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Restaurant Ticket Machine Guide

Japan restaurant ticket machine guide.

Order ramen, curry, soba and quick meals with less stress by understanding Japan's meal ticket machines.

Quick answer

At many casual restaurants in Japan, you buy a meal ticket before eating. Choose the dish, pay at the machine, take the ticket and give it to staff.

Basic steps

The flow is simple once you know whether the restaurant uses a ticket machine before ordering.

Step 1Look at the menu outsideMany restaurants show photos or prices near the entrance. Choose before reaching the machine if possible.
Step 2Select the itemUse English, photos, numbers or a translation app if the machine is only in Japanese.
Step 3Pay at the machineMachines may accept cash, cards or IC cards depending on the restaurant.
Step 4Take the ticketDo not forget your ticket, change, receipt or payment card before moving away.
Step 5Hand the ticket to staffStaff may take the ticket at the counter or after you sit down.

Choose the right ordering guide

Ticket machines are only one restaurant style. Use the matching guide for the restaurant in front of you.

Small stress-saving tips

These habits help when a ticket machine is busy or only partly translated.

What to eat after you understand the machine

Ticket machines are common at quick restaurants, especially for solo meals and casual food.

Continue with ordering, food etiquette and simple phrases.

Related guideHow to Order Food in JapanLearn restaurant ordering, payment and simple phrases.Related guideJapan Food Etiquette GuideUnderstand chopsticks, paying and eating manners.Related guideBasic Japanese PhrasesUse simple words at restaurants and shops.

FAQ

How do restaurant ticket machines work in Japan?Usually you choose a menu item on the machine, pay first, receive a ticket and hand the ticket to staff or place it at the counter.
Do Japanese ticket machines have English?Some ticket machines have English or pictures, but not all. Photos, menu displays and translation apps can help tourists choose.
Should I sit before or after buying a meal ticket?In many ticket-machine restaurants, you buy the ticket first, then sit or hand the ticket to staff. Follow the line and what other customers do.

Japanese version