Family Dining · Practical guide
Aiya Japan Guide for Tourists: Tatami Rooms, Sukiyaki, Shabu-Shabu & Fine Dining
Prices, ordering steps, payment details, and common mistakes — in one place.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Dining / Upscale Traditional Japanese Cuisine & Kaiseki-Style Restaurant (Aiya Official Website) |
| Store Count | Approximately 40 prestigious locations centered in the Greater Tokyo Metropolitan area (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba) (Store Locator) |
| Ordering Style | Shoes-off full table service: remove shoes at entryway lower shoe lockers; staff escorts you through tranquil sukiya-style corridors to tatami horigotatsu booths or private rooms; order via tablet or staff; meals served to table; pay at front register |
| Membership Required? | No reservation, membership, or ID required for walk-in dining (online table reservations accepted) |
| Approximate Price Range | Lunch Japanese Gozen sets around ¥1,200–¥1,800, Tempura and Sashimi banquet sets around ¥1,800–¥2,500, Kuroge Wagyu Sukiyaki Gozen around ¥3,000–¥4,000; all tax-included (as of September 25, 2026; subject to revision). 10% late-night surcharge after 22:00 |
| Payment Methods | Cash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Diners, UnionPay), transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, etc.), electronic money (iD, QUICPay, Rakuten Edy), and smartphone QR code payments (PayPay, Rakuten Pay, d-barai, au PAY, Merpay, Alipay, WeChat Pay) |
| Multilingual Support | Tabletop ordering tablets feature multilingual display modes (Japanese, English, Chinese) with elegant photography |
What it is
Aiya, operated by Skylark Restaurants Co., Ltd. (part of Skylark Holdings Co., Ltd.), is the flagship upscale traditional Japanese dining brand within the Skylark portfolio, operating roughly 40 locations across Greater Tokyo. Built to replicate the tranquil elegance of a luxury Japanese hot-spring inn (Ryokan), every restaurant features authentic sukiya-zukuri wooden architecture, sliding screens, Japanese rock garden views, and private tatami dining salons. Upon entering, guests participate in the classic Japanese custom of removing their shoes at the door before being escorted to deeply cushioned sunken tatami booths (Horigotatsu). Offering masterfully prepared seasonal Kaiseki banquet sets, Japanese Black Wagyu (Kuroge Wagyū) sukiyaki, crispy tempura, and fresh sashimi, it is a hidden gem for travelers seeking a refined, peaceful Japanese culinary experience at family-restaurant prices.
How to order
Dining at Aiya is a serene cultural experience:
- *Remove your shoes at the entrance (Geta-bako): Enter the quiet entryway, take off your outdoor shoes, place them into an available wooden shoe locker (Geta-bako*), take the wooden locker key, and step onto the polished timber floor in your socks.
- Be escorted to your tatami booth: A kimono- or apron-clad server will guide you through tranquil corridors to a private room or raised tatami booth with sunken leg-wells (Horigotatsu).
- Sit comfortably in the sunken floor: Slide your legs into the sunken cavity beneath the table—you do not have to kneel or sit cross-legged.
- Order on the multilingual tablet: Pick up the tabletop touchscreen tablet and switch the display to English or Chinese.
- Select your Japanese feast: Choose from seasonal multi-dish sets (Gozen), sukiyaki hot pots, tempura, sashimi, or handmade udon and soba noodles.
- Enjoy full hospitality service: Staff will serve cold Japanese green tea and moist hand towels (Oshibori). Food arrives arranged on exquisite lacquer trays and porcelain pottery.
- Savor Wagyu Sukiyaki: If you ordered sukiyaki, simmer the marbled beef slices in the iron pot, dip into a bowl of freshly beaten raw egg, and savor the melt-in-your-mouth richness.
- Pay at the front counter: When finished (no tipping is required in Japan), carry your bill folder and your shoe locker key to the front register to settle your payment.
What to order first
All dishes below are officially featured on the Aiya Official Menu and row reference data (prices subject to seasonal updates):
- *Japanese Black Wagyu Sukiyaki Gozen (Kuroge Wagyū Sukiyaki Gozen)*: Premium A4/A5-grade marbled Japanese black cattle beef simmered tableside in rich sweet soy mirin broth with tofu and mushrooms, served with farm-fresh dipping egg, rice, and pickles; priced around ¥3,000–¥4,000 tax-included (as of September 25, 2026).
- *Tempura & Sashimi Gozen (Tempura to O-Sashimi Gozen)*: The quintessential traditional banquet pairing golden fried jumbo shrimp and vegetable tempura with freshly sliced tuna and sea bream sashimi, priced around ¥1,800–¥2,500 tax-included (as of September 25, 2026).
- Lunchtime Wagyu & Soba Sets (Weekdays until 17:00): Exceptional daytime value featuring miniature hot pots, tempura, and handmade soba noodles for around ¥1,200–¥1,800 tax-included (as of September 25, 2026).
- Seasonal Matsutake Mushroom & Crab Sets: Autumn and winter specialty multi-course feasts featuring steamed matsutake rice in earthen pots (Dobin-mushi) and snow crab.
- Traditional Japanese Desserts: Warm green tea paired with sweet red-bean soup (Zenzai), chewy dango dumplings, and seasonal matcha sundaes.
Payment & practical info
Payment methods and store facilities are standardized across the Skylark chain (check the Official Store Directory for branch specifics):
- Accepted Payment Methods: Accepts cash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, UnionPay), transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, etc.), electronic money (iD, QUICPay, Rakuten Edy), and smartphone QR code apps (PayPay, Rakuten Pay, d-barai, au PAY, Merpay, Alipay, WeChat Pay).
- *Shoes-Off Policy (Dosoku Genkin)*: Removing shoes at the entrance is strictly mandatory at all Aiya locations. Wear clean, presentable socks without holes.
- Private Tatami Rooms: Aiya features numerous private sliding-door dining rooms (Koshitsu) suitable for intimate family gatherings, celebrations, and quiet dinners.
- Late-Night Surcharge (10% after 22:00): Orders placed after 22:00 incur a standard 10% late-night service fee.
- Wi-Fi & Power Outlets: Equipped with free high-speed `Skylark Free Wi-Fi`.
- Tax-Free Status: Not eligible for tax-free shopping. Restaurant dining services cannot be exempted from consumption tax.
Good to know / Common mistakes
- Forgetting to take off shoes at the entrance: Do not walk past the entrance threshold with your shoes on! Look for the step-up boundary, remove your footwear, and put them inside an open locker.
- Wearing torn socks: Since you will be walking across wooden floors and tatami mats in your socks, check your socks before leaving your hotel!
- Assuming it is too expensive: While Aiya looks and feels like an exclusive 10,000-yen traditional ryotei restaurant, set meals start at just ¥1,200 to ¥1,800 at lunch—offering extraordinary luxury atmosphere at everyday prices.
- Tipping the servers: Tipping is never accepted in Japan. Settle the exact printed bill amount at the front cashier register.
FAQ
Q1: How much does a meal at Aiya cost? As of September 25, 2026, lunchtime Japanese banquet sets cost around ¥1,200–¥1,800, dinner tempura and sashimi sets are around ¥1,800–¥2,500, and premium Japanese Black Wagyu sukiyaki dinners are around ¥3,000–¥4,000 (all tax-included).
Q2: Do I have to kneel on the floor at Aiya? No. All tatami booths at Aiya are designed as Horigotatsu—meaning there is a deep hollow under the table where your legs dangle naturally, exactly like sitting on a chair.
Q3: Can I order in English at Aiya? Yes. Every booth has a digital touchscreen tablet that can be easily switched to English or Chinese, featuring color pictures of every set meal.
Sources
- Aiya Official Website: https://www.skylark.co.jp/aiya/ (Verified: 2026-09-25)
- Skylark Group Store Locator: https://store-info.skylark.co.jp/aiya/ (Verified: 2026-09-25)