FIRST LOOK! Go Inside the NEW Shiki-Sai Restaurant in EPCOT's Japan Pavilion

IT IS TIME. A BRAND NEW restaurant has opened in EPCOT and we’re taking YOU inside!

Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya is a new Table Service restaurant located on the second floor of EPCOT’s Japan pavilion (it has taken over the spot once home to Tokyo Dining). Reservations from this spot are now open for dates starting on August 28th, but if you want to dine there NOW there is walk-up availability at the moment. The spot is meant to be unlike any other, with changing offerings based on Japan’s seasonal festivals. But enough talking — let’s take a look inside!

Atmosphere

Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya is located in the Japan Pavilion above the Mitsukoshi store.

Surprise! Shiki-Sai opened TODAY in EPCOT and we’re headed there for a first look! ?? Stay tuned to see EVERYTHING! ? pic.twitter.com/6HHNfPvhZi

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) August 15, 2023

To find it, you’ll need to head to the area near Teppan Edo and the former home of Tokyo Dining.

The new spot is said to serve up a “festive dining experience in a sharable Izakaya-style.”

Inside, some of the decor you see may change with the seasons as the restaurant adapts to celebrate different Japanese festivals. During the summer, Shiki-Sai is honoring the Tanabata Festival. According to the information shared at the restaurant, people celebrate Tanabata by making decorations, eating noodles (YUM!), and writing wishes on colorful paper strips (tanzaku) which are then hung on bamboo branches.

Guests have been invited to honor the festival by writing their own wishes!

Cultural representatives from Japan will be around to help guide you through each celebration, so if you’ve got any questions about what’s around you, feel free to ask.

You’ll want to look for touches throughout the entire space that embrace Japan’s festivals or highlight Japan’s natural wonders. Don’t miss the artwork, lanterns, and the trellis near the sushi bar, which is “inspired by the roof of the Phoenix Hall in Kyoto.”

Since it’s on the second floor, you’ll also be able to get some pretty amazing views of World Showcase Lagoon and EPCOT’s fireworks.

Now, let’s talk about the menu!

What Did We Grab?

For our first meal here, we grabbed the Violet Yuzu Lemonade (look how beautiful that is!)

We’re trying some of the drinks at EPCOT’s NEW restaurant Shiki-Sai! This is the Violet Yuzu Lemonade ? for $12. It’s Yuzu juice, lemonade, and blue butterfly pea flower! Check out that color! ?? pic.twitter.com/CU8LBRA6Ei

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) August 15, 2023

We also tried the Gari Gari Sour Ramune…

Next up, the Gari Gari Sour Ramune! It’s Shochu & Ramune-flavored popsicle with soda for $16. ?? pic.twitter.com/mq2ch2CgDV

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) August 15, 2023

…and the Sake Sangria.

Here’s the Sake Sangria! It’s a Fruit-infused sake cocktail for $18. ?? pic.twitter.com/7joPhj4Jrg

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) August 15, 2023

And we just had to grab the (VERY EXPENSIVE) Fune for $300! It’s a “boat presentation” of sushi that feeds 4-6 people.

Y’all…we’re in for a TREAT! We got the Fune for a whopping $300 ? This "boat presentation" showcases a premium assortment of sushi and sashimi and feeds 4-6 people! pic.twitter.com/eKrtaX0zhk

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) August 15, 2023

Here’s a look at what the Sushi Boat includes. Do YOU think it’s worth the cost?

Here’s a closer look at EVERYTHING that comes in that $300 sushi boat! Would you order this next time you’re in EPCOT?? ??? pic.twitter.com/zKu76JEq8T

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) August 15, 2023

We also snagged some Kara-age Chicken…