Choose the restaurant and the booking conditions together. A useful booking is one you can reach on time, use with everyone in your group and understand before payment. The checklist is JapaLens editorial advice; the examples below come from official restaurant and booking-service pages reviewed on 21 October 2026.
Six checks before you press the final booking button
Branch and arrival time
Match the address to your day’s route, then check the meal period and last order. A reservation for one branch does not apply to another. On arrival day, leave room for flight delays and hotel check-in.
Seat, room and accessibility
Check counter versus table, stairs or lift, time limit and any room charge. A seat request is not a confirmed seat assignment. For children, confirm age conditions, seating and whether a separate meal is required.
Course or seat-only booking
Check whether the plan covers a fixed menu or only a seat. Read the minimum order, drinks, tax, service or cover charges and the total for your group. Check which items can actually be changed before selecting a course.
Dietary needs and communication
Ask the restaurant to confirm specific ingredients and preparation requirements before committing to a fixed menu. Keep its reply with your booking. A translated menu does not establish allergy suitability or the language used during service.
Payment type and cancellation
Read when payment is due and when cancellation charges start. Save the deadline with its stated local time, the amount, rules for reducing guest numbers and the cancellation method. Do not assume that a seat-only booking is free to cancel.
Confirmation and a backup meal
Save the confirmation status, reference, date, time, guest count, address and contact method. Check whether you have a confirmed booking or only a request/waitlist. Keep a nearby alternative for a day when the preferred plan does not work.
Entering a card does not always mean the meal is paid
TableCheck’s official help distinguishes online prepayment from a temporary card authorization. With prepayment, the selected course is paid in advance and extras may remain payable. With an authorization, the meal may still need to be paid at the restaurant. Check the payment method on your own booking screen and confirmation; rules differ by restaurant.
TableCheck also explains that cancellation and refund handling depend on the restaurant’s policy and payment type. A refund or release is not necessarily reflected immediately. Save the applicable terms before booking and use the specified cancellation channel if plans change.
Two examples from restaurants already listed on JapaLens
Ginza Ten-ichi Main Restaurant
The official branch page separates table lunch from counter lunch courses, lists a service charge and states cancellation conditions including seat-only reservations. This illustrates why the seat type, menu and total charge need to be checked together. Recheck the exact plan and date on the official booking route.
Read location and booking details →Gonpachi Asakusa Azumabashi
The official Asakusa branch page provides its own online reservation link. Start from the correct branch page and check the plan’s seat and meal conditions there. A web reservation link alone does not confirm a particular table or availability.
Read location and booking details →Fit the meal into your sightseeing day
- After an airport arrival, choose a flexible first meal unless you can allow for delays. Use the arrival-day guide to settle transport and check-in first.
- For an Asakusa or Ginza day, check a nearby restaurant and the walk from your final sightseeing stop before fixing the time.
- If you may need to shorten a family day or change plans in rain, read the booking’s change and cancellation rules before choosing a fixed course.
Sources and editorial notes
Official information checked 21 October 2026. This is a planning guide, not a restaurant review or a live reservation search. The conditions for your selected restaurant, plan and date take priority; JapaLens does not handle reservations or cancellations.