanese and North American Whiskies out there.