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What to eat

How to order food in Japan

Three places that puzzle first-time visitors, in the order things happen, with the words to look for.

Ticket machine

  1. Find the machine just inside the door, before you sit.
  2. Put money in first, then press your dish and any extras.
  3. Take your ticket and change from the tray at the bottom.
  4. Give the ticket to staff, or set it on the counter.
  5. At ramen shops, staff may ask how firm you want noodles.

You'll see

  • 食券 shokkenMeal ticket
  • 大盛 ōmoriLarge serving
  • おつり otsuriChange

You'll hear

  • いらっしゃいませ irasshaimaseWelcome. No reply needed.
  • 食券をお預かりします shokken o oazukari shimasuI'll take your ticket.
  • 麺のかたさはどうしますか men no katasa wa dō shimasu kaHow firm would you like the noodles?

You can say

  • かため / ふつう / やわらかめ katame / futsū / yawarakameFirm / regular / soft
  • ごちそうさまでした gochisōsama deshitaThanks for the meal, said as you leave.

Conveyor belt sushi

  1. Check in at the screen by the door to get a seat number.
  2. Take plates from the belt, or order on the tablet.
  3. Tea: a spoon of powder in a cup, then press the hot tap.
  4. The plate colour or the screen shows each price.
  5. When done, pay at the register or the self checkout.

You'll see

  • 案内票 annaihyōSlip with your seat number
  • お会計 okaikeiBill. The check out button on the tablet.
  • さび抜き sabinukiWithout wasabi
  • ガリ gariPickled ginger, free at the table

You'll hear

  • 何名様ですか nanmei-sama desu kaHow many people?

You can say

  • お会計お願いします okaikei onegai shimasuThe bill, please.

Izakaya

  1. You get a hand towel, and often a small starter you pay for.
  2. Order a tea or soft drink first, then dishes to share.
  3. Call staff with the table button or by saying sumimasen.
  4. Keep ordering as you go. Dishes come when they are ready.
  5. Ask for the bill. You usually pay at the register.

You'll see

  • おしぼり oshiboriHand towel, for your hands only
  • お通し otōshiSmall starter, charged per person

You'll hear

  • ラストオーダーです rasuto ōdā desuLast orders

You can say

  • ウーロン茶をください ūroncha o kudasaiOolong tea, please.
  • すみません sumimasenExcuse me. Calls a server over.
  • おすすめは何ですか osusume wa nan desu kaWhat do you recommend?
  • お会計お願いします okaikei onegai shimasuThe bill, please.

Convenience store

  1. Bring your items to the counter and set them down.
  2. Staff may offer to heat food. Say yes or no thanks.
  3. Bags cost a few yen. Ask for one only if you need it.
  4. Pay in cash, by card, or with an IC card like Suica.
  5. For hot snacks by the till, point and say the name.

You'll see

  • レジ rejiCheckout counter

You'll hear

  • 温めますか atatamemasu kaShall I heat it up?
  • 袋はご利用ですか fukuro wa goriyō desu kaDo you need a bag?
  • お箸はおつけしますか ohashi wa otsuke shimasu kaWould you like chopsticks?
  • ポイントカードはお持ちですか pointo kādo wa omochi desu kaDo you have a points card?

You can say

  • はい、お願いします hai, onegai shimasuYes, please.
  • 大丈夫です daijōbu desuNo, thank you. A polite no.

Plan the rest

Sources

Our summary of the sources below, checked Nov 9, 2026

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