Are you suppose to sit down and wait for staff to get your ticket at vending machine restaurants or turn in your ticket and then sit down?

15 comments

1. No, you turn in your ticket. The whole point of the machine is that there is no waitstaff.

2. More often than not you give the ticket to someone, but I’ve been to food courts where they call a number and you give the ticket when you pick it up. Either way just ask if you’re not sure – every time I’ve had to ask for help at a restaurant everyone has been super helpful and never made me feel like an inconvenience.

3. You sit down, give them your ticket, then they bring you your food. If it’s busy and there is a lineup, the staff may take your tickets as you’re standing in line so they can prepare your food quickly when you get a seat.

4. Some places are already preparing your food soon as you paid with the order number printed on your ticket. Wait for your number and pick it up from the counter. I’ve encountered this at Matsuya.

5. People in Japan are super friendly. Just ask someone if you’re unsure

   Keep Google translate or a translate app ready too, I’ve seen some people get relieved when I do the translation

6. It’s not that bad. Enter the shop and you will usually be greeted (irasshai!) by staff. If a foreigner, they will be waiting to see if you know the ropes, but may or may not come to assist you in using the machine – which in my experience are now English-friendly in well-traveled areas unless you visit some throwback place from the Showa era (these places are pretty neat if you can find them).

   Purchase your ticket, grab it and your change and turn to face the dining area. I’m fairly sure someone from the staff will have been keeping tabs on you. Look at the ticket and the room with a puzzled look or make eye contact with the staff and they will waive you over and gesture for the ticket, or wave towards some open seat(s).

   The whole thing is very informal, so don’t stress over it.

7. Depends on restaurant, mostly turn in ticket first and self-collect, some order are sent straight to the kitchen, and you only had to turn in the ticket once your food is ready. But there are also like of Ichiran where you are seated first.

8. Just watch what everyone else is doing. It is not hard, just don’t overthink it. You already described the 2 common types. Bar top type(common at ramen restaurants) where you sit down and give them your ticket/put it on on the top part of the bar and they drop off your food when ready. The other is more like a food court, go up give them your ticket, they will often rip off the part of the ticket with your number to give it back and then wait for your number to be called. Don’t worry staff will assist with guidance if you pay attention.

9. No Dine ‘n Dash with this system! Pay as you go…..

10. Usually it’s pretty obvious. 

    Some ramen shops for instance want your ticket right away because they know approximately how long until it’ll be your turn, others wait until you’re seated at the counter, and some nicer ones will have someone who gets your ticket from you immediately after you get it from the machine and then you wait in line. 

11. If it’s that confusing for go to a place that has wait staff!!!

12. Not what you asked, (that has been answered) but the items in the upper left hand part of the button area are most popular, so I have been told.

13. Ignore the people who say “you’re overthinking it” as if that is a bad thing. You’re trying to get things right and feel comfortable with the process, and not inconvenience anyone. I saw your question and thought, yeah, that’s something I would like to know, too. So thanks for asking it.

14. I usually give it to the person who shows me my seat

15. I’ve seen both, it’s a matter of watching what everyone else does.