When traveling around Japan, have you ever noticed strange machines at the entrances of ramen shops, set meal restaurants, beef bowl restaurants, and other establishments on the street corner?

That is the theme of this article, the "food ticket machine."

Many affordable, delicious, everyday restaurants have adopted this meal ticket system. You might be confused when you first see it, but there's no need to worry!

This system is a wonderful, uniquely Japanese innovation that reduces interaction between customers and staff and allows for the provision of food "quickly, accurately, and deliciously."

After reading this guide, you'll be looking forward to visiting a restaurant with a ticket machine. We'll introduce you to everything from how to use the machine to ordering, as well as the charms of this uniquely Japanese culture.

What are the benefits of the meal ticket system? Why did it become popular in Japan?

There's a very logical reason why the meal ticket system has spread so widely across Japan: it serves a purpose beyond simply automating the bill.

Speed and efficiency

The biggest appeal of the meal ticket system is that you can order and pay before you even sit down. By having customers buy their meal tickets first, the staff doesn't have to take the time to ask for orders and can get straight to cooking in the kitchen. This system is essential, especially during busy times like lunchtime, to keep customers from waiting and speed up the turnover of food in the restaurant.

Reduced communication with store staff

Ordering in Japanese can be a little intimidating for foreign tourists, but the meal ticket system greatly reduces the language barrier. You don't have to talk much with the staff; just press a button on the machine to complete your order! This allows the staff to concentrate on serving you the food, making the overall service smoother.

Hygiene and accuracy

Ticket machines are hygienic because they reduce the number of times that the person handling the money and the person preparing the food have to come into direct contact with the money. They also prevent verbal ordering errors, such as "I said it, I didn't say it," and serve to accurately convey the desired menu to the kitchen.

How to use the ticket machine: 6 easy steps!

The operation of the ticket machine is really simple. Don't rush, just try the steps below. Anyone can easily get a delicious meal.

Step 1: Reserve your seat (optional)

At small restaurants, first look inside to see if there are any seats available. If it's full and there's a line, join the queue. At popular restaurants, it's common to line up before buying a meal ticket, so be sure to check the other customers around you.

Step 2: Find the ticket machine

Ticket machines are usually located at the entrance of a restaurant or just inside.

Step 3: Select your language (if multiple languages are supported)

Many modern ticket machines are designed with tourists in mind, and in addition to Japanese, they often have multilingual buttons for English, Chinese, Korean, etc. If there is one, press the "English" button or similar displayed in the top right corner of the screen to switch the display.

Step 4: Choose a menu

Carefully examine the photos of the dishes displayed on the screen and buttons and decide what you want to eat.

• Main Menu: Choose your main dish, such as ramen, set meal, or beef bowl.

• Size/Options: After choosing your main dish, you can choose "large portion" (Omori / Large) or "regular portion" (Namimori / Regular), noodle firmness, and additional toppings. For example, toppings include "seasoned egg" (Ajitama / Seasoned Egg) and "extra green onion" (Negimashi / More Green Onion).

Read the article about the ultimate ramen experience here▶︎ https://tenposstar.com/ja/articles/r/3800

Step 5: Make payment

Insert money (cash) into the ticket machine.

• Banknotes: Most machines accept 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000 yen notes, but some smaller stores may not accept 10,000 yen notes, so it's best to have some 1,000 yen notes on hand.

• Coins: 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, and 500 yen coins can be used.

Recently, there has been an increase in ticket machines that accept transportation IC cards (such as Suica and Pasmo) and QR code payments. Check to see if the available payment methods are displayed on the machine.

Step 6: Receive your meal ticket and change

After paying, a ticket with your order details printed on it and your change will come out from the bottom of the machine. Be sure to take both.

Flow inside the restaurant: How to hand over your meal ticket and take a seat

Once you have your meal ticket in hand, it's time to enter the restaurant.

Timing for handing over meal tickets

• If you are handing it over immediately: If the staff member is standing next to the ticket machine or directing you to your seat, and they say, "I'll collect your ticket," hand it over immediately.

• If handing it over after you've been seated: When you're asked to take a seat, place your meal ticket on the counter or table. A waiter will come to collect it.

If you have any special requests, such as the firmness of the noodles, the strength of the flavor, or the amount of oil, try to tell them in Japanese or simple English when you hand over your meal ticket.

Example: "Noodles, firm please."

Take a seat

Take a seat where the staff will direct you. Water is usually self-service, so make sure there is a water dispenser nearby. Simply pour yourself a cup and return to your seat.

Picking up and eating food

The staff will check your ticket number and seat location and bring your food to you. Once you receive your food, all you have to do is enjoy it while it's still hot!

Useful tips about the meal ticket system

Here is some additional information to help you enjoy your meal at restaurants that use the meal ticket system in Japan more smoothly and enjoyably.

Can I add toppings or drinks later?

If you forget to buy toppings at the ticket machine, don't give up! Some restaurants allow you to order additional toppings by calling out to the staff and handing over cash at your table. (However, it is best to avoid doing so during busy times.)

Drinks such as beer and juice can also be purchased from a ticket machine or ordered directly from the staff at your seat. Check to see if there is a drink ticket button on the menu.

Extra noodles and cash

Ramen restaurants, in particular, have a system called "kaedama," which allows you to order just extra noodles after you've finished your noodles. In this case, it's common to not buy another ticket from the ticket machine, but to call the waiter at your seat and pay in cash directly. It's a good idea to leave some coins (around 100 to 200 yen) on the counter to make things go more smoothly.

Recommended restaurants that use meal tickets

Here we will introduce restaurants that use a meal ticket system.

You can eat a variety of dishes at reasonable prices, from ramen shops to cafeterias.

Shimada's popular restaurant, sashimi set meal prepared by a chef

https://tenposstar.com/ja/merchant/67c659bee7362

Ramen Hawk Eye Nishi-Sugamo Branch Ramen https://tenposstar.com/ja/merchant/66596af46c710

Wakura Shinjuku Branch Special Ramen

https://tenposstar.com/ja/merchant/6625db697aaef

summary

Japanese ticket-based restaurants may seem a bit of a mystery to first-time visitors, but at their core is the Japanese spirit of "omotenashi" (hospitality), which is to "deliver delicious food to customers as quickly as possible!"

Through this machine, you can overcome language barriers and experience the efficiency and precision that is unique to Japan. Ramen, udon, soba, set meals... The ticket machine will lead you to cheap and delicious Japanese "soul food" that continues to be loved by locals.

So, with this guide in hand, be brave and step in front of the ticket machine. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful dining experience that will be a memorable part of your trip!

There's a good reason why the meal ticket system has become so popular in Japan: it does more than just automate accounting.