Easy Options for Visitors

A Japanese-only menu can be intimidating if you don’t read the language, and it’s one of the reasons some visitors stick to familiar international chains instead of trying genuinely great local food. The good news is that a number of major gyudon, kaiten-zushi, and izakaya chains have adopted touch panel or tablet ordering systems with English (and often Chinese and Korean) language options, making them some of the easiest places to order confidently without any language barrier. Here’s where to look.

Kaiten-Zushi (Conveyor Belt Sushi) Chains

This category has invested the most heavily in multilingual ordering technology, likely because the format already relies on visual, tablet-based ordering rather than a printed menu.

Sushiro: Japan’s largest kaiten-zushi chain by number of locations, with English menu options and a smartphone app, making it one of the more visitor-friendly choices for both dine-in ordering and reservations.
Kura Sushi: known for actively supporting multiple languages (English, Chinese, and Korean) on its touch panel ordering system, alongside an entertaining “Bikkura Pon” capsule toy game triggered by returning a set number of empty plates, a fun bonus even if you don’t understand the game’s instructions right away.
Hama Sushi: touch panel ordering with English and Chinese language support, and at some locations, a robot (“Pepper”) that provides guidance in English and Chinese as well.
Kappa Sushi: another major chain in this category, generally following the same touch-panel ordering format common across the industry.

Across all four, the basic system is similar: you’re seated at a table or counter, order directly through a touch panel switched to English, and your dishes arrive via a dedicated lane or conveyor belt to your specific seat, no verbal ordering required at all if you’d prefer not to.

Gyudon (Beef Bowl) Chains

Sukiya: increasingly offers touch panel self-ordering at many locations, with multilingual support becoming more common, particularly at stores in heavily trafficked tourist areas.
Matsuya: uses a ticket vending machine system at the entrance, where you select your dish and pay before sitting down, with English display options available at many locations, particularly in cities.
Yoshinoya: traditionally more counter-service oriented, but increasingly adopting touch panel or ticket machine ordering with English support at locations accustomed to international visitors.

Since exact language support can vary by specific branch, particularly for gyudon chains where adoption has been more gradual than at the kaiten-zushi chains above, it’s worth checking for an English toggle button on the machine itself when you arrive, most modern touch panels and ticket machines display a language selection prominently on the home screen.

Izakaya Chains with Tablet Ordering

Torikizoku: uses tablet ordering at most locations, letting you browse and order without needing to flag down staff or read a printed Japanese menu, with photo-based menu items making selection easier even without perfect language support.
Watami: also uses tablet-based ordering at many locations, following a similar format.
Other major izakaya chains have increasingly adopted similar tablet systems in recent years, so even if a specific chain isn’t listed here by name, checking for a table-mounted tablet is worth doing before assuming you’ll need to navigate a Japanese-only printed menu.

How to Use These Systems

Look for a language selection option, usually a small flag icon or a “言語” (language) button, typically in a corner of the touch panel or tablet screen.
Switch to English (or Chinese or Korean, where available), which will translate menu item names and, at the better-designed systems, descriptions as well.
Browse by category, similar to a printed menu, with photos generally included to help you decide even if a translation feels slightly unclear.
Confirm your order on the screen before submitting, most systems show a running summary of what you’ve selected.
Pay according to the chain’s system: some (like Matsuya) require payment at a ticket machine before you sit down, while others (like most kaiten-zushi chains and izakaya) let you pay at the end via a register or your table’s tablet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will every location of these chains have English touch panel ordering? Not necessarily every single branch, adoption has been more consistent at the kaiten-zushi chains than at gyudon or izakaya chains, and rural or smaller locations may lag behind flagship stores in busy tourist areas. Checking for a language selection option when you arrive is the most reliable way to know for sure.

What if a location doesn’t have English ordering available? Photo-based menus and simple pointing generally work fine even without full translation, and a translation app’s camera feature can help read any remaining Japanese-only text or handwritten specials.

Are these chains a good way to try Japanese food if I’m nervous about the language barrier? Yes, genuinely. The combination of visual menus, English-language options, and low-pressure ordering (no need to speak to staff at all in most cases) makes these chains some of the most approachable dining options for first-time visitors.

Do I need to tip after using a touch panel to order? No, tipping isn’t practiced in Japan regardless of how you order, as covered in more detail in our general dining etiquette guide.

Next Steps

If a Japanese-only menu has been holding you back from trying a gyudon shop, kaiten-zushi restaurant, or izakaya, look specifically for chains like Sushiro, Kura Sushi, Hama Sushi, Sukiya, Matsuya, or Torikizoku, and check for a language selection option on the touch panel or tablet as soon as you sit down.

This post is part of an ongoing series on Japan travel planning. Check back for more guides on Japanese food and dining without a language barrier.

Rakuten Travel is one of Japan’s largest and most popular domestic travel booking platforms. It features an extensive database of hotels, ryokan, resorts, and other accommodations across Japan, making it an excellent choice for travelers looking to book stays throughout the country. Available in your language. If you’re using a computer, click “Language” in the top-right corner to change the language. If you’re using a smartphone, tap the person icon in the bottom-right corner, then tap “Language” to select your preferred language.

10.Restaurant Chains with English Touch Panel Ordering