Tokyo restaurant bookings made easier

Tokyo, Japan – 7 December 2016
1Former Goldman Sachs trader Takashi Yamada, who worked at the Wall Street firm for 15 years, has started a company to help visitors book tables at some of the most sought-after restaurants in Japan. 1 began seating customers last month, Bloomberg reported.

Getting into Japan’s top eateries is no easy task, especially for those who don’t know the language. Many places are hard to find out about because they rely on word-of-mouth and are tucked away on backstreets, according to the Bloomberg report.

With few tables in small spaces, the most coveted among them fill up fast. Visitors who use hotel concierges to seek a reservation often find out that a place is locked up for months.

Tableall secures the reservations by paying the restaurant in advance for a set-menu feast, then charges customers 3,000 yen (US$26) per seat on top of the meal’s price. Diners incur charges if they cancel close to the booking date.

Tableall currently offers spots at 11 eateries in Tokyo and aims to add another 20 by the end of next year, including in the historic city of Kyoto, and in Hokkaido, where foreigners flock to ski resorts.

Long term, Yamada is looking to expand in a number of places, including Singapore, Hong Kong and Hawaii.