Tablelog (食べログ) and Hotpepper Gourmet (ホットペッパーグルメ) are Japanese restaurant-search and reservation services. They can help visitors plan meals in Japan, but their language options, booking processes and requirements differ for overseas travellers.
This guide explains how British travellers can use the two platforms, what to check before making a booking and where to find official guidance. Restaurant availability, menus, prices and cancellation policies vary by venue, so always read the details on the individual restaurant page before confirming a reservation.
Table of Contents
- Tablelog and Hotpepper Gourmet: Key Differences
- How to Use Tablelog from the UK
- How to Use Hotpepper Gourmet
- What About Hotpepper Beauty?
- Practical Booking Tips
- Japanese Dining Etiquette
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Official Resources
Tablelog and Hotpepper Gourmet: Key Differences
Tablelog is a restaurant guide and reservation service operated by Kakaku.com. Its English-language website is designed for international travellers and allows users to search restaurant listings across Japan.
Hotpepper Gourmet is a Japanese restaurant-search and reservation service operated by Recruit. It provides restaurant listings, online reservations, restaurant offers and points programmes through its Japanese domestic website.
| Feature | Tablelog | Hotpepper Gourmet |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Restaurant search, reviews and reservations | Restaurant search, reservations, offers and points |
| Language experience | Official English site for international travellers | Japanese domestic site; its overseas English site ended in January 2026 |
| Reservation process | Online reservation at participating restaurants | Instant Reservation or Request Reservation, where offered |
| Registration requirement | Email verification, telephone number and a payment card are required for an inbound reservation | Recruit ID is required for Instant Reservation; Request Reservation can be used without a Recruit ID |
| Important payment point | A ¥440 per-person system usage fee is charged when an inbound reservation is confirmed | Restaurant-specific conditions, offers and points vary by listing |
How to Use Tablelog from the UK
Tablelog’s English website is a practical option for overseas visitors who want to search restaurant listings and make reservations before travelling. Only restaurants that offer online reservations through Tablelog can be booked through the service.
Step 1: Search for a Restaurant
- Open the Tablelog English website.
- Search by city, neighbourhood, station, cuisine or restaurant name.
- Check the restaurant page for its address, opening hours, menu information, accepted payment methods and online reservation availability.
Step 2: Review the Listing
Tablelog ratings and reviews can be useful for research, but they do not guarantee that a restaurant will suit your taste, budget or dietary requirements. Read recent reviews, check the current menu and confirm the location before booking.
Tablelog states that its search ordering prioritises restaurants that support multilingual online reservations and restaurants using its paid customer-attraction services. Search position should therefore not be treated as an independent quality ranking.
Step 3: Complete the Reservation
- Select the available date, time, party size and, where applicable, a course menu.
- Enter your email address and complete the email-verification process.
- Enter your reservation details, including the telephone number used for the booking.
- Register a payment card in your own name. Tablelog uses this to collect its system usage fee and any applicable cancellation fee.
- Read the restaurant’s cancellation policy before completing the reservation. The terms shown during booking apply to your reservation.
Tablelog Reservation Fee and Payment
Tablelog charges a system usage fee of ¥440 per person for its inbound reservation service. The fee is charged when the reservation is confirmed and is not refunded if the diner later cancels.
Food and drink are paid directly to the restaurant. Check the restaurant listing before visiting because accepted payment methods vary by venue.
Changing or Cancelling a Booking
Use the link in the confirmation email to review, change or cancel a Tablelog reservation. Online changes are limited to the date, time and number of diners. Contact the restaurant directly if you need to change a course meal or another special detail.
A restaurant may charge a cancellation fee if you cancel outside its stated policy, arrive late, do not arrive or reduce the number of diners. The Tablelog system usage fee remains non-refundable if you cancel.
How to Use Hotpepper Gourmet
Hotpepper Gourmet can be useful for finding Japanese restaurant listings, online reservation options, course menus and restaurant offers. Its overseas English-language website was discontinued on 6 January 2026. The Japanese domestic website remains available for restaurant searches and reservations.
If you do not read Japanese, browser translation may help you understand the page. Treat machine translation only as an aid: check dates, times, party size, menu inclusions, prices and cancellation conditions carefully before submitting a reservation.
Instant and Request Reservations
- Instant Reservation (即予約): The booking is confirmed when the online reservation is completed. This option requires a Recruit ID.
- Request Reservation (リクエスト予約): Your request is sent to the restaurant first. It becomes a confirmed reservation only when the restaurant accepts it. This option can be used without a Recruit ID.
If a Hotpepper Gourmet restaurant page does not show an online-reservation button, Hotpepper states that online booking is not available for that listing. If you still wish to reserve, use the restaurant’s direct contact details where available.
How to Book Carefully
- Open Hotpepper Gourmet and search by area, station, cuisine or restaurant name.
- Check whether the listing offers Instant Reservation or Request Reservation.
- Do not treat a Request Reservation as confirmed until the restaurant accepts it by email or telephone.
- Read the stated reservation conditions and cancellation policy before finalising the booking.
- Do not assume that a restaurant can communicate in English or accommodate every allergy or dietary request. Contact the restaurant directly where an appropriate contact method is available.
What About Hotpepper Beauty?
Hotpepper Beauty is a separate Japanese platform for salons and beauty appointments. Booking requirements, language support, cancellation rules and accepted customer details vary by salon.
Do not assume that every salon accepts overseas contact details, provides English-language communication or can offer a particular treatment. Read the salon’s individual listing and contact it directly if you need confirmation before making an appointment.
Practical Booking Tips
- Book early where a restaurant has limited seating, fixed course menus or a date that is important to your itinerary.
- Confirm the restaurant’s address and allow enough travel time, especially for venues inside railway stations, department stores or multi-floor buildings.
- Save your confirmation email and reservation number in case you need to change or cancel the booking.
- Arrive at the agreed time and follow the restaurant’s cancellation policy. Late cancellations and no-shows may incur charges.
- Use ratings as a starting point, then check recent reviews, current menu details, opening hours and location before deciding.
Japanese Dining Etiquette
After making a reservation, it is useful to familiarise yourself with basic dining etiquette in Japan. The Japan National Tourism Organization etiquette guide covers practical points for visitors, including queues, restaurant seating and dining customs.
Restaurants vary widely, so follow staff instructions and ask politely if you are unsure about seating, ordering or payment. This is particularly helpful at smaller restaurants and traditional establishments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can British visitors use Tablelog?
Yes. Tablelog provides an English-language website and an inbound reservation service. Users must complete email verification and provide a telephone number and payment-card details. The chosen restaurant must also offer an available online reservation through Tablelog.
Does Tablelog charge a reservation fee?
Yes. Tablelog charges a ¥440 system usage fee per person when an inbound reservation is confirmed. It is separate from the restaurant bill and is non-refundable if you cancel.
Can I use Hotpepper Gourmet in English?
Hotpepper Gourmet’s overseas English-language website ended in January 2026. The Japanese domestic website remains available, but visitors who do not read Japanese may need browser translation and should check each reservation condition carefully.
What is the difference between Instant Reservation and Request Reservation?
Instant Reservation is confirmed when the booking is completed and requires a Recruit ID. Request Reservation is sent to the restaurant first and becomes a confirmed reservation only when the restaurant accepts it.