FAQ

• 1.About Japan Food Guide

  What is Japan Food Guide, and what does the website offer?

  Japan Food Guide is an online reservation platform that provides booking services for the best food experiences during your trip to Japan. You can explore Japanese food culture, traditions, and more, as well as make reservations online for restaurants and food experiences.

  I hear that foreign language services are inadequate in Japan. Will I be able to make a reservation even if I don't understand Japanese at all?

  With Japan Food Guide, you can book restaurants and food experiences without language barriers.

  I heard that many restaurants in Japan do not accept credit cards. Will that be an issue?

  Japan Food Guide is an online reservation platform, and all reservations for restaurants and food experiences are paid for in advance by credit card.
  *Any additional items purchased at the restaurant must be paid for directly on-site

• 2.Membership Registration

  What benefits do I get by registering as a member?

  Registered members will be able to make reservations for restaurants and food experiences. You will also gain access to your member page, where there are functions such as checking your future and past reservations, writing reviews, registering favorites, and so on.

  How do I register as a member?

  To register, please go to the membership registration section of the menu in the upper right corner of your screen. You can also register via social login, using your Google or Meta account. Upon signing up, please be sure to carefully read and agree to the Terms of Use before proceeding with the registration.

  How do I change my registered information?

  You can edit your information from "Profile" on your member page.

  How do I change my password?

  You can change your password by entering your current password and a new password from "Change Password" on your member page.

  What should I do if I forget my password?

  Press "Forgot password?" on the login screen and enter the email address you used for membership registration. A link to reset your password will be sent to you.

  How do I change my email address?

  You can change your email address by entering your new email address in "Change your email address" on your member page.
  You will receive a link to verify your new email address.

  How do I cancel my membership?

  When logged in, you can cancel your membership by going to "Delete your profile" on your profile page. Please make sure to carefully read and agree to the precautions displayed before canceling your membership.

• 3.Restaurants

  What is a meal ticket?

  Meal tickets are digital vouchers you can use to pay for food and drinks, at the restaurant they were issued for, up to the value stated on the ticket.
  Meal tickets provide a cashless way to pay at restaurants.

  Is change provided for meal tickets?

  No change will be given for meal tickets.
  If you eat or drink more than the value stated on the ticket, the excess amount is to be paid directly to the restaurant.

  What is a course?

  A course refers to a meal course or a fixed menu of dishes offered by a restaurant. Courses allow you to enjoy your meal without having to order individual dishes.

  Can I order additional items at the restaurant on the day of?

  Availability of additional orders varies by restaurant. Please contact the restaurant directly.

  How do I pay for additional orders at the restaurant?

  If you have purchased any extra food or drinks at the restaurant, please pay for them directly on-site.
  Please check "Payment methods at location" in "Restaurant Info" for the available payment methods at the location.

• 4.Food Experiences

  What is a food experience?

  A food experience is a product provided by a host that offers an opportunity to experience Japanese food culture.
  Various hands-on experiences are on offer, including sushi-making, candy-making, sake brewery tours, and food-tasting tours.
  Japan Food Guide provides valuable food-related experiences in Japan, including not only eating but also learning, cooking, and experiencing.

  How much does a food experience cost?

  Please go to the food experience page to find the prices per adult. Special rates for children or infants may be available for the selected experiences. You can see the rates by selecting "Children" or "Infants" on the food experience page. The total amount will be displayed on the checkout page.

  How do I meet up with my host?

  You will find the address and map of the meeting place on the product page. Please meet your host at the meeting place at the reserved time.
  In case of emergency, please get in touch with the contact information provided in your reservation confirmation email.

  My host suggested that I cancel my reservation on Japan Food Guide and offered me a direct deal. What should I do?

  Direct transactions between hosts and users are prohibited by our Terms of Use.
  If you receive such a solicitation from a business, kindly report it to us using our contact form. Please utilize Japan Food Guide for your safe and secure transactions.

• 5.Reservations

  What is an immediate reservation?

  An immediate reservation is a booking made by a user that is automatically confirmed without needing a response from the restaurant or host.
  This is a feature for businesses, and only becomes available when the restaurant or host has enabled the function.

  What is a request reservation?

  A request reservation is a booking request made by a user that is confirmed based on a response from the restaurant or host. Please wait for a response from the restaurant or host for the result of your reservation.

  If I make a request reservation, how long does it take to receive a reply?

  When you make a reservation request, the restaurant or host will review it and usually respond within two business days to let you know if your reservation is confirmed or not.

  Can I make a seating-only reservation at a restaurant?

  Seating-only reservations are not available.

  How will I know if my reservation has been confirmed?

  Once your reservation is confirmed, you can find it under "Reservation List" in the member's menu for both immediate and request bookings.
  You will also receive a reservation confirmation email to your registered email address.

  I have made a reservation, but have not received an email from Japan Food Guide. What should I do?

  You should receive an email confirmation shortly after submitting your application. However, there may be some delays due to communication issues.
  Please be sure to also check your spam folder.
  
  If your reservation information appears in the "Reservation List" in the member's menu, your reservation has been processed successfully.
  *For a request reservation, your reservation will be confirmed when the restaurant responds to your request.

  What should I do if I want to change the date, time, or number of people in my reservation?

  Reservation details cannot be changed.
  Please cancel your reservation and make a new one.
  *Cancellation fees, administrative fees, or both will be charged.
  

  What should I do if I am going to be late for my reservation time?

  The restaurant or host will not be able to wait for late arrivals.
  Please arrive early or on time.
  You may not receive service if you arrive late.
  If you are unable to arrive at your reserved time, please contact the phone number listed in your reservation confirmation email.

• 6.Payment

  What payment methods does Japan Food Guide accept?

  Japan Food Guide accepts American Express, VISA, and Mastercard credit cards.

  What is a CVV?

  The 3 or 4 digit security code indicated on your credit card.

  What should I do if my credit card transaction is not successful?

  If an error occurs during the payment process or you are unable to make a credit card transaction, please make sure the credit card information you entered is all correct.
  If your payment still fails, please use a different credit card or contact your card issuer.

  Is the credit card payment system secure?

  Japan Food Guide is committed to the security of your personal information. We use Stripe, the world's most secure and widely used payment service, to ensure the protection and security of your privacy.
  You can rest assured that your credit card information and other personal information are encrypted and stored securely.
  By using Stripe, Japan Food Guide does not hold or store credit card information.

• 7.Cancellation and Refund Policy

  What is your cancellation policy?

  For both restaurant and food experience reservations, the restaurant or host has their own policy for cancellations and refunds.
  Please check the restaurant or product page for details.

  Can I cancel my reservation?

  After logging in, you can cancel your reservation from the "Reservation List" in the member's menu.
  After you cancel, you will receive an email notification to your registered email address confirming the cancellation.
  *Cancellation fees, administrative fees, or both will be charged.

  When canceling a reservation, can I receive a refund?

  Depending on the timing of the cancellation, you may be eligible for a refund.
  Refunds for cancellations are subject to the refund policy of the restaurant. If you cancel your reservation based on the cancellation policy provided on the restaurant or product page, a refund may be possible.

  What is the administration fee that is deducted when I cancel my reservation?

  If a user cancels their booking, the Japan Food Guide platform will charge an administration fee, which will be deducted from the refund.

  How can I check the status of my refund?

  The processing time for refunds may vary depending on the credit card company and bank.
  Please contact your bank or credit card company directly for details.

  My reservation was canceled by the restaurant or host. What should I do?

  If the restaurant is unable to provide the ordered product due to unavoidable circumstances, your reservation may be canceled.
  If the restaurant or host cancels your reservation for their own reasons, you will receive a full refund.
  
  If you come across any malicious cases, please reach out to us using our contact form to provide us with the restaurant’s name and any relevant details.

• 8.Product Reviews

  Who can leave a product review on your website?

  The product reviews are submitted by Japan Food Guide members who have used the restaurant or participated in the food experience through online reservations.

  Can I trust the reviews posted?

  A review only reflects one's personal opinion, and it may vary from person to person.
  We have established guidelines for submitting reviews to ensure the information is reliable and helpful to many users in selecting restaurants and food experiences.
  We do not publish anything that violates our Review Submission Guidelines.

  How do I post a review?

  You can post reviews in "Reviews" on the member’s menu. Before posting your review, please take a moment to read our Review Submission Guidelines. We kindly request your cooperation in complying with these guidelines.

  What should I do if I find a review with inappropriate language?

  Please use our contact form to inform us about the review you are concerned about and the restaurant it refers to.