Eating out in Tokyo is easy once you know a few local habits: paying at a machine before you eat, free water on the table, and a small dish you did not order at an izakaya. Here is how it works, from walking in to paying the bill.
Quick answer
Ticket machines: at many ramen, soba and beef bowl shops you buy a ticket at the entrance before you sit down. Carry some cash.
Calling staff: use the call button or tablet if there is one, or raise your hand and say sumimasen.
Paying: some restaurants take payment at the table, others at the register by the entrance. There is no tipping.
Izakaya: a small dish called otoshi arrives when you sit down. It is a per-person table charge, not a mistake.
Ticket machines
Many ramen, soba and beef bowl restaurants have a ticket machine by the entrance. You pay first, then hand the ticket to the staff. For ramen, see our ramen guide, and for sushi, see how to eat sushi.
- Put money in the machine and press the button for your dish. Some machines take only cash, so keep some yen with you.
- Take the ticket (and your change) and give it to the staff when you sit down.
- If the buttons are only in Japanese, look for photos, or ask the staff for help with sumimasen.
What it was like for us
When we ate shio (salt) ramen at Men to Kozara Seika, a small ramen shop in Hatsudai, payment was cash or HachiPay only, and there was no English menu. Small local shops like this are often the best meals in Tokyo, so carry cash and have a translation app ready. See where it is in our Seika page.
Set meals
A teishoku is a set meal: a main dish served with rice, miso soup and small side dishes. Many restaurants offer lunch sets, which often cost much less than dinner. Early starters can find set breakfasts at chain restaurants: see breakfast in Tokyo.
Water, towels and paying
- Water or tea is usually free, and sometimes self-service.
- Many restaurants give you a wet towel (oshibori) to clean your hands before you eat.
- To call staff, use the call button or the tablet if there is one, or raise your hand and say sumimasen.
- To pay, say okaikei onegaishimasu (the bill, please). Tokyo’s official guide notes that some restaurants take payment at the table and others at the register by the entrance. If the bill is left on your table, take it to the register.
- There is no tipping in Japan. See tipping in Japan.
- Most restaurants are non-smoking inside. See smoking in Tokyo.
At an izakaya
An izakaya is a Japanese pub that serves many small dishes to share with drinks. Soon after you sit down, a small dish called otoshi arrives. According to Tokyo’s official guide, it is usually charged per person and is generally not optional, so it appears on the bill. It is normal, not a mistake. Read more in our izakaya guide.
Nervous about ordering on your first night? An izakaya tour with an English-speaking guide explains the menu and the manners.
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More tours and classes: Tokyo food tours and cooking classes.
Convenience stores
Convenience stores (konbini) are a great place for breakfast, snacks and quick meals at any time of day. See our convenience store guide for more.
- Rice balls (onigiri) come in wrappers with numbered tabs. Pull tab 1 down the middle, then the two sides, to keep the seaweed crisp.
- Staff may ask if you want your meal heated: atatamemasu ka? Say hai, onegaishimasu for yes.
- Some stores have a small eat-in area. Otherwise, many people eat standing near the store rather than while walking.
- Public trash cans are rare on the street, so keep your trash until you find one. See trash in Tokyo.
Allergies and diets
If you have an allergy or do not eat meat or fish, our Japanese phrases guide has phrases you can show to staff. Many dishes use dashi, a fish stock, so see vegetarian, vegan and halal food in Tokyo.
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FAQ
How do restaurant ticket machines work in Japan?
Put money in, press the button for your dish, and hand the ticket to the staff. Some machines take only cash.
Is water free in Tokyo restaurants?
Water or tea is usually free, and sometimes self-service.
Where do I pay in a Tokyo restaurant?
It depends on the restaurant. Some take payment at the table, others at the register by the entrance.
What is the small dish I did not order at an izakaya?
It is called otoshi, a per-person table charge served when you sit down.
Do I tip in Tokyo?
No. There is no tipping in Japan.
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Sources
Ordering, otoshi, paying and tipping come from Tokyo’s official gourmet guide, and smoking rules from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) (checked November 2, 2026). The Seika visit is our own.
