Japan: Essential — Book Ahead, Especially Anywhere Good.
Want the full guide? Get a PDF with dining tips for Japan — free.
Essential — Book Ahead, Especially Anywhere Good. Many of the best restaurants, especially sushi and kaiseki spots, require reservations booked days to months ahead — some genuinely cannot be visited without one, even for tourists.
Japan: Essential — Book Ahead, Especially Anywhere Good. Many of the best restaurants, especially sushi and kaiseki spots, require reservations booked days to months ahead — some genuinely cannot be visited without one, even for tourists.
In Japan, reservations are strongly expected for good dining — booking ahead is the norm, not the exception, especially for anywhere well-reviewed.
Check that restaurant's own booking policy directly rather than relying on the destination's general culture — any genuinely popular or newly opened place can require a reservation regardless of local norms.
This reflects general norms, not a guarantee for any specific restaurant — trends shift, and any genuinely popular or newly opened place can require a reservation regardless of the destination's overall culture. When a specific restaurant matters to your trip, check its own booking policy directly.