Japan Restaurant Reservations 2026: Top Sites Like Tabelog & Hot Pepper

When you travel to Japan, spending all your time

just waiting in line for popular restaurants feels like such a waste, doesn't it?

Did you know there are five websites where you can make reservations in advance

before you even go?

From Tabelog, Rakuten Gurunavi, TableCheck,

and Hot Pepper Gourmet, to Google Reservations!

I'll break down all the reservation methods and unique features for each site.

Tabelog

Tabelog is the most popular reservation site among locals in Japan.

It's known for its strict rating system, so if a place has over 3.4 points,

you can consider it a definite foodie hotspot.

You can search by region, cuisine type, and even

various criteria like budget and seating style.

Both the app and PC website support Korean,

making it super easy to use.

The 'Hyakumeiten' (Top 100 Restaurants) list features the 100 highest-rated restaurants registered on Tabelog,

and it's a fantastic resource for discovering unforgettable dining experiences.

However, not all restaurants selected for the Hyakumeiten list

support online reservations.

After entering your reservation details, you can select your payment method.

Be aware, though, that Tabelog charges a reservation fee of 440 yen per person

upon confirmation of your booking.

This isn't included in the meal cost, so if you're visiting with a group,

the fees can quickly add up.

However, if you make your reservation through the official Japanese page,

you won't have to pay the fee!

It might be a bit bothersome to select Japanese as the language and then use an external translation tool,

but it's a great tip for saving on those fees!

Rakuten Gurunavi

Rakuten Gurunavi also supports Korean, and guess what?

They don't charge any reservation fees!

Plus, there's no need to sign up for membership, which makes it super convenient.

If you're just reserving a table, you can pay at the restaurant on the day of your visit, and for course menu reservations,

you can pay for the meal in advance.

After selecting your date, number of guests, and time,

you'll verify your booking via email.

Enter your name, phone number, and email, and your reservation will be confirmed.

For the phone number, you can start with the Korean number +82-10.

Hot Pepper Gourmet

Since Hot Pepper doesn't have a separate Korean website,

you'll need to use your browser's built-in translation feature.

The upside is that there are no service fees, and many restaurants offer course discounts or

coupons for things like complimentary drinks.

It's particularly great for finding izakayas, all-you-can-eat yakiniku spots,

or restaurants for group dining.

TableCheck

TableCheck is a restaurant reservation system that specializes in

high-end restaurants, perfect for omakase or fine dining experiences.

Both the app and PC versions support Korean pages,

and you can conveniently manage your reservations within your account.

Among all the sites introduced so far, this one offers the best readability,

with clear displays of reservation availability by date and time.

Simply enter the date, time, and reservation details, and you're confirmed.

It also supports easy login with Naver and Kakao.

While many regular reservations don't incur extra fees,

reservations with priority booking or FastPass options

may involve a separate booking fee.

Booking fees start from 390 JPY, but

they vary by restaurant, so always double-check!

Google Maps

And finally, let's talk about booking through Google.

When you search for a restaurant you want to visit on Google Maps,

if a 'Reserve a table' button appears, you're in luck!

Select your date and time, and you'll be redirected to a reservation page.

Some places allow bookings directly within Google Maps,

while others might redirect you to TableCheck.

Just add your contact information, and since there are no fees,

it's incredibly easy to make a booking!

Summer trips to Japan can make outdoor activities tough, so

by booking your restaurants in advance, you can save a little time

and get seated quickly!

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