The Journal
Michelin, lineage, and how Japan's restaurants take bookings
Field notes from our Tokyo desk — who is actually reachable and how, the histories behind the counters, and the realistic way in. Written by the people who make these calls every day.
6 articles
Prices & Money
Cash or Card? How Payment Works at Japan's Best Restaurants
Most Japanese restaurants take credit cards in 2026, and Visa and Mastercard work almost anywhere cards are accepted. A meaningful minority of the finest counters remain cash only, so confirm when you book and carry the full bill in yen. Withdraw at 7-Eleven or Japan Post ATMs.
Prices & Money
Japan Restaurant Bill Explained: Otoshi, Service, No Tip
A Japanese restaurant bill may include a small seat charge — otoshi or tsukidashi, usually a few hundred yen — plus ten percent consumption tax, and at higher-end places a service charge of ten to fifteen percent. There is never a tip line, because tipping is not customary. Every item is a disclosed, standard cost rather than a hidden fee.
Prices & Money
Restaurant Cancellation Fees in Japan: What to Expect
Cancel a Japanese fine-dining booking within a few days of the date and you can be charged a cancellation fee up to the full price of the course. A no-show, failing to appear without notice, is treated as a serious breach of trust. Fees rise as the date approaches, so cancel as early as possible, and always confirm the window when you book.
Prices & Money
Do Japanese Restaurants Require a Deposit?
Increasingly, yes. Many of Japan's top counters now require a deposit at booking — either a credit-card guarantee or full prepayment of the course — to protect against no-shows. If you cancel late or fail to appear, that deposit is forfeited, often in full. Deposits are most common at hard-to-book, small-capacity restaurants where every seat matters.
Prices & Money
How Much Does Omakase Sushi Cost in Japan? (2026)
In 2026, top-tier Tokyo omakase sushi generally runs about 30,000 to 60,000 yen and above per person, excluding drinks, while strong mid-tier counters start around 15,000 yen. Entry-level serious omakase can be found from roughly 9,000 to 15,000 yen, and drinks typically add 5,000 to 10,000 yen. Regional cities offer comparable quality for noticeably less.
Prices & Money
How Much Is a Nice Dinner in Japan? Restaurant Prices (2026)
At the restaurants on our release calendar, dinner omakase at a Tokyo sushi counter mostly costs ¥20,000–40,000 per person in 2026, kaiseki in Kyoto ¥20,000–40,000 and in Tokyo ¥25,000–50,000, a top tempura counter ¥16,500–35,000 and yakitori omakase ¥7,700–16,000. The most expensive rooms charge ¥50,000–100,000, and Sukiyabashi Jiro ¥88,000. Lunch often costs half as much or less. Add drinks, a service charge…