How to Book Restaurants in Japan: Tabelog vs. Ikyu Explained

Planning to dine in Japan? Discover how to book restaurants easily with Tabelog and Ikkyu — two essential apps for locals and travelers alike.

Visiting Japan and eager to try amazing food? Many travelers find restaurant reservations in Japan a bit tricky. Popular restaurants fill up quickly and phone bookings often require Japanese. But don’t worry! With Tabelog(食べログ) and Ikyu(一休), you can book online with confidence. This guide explains how each platform works and when to use which.

Why Restaurant Reservations in Japan Can Be Difficult

• Top spots book out weeks in advance.
• Phone reservations often require Japanese.
• Walk-ins aren’t always accepted at famous places.

That’s why online booking services are a must for stress-free dining.

Tabelog (食べログ) — Japan’s Go-To App for Everyday Dining

What It Is: Japan’s largest restaurant search and booking platform, covering everything from casual izakayas to Michelin-starred venues. Local reviews and rankings help you discover true neighborhood gems.

For Travelers: Multilingual pages are available (including English). You can search and reserve online.

Things to Know: Credit card details are required for online booking, and a small per-person system fee (typically around JPY 440) may apply. You pay for the actual meal at the restaurant.

Ikyu (一休) — Japan’s Premium Restaurant Booking Site

What It Is: Ikyu is known for luxury hotel bookings, and it also runs a restaurant reservation platform focused on high-end dining and hotel restaurants.

For Travelers: The main restaurant site is primarily in Japanese, but it’s straightforward to use with your browser’s translate feature. Many premium venues list special courses and seasonal menus.

Things to Know: Credit card details are usually required to secure the booking. Compared with the Japanese domestic version, coupon/point features may be limited for international users.

Tabelog vs. Ikyu: Which Should You Use?

Feature	Tabelog	Ikyu
Range of restaurants	Casual to fine dining; very broad	Mainly luxury & hotel restaurants
Language support	Multilingual pages incl. English	Restaurant site in Japanese (use browser translate)
Payment	Card required; small per-person booking fee	Card required; limited coupons/points
Best for	Everyday meals, local gems	Special occasions, luxury dining

Tips for Booking in Japan

• Book 1–2 weeks in advance when possible (earlier for top venues).
• For popular restaurants, try weekday lunch time slots.
• Keep a credit card ready for online reservations and possible deposit/fee.
• Avoid last-minute cancellations; fees can apply and no-shows may be charged.

Conclusion

With Tabelog and Ikkyu, booking restaurants in Japan becomes simple and stress-free. Use Tabelog(食べログ) for breadth and local favorites, and Ikyu(一休) for luxury dining and special occasions. Enjoy your culinary journey in Japan!

More Ways to Experience Japanese Food: Cooking & Dining Tours on GetYourGuide

Japan’s food culture is not just about eating at restaurants — you can also join hands-on experiences that let you cook, taste, and learn. On GetYourGuide, travelers can book unique culinary tours.

These tours are a great way to experience Japan’s food culture beyond the dining table. Combine them with your Tabelog or Ikkyu reservations for a truly unforgettable trip!