New to Japan and curious about the famous “sushi on a moving belt”? This deep-dive explains how kaiten-zushi works, how to order, what to expect on the bill, and the little manners locals follow—so you can relax and enjoy your first plates like a pro.

1. What is Kaiten-Zushi?
2. How to Order, Step-by-Step
3. Simple Etiquette (No Stress!)
4. Prices & Plate Colors
5. Popular Plates & Sides
6. Touch Screens, QR Queues & Express Lanes
7. Major Chains to Try
8. Allergies, Vegetarian & Halal Notes
9. Going with Kids
10. Useful Japanese Phrases
11. Local Tips & Common Mistakes
12. Quick FAQ
13. Helpful External Resources

What is Kaiten-Zushi?

Kaiten-zushi (回転寿司) is Japan’s casual, family-friendly sushi format where small plates circulate on a conveyor. You simply take what you like—or order fresh items via a touch panel. It’s affordable, fast, and a lot of fun, especially if it’s your first sushi experience in Japan.

Good to know: Plates are typically covered or placed under a clear dome for hygiene. Staff tally your empty plates at the end to create the bill. Some chains use RFID or barcodes so the system knows the price as you go.

How to Order, Step-by-Step

1. Join the queue. Busy times use a kiosk or QR code near the entrance. Choose counter or table, then wait for your number.
2. Seat & setup. At your seat, you’ll find soy sauce, pickled ginger, green tea powder (ocha), hot-water spout, chopsticks, and napkins.
3. Pick from the belt. Take any covered plate you want. Keep the cover; return it to the belt if designed to do so, or follow in-store signs.
4. Order from the screen. Tap categories (nigiri, rolls, sides). Your order usually arrives on an express lane above the main belt—often with a beep.
5. Stack plates. Don’t discard plates. Stack them neatly. Some chains have a slot to “feed” finished plates; it counts them automatically.
6. Ask for the bill. Press the button or call out “Okaikei, onegaishimasu.” Staff scan your plates. Pay at the counter or via the table screen at some stores.

Mini Dictionary

• Maguro — tuna
• Sake — salmon
• Tamago — sweet omelet
• Aburi — lightly seared
• Neta — topping
• Wasabi nuki — no wasabi

Ordering Tips

• Use the “no wasabi” toggle on the screen if you prefer mild flavors.
• For the freshest items, order directly rather than waiting for the belt.
• Green tea powder is strong—start with a small spoonful.

Simple Etiquette (No Stress!)

• Only touch what you take. If you lift a dome, take that plate.
• Keep the belt clear. Don’t place personal items or used tissues near it.
• Share politely. Avoid loud calls or filming other guests without consent.
• Soy sauce: less is more. Dip fish-side down; rice crumbles if soaked.
• Chopsticks or hands? Both are acceptable for sushi in Japan.

Prices & Plate Colors

Most chains price by plate color or design. Tax and regional differences apply, and some premium items are priced individually on the screen.

Entry plates
~ ¥110–¥150 (cucumber roll, egg, tuna salad)

Standard plates
~ ¥165–¥220 (salmon, shrimp, seared mayo items)

Premium plates
~ ¥275–¥550+ (tuna belly, uni, seasonal fish)

Extras
Soup, fries, desserts, soft drinks: ¥150–¥450+

Tip: Budget around ¥1,000–¥2,000 per person for a light meal; ¥2,000–¥3,000 for a full feast. Prices vary by chain and city.

What to Eat (Beyond Raw Fish!)

Great for Beginners

• Salmon (raw or seared, often with lemon or mayo)
• Shrimp (boiled) & egg (tamago)
• California-style rolls at some chains
• Inari (sweet tofu skin wrapped rice)

Warm & Cooked Options

• Seared (aburi) salmon or tuna
• Fried items like tempura or fries (kid favorites)
• Ramen/Udon mini bowls, miso soup

Touch Screens, QR Queues & Express Lanes

Modern kaiten-zushi runs on delightful tech. Expect self check-in, bilingual touch panels, and an “express” track that delivers your order straight to your seat—sometimes with playful sound effects. At busy times, scan a QR at the entrance to join a virtual queue and explore the area until your turn.

Heads-up: Some branches are beltless now. There’s no circulating food—everything is made to order and arrives by express lane for maximum freshness and safety.

Major Chains to Try (External Links)

Note: Many official pages are in Japanese; some offer English menus at store level.

Sushiro (スシロー)

One of Japan’s largest chains with broad menus, seasonal campaigns, and family-friendly pricing.

Official site

Kura Sushi (くら寿司)

Known for gamified plate slots (kids love the “capsule toy” prizes), tech-forward ordering, and creative sides.

Official site

Hama-Sushi (はま寿司)

Value-focused plates, frequent promotions, and a good mix of cooked options.

Official site

Genki Sushi / Uobei

Fast, fun, and often beltless with high-speed delivery lanes. Great for tech-curious visitors.

Allergies, Vegetarian & Halal Notes

Large chains increasingly list allergens and icons on the touch panel and websites. If you have strict needs, check the official site linked above and confirm with staff on arrival. Kitchens may handle mixed ingredients, so cross-contact is possible.

• Vegetarian: cucumber roll, pickled radish roll, inari, egg (tamago), corn mayo, fries, desserts. Note: Dashi (broth) in soups can contain fish.
• Halal: Pork and alcohol are common in sauces/marinades. Options vary by branch—confirm with staff and review chain pages ahead of time.
• Gluten: Soy sauce typically contains wheat. Ask for gluten-free soy sauce if available or bring travel-size GF soy sauce.

Phrase to use: “アレルギーがあります (Arerugī ga arimasu) — I have an allergy.”

Going with Kids

Conveyor-belt sushi is one of the most kid-friendly meals in Japan. Many stores have high chairs, small plates, and fun desserts. Kura Sushi famously offers a toy capsule game when you “feed” a certain number of plates into the slot.

• Order simple hits: egg, fries, corn mayo, cooked shrimp, seared salmon.
• Bring a wet wipe and remind kids not to touch plates on the belt.
• Ask staff for “wasabi nuki” (no wasabi) by default if needed.

Useful Japanese Phrases

English	Japanese	Pronunciation
Excuse me	すみません	sumimasen
Table for two	二人です	futari desu
Can I order?	注文いいですか？	chūmon ii desu ka?
No wasabi, please	わさび抜きで	wasabi nuki de
Check, please	お会計お願いします	okaikei onegaishimasu
I have an allergy	アレルギーがあります	arerugī ga arimasu

Local Tips & Common Mistakes

• Freshness myth: Belt items are rotated out quickly; still, ordering from the screen guarantees fresh-made plates.
• Soy-sauce floods: Drown the fish and it falls apart. A light dip is best.
• Ginger on top? Pickled ginger cleanses the palate; it’s not usually placed on sushi.
• Wasabi overload: Many toppings already have wasabi—ask for “no wasabi” if unsure.
• Peak times: Evenings and weekends get busy. Join the queue via the kiosk and explore the neighborhood while you wait.

Quick FAQ

Can I pay by card or IC?

Most urban branches accept credit cards and transport ICs (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA). Rural branches vary; carry some cash. Do I tip?

No tipping in Japan. A warm “arigatō” goes a long way. Is tap water safe?

Yes, and hot water for tea is provided at the seat. Use the small spoon for tea powder—it’s strong. What if I took the wrong plate?

It happens. Keep it and let staff know politely; they’ll advise the easiest fix.

Helpful External Resources (Official)

• Sushiro (Official) — Menus, campaigns, and store info.
• Kura Sushi (Official) — Plate slot game, store search, and allergen info.
• Hama-Sushi (Official) — Value plates and promotions.

External sites open in a new tab. Information, prices, and availability can change; check each official page before you go.

Enjoy the Belt—Your Way

Kaiten-zushi is designed to be stress-free: choose a few safe bets, add something new, and let the belt surprise you. Whether you’re a sushi beginner or you already know your tuna belly from your lean cuts, the mix of tech, speed, and variety makes this a uniquely Japanese experience—one that’s easy on the wallet and great for groups.

日本の回転寿司の魅力を徹底解説｜初めてでも楽しめるガイド

日本に来たら一度は体験してほしいのが「回転寿司」です。リーズナブルな価格で新鮮な寿司を楽しめるだけでなく、日本独自の食文化や最新テクノロジーを体験できる人気スポットとなっています。本記事では、回転寿司を初めて利用する海外の方に向けて、その楽しみ方やマナー、さらにはおすすめの有名チェーン店について詳しくご紹介します。

回転寿司とは？

回転寿司は、ベルトコンベアに寿司が乗せられ、席の前を流れていくスタイルのレストランです。お客さんは好きな寿司を自由に取って食べられます。1958年、大阪で誕生したこの仕組みは、今や日本全国に広がり、さらに海外にも展開されています。

回転寿司の魅力

• 手軽さ： 1皿100円から楽しめるお店も多く、財布に優しい。
• 多様性： 寿司だけでなく、ラーメンやデザートまで揃っている。
• スピード： 好きな寿司をすぐに手に取れる。
• 最新技術： タッチパネル注文やAIによるネタ管理など、進化し続けている。

注文の仕方

最近の回転寿司店では、寿司を取る以外にタッチパネルで注文するスタイルが一般的です。注文したものは専用レーンで自分の席まで届けられます。英語や中国語に対応しているタッチパネルも多いので安心です。

知っておきたいマナー

1. 取った皿は必ず自分で食べる。
2. レーンを流れる寿司に触れて戻さない。
3. 醤油はネタに少しだけ付ける。
4. ワサビが苦手なら注文時に「サビ抜き」と伝える。

人気の回転寿司チェーン

日本全国には数多くの有名回転寿司チェーンがあります。その中でも特に人気が高いのは以下の3つです。

• くら寿司 – ユニークなガチャガチャ「ビッくらポン！」で子供から大人まで楽しめる。
• スシロー – 全国展開で常に新メニューが豊富。
• はま寿司 – 毎日お得なキャンペーンが人気。

おすすめの楽しみ方

回転寿司は食事だけでなく、エンターテインメントとしても楽しめます。新しいネタを試したり、デザートを最後に味わったりすることで、より充実した体験になるでしょう。また、寿司以外にも天ぷらやうどん、ラーメンなどがあるので、日本の食文化を幅広く体験できます。

まとめ

回転寿司は、気軽に日本の食文化を体験できる素晴らしい場所です。観光の合間に立ち寄れば、きっと楽しい思い出のひとつになるでしょう。次回の日本旅行では、ぜひお近くの回転寿司店を訪れてみてください。