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Best Ways To Make a Restaurant Reservation in Japan — Pro Guide
It’s no secret that Japan is a foodie’s paradise. From Michelin-star restaurants to one-coin pizzas and bargain ramen, the country has it all. But if you’ve got your heart set on a certain place or are planning a special night out, you’ll need to make a reservation to avoid disappointment — especially in Tokyo. Read on for the lowdown on how to make restaurant reservations in Japan, with personal tips.
Do I need to make a restaurant reservation when eating out in Japan?
A good rule of thumb: if it looks fancy, book a table. This is especially true if you have your eye on one of Tokyo’s surprisingly affordable Michelin joints. Even on weekdays and national holidays, it’s better to book.
If you’re dining in a large group (5-6 people or more) and want a private room, a special menu, or have food allergies, you should also consider making a reservation. Discuss special requirements like this with the restaurant ahead of time via a reservation request.
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Keep in mind that some Japanese restaurants may not accept reservations, or might only accept reservations for dinner. This is especially true if they are small and/or popular joints with lots of feet through the door at lunch.
Places where you don’t need a reservation
You usually don’t need to — or cannot — make a booking for the following types of restaurants:
Pro tip: Read our guide to basic restaurant Japanese to brush up on key phrases before you head out.
Different ways to book a restaurant in Japan
There are three main ways to make a restaurant reservation in Japan, whether you’re dining out in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka or anywhere else:
- In person
- By telephone
- Online or through a restaurant-reservation app
In person
If you happen to be near the restaurant and can speak Japanese, you could pop in and make your booking in person. Keep in mind that some restaurants do not accept day-of reservations, or will not accept reservations too far in advance.
By telephone
Booking in Japanese
If you speak basic Japanese, making a reservation is quite simple. Just call up the restaurant and be prepared to tell them the time, date, number of people you’d like to book for, and if you have any special requests.
Booking in English
While some restaurants — particularly those that get a large number of international visitors — may be able to handle reservations over the phone in English, the majority of restaurants in Japan probably won’t be able to.
In this case, there are a few different ways to secure a restaurant reservation in English in Japan.
If you are staying at a hotel with a concierge service, the easiest option is to ask them to make the reservation for you.
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You can also try booking online. Some restaurants link directly from Google Maps, and when it works, it’s wonderfully convenient — we’ve had luck with places like Koenji Bakushu Kobo. But those integrations may not always be 100% reliable, and sometimes the booking never actually reaches the restaurant — for whatever reason.
Since not every eatery is tech-savvy, and no one wants to show up hungry only to be turned away, for peace of mind it’s helpful to go through a dedicated English-language reservation service.
Using English booking services to make restaurant reservations in Tokyo
These platforms will handle the whole reservation process for you. All you have to do is submit a request, and let the magic happen. The time between booking and confirmation varies between the services, and some charge a small reservation or booking fee separate to the price of the meal.
Note: Using a restaurant reservation service in English does not guarantee an English menu, nor that the staff will be able to speak English at the restaurant itself.
Rakuten Travel Experiences
You can use Rakuten Travel Experiences to reserve a table at a small number of high-end sushi, shabu-shabu and okonomiyaki restaurants in Tokyo.
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Included in their line-up is Sukiyabashi Jiro Roppongi, run by legendary sushi master Jiro’s son. You’ll also find Tokyo Bay dinner cruises and foodie walking tours on the list of experiences.
How to make a reservation through Rakuten Travel Experiences
- 1. Select the restaurant of your choice from the landing page. Here’s the information for Sukiyabashi Jiro Roppongi.
- 2. Read through all the information and confirm your desired date, time, course, and the number of guests.
- 3. Sign up/log in, register your contact and payment information.
- 4. Confirm your payment (if required). Many restaurants do require prepayment (the fancier ones, generally), while others allow you to pay at the restaurant.
- 5. You’re done! Check your email for the booking details and cancellation policy.
Klook
Another option for English restaurant reservations in Japan is to book a restaurant through Klook. Their list of restaurants in Tokyo and beyond has grown over the years, and there are a number of restaurants offering excellent Japanese cuisine on it, including three Michelin-starred restaurants.
Once you’ve selected a restaurant, you’ll be able to choose from a range of menu options. You’re essentially pre-ordering your meal, so you’ll have speedy service. If you book on Klook, the meal and reservation fees are combined, so you don’t need to worry about unexpected charges at the till. Another upside to booking via Klook is the ability to pay via credit card (including American Express), which is (surprisingly) not always an option at restaurants.
Some restaurants offer free cancellation if you change your mind early enough, while others are strictly no-refund, no-take-backs the moment you pay. If your booking does allow cancellations, you can usually cancel it yourself through the app or website before the deadline, and the refund goes back to your original payment method (though it may take a week or two to appear).
On Klook you’ll also find a number of unique food experiences, including food tours and cooking classes.
How to make a reservation through Klook
- 1. Select your desired filters.
- 2. Click on the restaurant of your choice. You’ll be taken to a dedicated page, where you can select your desired date, time, and number of guests. Select “Book”.
- 3. Sign up/log in, register your contact and payment information.
- 4. Confirm your payment. Generally, you’ll be paying for the entire experience, which includes the booking fee and cost of your meal.
- 5. You’re done! Check your email for the booking voucher. That’s also where you’ll find the cancellation policy.
Tabelog
Tabelog is easily Japan’s most popular restaurant reservation platform, and so you’ll find a wide variety of restaurants listed not only in Tokyo, but all over the country. If you can brave the Japanese version of the website (Google Translate works fine, although you should expect some awkward translations and potentially slower load times), it’s free to use.
However, if you use it in English or any of the other languages available, expect to pay a system usage fee of ¥440 per booking. This amount is non-refundable and separate from the price of your meal.
Each restaurant sets its own cancellation rules, which Tabelog displays on the booking screen. You can check, change, or cancel your reservation through Tabelog’s My Page (予約マイページ).
After you log in, you’ll see a list of your bookings and can adjust them from there. Once the restaurant’s own cut-off time has passed, changes can’t be made online, so you’ll need to call the restaurant directly instead.
How to make a reservation through Tabelog
- 1. Select your desired filters. For example, the highest rated restaurant in Kyoto specializing in seafood.
- 2. Click on the restaurant of your choice. You’ll be taken to a dedicated page, where you can select your desired date, time, and number of guests. Select “Reserve”.
- 3. Check the cancellation deadline. Select the course you want, if applicable.
- 4. Register your contact information.
- 5. You’ll get an email with a verification code. Enter the code.
- 6. Provide your payment information. This is what the platform will use to deduct the ¥440 system usage fee.
- 7. Confirm your reservation. You’re done! Check your email for the details.
TableCheck
TableCheck’s interface is clean and intuitive. The platform’s terms, however, depend on the restaurant. Generally, you’ll need to register a credit card in order to make a booking on TableCheck, with a small hold starting at about ¥200 placed to verify your card.
If you’re booking a course meal, you’ll usually need to prepay in full. Everything’s clearly shown before you confirm, so there shouldn’t be major surprises.
Each restaurant decides its own cancellation policy, and TableCheck shows you the breakdown when you try to cancel. Expect something like: “Cancel within 72 hours — 50%,” or “Within 24 hours or no-show — 100%”.
Also, if you’re more than 15 minutes late and the restaurant cannot get a hold of you, they may cancel your booking automatically. Refunds, if applicable, can take a week or two to process, sometimes longer for overseas cards.
How to make a reservation through TableCheck
- 1. Select your desired filters. In this case, we’re looking for sushi for two on a Saturday evening.
- 2. Click on the restaurant of your choice. Read through the details and check the confirmation box.
- 3. Scroll down further. Confirm the date, time, and number of guests.
- 4. Select a course menu if applicable.
- 5. Answer the question and check the boxes as necessary.
- 6. Register your contact information. Click “Next Step”.
- 7. If the restaurant/course you selected requires pre-payment or pre-authorization, you’ll need to fill in your payment information here. Click “Confirm” once you’re done.
- 8. You’re done! You’ll get an email with your reservation details.
Gurunavi
Gurunavi is pretty user-friendly. Besides the usual filters like location, you can also filter for restaurants that have English-speaking staff and English menus, non-smoking seats, and more.
The platform handles both seat-only and set-course reservations, and the rules depend on which one you choose. Many “seat-only” bookings don’t require any prepayment, but course menus may need a deposit or full payment upfront.
There’s no universal booking fee, but each restaurant sets its own cancellation window and penalties. For course reservations (where you pre-order a meal plan), canceling on the day usually means paying the full amount — 100% of the course price, whether or not you call ahead.
Cancel one day before and you’ll still owe 50%, or 30% if you cancel two days out. This is a general timeline, though, and the specifics may vary depending on the restaurant.
For table-only bookings, some restaurants apply fixed penalties instead of percentages: for example, ¥4,000 per person for cancelling on the day, and ¥2,000 per person the day before. This may feel steep, but these fees cover the lost seating time and prep work. They can add up fast if you’re in a group, so be careful.
How to make a reservation through Gurunavi
- 1. Select your desired filters. For example, perhaps you’re looking for a shabu shabu (hotpot) restaurant in Shibuya.
- 2. Click on the restaurant of your choice. Scroll down and read through all the details, including information on cancellations.
- 3. Select “Book now”. You’ll be prompted to select a date, number of people, and time.
- 4. Type in your email address and select “Send Email”.
- 5. Navigate to the email, then click on the link.
- 6. Register your contact information.
- 7. Pay in advance if applicable. You’re done!
byFood
byFood provides booking services for some of the best restaurants in Tokyo — as well as food experiences and gourmet product shopping — all in English. A key part of their mission is their Food for Happiness project. For every booking or purchase made through their website, they donate to and support various NGO-run projects helping children in need accross the globe.
Booking a restaurant is generally simple, but the process depends on the type of place you’re trying to snag. Many casual or mid-range restaurants offer “instant confirmation”, meaning availability is synced and your table is secured almost right away.
Higher-end spots, like sushi counters, kaiseki, Michelin-starred restaurants, or anywhere with limited seating, usually take a bit longer. In those cases, you submit your preferred date and time, and the restaurant (or its booking manager) manually approves the request or suggests an alternative. Response times can range from a few hours to a day or two, depending on how busy the restaurant is.
For more formal restaurants, you may be asked for extra information: dietary restrictions, special occasions, seating preferences, or whether anyone in your group has mobility needs. Some restaurants also require prepayment or a deposit.
Certain restaurants on byFood also charge a reservation service fee, clearly displayed on the booking form. This starts at around ¥2,000; it’s not a deposit and doesn’t go toward your meal. If a restaurant declines or later cancels your reservation on their end, byFood refunds the service fee.
How to make a reservation through byFood
- 1. Select your desired filters.
- 2. Click on the restaurant of your choice. You’ll see the cancellation policy, as well as information about courses you can choose.
- 3. Select your desired course, date, time, and number of people. Click “Reserve”.
- 4. Register your contact information. Double-check the cancellation deadline and price.
- 5. Provide your payment information. Click “Request Reservation”.
- 6. You’re done! Once your reservation goes through, you’ll get a confirmation email.
Headout
Headout focuses on curated dining experiences, fixed-course meals, and food tours. Think along the lines of a seven-course pufferfish dinner, a bar-hopping tour, or a tea-ceremony experience.
The dining selection fluctuates, so it’s recommended you check back regularly to see what new experiences have been added.
Headout’s interface is straightforward: listings clearly outline what’s included, how and when you can cancel, and any venue-specific policies. They don’t add a separate system fee — which is handy if you’re booking multiple experiences.
How to make a reservation through Headout
- 1. Navigate to the Food & Drink section
- 2. Click on the experience of your choice. You’ll see the cancellation policy, as well as information about courses you can choose.
- 3. Select your desired date and time. Click “Next”.
Photo by Aarohi Narain - 4. Select the number of guests.
Photo by Aarohi Narain - 4. Register your contact information (or the info of the person you’re booking for). Double-check the cancellation deadline and price.
- 5. Provide your payment information. Select whether you would like to pay now or later (where applicable).
- 6. You’re done! Once your reservation goes through, you’ll get a confirmation email.
Things to keep in mind when making restaurant reservations in Japan
Before you go, here are a few unspoken rules and other things Japanese restaurant owners wish more international customers understood:
- Don’t be late! Try to be 5-10 minutes early. If you are even 5-15 minutes late, your booking might be cancelled. Also, based on our own experiences, if you’re late you can expect rather sour service.
- Don’t cancel unless you really can’t help it. Like your leg falls off, or something like that. If you do need to cancel, give the restaurant as much notice as possible. That way they can rejig their seating and schedule to avoid losses. High-end restaurants might charge you a hefty cancellation fee, too.
- Reserving a table doesn’t give you an all-day pass. As is usually the case when dining out in Japan, you might be expected to leave the restaurant within a couple of hours. This is especially true if it is busy and other patrons are waiting to enter. The length of time you can spend at the restaurant may be specified in your booking email, so check (though enforcement may vary depending on how busy the restaurant is).
- Be mindful of scent. Many restaurants — especially sushi and kaiseki establishments — are particular about fragrance, as strong perfumes or scented products can easily compete with the aromas of the food. Because so much of taste is linked to smell, it’s common courtesy to go without (do have a shower beforehand — just ditch the scented soap).
FAQs about restaurant reservations in Tokyo
How far in advance should I make a reservation?
For regular restaurants, a week or two is likely to be sufficient. However, for famous and fancy eateries, including those with Michelin stars, you may need to reserve at least 1-2 months, or even 6+ months in advance!
What should I do if I need to make changes to the booking?
Sometimes things change — maybe there are more guests coming than you thought, or maybe you need to switch the booking to another day. Usually restaurants can accommodate extra guests just by bringing over an extra seat or moving you to another table, but changing days might be trickier.
If you booked through one of the English booking services above, check their policy. In some cases, they may be able to assist you with changing or re-booking. If you made the reservation yourself, it’s best to give the restaurant a call (Japanese ability permitting), or cancel the booking and make another for the new date.
What day/time should I make my booking for?
This really depends on your preferences. Restaurants are more likely to be fully booked on weekends, national holidays and special occasions like Valentine’s Day, and many are closed on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays.
If you’re set on visiting one of the most exclusive restaurants in Tokyo, a mid-week booking close to the venue’s opening time might be easier to get than say, 7 p.m. on a Saturday. But if you absolutely must have this meal at 7 p.m. on Saturday, aim for more casual restaurants.
What if the restaurant doesn’t accept foreign credit cards?
Some restaurants in Japan may only take domestic cards or cash for in-person payments. If you’re booking through a service like byFood, Klook, or Rakuten, the platform will typically handle the payment for you, so the restaurant’s card policy doesn’t matter. But if you’re booking directly and the restaurant requires a credit-card guarantee, you’ll need a card they can charge.
What happens if I’m running late?
Restaurants might hold your table for 10–15 minutes max. After that, they may give your seats away, shorten your meal, or mark it as a no-show. If you know you’ll be late, call them (or ask your hotel to call). Note that the booking platform may not be able to help if it’s past the deadline.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Last updated in November 2025.
