Miraizaka Launches Early Summer Menu Featuring Domestic Seasonal Ingredients alongside Carbon Offset Initiative
Watami Co., Ltd.'s izakaya chain, Miraizaka, will launch its 'Early Summer Special Menu' across 87 stores nationwide from May 20, 2026. The menu highlights seasonal domestic ingredients such as Choshi-sourced horse mackerel and Aomori squid. Concurrently, a carbon offset initiative will donate 10 yen per eligible drink to forest conservation in Rikuzentakata.
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- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 19:00
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Watami Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Ota-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter 'Watami') announced that its izakaya chain 'Miraizaka' will launch the 'Early Summer Special Menu' at 87 stores nationwide starting Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Serving period: May 20 to July 14)
The menu features dishes made with seasonal ingredients entering their peak in early summer. Highlights include the 'Jumbo Aji Fry' using palm-sized authentic horse mackerel from Choshi, Chiba Prefecture. Additionally, to mark Miraizaka's 10th anniversary, the popular 'Seared Aomori Squid Sashimi'—which is seared right in front of the customer—is making a revival. Alongside these culinary offerings, a carbon offset initiative supporting forest conservation in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, will be implemented through specific drink menus.
Jumbo Size and Jumbo Taste! Choshi, Chiba Prefecture Jumbo Aji Fry
Choshi Port is one of Japan's premier fishing grounds, where the Kuroshio and Oyashio currents meet. While horse mackerel is caught year-round at Choshi Port, the early summer catch is particularly thick-fleshed, fatty, and firm, delivering a rich umami flavor. Using a whole fish, this fried mackerel is highly satisfying. It can be enjoyed with an optional special tartar sauce for 99 yen (108 yen with tax).
- Chiba Choshi Jumbo Aji Fry: 499 yen (548 yen with tax)
- Special Tartar Sauce: 99 yen (108 yen with tax)
Popular Tabletop Seared Experience! Aomori Squid Sashimi
Miraizaka celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. The seared squid sashimi, finished in front of the customer, has been a popular menu item since the chain's opening. It has been revived as a milestone for the 10th anniversary. The Aomori Squid Sashimi is served in the traditional tabletop-seared style. A light sear adds a savory surface, allowing customers to enjoy the rising aroma just before eating. The texture and flavor change depending on the searing time.
- Aomori Squid Sashimi: 699 yen (768 yen with tax)
Concentrated Seasonal Umami! Hyogo Firefly Squid
Hyogo Prefecture boasts the highest catch volume of firefly squid in Japan. Caught during their spawning season, they are characterized by their large size and the rich sweetness of their liver. Two variations are offered: 'Firefly Squid with Vinegared Miso' for 399 yen (with tax) to enjoy the natural flavor, and 'Firefly Squid Isobe-age' for 499 yen (548 yen with tax), which is perfect as an appetizer.
- Firefly Squid with Vinegared Miso: 399 yen (438 yen with tax)
- Firefly Squid Isobe-age: 499 yen (548 yen with tax)
Anticipating Summer Scents: Okinawa Island Shallots
Okinawa's island shallots are a seasonal ingredient harvested leading up to early summer. They are slender and crunchy, offering a spreading spiciness and aroma when chewed. Raw, they have a crisp texture; when heated, they become soft and sweet, allowing diners to experience the changing seasons in a single dish.
- Okinawa Island Shallots and Jerusalem Artichoke Ginger Miso: 299 yen (328 yen with tax)
- Okinawa Island Shallot Fritters: 299 yen (328 yen with tax)
Social Contribution Just by Drinking! Carbon Offset Initiative
In recent years, the food service industry has seen growing attention toward environmental considerations and sustainable initiatives, alongside interest in ingredient origins and seasonality.
This menu includes an initiative that leads to forest conservation through the drink menu. Two drinks are featured: the green and refreshing 'Matcha Mojito' for 499 yen (548 yen with tax), and the non-alcoholic 'Rosehip Tea Tonic'—a blend of slightly sweet and sour organic rosehip tea and tonic—for 399 yen (438 yen with tax).
For each target drink ordered, 10 yen is accumulated to purchase 'Forest Credits.' These funds are utilized for forest maintenance in Rikuzentakata. Selling 1,500 cups can offset approximately 1 ton of CO2, introducing this as an environmental activity customers can participate in simply by drinking.
This initiative is conducted as part of the Watami Group's ongoing reconstruction support activities in Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture, which have been continuous since 2011, aimed at nurturing the forests of Rikuzentakata.
Miraizaka 'Early Summer Special' Fair Overview
Sales Period: May 20 (Wednesday) - July 14 (Tuesday)
Sales status may change depending on procurement.
The menu features dishes made with seasonal ingredients entering their peak in early summer. Highlights include the 'Jumbo Aji Fry' using palm-sized authentic horse mackerel from Choshi, Chiba Prefecture. Additionally, to mark Miraizaka's 10th anniversary, the popular 'Seared Aomori Squid Sashimi'—which is seared right in front of the customer—is making a revival. Alongside these culinary offerings, a carbon offset initiative supporting forest conservation in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, will be implemented through specific drink menus.
Jumbo Size and Jumbo Taste! Choshi, Chiba Prefecture Jumbo Aji Fry
Choshi Port is one of Japan's premier fishing grounds, where the Kuroshio and Oyashio currents meet. While horse mackerel is caught year-round at Choshi Port, the early summer catch is particularly thick-fleshed, fatty, and firm, delivering a rich umami flavor. Using a whole fish, this fried mackerel is highly satisfying. It can be enjoyed with an optional special tartar sauce for 99 yen (108 yen with tax).
- Chiba Choshi Jumbo Aji Fry: 499 yen (548 yen with tax)
- Special Tartar Sauce: 99 yen (108 yen with tax)
Popular Tabletop Seared Experience! Aomori Squid Sashimi
Miraizaka celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. The seared squid sashimi, finished in front of the customer, has been a popular menu item since the chain's opening. It has been revived as a milestone for the 10th anniversary. The Aomori Squid Sashimi is served in the traditional tabletop-seared style. A light sear adds a savory surface, allowing customers to enjoy the rising aroma just before eating. The texture and flavor change depending on the searing time.
- Aomori Squid Sashimi: 699 yen (768 yen with tax)
Concentrated Seasonal Umami! Hyogo Firefly Squid
Hyogo Prefecture boasts the highest catch volume of firefly squid in Japan. Caught during their spawning season, they are characterized by their large size and the rich sweetness of their liver. Two variations are offered: 'Firefly Squid with Vinegared Miso' for 399 yen (with tax) to enjoy the natural flavor, and 'Firefly Squid Isobe-age' for 499 yen (548 yen with tax), which is perfect as an appetizer.
- Firefly Squid with Vinegared Miso: 399 yen (438 yen with tax)
- Firefly Squid Isobe-age: 499 yen (548 yen with tax)
Anticipating Summer Scents: Okinawa Island Shallots
Okinawa's island shallots are a seasonal ingredient harvested leading up to early summer. They are slender and crunchy, offering a spreading spiciness and aroma when chewed. Raw, they have a crisp texture; when heated, they become soft and sweet, allowing diners to experience the changing seasons in a single dish.
- Okinawa Island Shallots and Jerusalem Artichoke Ginger Miso: 299 yen (328 yen with tax)
- Okinawa Island Shallot Fritters: 299 yen (328 yen with tax)
Social Contribution Just by Drinking! Carbon Offset Initiative
In recent years, the food service industry has seen growing attention toward environmental considerations and sustainable initiatives, alongside interest in ingredient origins and seasonality.
This menu includes an initiative that leads to forest conservation through the drink menu. Two drinks are featured: the green and refreshing 'Matcha Mojito' for 499 yen (548 yen with tax), and the non-alcoholic 'Rosehip Tea Tonic'—a blend of slightly sweet and sour organic rosehip tea and tonic—for 399 yen (438 yen with tax).
For each target drink ordered, 10 yen is accumulated to purchase 'Forest Credits.' These funds are utilized for forest maintenance in Rikuzentakata. Selling 1,500 cups can offset approximately 1 ton of CO2, introducing this as an environmental activity customers can participate in simply by drinking.
This initiative is conducted as part of the Watami Group's ongoing reconstruction support activities in Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture, which have been continuous since 2011, aimed at nurturing the forests of Rikuzentakata.
Miraizaka 'Early Summer Special' Fair Overview
Sales Period: May 20 (Wednesday) - July 14 (Tuesday)
Sales status may change depending on procurement.
FAQ
Until when is Miraizaka's early summer menu available?
It is available for a limited time from May 20 to July 14, 2026.
What is the carbon offset drink program?
For every order of eligible drinks like the Matcha Mojito, 10 yen is donated to forest conservation efforts.
What kind of ingredients are used?
Fresh domestic seasonal ingredients are used, such as horse mackerel from Choshi, Chiba, and squid from Aomori.