Food 食 · Stop F01
入店
Getting a table at a Japanese restaurant
Dotonbori at dinnertime: neon signs, crowds, and a line outside every good restaurant. Let's get you and a friend a table. Say you have no reservation, ask about seats, and find out how long the wait is.
Phrases
予約していません
よやくしていません
yoyaku shite imasen
We don't have a reservation.
Say it right at the door of a busy place. Staff will tell you if you need to wait.
席は空いていますか？
せきはあいていますか？
seki wa aite imasu ka?
Do you have any free seats?
Peek in, smile and ask. Hold up fingers to show how many of you there are.
テーブル席はありますか？
テーブルせきはありますか？
teeburu seki wa arimasu ka?
Do you have a table?
Small places often have only counter seats. Ask this if you'd rather sit at a table.
どのくらい待ちますか？
どのくらいまちますか？
dono kurai machimasu ka?
How long is the wait?
Listen for 分 (fun or pun), which means minutes.
待ちます
まちます
machimasu
We'll wait.
Your answer once you hear the wait time. You may be asked to write your name on a list.
カウンター席でも大丈夫です
カウンターせきでもだいじょうぶです
kauntaa seki demo daijoubu desu
Counter seats are fine too.
Counter seats often free up first, so this can get you in faster.
What you’ll hear
Staff talk fast. Here’s what they are likely to say at this stop, and a good answer.
何名様ですか？
nanmei-sama desu ka?
How many people?
The first thing staff ask when you walk in. Holding up fingers works too.
二人です
futari desu
Two people.
ご予約はされていますか？
goyoyaku wa sarete imasu ka?
Do you have a reservation?
Asked at the door, especially at busy dinner spots.
予約していません
yoyaku shite imasen
We don't have a reservation.
お好きな席へどうぞ
osuki na seki e douzo
Please sit wherever you like.
Casual places often let you pick your own seat.
ありがとうございます
arigatou gozaimasu
Thank you.
Culture tip
Smoke-Free by Default
Since April 2020, smoking inside restaurants has been banned in principle across Japan. Some small bars and izakaya still allow it, but they must post a sign at the entrance. Others have a closed-off smoking room. If smoke bothers you, check the door first.
“Since 2020, most restaurants in Japan are non-smoking inside.”
Indoor smoking is banned in principle. Places that still allow it must show a sign at the door.
Practice scene
No Booking, No Problem
A popular restaurant in Dotonbori at 7 p.m. You and a friend walk in without a reservation.
Ms. Mori · Restaurant host
-
いらっしゃいませ！何名様ですか？
irasshaimase! nanmei-sama desu ka?
Welcome! How many people?
-
Your turn: Tell her there are two of you.
二人です
futari desu
Two people.
-
ご予約はされていますか？
goyoyaku wa sarete imasu ka?
Do you have a reservation?
-
Your turn: You didn't book. Let her know.
予約していません
yoyaku shite imasen
We don't have a reservation.
-
申し訳ございません。ただいま満席です。
moushiwake gozaimasen. tadaima manseki desu.
I'm sorry. We're full right now.
-
Your turn: Ask how long you'd have to wait.
どのくらい待ちますか？
dono kurai machimasu ka?
How long is the wait?
-
15分ぐらいです。こちらにお名前をお書きください。
juugofun gurai desu. kochira ni onamae o okaki kudasai.
About 15 minutes. Please write your name here.
Scene complete! You earned the Dotonbori, Osaka stamp.
Phrases from Ekiben content v3