How to Make a Restaurant Reservation in Tokyo

It’s no secret that Tokyo is a foodie’s paradise. From Michelin-star restaurants to one-coin pizzas, the capital has it all. But if you’ve got your heart set on a certain place or are planning a special night out, it’s always better to make a reservation to avoid disappointment. Read on for the lowdown on how to make restaurant reservations in Tokyo (and the rest of Japan), in both English and Japanese.

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. Tokyo is a big city, after all, and there are a good many other people who want to eat out too.

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. While it’s not essential, it’s helpful to discuss special requirements like this with the restaurant ahead of time via a reservation request. Then you’ll know for sure whether or not they can be accommodated.

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

If you’re planning to go to one of the following types of restaurants, you usually don’t need to make a booking. In fact, some of them might not even take reservations. So you can just roll right in (unless it’s busy, then you might need to wait in line for a while):

• Family restaurants like Denny’s, Saizeriya and Gusto
• Conveyor-belt (kaiten) sushi restaurants
• Most other budget and chain restaurants
• Casual izakaya (call ahead to check, if you’re in a big group, though)

Pro tip: Read our guide to basic restaurant Japanese to brush up on key phrases before you head out.

How to book a restaurant in Tokyo

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 also 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.

Tofugu have put together a comprehensive guide to making a reservation over the phone, in Japanese.

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.

You can also try booking online. Some restaurants now 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 aren’t always reliable, and sometimes the booking never actually reaches the restaurant.

Since not every spot in Japan is tech-savvy, and no one wants to show up hungry only to be turned away, it’s usually safer to go through a dedicated English-language reservation service instead.

Using English booking services to make restaurant reservations in Tokyo

These handy sites 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 reservation or booking fee separate to the price of the meal.

But rest assured, with any of the following services you’re in good hands. Let’s break them down.

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.

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.

On their website you can filter restaurants by location, Michelin stars and even dietary requirements. Once you’ve picked a restaurant you’ll be able to see info about it, including opening hours and cancellation policies (if applicable), as well as the average cost of a meal. Then you can choose the number of people, date and time and make a request. This form also clearly displays the reservation fee, which is usually a flat fee of around ¥2,000.

Cooking classes, farm visits and food tours are the kinds of things you’ll find in the Food Experiences section of the byFood website. The booking process is similar, but instead of a reservation fee, you’ll see the price for the experience displayed. The gourmet products section basically functions as an online shop, where you can buy various food and drink products to snazz up your home cooking.

A key part of ByFood’s 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. By booking with them, you’ll be eating good and doing good at the same time.

Klook

Another option for English restaurant reservations in Japan is to book a restaurant through Klook. Their list of restaurants in Tokyo 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.

On Klook you’ll also find a number of unique food experiences, including food tours, cooking classes and even a Maid Cafe experience.

Rakuten Travel Experiences

You can also use Rakuten Travel Experiences to reserve a table at a small number of high-end sushi, shabu-shabu and okonomiyaki restaurants in Tokyo. 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.

Tabelog

Tabelog is easily Japan’s most popular restaurant reservation platform. If you can brave the Japanese version of the website (Google Translate works fine, although you should expect some awkward translations and 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.

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, 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 per cent,” or “Within 24 hours or no-show — 100 per cent”. 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.

Gurunavi

Gurunavi, Japan’s long-running restaurant directory, 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), cancelling on the day usually means paying the full amount — 100 per cent of the course price, whether or not you call ahead. Cancel one day before and you’ll still owe 50 per cent, or 30 per cent 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. These fees cover the lost seating time and prep work. They can add up fast if you’re in a group, so be careful.

Things to keep in mind when making restaurant reservations in Japan

Before you go, here are a couple of unspoken rules and other things Japanese restaurant owners wish more foreign 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.

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 we suggested, you should 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.

While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Last updated in November 2025.