NEWS: Disney Announces New Restaurant in Epcot’s Japan Pavilion

We love food! And we especially love all the different foods offered at Epcot. Epcot’s World Showcase allows guests to visit 11 countries to experience their culture and cuisine. Food lovers will be thrilled to hear that Disney has announced the opening date of a new signature dining restaurant in the Japan pavilion. Catch all the details below.

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Alex Dunlap:

Calling all world-travelers – there’s a new table-service restaurant coming to the World Showcase at Epcot! As we’ve previously announced, this new addition to the Japan pavilion will provide guests a signature dining experience inspired by the natural beauty of Japan.

The restaurant will be named Takumi-Tei, which means house of the artisan. The design celebrates the relationship between Japanese craftsmanship and the natural world, while the food is inspired by the wonderful collaboration between nature and takumi, the artisan. The upscale dinner menu will highlight wagyu beef in a sublime setting, and guests interested in the ultimate experience will be able to indulge in a multi-course tasting menu featuring traditional tea service. Signature cocktails and premium sake will be available along with a wine and craft beer menu.

Takumi-Tei will open in the Japan pavilion at Epcot this summer and will be operated by Mitsukoshi USA, which operates the merchandise, restaurants (Teppan Edo and Tokyo Dining), and kiosks in the Japan pavilion. The new restaurant will add to the rich tapestry of cultural experiences available to guests in World Showcase.

RELATED ARTICLE: 10 Amazing Things About the Japan Pavilion at Disney’ Epcot

by Ryan Miller

Around the World Showcase at Epcot, each of the 11 pavilions brings the unique style and culture of their respective countries to share with the Walt Disney World Guests. The Japan Pavilion has been a World Showcase destination since the park opened in 1982 and since then, guests routinely add it to their must-do list as it has become a fan-favorite pavilion. Filled with Japanese architecture and iconic cultural offerings, there are so many things to see and explore in the pavilion. As a tribute, we have put together a list of the 10 most amazing things about the Japan Pavilion in Epcot.

10 – Koi Pond

Along the steps ascending to Katsura Grill, the koi pond is full of fish content to swim all day and grow to their full potential. A softly falling waterfall keeps the water flowing while the rocks and plant-life give the koi pond a sense that it has been there for ages. There is a secret in the midst of the water in the form of a Hidden Mickey, which can be seen in the center of a metal grate collecting water to be returned to the top of the waterfall.

9 – Sake Tasting Bar

With the Japanese culture so prevalent throughout the pavilion, it’s no surprise that tucked away in the back of the Mitsukoshi Department Store is a Sake Tasting Bar. Giving guests the opportunity to sample some of the world-renowned sake from Japan, the tasting bar is a literal taste of Japanese culture. The cast members here are extremely knowledgeable and patient as they will not only offer suggestions for you, but teach you the tradition behind the process of making sake.

8 – Pick A Pearl

Also in the Mitsukoshi Department Store, the Pick A Pearl ceremony is a sight every Disney fan should see at least once (if not purchase one for themselves). For under $20, guests can pick an oyster from two large tanks around the desk. The cast members then have the guests count down (in Japanese) as they open the oyster, revealing a stunning pearl that is cleaned and measured for you. Drums are played in celebration as you receive your pearl, where you can keep it on its own or have it set in a piece of jewelry for an additional cost. It’s the enthusiasm of the cast members that really make this a fun experience and an all-around great memory.

7 – Tokyo Dining

Tokyo Dining is the place to go for fresh, authentic sushi in Epcot. The incredibly talented chefs prepare the sushi on an open counter, which is then delivered to your table by the servers dressed in traditional kimonos. Even if you’re seated further away from the counter, you can enjoy the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the World Showcase – from the second story of the building, the view is incredible.

6 – Bijutsu-kan

Across a bridge towards the back of the pavilion, the Bijutsu-kan is an exhibition gallery which houses different exhibits showcasing Japanese culture and art. While the exhibits change on a relatively regular basis, they are always fascinating to see and explore. Currently, the gallery has an exhibit exploring the culture of Kawaii (meaning cute or loveable). The history of cute culture in Japan has impacted everything from jewelry and toys to where and how people travel.

5 – Matsuriza

At the bottom of the Pagoda, Matsuriza is a troupe of performers who play the majestic Taiko Drums with Bamboo Flutes for melody. The incredible rhythms pulsate through the air not only filling the pavilion with sound, but reaching out into the rest of the World Showcase. There is no holding back when it comes to their performance, even though you would think they may tire after performing around once every hour in the afternoons.

4 – Katsura Grill

As the quick service dining option in Japan, Katsura Grill is a great place to stop for a quick bite to eat. It’s especially handy for guests in your group who want to try different dishes. Whether you’re in the mood for sushi, udon noodles or teriyaki, it’s hard to go wrong with anything on the menu. The restaurant feels removed from the busy pathways and gives you the opportunity to relax while you’re eating – just make sure to save room for Green Tea Ice Cream or Green Tea Cheesecake for dessert.

3 – Architecture

As with everything in the pavilion, the architecture displays incredible attention to detail in the design of each structure. The large red Torii gate in the waters of the World Showcase Lagoon is typically associated with the Shinto religion but also can be seen in Buddhism as well. In General, the gate is meant to signify a transition. The Goju-no-to Pagoda is probably one of the most recognizable landmarks in the pavilion with the 5 roofs representing the elements of all things in the universe, according to Buddhist beliefs – earth, water, fire, wind, and sky. The large building on the other side of the pavilion is modeled after an Imperial Palace in Kyoto and is a great representation of the art involved in the design of Japanese buildings.

2 – Teppan Edo

Teppan Edo, a wonderfully entertaining dining experience that is fun for everyone. Guests are seated around a large grill, where the Teppan chefs will come to grill your food, with a healthy dose of showmanship and artistry. Whether they construct objects or create characters using only the food they’re cooking, it’s an extra element to the atmosphere that makes Teppan Edo such a great place to dine.

1 – Mitsukoshi Department Store

Even though we have already covered a couple of the elements inside, the Mitsukoshi Department Store is one of the best reasons to visit the pavilion. Inside the building, thousands of items await you to browse through and pick out your favorites. Whether you love all things anime, specific video games or apparel, you can find something to love here. There are also items like zen gardens, bonsai trees, lots of tea and tea-related items and the always popular room filled with Japanese candy, enticing you to try something new or something different to immerse yourself in the culture. You could easily spend hours inside looking at everything they have to offer, and you will only have seen a small percentage of what the pavilion has to offer. Make sure to take your time so you can appreciate all that they have to offer in Mitsukoshi and you surely won’t be disappointed.