Eating Out in Japan Without Japanese: Order, Book, Pay

Short answer: you rarely need Japanese. Wait to be shown a seat, order by pointing at photos, a tablet or a ticket machine, and pay at the register or table. Book ahead only for popular places; ramen shops, family restaurants and fast food usually take walk-ins.

Why this page: in the Japan Tourism Agency survey of 4,110 visitors leaving Japan (FY2025), talking with facility staff was the No. 2 problem (15.4%) and restaurants were the most common place for it (38%). Trouble using a credit or debit card was also most common at restaurants (32%).

How a normal meal goes (GO TOKYO)

1. At the door: wait to be shown a seat, even if tables look empty. If asked how many, "Two people" or fingers works. Some places have a sign-in sheet: write your name and party size.
2. Seated: water and a wet hand towel (oshibori) usually arrive free.
3. Ordering: wait for staff, press the call button or use the tablet. It can take a while at busy times. Each person is usually expected to order at least one dish.
4. Paying: some restaurants take payment at the table, others at the register near the exit. If unsure, ask. Service charge is usually already in the bill, so no tip.

Three ways to order

Booking a table

• Who needs a reservation: JNTO says many restaurants, especially in the downtown areas of the most popular destinations. Fast food, family restaurants and ramen shops typically don't take reservations and seat people in order of arrival; some keep a waiting list by the door.
• Japanese-only booking page: JNTO suggests your browser's translation feature.
• Phone-only restaurant: ask your hotel concierge or a travel agent to call (JNTO).
• Time zone: booking windows follow Japan time (JST), so check the clock when you book from abroad (JNTO).
• Be on time, cancel early. Some restaurants limit table time, often about two hours (JNTO), and you may have to pay a cancellation fee (GO TOKYO handbook).

Booking on Tabelog: what its own FAQ says

• Steps: pick date, time and option; log in or sign up with an email and the code sent to it; enter payment details; you get a confirmation email.
• Fee: JPY 440 per person, charged as soon as the booking is confirmed. It is generally not refunded if you cancel, but is refunded if the restaurant cancels. Cancelling and rebooking charges it again. Tabelog says it may change without notice.
• Card required: a credit, debit or prepaid card is used for the fee and any cancellation fee. It is not used to pay your meal; pay at the restaurant on the day.
• Changes: online you can change only date, time and number of people, using the link in the email, your 10-digit reservation number and your phone number. For anything else, contact the restaurant.
• Cancellation fees are set by each restaurant. They can be charged for cancelling against the policy and for no-shows without a formal cancellation. Your confirmation email states the policy, so cancel if plans change.
• No confirmation email? Check your spam folder and that @tabelog.com is allowed.
• Rankings: "Most reserved by travelers" counts dinner bookings made online 14 to 8 days ahead. "Highest rated" sorts by Tabelog rating. They are different lists.

Bill surprises and payment

• Otoshi: at izakaya a small starter often comes with your first drink and is added to the bill as a per-person charge (GO TOKYO).
• Cards: JNTO says accepted cards are shown at the entrance and register, Visa, JCB and Mastercard are the most widely accepted, and many places, especially rural, are cash only. Foreign Apple Pay, Google Pay or Alipay sometimes don't work. Keep cash. More: cards, cash and ATMs.
• Allergies: the GO TOKYO handbook says to check with the restaurant when booking or ordering; some menus have allergen symbols. Our Show-in-Japanese cards include an allergy card.
• Outside food generally can't be brought in, and leftovers generally can't be taken home (GO TOKYO handbook).

If you think you were charged wrongly

Japan's Consumer Hotline for Tourists takes consumer problems with stores, restaurants and bars: 03-5449-0906, weekdays 10:00–12:00 and 13:00–16:00 (closed weekends, national holidays and Dec 29–Jan 3). It advises you; it has no power to force a business to act. It cannot help with lost items, accidents or illness.

Left out (not confirmed on an official page): which chains besides Torikizoku have English tablets, other booking services' fees, how many Tabelog restaurants allow online booking, and whether a given restaurant accepts foreign cards.

Quick answers

Do I need to speak Japanese to eat in Japan?

Not much. GO TOKYO says pointing to photos on the menu or using a translation app is fine, and many restaurants have menus in English, Chinese, Korean and other languages. At the door, "Two people" (or showing the number with your fingers) is enough.

How do ramen ticket machines work?

You buy a meal ticket from a machine near the entrance, hand it to the staff, then sit where you are told (GO TOKYO). Japan's Consumer Hotline for Tourists warns that many of these machines do not take credit cards or e-money, so have cash ready. If you can't work the machine, ask the staff.

Can I book a restaurant online in English?

At some restaurants, yes. Tabelog's official English FAQ describes online booking on its multilingual site and app. It needs an email address, a credit, debit or prepaid card, and charges a system fee of JPY 440 per person when the booking is confirmed. You pay for the meal at the restaurant.

What is the extra small dish and charge at an izakaya?

It is called otoshi. GO TOKYO says it is usually charged per person and generally not optional. If it worries you, ask when you book or order.

Do I tip?

No. GO TOKYO says service charges are in most bills, so tipping is not required.

The restaurant only takes phone bookings. What now?

JNTO says hotel concierges or travel agents may be able to call for you and ask your questions.

More Japan trip guides: Japan trip checklist (all guides)