A New Chapter for Sakagura Japanese Restaurant at Sheraton Kota Kinabalu

 

The award winning authentic Japanese restaurant Sakagura Japanese Restaurant, proudly recognised as The Signature Food Fest Award Winner – The Best Signature Menu 2014 to 2017, is entering a refined new chapter in Kota Kinabalu.

After nearly 11 remarkable years serving the city, the beloved Japanese dining destination has officially relocated to the newly opened Sheraton Hotel Kota Kinabalu, celebrating a successful soft opening on 17 February. The move marks an elevated milestone for the brand, positioning it within a prestigious five star international hospitality address.

From its early beginnings to now standing proudly inside one of the city’s newest luxury hotels, Sakagura’s journey reflects dedication, perseverance, and a deep respect for authentic Japanese culinary craftsmanship. Bringing the brand from Japan to Sabah was once a bold step forward. Today, its presence within a premium setting signals growth, recognition, and the quiet confidence of a restaurant that has earned its place.

The road over the past decade was far from effortless. Early opening delays tested patience. The bankruptcy of the mall where it first operated created sudden uncertainty. The global pandemic brought operational standstills across the industry. Sales were also significantly impacted during the period of controversy surrounding the treated water discharge issue, creating uncertainty across the industry and influencing consumer sentiment, and each of these challenges demanded resilience, steady leadership, and the ability to adapt with focus and determination.

Yet through every season, Sakagura remained standing, supported by loyal patrons, trusted partners, and the vibrant Kota Kinabalu community. Their continued support became the foundation that allowed the restaurant to endure and evolve over 11 meaningful years.

Leaving Oceanus carries a sense of nostalgia. Within those walls lived countless celebrations, family gatherings, business milestones, and quiet evenings of authentic Japanese dining. However, growth often calls for courage. This relocation represents renewal, refinement, and the next evolution of the Sakagura legacy.

As doors open at its new home, Sakagura Japanese Restaurant carries forward its award winning heritage, authentic flavors, and heartfelt appreciation for the city that has embraced it for more than a decade.

A new era begins. And Kota Kinabalu remains at the heart of their story.

Original write-up by Akiran San, Founder of Sakagura Japanese Restaurant. Reconstructed and curated by FAVSTYLE Essentials.

Sandakan Heritage Trail: A Journey Through Time, Culture, and the Soul of a Historic Town

 

In Sandakan, history is not confined to museum halls or faded archives. It lives in quiet stairways climbing green hills, in timber houses that have watched generations pass, and in places of worship where prayers have echoed for decades. The Sandakan Heritage Trail invites visitors to step into this living narrative, offering a journey that reveals the character, resilience, and cultural richness of one of Sabah’s most historic towns. For travellers, it is a scenic walk through a charming landscape. For locals, it is a reminder of identity and roots. For the younger generation, it becomes a classroom without walls, where every stop tells a story.

The Sandakan Heritage Trail is a self-guided walking route that connects some of the town’s most significant historical and cultural landmarks. Along the way, visitors encounter places that reflect Sandakan’s colonial past, wartime memories, and multicultural heritage. Among the highlights are the Agnes Keith House, which offers a glimpse into life in pre-war North Borneo, St. Michael’s and All Angels Church, one of the oldest stone churches in Sabah, and Sam Sing Kung Temple, a testament to the early Chinese community that helped shape the town. Historic mosques, monuments, and colonial-era structures further enrich the journey, each standing as a silent witness to the passage of time. Although the trail can be completed in one to two hours, many visitors find themselves lingering, drawn in by the atmosphere and the sense of stepping into another era.

Photo courtesy to Nicholas Chong

The purpose of the Sandakan Heritage Trail goes beyond preserving buildings. It exists to preserve stories, to protect cultural memory, and to ensure that the past remains accessible to future generations. By keeping these landmarks visible and meaningful, the trail helps educate both visitors and local communities while promoting heritage tourism in Sabah. More importantly, it nurtures appreciation for history among young people, encouraging them to see heritage not as something distant, but as something alive and relevant.

Heritage plays a vital role in today’s rapidly changing world. It acts as an anchor, keeping communities grounded while cities grow and modernize. Sandakan itself has experienced remarkable chapters, from its early days as a trading port to the devastation of war and its eventual rebuilding. These stories are not merely historical records; they are lessons in resilience, unity, and hope. Walking the trail allows visitors to understand that progress does not have to erase the past, and that preservation and development can exist side by side.

For the younger generation, places like the Sandakan Heritage Trail hold particular importance. Understanding local history helps build a sense of identity and belonging, allowing young people to appreciate the diverse cultures that shape Sabah. Experiencing history in real locations brings learning to life in ways textbooks cannot, turning dates and events into vivid, memorable experiences. Heritage also fosters pride in community and inspires creativity, from photography and storytelling to design, tourism, and cultural projects. When young people engage with heritage, they become the storytellers who carry these narratives forward.

The Sandakan Heritage Trail is more than a pathway through town. It is a bridge between generations, connecting the wisdom of the past with the promise of the future. In every preserved landmark and every quiet corner of the trail lies a reminder that a town remembers when its people choose to remember, and sometimes, the simplest way to begin is by taking a walk.

Kota Kinabalu Chosen as a Global Destination, Miss World Champions Heritage and Environmental Preservation

 

KOTA KINABALU — The city by the sea stepped into the international spotlight as Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (DBKK) hosted a special visit by Miss World 2025, Opal Suchata, and Miss World Malaysia 2025, Taanusiya Chetty. The visit formed part of a meaningful programme titled A Timeless Commitment: Heritage And Environmental Preservation With Miss World 2025, held at Signal Hall.

Mayor of Kota Kinabalu, Datuk Seri Sabin Samitah, emphasized that the presence of these global icons carried a message far beyond ceremonial appearances. It underscored the importance of social responsibility, environmental awareness, and the preservation of local history and culture.

Miss OPAL SUCHATA

Miss World 2025

Miss TAANUSIYA CHETTY

Miss World Malaysia 2025

He noted that promoting Kota Kinabalu as a tourism destination is not solely about scenic beauty, but about showcasing a city that values its heritage and community spirit. Initiatives like this, he said, inspire local communities, especially women, to take active roles in shaping society and protecting the environment.

Also present at the programme was DBKK Deputy Director General for the Financial Management Sector, Mr Victor Gerard, together with city officials and invited guests who gathered to support the initiative highlighting sustainability and heritage preservation.

Miss World 2025, Opal Suchata, expressed admiration for Kota Kinabalu’s natural charm and cultural richness. She observed that the warmth of the people, the shared tropical climate, and the community’s commitment to preserving heritage and nature created a sense of familiarity and connection.

Miss World Malaysia 2025, Taanusiya Chetty also shared her appreciation for the hospitality she experienced during the visit. She described the city’s celebrated sunsets as more than a picturesque moment. Each glowing horizon, she noted, reflects the collective effort of a community that cares deeply for its natural surroundings.

In many ways, the visit felt like a meeting point between beauty and purpose. Kota Kinabalu continues to show that progress and preservation can move forward together, carrying culture, nature, and community into the future in one steady, luminous stride.

Photo courtesy to Mr Victor Gerard social media page

A Scenic Brew Escape: Fatt Choi Coffee Cabin, Tenom

 

In Tenom, mornings arrive softly. The mist lingers over coffee hills, the air cools the senses, and the road from Kota Kinabalu feels less like a drive and more like a gentle reset. This is where Fatt Choi Coffee Cabin makes its mark. Recently established and already drawing quiet buzz, it is Tenom’s newest reason to slow down and sip deliberately.

The journey matters here. As the city fades behind you, the landscape opens into rolling greenery and mountain silhouettes. By the time you arrive, the reward is immediate: panoramic hill views, the unmistakable aroma of freshly roasted Tenom coffee, and a café experience that feels rooted in place rather than trend.

Coffee First, Always

At Fatt Choi Coffee Cabin, great coffee comes naturally. Brewed from Tenom’s own celebrated beans, each cup carries depth, warmth, and a sense of origin. This is coffee enjoyed without rush, best paired with fresh mountain air and an unhurried afternoon.

Stay Where the Coffee Grows

What elevates the experience is the stay. Cozy cabin houses sit among lush coffee trees, offering guests a rare luxury: waking up to the scent of roasting beans drifting from the nearby coffee factory. Mornings here are unfiltered and deeply comforting, where nature and craft meet before breakfast.

New Opening: Fatt Choi x Lemon Tree

Adding a fresh layer to the destination is Fatt Choi Coffee x Lemon Tree Kitchen & Bakery, now officially open. Designed for lingering, it invites guests to come for the coffee and stay for the vibes. From daytime café moments to relaxed evening dining, it extends the Fatt Choi experience into a full-day affair, effortlessly blending Tenom’s calm rhythm with warm, welcoming hospitality.

Visitor Details

Fatt Choi Coffee Cabin

Entrance fee: RM2

Children 8 years old and below: Free

Daily, 9am – 5pm

Fatt Choi Coffee x Lemon Tree Kitchen & Bakery

Monday, Wednesday – Sunday (Tuesday off)

Open on Public Holidays

9am – 9pm

Kampung Tenom Lama, 89908 Tenom, Sabah

In a town known for its coffee heritage, Fatt Choi Coffee Cabin feels like a quiet love letter to Tenom. Come for the brew, stay for the hills, and let the journey itself become part of the flavour.

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