Booking a restaurant in Japan with TableCheck
Checked against 12 official sources, most recently on . 9 minute read.
What to know first
Your TableCheck booking is confirmed when you get the confirmation email or SMS, not when your card shows a charge. Check which of three types you booked. Pay at Venue needs no card. Credit Card Required to Reserve registers your card, which is charged only under the restaurant's cancellation policy. Pay Now prepays the course. Late-cancellation fees are set by each restaurant: KITCHEN in Niseko charges 100% within 24 hours, and Ramen Hisui in Tokyo charges ¥2,000 per person. You still pay for the meal itself at the restaurant unless you chose Pay Now.
Conditions to check
- Identify the booking type in your confirmation: Pay at Venue, Credit Card Required to Reserve, or Pay Now.
- Check the restaurant's cancellation deadline and fees; the card issuer's hold-release or refund timing is a separate matter.
- Cards accepted
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club and JCBSome venues exclude brands
- Refunds
- Usually one to two weeks to reach your card companyAfter the restaurant processes them; can take longer
- Example fee (Ramen Hisui)
- ¥2,000 per person for a late cancellation or no-showPlus a ¥390 per person non-refundable booking fee
Official link. We earn nothing from it.
On this page
Your booking type, and what to do
| Your situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Pay at Venue | Nothing appears on your card. Pay the full bill at the restaurant, and cancel through your confirmation if plans change. |
| Credit Card Required to Reserve, on a credit card | Your card is registered for the restaurant's cancellation policy. A small temporary verification charge is not a reservation payment; pay the bill on the day. |
| Credit Card Required to Reserve, on a debit or prepaid card | For an existing debit or prepaid transaction, refund timing depends on the card issuer. Ask the issuer about the specific entry. |
| Pay Now | The course is prepaid. Read the cancellation lines before you book. |
| You can't make it | Cancel through your confirmation message or account before the deadline; not showing up doesn't cancel. Fees are set by each restaurant: KITCHEN in Niseko charges 100% within 24 hours, and Ramen Hisui ¥2,000 per person. |
| No confirmation email arrived | Check your booking status or contact the restaurant. Don't make a second booking to test it. |
Sources for this section: TableCheck: debit and prepaid card precautions · TableCheck: what "Credit Card Required to Reserve" means · TableCheck: "Pay at Venue" or "Pay Now"
The answer changes with the booking type and the card: Pay at Venue takes no card, Credit Card Required may show a pending amount on a credit card but an actual withdrawal on a debit or prepaid card, and Pay Now is a real prepayment.
Check three distinct items before assuming dinner is confirmed
Check the reservation confirmation, the associated card transaction, and the restaurant’s change/cancellation rules separately. An account charge or a released pre-authorization hold alone does not by itself show whether your booking is active or canceled.
This guide helps you navigate the existing TableCheck reservation process. It is not an endorsement of any restaurant, a guarantee of refunds, or personalized financial advice. Terms and conditions are determined solely by the respective restaurant and your card issuer.
Sources for this section: TableCheck: debit and prepaid card precautions · TableCheck: checking a reservation
What the line on your card statement means
Pay at Venue: you'll see nothing on your card, because no card was needed. Pay the full bill at the restaurant.
TableCheck says pre-authorisation for new reservations has been discontinued; your card issuer may place a small temporary charge to verify the card, which is refunded shortly and is not a payment for your reservation.
For an existing Credit Card Required to Reserve transaction on a debit or prepaid card, an earlier authorisation may have caused an immediate withdrawal. Confirm the specific transaction with the card issuer and keep it separate from the meal bill; do not assume every new reservation creates such a withdrawal.
Pay Now (advance purchase): a charge for the course. Pay only for extras, such as drinks and add-ons, at the restaurant.
Any type, after a late cancellation or no-show: a charge from the restaurant for its cancellation fee. Check it against the cancellation lines in your confirmation.
Any type, after you cancelled in time: a refund line, or nothing yet. Refunds usually take one to two weeks to reach your card company after the restaurant processes them; it may take several months to appear in your account. First confirm with the restaurant that the refund was processed, then contact the card issuer.
Sources for this section: TableCheck: debit and prepaid card precautions · TableCheck: what "Credit Card Required to Reserve" means · TableCheck: "Pay at Venue" or "Pay Now" · TableCheck: when will my charged money be refunded? · TableCheck: a charge has already been made
Your confirmation shows the exact course and party size
Your reservation details are on the booking confirmation screen and in the confirmation email; SMS updates depend on your chosen notification settings. The My Page account view may not list guest or unlinked bookings, so an empty page does not confirm that no reservation exists. Please verify your venue, date, time, party size, and course directly on your active booking record.
Open the reservation details from your confirmation email or SMS to see the payment method and amount.
A search result or unfinished booking screen is not a confirmed reservation. If you haven't received a confirmation email, check your booking status officially or contact the restaurant—don't make another reservation just to test it.
Child policies and dining requirements depend on the individual restaurant and meal service, rather than the general TableCheck party-size field. For instance, Ramen Hisui's booking page notes that every child needing a seat must be included in the reservation count, and each guest must order one noodle dish (no children's menu is offered). In Niseko, KITCHEN lists Winter 2026/27 Omakase at ¥27,500 per person for 18:00–20:00 seatings. Its venue message gives 1 December 2026–3 April 2027, while the course selector extends to 11 April: confirm the date shown for your booking. The general child policy recommends ages 10 or older and requires the same menu as adults; the stricter under-10 exclusion and children’s Sunday-lunch option belong to the summer course. Do not apply those summer-specific rules to a winter reservation. These represent specific restaurant and dining rules, not permanent offerings or platform-wide TableCheck policies.
Sources for this section: TableCheck: checking a reservation · TableCheck: duplicate reservations · Ramen Hisui: current reservation and arrival instructions · KITCHEN Niseko: Winter 2026/27 Omakase and cancellation conditions · TableCheck: checking reservation payment details
Separate current reservations from an existing card hold
TableCheck says pre-authorisation for new reservations has been discontinued; your card issuer may place a small temporary charge to verify the card, which is refunded shortly and is not a payment for your reservation. For an existing debit or prepaid transaction, an earlier authorisation may have caused an immediate withdrawal. Ask the card issuer about the specific transaction; release does not itself cancel the reservation or settle the meal bill.
For a travel budget, keep the meal cost and temporary payment exposure separate. Do not count a deposit as definitely refundable cash available by the next hotel payment. Ask the issuer about the specific transaction when the statement is unclear; do not publish account details in a general travel question.
Sources for this section: TableCheck: debit and prepaid card precautions
Do not assume an outdated re-authorization timeline still applies as the current rule
TableCheck’s debit-card help article says re-authorisation, which used to repeat every 40 days, stopped on 23 July 2026. That date concerns re-authorisation, not the discontinuation date for pre-authorisation on new reservations. Earlier re-authorisation instructions are legacy context, not a current renewal or refund schedule for every reservation.
If you see another hold or what looks like a duplicate charge, check your actual booking first, then reach out to your card issuer or the restaurant through their official channels. Do not rely on generic timelines to estimate a refund, or assume a failed payment means your reservation was cancelled. Treat it as an open transaction question until you receive confirmation from the responsible parties.
Sources for this section: TableCheck: debit and prepaid card precautions
Cancellation requires an active step, and policies vary by venue
TableCheck allows cancellation via your confirmation message or account, noting fees may apply under the venue’s policy. If online cancellation is unavailable, guidance advises contacting the restaurant directly; simply not showing up does not cancel the reservation.
Review the relevant cancellation deadline, time zone, party size policy, and prepaid course rules before booking. Retain proof of your completed cancellation for your own records. Submitting a change, sending an inquiry, and receiving a confirmed cancellation are three distinct statuses.
Sources for this section: TableCheck: cancelling a reservation · TableCheck: duplicate reservations
Use the venue's arrival procedure and avoid duplicate bookings
Arrival, reception and fees can also be venue-specific. Ramen Hisui's booking page tells reserved guests not to line up and instead to show staff the reservation confirmation email. It warns that a reservation may be cancelled when arrival is 10 minutes after the reserved time. The checked listing states a ¥390 per-person non-refundable booking fee and a ¥2,000 per-person late-cancellation or no-show fee. These are Ramen Hisui’s listed terms, not platform-wide TableCheck fees. Do not assume every TableCheck venue uses the same reception point, proof, grace period or fees.
TableCheck advises contacting the restaurant right away about any booking you won't use. If you missed a confirmation or find the account screen confusing, verify your existing reservation instead of making duplicate bookings for the same time.
Keep all restaurant details and next steps in one place. If your flight or train is delayed, review your reservation policy directly—transport issues won't automatically waive cancellation fees or change the restaurant’s rules.
Sources for this section: Ramen Hisui: current reservation and arrival instructions · TableCheck: duplicate reservations
Keep notes on the booking policy, not sensitive payment records
Keep trip notes simple—such as noting card-hold policies or cancellation deadlines. Store card numbers, confirmation links, and billing details only in secure official channels.
When details change, return to the current restaurant record before relying on an earlier policy note.
Worked examples from two real listings
Example 1: KITCHEN, Niseko, two people, Winter Omakase, "Credit card required to reserve". The course costs ¥27,500 per person, tax included (1 December 2026 to 3 April 2027, seatings 18:00–20:00). You book 15 February 2027 at 18:30.
Bookings open at 10:00 Japan time on the 1st of the month, three months ahead. For February dates that's 1 November 2026 at 10:00 JST: 01:00 in London and 02:00 in Paris and Berlin (European clocks change on 25 October).
The cancellation policy for six or fewer is 100% within 24 hours of the booking. The fee goes on the registered card, and the venue says illness and accidents aren't exempt. Cancel on 14 February at 17:00 (25½ hours before): ¥0. Cancel on 14 February at 20:00 (22½ hours before): 2 × ¥27,500 = ¥55,000. Drop from two people to one on 15 February: the fee applies to the reduction, so ¥27,500.
Arrive at 18:55 and the venue says bookings "may be treated as canceled" after 20 minutes, so treat 18:50 as your real deadline. For its 17:30 Early Bird menu, the venue advises against booking on your arrival day: that table must be vacated by 19:00, and travel delays could cut your meal short.
Example 2: Ramen Hisui, two people, "Regular reception". The booking fee is ¥390 per person, non-refundable for any reason: ¥780.
No-show: Ramen Hisui lists ¥2,000 per person, in addition to the non-refundable ¥390-per-person booking fee, so two people would pay ¥4,780 in total. Its cancellation wording says "24 hours prior" but does not explicitly say "within"; confirm the exact cancellation cutoff with the venue before relying on a late-cancellation calculation.
You can't change the date, time or party size: you have to cancel and rebook, which costs another ¥780 in booking fees. On arrival, don't queue; show the confirmation email. Arriving 10 minutes late may cancel the booking. The venue says reservations aren't required and same-day bookings are accepted, so if it's sold out, walk in.
Figures are from the two TableCheck venue pages; the time-zone conversion and arithmetic are ours.
Sources for this section: KITCHEN Niseko: Winter 2026/27 Omakase and cancellation conditions · Ramen Hisui: current reservation and arrival instructions
Key facts and check dates
Cards TableCheck accepts: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club and JCB (some venues exclude brands).
TableCheck says pre-authorisation for new reservations has been discontinued; your card issuer may place a small temporary charge to verify the card, which is refunded shortly and is not a payment for your reservation.
Re-authorisation every 40 days: ended on 23 July 2026.
Refunds usually take one to two weeks to reach your card company after the restaurant processes them; it may take several months to appear in your account.
KITCHEN (Niseko) Winter Omakase: ¥27,500 tax included; 100% fee within 24 hours for six or fewer; 50% within 7 days for seven or more; bookings open 10:00 JST on the 1st, three months ahead.
Ramen Hisui: ¥390 per person non-refundable booking fee; ¥2,000 per person for a late cancellation or no-show; a 10-minute lateness limit.
We checked these pages, including TableCheck's "How to check your reservation" article, on 11 October 2026. Check again by 23 October 2026.
Sources for this section: TableCheck: acceptable credit cards · TableCheck: debit and prepaid card precautions · TableCheck: what "Credit Card Required to Reserve" means · TableCheck: when will my charged money be refunded? · KITCHEN Niseko: Winter 2026/27 Omakase and cancellation conditions · Ramen Hisui: current reservation and arrival instructions
Your next step
1. Open the confirmation email and note three things: the payment type (Pay at Venue, Credit Card Required or Pay Now), the cancellation lines (percentage and hours), and the late-arrival limit.
2. Convert the cancellation deadline to your time zone and set a reminder a few hours before it.
3. If plans change, cancel from the email's confirmation page (Cancel, then a reason, then confirm). If there's no Cancel button, contact the restaurant using the details on the booking page, and keep the cancellation email.
Sources for this section: TableCheck: cancelling a reservation
TableCheck card hold vs actual charge: what the booking amount means
Is the TableCheck card amount a hold or an actual charge?
On a credit card, a 'Credit Card Required to Reserve' amount is a hold, not a payment; TableCheck says 'payment has not been completed'. On a debit or prepaid card, the same amount is actually withdrawn and refunded later. Only 'Pay Now' bookings are a real prepayment. Either way, unless you chose Pay Now, you pay for the meal at the restaurant.
Can I use a foreign credit card for a TableCheck reservation?
Usually, yes. TableCheck accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club and JCB, though some restaurants don't take every brand. Use a credit card, not a debit or prepaid card: TableCheck advises against them because the amount is withdrawn immediately. If your bank's 3-D Secure check fails, TableCheck has a help article on fixing it. Bring a second card for the bill on the day.
What happens if I cancel or do not show for a TableCheck booking?
Cancel in time and you pay nothing, except non-refundable booking fees such as Ramen Hisui's ¥390 per person. Cancel late or don't show and the restaurant charges its fee to your card: for example, 100% of the course within 24 hours at KITCHEN, or ¥2,000 per person at Ramen Hisui. To cancel, tap Cancel in the confirmation email or SMS, or go to Bookings → Manage → Cancel Reservation in your TableCheck account. Wait for the cancellation confirmation.
Who should I contact if a TableCheck booking or charge looks wrong?
The restaurant first, for anything about your table, fees or a refund. TableCheck says it can't cancel for you if the Cancel button has gone. Once the restaurant has processed a refund, your card company or bank is the only one who can trace it, and only you as cardholder can ask. TableCheck says it usually takes 1–2 weeks to reach the card company. Don't make a second booking to 'test' the first.
Detailed problem guides
Official pages for this guide
The rules in this guide come from the official pages below. Japan, Booked. does not book or submit requests on your behalf.
- TableCheck: debit and prepaid card precautions
- TableCheck: checking a reservation
- TableCheck: cancelling a reservation
- TableCheck: duplicate reservations
- Ramen Hisui: current reservation and arrival instructions
- KITCHEN Niseko: Winter 2026/27 Omakase and cancellation conditions
- TableCheck: acceptable credit cards
- TableCheck: what "Credit Card Required to Reserve" means
- TableCheck: "Pay at Venue" or "Pay Now"
- TableCheck: a charge has already been made
- TableCheck: when will my charged money be refunded?
- TableCheck: checking reservation payment details
Read next
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- Hotel booking scam messages: how to spot fake "payment problem" messages before your Japan tripMessage says your Japan hotel card failed? Check in the platform's own app: Booking.com won't ask for card details by message. If you've paid, act now.
Sources and how this guide was checked
Published · Based on official sources · no affiliate links
Official sources
These official sources explain the rules and conditions used in this guide. Live availability and your own booking, admission or service outcome still need to be confirmed for your trip.
- TableCheck: debit and prepaid card precautions
What this confirms: Pre-authorisation for new reservations has been discontinued without a stated discontinuation date. Re-authorisation separately ended on 23 July 2026. Existing debit/prepaid transactions can affect available funds; release does not cancel the reservation or settle a pay-at-restaurant meal, and issuer-specific release/refund timing still needs checking.
Last checked - TableCheck: checking a reservation
What this confirms: TableCheck points diners to the completion page and confirmation email, with SMS dependent on notification choice. My Page may omit guest or unlinked bookings; an empty account view alone does not by itself show no reservation.
Last checked - TableCheck: cancelling a reservation
What this confirms: TableCheck requires an actual cancellation action through the permitted channel and applies restaurant-specific fees; a message, intended change and completed cancellation are distinct.
Last checked - TableCheck: duplicate reservations
What this confirms: TableCheck advises diners to contact the venue directly regarding unwanted duplicate bookings; making another booking is not a standard solution.
Last checked - Ramen Hisui: current reservation and arrival instructions
What this confirms: Ramen Hisui's booking page requires one noodle dish per person, includes a child needing a seat in the reservation, offers no children's menu, and directs reserved guests to show the confirmation email without queueing. It charges a non-refundable booking fee of ¥390 per person and ¥2,000 per person for a late cancellation or no-show, may cancel a booking 10 minutes after the reserved time, does not allow changes to date, time or party size (cancel and rebook), and accepts same-day bookings. These are venue-specific observed conditions.
Last checked - KITCHEN Niseko: Winter 2026/27 Omakase and cancellation conditions
What this confirms: KITCHEN’s Winter 2026/27 Omakase is JPY 27,500 per person for 18:00–20:00 seatings. The venue message gives 1 December 2026–3 April 2027; the course selector shows through 11 April, so the displayed booking date needs confirmation. For groups of seven or more it states 50% within seven days and 100% within 24 hours; for six or fewer, 100% within 24 hours. The current general child policy recommends ages ten or older and the same menu as adults. The under-ten exclusion and children’s Sunday-lunch option are summer-specific; they do not by themselves show winter rules. The 19:00 table-vacating limit belongs to the Early Bird menu, not the Omakase menu. These are venue-specific conditions.
Last checked - TableCheck: acceptable credit cards
What this confirms: TableCheck accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club and JCB; some restaurants do not accept every brand.
Last checked - TableCheck: what "Credit Card Required to Reserve" means
What this confirms: Credit-card details secure the restaurant’s cancellation policy, not meal payment at booking. The issuer may place a small temporary verification charge that is refunded shortly.
Last checked - TableCheck: "Pay at Venue" or "Pay Now"
What this confirms: TableCheck distinguishes Pay at Venue bookings, paid at the restaurant, from Pay Now bookings, where the course is paid in advance.
Last checked - TableCheck: a charge has already been made
What this confirms: TableCheck says it cannot cancel a booking for you once the Cancel button is unavailable; the restaurant processes refunds, and only the cardholder can ask the card company to trace a refund.
Last checked - TableCheck: when will my charged money be refunded?
What this confirms: After restaurant processing, refund information usually takes one to two weeks to reach the card company or bank; the account refund may take several months. Ask the restaurant about processing, then the issuer about the account entry.
Last checked - TableCheck: checking reservation payment details
What this confirms: Open the reservation details from your confirmation email or SMS to see the payment method and amount.
Last checked
About this guide
Separate a TableCheck restaurant reservation from card holds, meal payment and cancellation. Each restaurant sets its own late-cancellation fee.
This guide can't give you a live quote, hold a booking, or tell you whether you personally qualify or whether something suits your trip.
How we checked this
Sources and limits of this guide
These dated notes clarify what is confirmed by official sources—and what you still need to verify yourself.
If columns are cut off, scroll sideways. Keyboard: focus the table, then use Left/Right Arrow keys.
| Question | What we found | Where it comes from | What this means for your trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| What does TableCheck: debit and prepaid card precautions establish? | Pre-authorisation for new reservations has been discontinued without a stated discontinuation date. Re-authorisation separately ended on 23 July 2026. Existing debit/prepaid transactions can affect available funds; release does not cancel the reservation or settle a pay-at-restaurant meal, and issuer-specific release/refund timing still needs checking. | TableCheck: debit and prepaid card precautions | This applies only to the scope stated. |
| What does TableCheck: checking a reservation establish? | TableCheck points diners to the completion page and confirmation email, with SMS dependent on notification choice. My Page may omit guest or unlinked bookings; an empty account view alone does not by itself show no reservation. | TableCheck: checking a reservation | This applies only to the scope stated. |
| What does TableCheck: cancelling a reservation determine? | TableCheck requires an actual cancellation action through the permitted channel and applies restaurant-specific fees; a message, intended change and completed cancellation are distinct. | TableCheck: cancelling a reservation | This applies only to the scope stated. |
| What does Ramen Hisui's current TableCheck reservation page state about children and party arrival? | For this exact venue, a child needing a seat must be included in the reservation, each person must order one noodle dish, no children's menu is offered, and reserved guests show staff the confirmation email without queueing. The page states its own late-arrival cancellation threshold and separates a non-refundable booking fee from a possible cancellation fee. | Ramen Hisui: current reservation and arrival instructions | Use these instructions only for this venue and booking context; another TableCheck restaurant can define children, ordering, arrival and lateness differently. |
| What does KITCHEN's current TableCheck booking page state regarding dinner policies for children? | KITCHEN’s current general policy recommends children aged ten or older who order the same menu as adults. Its summer dinner excludes under-tens and summer Sunday lunch has a separate children’s option. Those summer-specific terms do not by themselves show winter Omakase conditions or a TableCheck-wide rule. | KITCHEN: current dinner course options and child policies | do not assume a platform-wide children's rule from party-size fields or another restaurant's booking page; read the exact venue and meal conditions. |
| Does published guidance determine the outcome for your specific case? | No. The cited instructions establish specific facts, not a reservation, current capacity, completed transaction or personal suitability. | The TableCheck platform rules and venue-specific policy examples above. | Keep missing conditions still unconfirmed and ask the responsible party before committing. |
Based on official sources, linked below.
Guide updates Review overdue
When this guide was checked and what changed
- First published
- Last checked
- Check again by
- What we checked
- The credit-card-required and refund-timing help pages were checked on 16 October 2026. Venue terms and other records retain their individual dates. An existing debit transaction needs issuer confirmation; this guide does not guarantee the charge or refund date for a particular booking.
- Latest update
- : Removed the stale conflict between help articles, distinguished temporary verification charges from meal payment, and clarified refund timing.
The date above reflects when these checks were last run. If an individual source was rechecked later, you’ll see that date next to it below. Other copy edits are listed in the update history.
Who edits this guide
One editor looks after this guide
Japan, Booked. is run and edited from Japan. The same editor checks the Japanese and English sources, writes the traveller-facing guidance and keeps the correction history up to date.
What changed
Update history
- Partial article update
Removed the stale conflict between help articles, distinguished temporary verification charges from meal payment, and clarified refund timing.
- Scheduled recheck
Rechecked on 11 October 2026: the dated facts in this guide were compared with their primary sources (the per-source dates and the review date stay as they were until the source list is updated). Moved the 19:00 finish rule to KITCHEN's Early Bird menu, where the restaurant states it.
- Situation table
Added a “your situation, what to do” table, using only facts already in this guide. No facts were rechecked, so the review date is unchanged.
- Added booking types, fees and worked examples
Rewrote the opening around the three TableCheck booking types, added a card-statement chooser, two worked examples with real fees, key facts and a next step, updated KITCHEN to its winter course, and rechecked the TableCheck help articles and both venue pages on 8 October 2026.
- Primary official source check
Updated against TableCheck payment and booking policies and two restaurant listings; clarified guest booking access, meal-specific child dining rules, and fee breakdowns.
- Source-reviewed publication
Published an independently reviewed guide with dated primary sources, a clear scope and limitations, and links to help you plan your next steps.
If an operator, organiser or product changes in a way that affects the guide, we check it again sooner. Reader reports help us spot what to investigate, and we verify them against current official information before publishing. Read our update and corrections policy. See every guide's review schedule. Suggest an improvement to this guide.