Epcot’s Takumi-Tei Restaurant Celebrates with a Grand Opening Ceremony (and includes Mickey and Minnie)

Hi everyone!

Takumi-Tei became Epcot’s newest restaurant last month, joining other Japan pavilion guest favorites Teppan Edo and Tokyo Dining. Mitsukoshi USA operates the restaurants and shops within the Japan pavilion, and Mitsukoshi executives joined Disney excecutives, Mickey and Minnie, and pavilion Cast Members today to celebrate the official grand opening of the restaurant. Takumi-Tei is a more upscale experience from the other restaurants in the pavilion, and we took a tour of the restaurant (I will post those photos in another article) – it’s an intimate Signature restaurant that includes a Chef’s Table.

Here is a look at the grand opening from today!

First, here is our video of the ceremony and then the photos.

The ceremony was at around 9:30 a.m. this morning, and the ribbon was ready – along with two large pairs of scissors.

Takumi-Tei was printed on the ribbon.

The ceremony seemed very traditionally Japanese but also very Disney.

Walt Disney World Ambassador Stephen Lim went almost straight into executive introductions.

Vice President of Epcot, Melissa Valiquette, talked about the worldwide family, and how “our friends here in the Japan pavilion have been an integral part of that family since Epcot opened in 1982”.

Cast Members from the Japan pavilion were part of the ceremony.

Mitsukoshi USA President Kinichi Kaneko said that, “We continuously focus on excelling in our craft, which is providing excellent service and delicious new items in order to provide an unforgettable experience for our guests”.

Also part of the ceremony were Vice President of Operating Participants George Gross (who also spoke) and President and CEO of Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd, Toshihiko Sugie.

Toshihiko Sugie takes hold of one of the pairs of scissors.

Mickey and Minnie were then brought out for the ribbon cutting.

Minnie was dressed in a Kimono.

Mickey was also in a special outfit (I don’t know if it has a name).

We don’t see Minnie in a kimono too often.

The ribbon was cut by Disney and Mitsukoshi executives as streamers were thrown into the air.

Takumi-Tei is now officially open!

Mickey and Minnie started their exit.

They stopped to greet Takumi-Tei Cast Members.

And then we did.

I recommend reservations for Takumi-Tei, especially if you want the Chef’s Table. This is a fine dining/Signature restaurant with limited seating.

We went inside for a restaurant tour.

Thank you to Mitsukoshi and Takumi-Tei for having us out today for the grand opening ceremony!