Chrissa Karnes

May 263 min read

Discovering Shiki Sai in EPCOT – A Culinary Journey through Japan's Seasonal Festivals

Updated: Jun 20

Interior of Shiki Sai: Sushi Izakaya in EPCOT, featuring a central sushi bar where chefs are preparing sushi. The dining area includes a sushi counter with seating, tables with red cushioned chairs, and booths along the walls. The decor is traditional Japanese, with wooden accents and lanterns hanging from the ceiling, creating an authentic ambiance." — The sushi bar inside of Shiki Sai

Hey Everyone, Chrissa here, and I am excited to tell you all about Shiki Sai: Sushi Izakaya in EPCOT. In this blog, I’m going to share all the details of this restaurant to help you decide if it’s a perfect choice for you and your family. So, let’s dive in!

What is Shiki Sai: Sushi Izakaya in EPCOT?

Entrance sign of Shiki Sai: Sushi Izakaya in EPCOT, featuring a wooden sign with the restaurant's name in elegant script. The sign is flanked by blue curtains with traditional Japanese emblems, adding to the authentic Japanese decor. The warm lighting and traditional wooden accents create a welcoming atmosphere. — The interior entrance for Shiki Sai

Shiki Sai is an a-la-carte table service restaurant located in the Japan pavilion in the World Showcase area of EPCOT. Shiki Sai opened in August 2023 and is located right next to the popular Teppan Edo in the Japan pavilion.

What is the atmosphere like at Shiki Sai: Sushi Izakaya?

Dining booths at Shiki Sai: Sushi Izakaya in EPCOT, featuring tables set with red napkins and chopsticks. The booths are positioned against a wall with screens designed to look like windows, displaying scenic views of lush greenery and a peaceful landscape. The traditional Japanese decor and warm lighting create an inviting and serene dining environment. — The interior tables inside Shiki Sai with screens featuring changing Japanese scenes going through the seasons

At Shiki Sai, you’ll be transported to the heart of Japan through dishes inspired by its vibrant seasonal festivals.

The dining room offers a few tables next to the windows with stunning views of the Japan pavilion. There is a central sushi bar where you can watch the sushi being made and booths along the walls with screens designed to look like windows. As you dine, you can watch the scenery change with each passing season.

What kind of food is served at Shiki Sai: Sushi Izakaya?

Open menu at Shiki Sai: Sushi Izakaya in EPCOT, displaying a selection of specialty cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks. The drinks menu features colorful images of beverages like the Violet Yuzu Lemonade and Calpico Dragon. On the right page, there are descriptions of the winter season's festive offerings and cultural traditions, including images of a Japanese temple and a girl in traditional attire. — The menu in Shiki Sai

A Izakaya is a traditional gastropub where friends and family gather to share the joy of one another’s company and a variety of dishes. To get an authentic izakaya experience while you're here, you'll want to select an assortment of delicacies crafted with the finest ingredients reflecting each season's flavors.

There is way more than just sushi! If some of your party doesn't eat sushi, they can choose an item from the grill, rice and noodle bowls, soups and salads. They also serve kid's bento boxes, with a variety of proteins.

Do they offer drinks at Shiki Sai: Sushi Izakaya?

The drinks menu boasts a variety of signature sake, specialty cocktails, and Japanese beers and wines. There are also a few non-alcoholic specialty drinks.

We decided to try a couple. I had the Calpico Dragon, a pink ombre-colored mocktail with dragon fruit and Calpico for $12.

Two specialty drinks from Shiki Sai: Sushi Izakaya in EPCOT. The drink in the foreground is the Violet Yuzu Lemonade, a vibrant ombre-colored beverage with layers of violet and yellow. The drink in the background is the Calpico Dragon, a pink ombre-colored mocktail with dragon fruit and Calpico. Both drinks are served in tall glasses with ice and are set on a table in the restaurant's cozy and inviting interior. — The Yuzu Lemonade and the Capico Dragon in the back

Noah had the Violet Yuzu Lemonade, which is also $12. The violet Yuzu Lemonade features yuzu juice with lemonade and blue butterfly pea flower which creates this beautiful blend of violet and yellow. Both drinks were delicious!

What are some recommended appetizers at Shiki Sai: Sushi Izakaya?

Close-up of a bowl of Spicy Garlic Edamame at Shiki Sai: Sushi Izakaya in EPCOT. The edamame pods are coated with a flavorful mixture of garlic and spices, served in a striped ceramic bowl. The dish is presented on a wooden table with a pair of chopsticks and a coaster in the background. — The Spicey Garlic Edemame

For our starter, we chose the Spicy Garlic Edamame which was $8. This dish was incredibly flavorful, with just the right amount of spice and garlic flavor. If you’re a garlic fan, you’ll want to try this!

What are the best entrees at Shiki Sai: Sushi Izakaya?

Shiki Sai offers a variety of sushi options. While we were there, we chose the Hashi Bridge, serving 2-4 people for $100.

A colorful assortment of sushi served on a decorative red bridge platter at Shiki Sai: Sushi Izakaya in EPCOT. The platter includes various sushi types such as cucumber rolls, tuna rolls, salmon sashimi, yellowtail sashimi, and nigiri topped with tuna, yellowtail, salmon, scallop, and shrimp. The sushi is garnished with lemon slices and comes with a small cup of smelt roe, ginger, and wasabi. A glass of water and a person wearing a Mickey Mouse t-shirt are visible in the background. — The Hashi Bridge

As the name implies, it is served on a bridge and includes several types of sushi: cucumber roll, tuna roll, tuna sashimi, tuna sushi, yellowtail sashimi, yellowtail sushi, salmon sashimi, salmon sushi, scallop nigiri, shrimp nigiri, and even a saltwater eel.

Chrissa enjoying sushi at Shiki Sai: Sushi Izakaya in EPCOT. She is using chopsticks to pick up a piece of tuna sashimi from a decorative red bridge platter filled with a variety of sushi and sashimi. The table also has a bowl of Spicy Garlic Edamame, a pink Calpico Dragon drink, and a small dish of soy sauce. Chrissa is wearing a pink shirt with a Mickey Mouse design, and the restaurant's cozy interior is visible in the background. — The Hashi bridge is more than enough for two people

You also get a cup of smelt roe, ginger, wasabi, and a little bowl for soy sauce. In total, that’s 12 sushi rolls, 9 sashimi, 10 nigiri, a saltwater eel, and a cup of roe. Sushi lovers will enjoy every bite!

What desserts are available at Shiki Sai: Sushi Izakaya?

We couldn’t resist trying two desserts while we were here. I opted for the Ichigo Parfait for $18. This was a delightful cup with layers of strawberries, cheesecake, and vanilla ice cream.

Ichigo Parfait dessert at Shiki Sai: Sushi Izakaya in EPCOT. The parfait is served in a glass and features layers of strawberries, cheesecake, and vanilla ice cream, topped with strawberry sauce and garnished with fresh strawberries, a piece of cheesecake, and two pink Pocky sticks. The background shows part of the restaurant and a person wearing a Mickey Mouse t-shirt. — The Ichigo Parfait

Noah who is a cheesecake enthusiast, chose the Yuzu Cheesecake for $10. This is a creamy cheesecake with a hint of tangy citrus zest.

A slice of Yuzu Cheesecake at Shiki Sai: Sushi Izakaya in EPCOT, served on a white plate. The cheesecake has a smooth, creamy texture with a hint of tangy citrus zest and is topped with a dollop of yuzu sauce. The plate is garnished with a fresh strawberry and a swirl of whipped cream, creating an appealing presentation. — The Yuzu Cheesecake

We thought both desserts were fantastic and worth trying!

Do they offer any reward programs at Shiki Sai: Sushi Izakaya?

The seasonal reward card

At the end of the meal, we received a card with a stamp for their seasonal reward program. This card is to encourage you to return during each of the four seasons to earn more stamps. Once you've received all four stamps, you receive a gift. Which I heard was an exclusive Shiki Sai hand fan.

Do they provide omikuji fortune slips at Shiki Sai: Sushi Izakaya?

According to the menu, you should receive an omikuji fortune slip at the end of your meal during the winter season. However, we did not receive one. If you’ve dined here and got one, let me know in the comments below!

Tips & Tricks for dining at Shiki Sai: Sushi Izakaya

Confirmed reservations are required for all guests regardless of age, along with a theme park reservation and valid admission. Dining reservations alone do not guarantee park access.
Shiki Sai is included in the Disney Dining Plan, allowing you to use one of your table service meals here.
Annual Passholders receive a 10% discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages at this location.

Looking for more restaurant recommendations while visiting Disney World? Check out my other Disney restaurant blogs below!