If you arrive late or finish work after dinner time, the first step is to find a restaurant nearby that is still open. Opening hours differ from branch to branch, so check the one you plan to visit.
Easy places to look
Yoshinoya and Matsuya serve rice bowls and other simple meals, and some of their branches are open 24 hours. Use their own store finders:
- Yoshinoya store finder
- Matsuya's 24-hour branches in Tokyo (in Japanese)
Find a branch near your apartment and check its current hours. The menu and eat-in service can differ too.
Useful words on a restaurant listing
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 24時間営業 | Open 24 hours |
| 営業時間 | Opening hours |
| 定休日 | Regular closing day |
| ラストオーダー or L.O. | Last orders |
| 持ち帰り or テイクアウト | Takeaway |
Last orders are taken before closing time, so arriving just before the doors close may be too late to order.
How to order
Many of these restaurants use a ticket machine or a touch screen. Choose the dish and the size, pay, and follow the instructions to collect your meal. Look for a language button, or ask the staff if you get stuck.
If you have an allergy or a dietary restriction, check the restaurant's ingredient information. Do not judge a dish by its photograph alone.
What about small local restaurants?
When you find a noodle shop or another place you like, save its location and its last-order time. Keep a second choice in case it closes early or has a queue.
Before you head out
Think about how you will get home. If you need a train, check the time of the last one. Late at night, food within walking distance is usually the simplest choice.
If you know you will arrive late, keep an easy meal in the apartment. Look for your nearest late-opening restaurant during the day, so you do not have to search when you are tired and hungry.
Cover photo: Aleister Kelman, CC BY 2.0, cropped
