How to make Restaurant Reservations in Japan (Apps & Phrases)

(© Alva Pratt)

Getting a table at a great restaurant in Japan isn’t always as simple as walking in, especially for popular spots, counter-seating restaurants, or anywhere serving a set course menu. The good news is that between reservation apps and a handful of useful phrases, booking a table is very manageable, even if your Japanese is limited. Here’s how to do it.

Reservation Apps to Know

Tabelog Japan’s biggest restaurant search and review platform, with an enormous database of local listings. It now has a dedicated multilingual app (English, Chinese, Korean) built specifically for international visitors, letting you search and book without switching to browser translation. Tip: the Japanese version of the site often has more availability than the English one, so if you’re comfortable using your phone’s translation feature, it’s worth checking both.

TableCheck A fee-free reservation platform available in around 18 languages, covering everything from casual restaurants to higher-end dining. Many restaurants that used to take phone-only bookings now run their reservations through TableCheck, so it’s become one of the easiest ways to book without speaking Japanese.

Pocket Concierge / OMAKASE Best for fine dining, think kaiseki, omakase sushi, and other high-end tasting-menu restaurants. These platforms often require prepayment or a reservation fee, and cancellation policies can be strict, so read the terms before booking.

byFood An English-first platform aimed specifically at travelers, with human-written (not auto-translated) restaurant descriptions and the option to book food tours and experiences alongside individual restaurant reservations.

Hot Pepper Gourmet (ホットペッパーグルメ) One of the most widely used reservation sites among locals, with huge coverage of restaurants (including izakayas and casual dining) all over Japan. Worth knowing: its English-language service was discontinued in January 2026, so it’s now Japanese-only. You can still use it with your phone’s browser translation feature, but confirmation emails will come in Japanese too — fine if you’re comfortable double-checking details, less ideal if you want a fully English experience.

Google Maps Not a dedicated reservation app, but a solid backup for finding a restaurant’s phone number, hours, and sometimes a direct booking link.

A quick note: some restaurants have become stricter about direct bookings from overseas due to no-shows, and a few very exclusive places still only take reservations through a hotel concierge or a Japanese-speaking intermediary. If an app won’t let you book somewhere you really want to try, asking your hotel to call on your behalf is a completely normal solution.

Useful Phrases for Calling a Restaurant

If an app isn’t an option, calling is often the fastest way to secure a table and restaurant staff are generally very patient with non-native speakers. Here are a few phrases to have ready:

Starting the call

• Moshi moshi : a casual “hello” used when answering or starting a phone call
• Yoyaku wo onegai shimasu : “I’d like to make a reservation, please”

Giving the details

• [Number] mei de onegai shimasu : “For [number] people, please” (e.g., futari de onegai shimasu = “for two people”)
• [Date] no [time] ni yoyaku dekimasu ka? : “Is a reservation available on [date] at [time]?”
• Namae wa [your name] desu : “My name is [your name]”

Wrapping up

• Arigatou gozaimasu : “Thank you”
• If you’re not confident on the phone, it’s completely fine to say: Eigo wa daijoubu desu ka? : “Is English okay?” Many restaurants in bigger cities will have at least some English-speaking staff, or will switch to simple Japanese and gestures to help you along.

A Few Practical Tips

• Book ahead for counter seating and course-only restaurants. Casual spots like conveyor-belt sushi, teishoku diners, and family restaurants are usually fine to walk into.
• Show up on time, or cancel early. No-shows are taken seriously in Japan, and some restaurants charge cancellation fees; always check the policy when you book.
• Keep a backup restaurant in mind, especially for a first-choice spot that’s fully booked or hard to reach by phone.
• Save direct phone numbers for places you really want to try, in case an app reservation falls through.

Between the apps and a few key phrases, restaurant reservations in Japan are much less intimidating than they first seem, and honestly, once you’ve made your first phone reservation in Japanese, it’s a nice little confidence boost.

Little wins like booking your first table in Japanese are exactly the kind of confidence we want you to build from day one. Contact us today to learn more about our programs and take the first step toward your new life in Japan!