If you’re wondering how to make a reservation in Japan when the restaurant doesn’t have an english reservation option – here are my tips and suggestions.
Do you have to make reservations for restaurants in Japan?
For all restaurants? Absolutely not.
I like to have the “must-try” restaurants locked in (usually dinner) – the restaurants that we would be so sad to miss.
Also, more than the actual particular restaurants themselves, I like to make sure that we have a reservation (or a general plan to visit if it’s not a reservation type place like Japanese curry or ramen) each of the “types of food” in Japan.
For example:
-Sushi & Sashimi
-Tempura
-Sukiyaki/Shabu Shabu
-Japanese curry rice
-Gyoza & Ramen
-Tonkatsu
-Yoshoku (that means, omurice, doria, japanese napolitana pasta etc)
-Hamburgu (Japanese hamburger steaks – technically this is also washoku)
-Fancy teppanyaki
-Okonomiyaki
-Oyakodon
-Yakiniku
-Yakitori
-Udon and/or Soba
-Kushikatsu
-Gyudon
-Wagyu/Kobe Beef (can also overlap with yakiniku and or sukiyaki/shabu-shabu)
-Unagi or Crab (depending on the season)
-A “family restaurant” like Royal Host, Gusto, Saizeriya etc.
And many people, of course, like to prioritize a kaiseki or an omakase dining experience.
1. To make a reservation at a restaurant in Japan, try the restaurant’s own official website.
Since the pandemic, many places have and english booking section on their site (or it’s possible to book if using google translate.)
2. To make a reservation at a restaurant in Japan, try an online booking website:
Tablecheck
ByFood
Tabelog (google the restaurant name + tabelog)
There are also some third party sites who will book a restaurant on your behalf , for a fee. I haven’t used these and I don’t see many kid-friendly options to choose from anyway.
3. To make a reservation at a restaurant in Japan, try google!
For restaurants in Japan that don’t have an official website or a Japanese language website, you can use google to book and it can make everything easier. This isn’t an option for all restaurants but it is for many.
Search the name of the restaurant and city name in google. Then, with the restaurant info (under the “call” “directions” icons) can be an option that says “reserve table” and you can reserve from there.
4. Send a simple email directly to the restaurant in English.
Keep it really simple. Write it as if you already know it might be popped in google translate.
Can I please make a reservation for (xxx date) at (xxx o’clock.)?
Name: xxxx
Number of people: xxxxxx
5. Ask your hotel to make a reservation for you – once you have checked in.
Extra tip: If you are used to finding restaurants via sites like trip advisor or yelp.. Japan’s version is called tabelog.
If you are looking for my recommended restaurants for families I suggest looking at my area guides – for example : Shibuya with kids. or my specific restaurant lists such as “20+ Shinjuku restaurants for dinner with kids.”
