Pubs & Bars · Practical guide
Amataro Japan Guide for Tourists: All-You-Can-Eat Yakiniku, Shabu-Shabu & Zero Cover Charge
Prices, ordering steps, payment details, and common mistakes — in one place.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Dining / Hybrid Izakaya & All-You-Can-Eat Yakiniku / Shabu-Shabu (Amataro Official Website) |
| Store Count | Massive flagship locations across Tokyo, Kanagawa (Yokohama, Sakuragicho), and Kansai (Osaka Senri-Chuo), operated by Colowide Dining Co., Ltd. (the founding brand of food giant Colowide Group, established in 1977) (Store Locator) |
| Ordering Style | Spacious dining tables, partitioned booths, or private tatami rooms equipped with smokeless grills; order a la carte izakaya dishes OR 100–120 minute all-you-can-eat BBQ/hot pot courses via tabletop touchscreen tablets; pay at cashier with bill |
| Membership Required? | No reservation or membership required for dining (walk-ins welcomed) |
| Approximate Price Range | Evening spend ~¥2,500–¥3,500; All-You-Can-Eat Yakiniku / Shabu-Shabu courses ~¥3,000–¥4,500; a la carte pub dishes ~¥350–¥700; lunch set meals ~¥800–¥1,100; all tax-included (as of September 29, 2026; subject to revision) |
| Payment Methods | Cash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, UnionPay), Japanese transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, etc.), electronic money (iD, Rakuten Edy), smartphone QR code apps (PayPay, 楽天ペイ, d-barai, au PAY, LINE Pay, Merpay, Alipay, WeChat Pay), and Jeff Gourmet Cards |
| Multilingual Support | Tabletop ordering tablets feature photo-illustrated menus with multilingual interface options |
What it is
Amataro, founded in Zushi, Kanagawa Prefecture in 1977, is the revered origin story and flagship founding brand of Colowide Group—today one of the largest food service conglomerates in Asia (operators of Gyukaku, Ootoya, and Kappa Sushi). Amataro pioneered the ultimate hybrid izakaya experience: instead of choosing between a pub, a barbecue joint, or a hot pot restaurant, Amataro features tabletop smokeless grills and dual-broth hot pots in every single booth! Guests can order traditional izakaya dishes (sashimi, yakitori, dumplings) a la carte, OR opt for all-you-can-eat Yakiniku BBQ or Shabu-Shabu hot pot courses. Best of all, Amataro operates under a zero cover charge policy on buffet courses (No Otoshi fee), making it a stress-free haven for large groups.
How to order
Dining at Amataro is spacious, flexible, and completely digital:
- Enter and take your seat: Walk inside. Staff will guide your party into a spacious booth table equipped with an embedded smokeless grill or hot pot stove.
- NO Otoshi cover charge on buffets: Enjoy transparent pricing—Amataro operates under a zero table cover charge policy (¥0 table fee) on all-you-can-eat courses!
- Choose your dining style:
- A la Carte Izakaya: Order individual dishes of sashimi, fried chicken, dumplings, and skewers.
- All-You-Can-Eat Yakiniku (焼肉食べ放題): 100- to 120-minute buffet of beef kalbi, pork, chicken, sides, and desserts grilled over the smokeless flame.
- All-You-Can-Eat Shabu-Shabu (しゃぶしゃぶ食べ放題): Thinly sliced beef and pork simmered in dual hot pot broths with unlimited vegetables.
- Order on the touchscreen tablet: Tap your choices on the digital tablet at your table (with photo menus and timer tracking for buffets).
- Grill or simmer at your table: Meats and platters arrive rapidly; cook your meats on the tabletop grill or swish them through boiling broth.
- *Order drinks or all-you-can-drink (Nomihoudai)*: Pair your feast with draft beer, highballs, or soft drinks.
- Pace your buffet orders: For all-you-can-eat courses, last orders are called 20 minutes before your time expires.
- Pay at the cashier: Take your check slip to the front cashier desk to complete payment.
What to order first
Dishes below reflect core brand staples officially featured on the Amataro Official Website and verified row records:
- *All-You-Can-Eat Yakiniku BBQ Course (Yakiniku Tabehōdai)*: The ultimate meat feast; unlimited beef kalbi, rosu loin, pork belly, sausages, salads, kimchi, and ice cream grilled on your smokeless table roaster (~¥3,000–¥4,200 tax-included as of September 2026).
- *All-You-Can-Eat Shabu-Shabu Course (Shabu-Shabu Tabehōdai)*: Thinly sliced pork and beef with unlimited fresh vegetables, noodles, and dipping sauces.
- *Giant Gyoza Skillet (Teppan Gyoza)*: Sizzling pan-fried dumplings served on a smoking-hot cast-iron skillet with crispy bottoms.
- Handmade Karaage Fried Chicken: Crispy marinated fried chicken thighs paired with mayonnaise.
- Assorted Fresh Sashimi Platter: Fresh cuts of raw fish to enjoy alongside barbecue.
Payment & practical info
Practical dining and payment guidance based on official Colowide policies (consult the Official Store Directory for branch locations):
- Accepted Payment Methods: Accepts cash, international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, UnionPay), Japanese transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, etc.), electronic money (iD, Rakuten Edy), smartphone QR code apps (PayPay, 楽天ペイ, d-barai, au PAY, LINE Pay, Merpay, Alipay, WeChat Pay), and Jeff Gourmet Cards.
- NO Table Cover Charge on Buffets: Amataro buffet courses have zero cover charge (¥0 Otoshi), making them remarkably transparent compared to typical Japanese izakayas.
- Huge Dining Halls & Private Rooms: Amataro locations are famous for massive layouts with large private dining rooms, making them one of the easiest places in Japan to accommodate travel groups of 6 to 20 people without advance reservations.
- Wi-Fi & Power Outlets: Availability depends on branch location; private booths generally do not provide customer charging outlets.
- Tax-Free Status: Not eligible for tax-free shopping. Restaurant dining is domestic consumption.
Good to know / Common mistakes
- Not knowing about the hybrid menu: You don't have to get the buffet! If you just want a beer and a few skewers, you can order a la carte. But if you are starving, the all-you-can-eat BBQ buffet is incredible value.
- Over-ordering on buffets: All-you-can-eat courses are timed (usually 100 to 120 minutes). Order in moderate rounds so you don't waste food or run out of grill space.
- Enjoying the smokeless grill: The tabletop grills feature built-in downdraft suction that pulls smoke down instantly, so you won't leave smelling like charcoal barbecue!
- Tipping staff: Tipping is never accepted in Japan. Settle your exact bill total at the front cashier desk.
FAQ
Q1: What kind of food does Amataro serve? Amataro is a hybrid restaurant offering classic izakaya dishes (sashimi, dumplings, yakitori) alongside full all-you-can-eat tabletop Yakiniku barbecue and Shabu-Shabu hot pot courses in the same booth!
Q2: Does Amataro charge an "Otoshi" cover fee? On all-you-can-eat buffet courses, Amataro operates under a zero cover charge policy (¥0 table fee). For small a la carte dining, a standard small starter fee applies.
Q3: Can foreign tourists easily order at Amataro? Yes. Every table is equipped with a digital touchscreen tablet featuring full-color photography of all items, making ordering simple and stress-free.
Sources
- Amataro Official Website: https://www.amataro.jp/ (Verified: 2026-09-29)
- Amataro Store Directory: https://map.cw-dining.co.jp/amataro/ (Verified: 2026-09-29)