How to Book a Restaurant in Japan From Abroad

Which restaurants need a booking

Japan's national tourism organisation, JNTO, says many restaurants need a reservation, especially in the busy central areas of the most visited cities. Small counter restaurants serving a set course, such as sushi, tempura and kaiseki, can be fully booked if you simply turn up.

Casual places usually work the other way. JNTO notes that fast-food chains, family restaurants and ramen shops typically do not take bookings and seat people in the order they arrive. Some restaurants that do not take reservations keep a waiting list by the entrance: write your name and the number in your group, sometimes with a seating preference such as counter or table, and wait to be called.

How far ahead to book

Start by finding out how far ahead the restaurant takes bookings. A small counter with one or two sittings a night can fill weeks ahead, especially for weekend dates, while a weekday is often easier. A larger or more casual restaurant can sometimes take you the same week.

Check the dates of your trip against Japanese holidays. JNTO suggests booking for quieter times where you can, such as weekdays and outside major holiday periods like Golden Week and Obon, when availability is generally better. If a restaurant opens bookings at a set time, that time will be Japan Standard Time, so check the time difference if you are booking from abroad.

How to make restaurant reservations in Japan online

If the restaurant has its own booking form or a booking email, use it and be specific: the number of people, the date, lunch or dinner, and anything the kitchen needs to know in advance. Vague requests get vague replies, or no reply. Some restaurants also take bookings through online reservation services, and JNTO lists sites you can use to search for restaurants and check their booking policies. If a restaurant's site is only in Japanese, JNTO suggests using your browser's translation feature to work through the booking.

Read the conditions before you confirm. JNTO points out that some places ask for a deposit or a credit card to hold your table, and that the deposit can be lost, or a fee charged, if you miss the booking or cancel too late. Some online services also ask you to confirm 24 to 48 hours before the meal, so watch your email and text messages. Some restaurants set a time limit on the table, often around two hours, according to JNTO; check it if you are planning a long dinner.

Booking by phone or through your hotel

Sometimes a phone call in Japanese is the only way to book. If you cannot make the call yourself, JNTO suggests asking a hotel concierge or a travel agent, who can make the booking and answer the restaurant's questions on your behalf. JNTO notes that they know the process well.

If you are staying at a hotel, ask early. A concierge has more chance of finding a table a few weeks ahead than the day before, and they need the same details a restaurant would: date, time, number of people, budget and any allergies.

Omakase booking: what is different

An omakase counter, where the chef decides the course, needs more care when you book. There is often a single set course, and some counters start every guest at the same time. JNTO notes that at restaurants serving set menus, dishes are prepared for your booking time, sometimes in a single sitting where every guest starts together, so arriving late can affect your meal and the other guests'.

When you book, give the exact number of people and tell the restaurant about any allergies or foods you cannot eat; a kitchen that buys fish for a fixed course needs to know before it shops. You may be asked for a credit card or a deposit, and read the cancellation terms. Some counters publish the price of the course and some do not; if the price is not shown, ask before you confirm. Our guide to omakase explains how the meal itself works.

Cancelling, being late and paying

If your plans change, cancel as early as you can, through whatever channel you booked. JNTO explains that many restaurants, especially small or specialised ones, buy ingredients based on their bookings. If you cancel too late, you may have to pay a cancellation fee. If you are running late, call ahead; if you cannot call, JNTO suggests trying the restaurant's social media accounts.

Finally, expect to pay the way the restaurant asks you to, which is not always the way you would prefer. Some accept foreign cards without fuss, and some want cash only. Ask when you book, not when the bill arrives. You do not need to add a tip: our guide to tipping in Japan explains why.