It all started in the neighborhood of Shinjuku, Tokyo, where Saboten opened it’s very first shop back in 1966. It’s name, which is “cactus’ in Japanese, was chosen to represent the founder’s vision - to build a shop that will thrive with vitality even in the harshest conditions. Now, Saboten has flourished into one of the largest Tonkatsu chains with over 500 shops in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada, China, and now, the Philippines. Japanese Restaurant.