【Reading】こあがり

【English Name】Koagari (Raised Seating Area)

Koagari is a tatami-room seating space in a restaurant where part of the dining floor is raised one step higher and guests remove their shoes to step up. In architectural terms it is also called a "skip floor," referring to a structure in which the floor height is intentionally varied.

Many Japanese establishments such as sushi restaurants and izakaya provide a koagari separate from counter seats and table seats. It is characterized by being a Japanese-style space laid with tatami and floor cushions where guests can stretch out their legs and relax. It can accommodate anywhere from small to large groups and is well suited for families and banquet use.

At sushi restaurants, some establishments offer both the style of eating while watching the artisan's work up close at the counter and the style of relaxing leisurely in the koagari. While there is no partition as complete as a private room, the difference in floor height naturally divides the space, creating a moderate sense of privacy.

That said, because the koagari is a structure involving a step, it is said to pose challenges from the standpoint of barrier-free design. In recent years, more establishments have adopted a horigotatsu (sunken-floor) style that allows guests to lower their legs.