Ayamekan, a Ryotei by Ayameike Pond, Celebrates 100th Anniversary with Special Events and New Menu Offerings

Ayamekan Yamato Wing Image Ayamekan, a ryotei operated by Kintetsu Retailing Co., Ltd., has been continuing its journey alongside the changes of the times since its opening in 1926 by the Ayameike pond and will celebrate its 100th anniversary in July 2026. On this memorable occasion, we will offer the "100th Anniversary Commemorative Banquet" to express our gratitude to the local community. The main dish will feature "Yamato Beef," a brand beef from Nara Prefecture, and we will prepare "Asuka Nabe," a local dish of Nara Prefecture arranged in a modern style. Additionally, the Yamato Wing, which has been undergoing repair work, will be renovated on July 17, 2026 (Fri). With the expansion of the guest seats and the addition of a new room dedicated to Buddhist memorial services, it will be reborn as a space that can accommodate a wider range of needs. Prior to this, on July 15, 2026 (Wed), we will hold a preview event where you can see the newly renovated Yamato Wing and the facilities of Ayamekan. Along with this, we will prepare a special "Preview Banquet Meal" for the preview event and sell meal tickets on our online shop "Irodori Mall." Furthermore, to commemorate the 100th anniversary, we will open a special unagi (eel) restaurant "Shoman Unagi." Using domestically selected unagi by Ayamekan's chefs, we will offer a dish grilled over charcoal in the Kansai style. Business hours will be every Thursday only, with limited quantities available for sale. Please take this opportunity to try it. In addition, as a 100th anniversary limited project, we will publicly display valuable photos and materials that look back on the 100-year history of Ayamekan. Ayamekan will continue to support the local community and together create new history around Ayameike. We appreciate your continued patronage. 1. About the 100th Anniversary Commemorative Banquet A special banquet incorporating the flavors of Nara, suitable for celebratory occasions. The appetizer features a clear soup with uni (sea urchin) and eggplant, and the soup course includes matsutake (pine mushroom) and unagi (eel) with seasonal flavors to enjoy. The sashimi platter includes maguro (tuna), sawara (Spanish mackerel), and ebi (shrimp), and the side dishes include items such as steamed abalone and ebi kohaku (shrimp and abalone dish) with a variety of colors. The main dish features a special Asuka Nabe, a modern arrangement of the Asuka Nabe that has been loved at Ayamekan for many years, using Yamato Beef from Nara Prefecture, served as a single-person nabe (hot pot). Additionally, we will include summer flavors such as ayu no sugata-yaki (grilled sweetfish) and unagi no toji-age (fried eel), and for the finale, we will serve kama-meshi (rice cooked in a pot) made with Koshihikari rice from Nara Prefecture. Featuring seasonal ingredients, this banquet course expresses the coolness of summer and the skills of the craftsmen, allowing you to enjoy the seasonal atmosphere and the essence of Nara. "100th Anniversary Commemorative Banquet" Image 100th Anniversary Commemorative Banquet [Price] 8,800 yen (tax included) [Start of Service] July 1, 2026 (Wed) *Reservation required 2. About the Renovation of the Yamato Wing The Yamato Wing, which has been undergoing repair work, will be renovated on July 17, 2026 (Fri). We will set up the "Matsu no Ma" (Pine Room) for up to 32 people and the "Take no Ma" (Bamboo Room), a private room for 25 people for Buddhist memorial services, creating a space that can be used for various gatherings such as banquets, parties, and Buddhist memorial services. Yamato Wing "Matsu no Ma" Completion Image Yamato Wing "Take no Ma" Completion Image 3. About the Ayamekan Yamato Wing Preview Event and Preview Banquet Meal Tickets Prior to the renovation of the Yamato Wing on July 17, 2026 (Fri), we will hold a preview event on July 15, 2026 (Wed). On that day, you can view the Yamato Wing early and freely tour the facilities of Ayamekan. Additionally, we will prepare a special banquet meal limited to the preview event that you can enjoy along with the new attractions of Ayamekan. July 15, 2026 (Wed) 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM *During the above time slot, anyone can freely view the Yamato Wing and the facilities of Ayamekan. *There are some areas where entry is restricted, such as rooms for dining. We will sell them on our online shop [Irodori Mall]. URL: https://www.irodorimall-kintetsu.jp/ [Product Name] Preview Banquet Meal Ticket [Price] 5,000 yen (tax included) [Service Time] Date: July 15, 2026 (Wed) Time Slot: ① 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM ② 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM ③ 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM [Number of Sales] Total of 60 meals (20 meals per session) Each session will end sales once the number of sales is reached. [Sales Period] From June 17, 2026 (Wed) 10:00 AM to July 5, 2026 (Sun) 6:00 PM [Pick-up Method] After purchase, we will send the "Meal Ticket" from Ayamekan. Please bring it with you on the day of the event. (We will send them in order from July 7, 2026 (Mon).) *Those who do not have the "Meal Ticket" cannot use the service. *If the number of sales is not reached on Irodori Mall, there is a possibility of selling it at the venue on the day. *The dining venue will be the large hall of Ayamekan. Take-out is not available. "Preview Banquet Meal" Image 4. About the 100th Anniversary Project Limited Unagi Restaurant "Shoman Unagi" A specialized unagi (eel) restaurant "Shoman Unagi" operated by a ryotei, open only on Thursdays. Using domestically produced unagi, we will offer a dish prepared with the belly-opening method unique to the Kansai region and grilled over charcoal for a fragrant flavor. As a new sub-brand of Ayamekan, which has reached its 100th anniversary, we will offer special unagi dishes that make the most of the techniques and hospitality unique to a ryotei. [Store Name] Shoman Unagi [Start of Business] July 23, 2026 (Thu) [Business Hours] Every Thursday 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM (L.O. 2:00 PM) *Business days and hours may change. Please contact Ayamekan in advance. *Reservation not required Planned Menu for Sale *All use one domestically produced unagi Unagi Donburi Miso soup and pickles 5,000 yen (tax included) Unagi Kaiseki Rice, miso soup, and pickles 5,000 yen (tax included) Unagi Shabu Shabu Donburi Miso soup and pickles 5,000 yen (tax included) Unagi Shabu Shabu Kaiseki Rice, miso soup, and pickles 5,000 yen (tax included) 5. Special Exhibition "The 100-Year Journey of Ayamekan" To commemorate the 100th anniversary, we will publicly display valuable photos and materials related to the Ayameike area held by Kintetsu Group Holdings. Centered around Ayamekan, Ayameike Station, and Ayameike Amusement Park, we will look back on the history that has been walked together with the region and deliver an archive exhibition filled with gratitude to the local community who have supported us so far. [Exhibition Period] July 14, 2026 (Tue) - Mid-September (Tentative) *The exhibition period may change due to circumstances. *The exhibition will be held in the lobby of Ayamekan. Any visitor can view it freely. *Viewing hours follow the business hours of Ayamekan. Ayameike Station Ayamekan 6. About the Ryotei "Ayamekan" Located by the Ayameike pond in Nara City, "Ayamekan" has a calm atmosphere in its private rooms. Keyword: