Guests eager to visit Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya are now able to look inside the restaurant in which they will soon be able to dine. Tarps that had previously blocked the entrance of the new restaurant in the Japan Pavilion at EPCOT have been removed ahead of the restaurant’s August 30 opening date.

Tarp Removed at Shiki-Sai

The black tarp that had prevented vision into the new restaurant as recently as August 6 is no longer present. Stanchions still prevent guests from entering the restaurant, and the entryway has been further blocked by two benches and potted plants.

Guests will enter the restaurant with a wooden host stand to their immediate left. The floor appears to be made of hardwood, separated into squares by black bars that give the floor a tatami-like appearance. A tall wooden divider separates a seating area from the entryway; looking past it, we can see white-padded chairs and booth backings with red padding.

A white canvas appears at the back of the restaurant. A brown circle with Japanese writing is printed at its center; it reads Shunkashūtō, translated to English as “four seasons.”

The potted plants outside of the restaurant have received a bit of a facelift, as well. Vibrant pink and blue tags now hang from the plants’ leaves, each tag including a star design and the Shiki-Sai logo. These were not present as of August 6.

The tags contain hand-written messages in both English and Japanese. The topics of the messages vary but generally wish good luck as Shiki-Sai opens its doors to the public.

The Mitsukoshi Restaurants building in which Shiki-Sai and Teppan-Edo reside also received a few new features ahead of the new restaurant’s opening. There’s a new carpet in the elevator in addition to Japanese-style artwork in the hallways of the second floor. The artwork was installed in early August.

Shiki-Sai at the Japan Pavilion EPCOT

Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya was announced to be ostensibly replacing Tokyo Dining at the Japan Pavilion in EPCOT in May. The restaurant will celebrate the seasonal favorites of Japan, offering new topical selections each month, from “hanging tanzaku to celebrate Tanabata in July to savoring moon-viewing dumplings in September.”

While a full menu has not yet been released, we do know that it will contain sushi and teppan items in addition to an open sushi bar and grill. Kobore Sushi, Tokyo Negi Roll, Funamori, and The Monster Roll will be available at the sushi bar while the grill will offer Okonomiyaki, a Japanese pancake filled with shredded cabbage and bacon, among various other items. Japanese Izakaya dishes meant for sharing will also be offered at the restaurant.

Shiki-Sai is located on the second floor of the Mitsukoshi Restaurants building, the same floor as Teppan Edo.

Will you be checking out Shiki-Sai at the Japan Pavilion in EPCOT when it opens to the public later this month? Let us know in the comments.

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