Is Itadaki Open During Aichi Nagoya 2026 Games Period?
gotowpYes — Itadaki will be open during the Aichi Nagoya 2026 Asian Games and Asian Para Games period (September–October 2026). Our regular operating schedule continues as planned: lunch service on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays, from 11:00 to 15:00, with last order at 14:30. Public holidays follow a slightly earlier start at 09:00. Beyond the question of opening hours, though, many visitors arriving for the Games have a deeper concern — one we hear often and take seriously: "I don't speak Japanese. Will I actually be able to order and enjoy the meal?"
The short answer is yes, completely. But let us walk you through exactly how — because if you're flying into Nagoya for one of the biggest sporting events in Asia and you have just one or two days to explore the city, the last thing you want is a stressful lunch.
Who This Is For
- ✅ Visitors attending the 2026 Asian Games or Asian Para Games who want to plan a lunch stop in Nagoya
- ✅ Anyone who has hesitated to dine at a local Japanese specialty restaurant due to language concerns
- ✅ Travelers curious about what a "Rare Wagyu Gyudon" is and how to eat it correctly
- ✅ Groups or families looking for a welcoming, unhurried lunch in the Osu district
- ✅ First-time visitors to Nagoya who found Itadaki through Google Maps and want to know what to expect
Is Itadaki Actually Open During the 2026 Games Period?
Itadaki operates on a fixed weekly schedule: open on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays, from 11:00 to 15:00 (last order 14:30). On public holidays — including any that fall during the Games calendar — we open earlier at 09:00. Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays are our regular closed days.
That said, irregular closures can happen, and we want you to plan with accurate information. Before building your Nagoya day around a visit to Itadaki, we always recommend checking the monthly business calendar published on our official Instagram. The calendar is updated at the start of each month and shows exactly which days we're open.
One practical note for Games visitors: the Osu district — where Itadaki is located — is just a short subway ride from central Nagoya venues, and Yabacho Station (Meijo Line, Exit 4) is a 4-minute walk from our door. If you're already moving around the city for events, Osu is a natural and easy detour for lunch.
Can I Really Order Without Speaking Any Japanese?
This is the question at the heart of every first-time visit. And we want to give you a real answer, not a reassuring non-answer.
Itadaki's printed menu is available in English, Simplified Chinese, and Korean. Every dish has a photo, a clear price (tax included), and a description of the ingredients. You don't need to ask anything — you can simply point to what you want, and our staff will understand immediately.
The menu also includes something unique that we're genuinely proud of: a step-by-step visual guide called "How to Enjoy Rare Gyudon." It walks you through five stages — from separating the Nagoya Cochin egg (white into the miso soup, yolk over the beef) to mixing, adding condiments, and finishing with wasabi. Most first-time visitors have never encountered a dish quite like our rare wagyu gyudon, and the guide transforms any uncertainty into anticipation.
If you want to go beyond pointing at a menu — to ask about allergens, customize your order, or just say hello — translation apps work comfortably in our space. Staff members are used to guests using their phones to communicate, and we welcome it.
What If I Have Dietary Concerns or Allergies?
This is worth addressing honestly, because it comes up often among international visitors.
Common allergens present in our dishes include soy (in soy sauce, miso paste, and Atsumi pickles), wheat (in soy sauce), and egg (the Nagoya Cochin egg, which comes with all gyudon but can be removed at -¥150). The complimentary chirimen jako (dried whitebait) topping on the table contains sesame, so guests with sesame allergies should skip that condiment. Our original 8-spice blend does not contain sesame.
Itadaki is a wagyu specialty restaurant, and we do not offer vegetarian, vegan, or Halal-certified options. If you have severe allergies, please inform staff at the time of reservation — cross-contamination cannot be fully guaranteed in a small kitchen environment, and we want you to be able to make an informed decision before you arrive.
For allergen questions in English, your translation app will bridge the gap, and our team will do their best to help.
✓ Key Takeaways
- Itadaki operates on its regular schedule during the 2026 Games period — check Instagram for the monthly calendar before you visit.
- The multilingual menu (English, Chinese, Korean) with photos and a 5-step visual eating guide means you can enjoy the full experience without any Japanese.
- Allergen details are clear and manageable — but guests with severe allergies should flag them at reservation.
What About Horai Wagyu — Will It Still Be Available?
Horai Wagyu is our most exclusive offering — produced by only 3 farms in Japan with just 300 heads raised annually. We serve it as the Shinkoccho Rare Wagyu Gyudon (100g beef, 200g rice, ¥2,700), and it is strictly limited to 10 bowls per day.
During peak seasons — and the 2026 Games period absolutely qualifies — those 10 bowls tend to go quickly. If Horai Wagyu is on your list, advance reservation via Tabelog Online is strongly recommended. When filling in the reservation notes, copy and paste this Japanese phrase: 鳳来牛希望 (this means "I would like Horai Wagyu"). Tabelog's interface is available in English, so the reservation process itself is straightforward.
If you're a walk-in visitor who arrives to find Horai Wagyu sold out for the day, our Mikawa Beef Rare Gyudon is always available — prepared with the same proprietary two-stage cooking technique, using Aichi's premium Mikawa Beef, starting from ¥1,800 for the Fumoto (standard) size. It is not a consolation prize. Many guests who come for Horai Wagyu return specifically for Mikawa Beef on their next visit.
"I discovered Itadaki through Google Maps and it became the best meal of our Japan trip."
— Guest review
That review captures something we hear often: Itadaki is not always found through guidebooks or travel apps. Many of our international guests stumble across us while exploring Osu, or while searching for lunch near Yabacho Station. What starts as a Google Maps discovery tends to end as the meal they talk about long after the trip is over.
Can I Make a Group Reservation for Games Visitors?
Itadaki seats 18 guests total — five counter seats, one sofa table for five, one for four, and two for two. All table seating features comfortable sofa-style cushions, which makes the space particularly relaxed for groups who want to take their time over lunch.
For groups attending the 2026 Asian Games — whether you're arriving with fellow spectators, athletes' families, or a business delegation — a full restaurant buyout is available for up to 18 people. This is ideal for coordinating a group lunch without worrying about timing or availability. Please inquire via Instagram DM in advance to check availability and discuss the details.
For smaller groups or solo visitors, individual reservations via Tabelog are the standard route — and the English-language interface makes the process easy even if you've never used a Japanese reservation platform before.
What's the Easiest Way to Get Here from Games Venues?
Nagoya's subway system is reliable and clearly signed. From Nagoya Station, take the Higashiyama Line to Sakae, transfer to the Meijo Line, and get off at Yabacho — around 10 minutes total. Use Exit 4, and Itadaki is a 4-minute walk from there. You'll find us on the 2nd floor; look for the sign at street level that reads 元祖レア牛丼 頂 (Ganso Rea Gyudon Itadaki) and take the stairs up.
If you're already exploring the Osu district — whether after visiting Osu Kannon Temple, browsing the shopping street, or strolling through Hisaya-odori Garden Flarie (a free-admission urban garden just 3 minutes from Yabacho Station) — Itadaki is a natural and easy lunch stop on foot.
Planning Your Visit: A Quick Summary
The 2026 Asian Games is a rare opportunity to see Nagoya at its most international — and a city that has spent decades quietly perfecting its food culture is ready to welcome the world. If you've been hesitant about dining at an authentic local specialty restaurant because of language concerns, Itadaki is designed to remove exactly that barrier. The multilingual menu, the visual eating guide, and the warmth of our team mean that your first bowl of Rare Wagyu Gyudon can be entirely stress-free — and entirely your own discovery.
We look forward to welcoming you during the Games period and beyond. For our complete menu, access details, and store information, visit our official page at https://itadaki8.com/english/.
To secure your Horai Wagyu bowl before the Games crowds arrive, Reserve Your Rare Wagyu Experience via Tabelog Online — and don't forget to add 鳳来牛希望 in the notes field.
And to make sure you're checking the right days before you travel, Check Our Monthly Schedule on Instagram — we update it at the start of every month so you can plan with confidence.
