Family Friendly Restaurant Chains in Tokyo and throughout Japan

Restaurant chains – affordable, family-friendly and delicious

Restaurant chains offer a convenient and reliable option for both locals and travelers. They are ubiquitous in most major cities, near stations, inside department stores – just walking around you will probably notice them. Known for their affordable prices, family-friendly atmosphere, and delicious food, these restaurant chains cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences.

Ippudo (ramen)

 Ippudo is a globally renowned ramen chain that has become synonymous with delicious, authentic Japanese ramen. Founded in 1985 in Fukuoka, Japan, Ippudo has since expanded to over 80 locations worldwide, with branches in major cities like New York, London, and Singapore. Of course, you can find Ippudo (132 stores as of Feb. 2024) in most major areas of Japan. 
Ippudo’s signature dish is their rich and flavorful tonkotsu ramen, made with a creamy pork bone broth that has been simmered for hours to perfection and topped with tender slices of chashu pork, a marinated soft-boiled egg, and garnished with scallions and sesame seeds.

Ringer Hut (Nagasaki style Chinese noodles)

Ringer Hut (546 stores, as of Nov. 2023) is a renowned ramen restaurant chain that also originated in Fukuoka, Japan. With a rich history dating back to its founding in 1963, Ringer Hut has established itself as a popular destination for ramen lovers both in Japan and internationally. Its flagship location in Fukuoka continues to attract customers with its delicious and authentic dishes.
Ringer Hut is famous for its “Champon”, a type of ramen that features a mix of meat, seafood and vegetables in a savory broth. Personally, I recommend the “Sara-udon” which comes with crispy noodles topped with a thick soup of meat, seafood and vegetables. They serve a generous serving of vegetables on all their dishes so they’re quite healthy. Their grilled gyoza side dish (meat dumplings) is also very delicious.

Marugame Seimen & Hanamaru Udon (Japanese udon noodles)

Marugame Seimen (257 stores, including 8 overseas stores, as of Dec. 2023) is a popular traditional Japanese noodle shop known for its delicious and authentic udon dishes. With a history dating back to the early 1900s in Japan, Marugame Seimen has since expanded globally, with locations around the world. The restaurant prides itself on its commitment to serving high-quality udon made fresh daily.
Marugame Seimen offers a variety of udon dishes, including classic favorites like Kitsune Udon and Tempura Udon, all made with freshly prepared noodles and homemade broths, as well as freshly fried tempura. 

Hanamaru Udon (444 stores as of Feb. 2023) is another popular udon restaurant chain also known for its delicious, freshly made noodles and flavorful broth. The menu offers a variety of udon dishes, ranging from traditional favorites like tempura udon to modern twists like curry udon. 

Yoshinoya (beef bowl)

Yoshinoya has the motto “tasty, cheap and fast” and has served beef bowls for over 120 years. It’s a huge chain with more than 1,200 stores in Japan and 976 stores abroad (as of July 2023). They take pride in the fact that the beef bowl taste has remained the same in its 100-plus years of existence. Their beef bowl dish consists of beef and onions simmered in sauce, over rice and red ginger. They’ve expanded their menu to include dishes such as “Una-jyu” (eel bowl).

The place is always crowded with office workers, predominantly male, who find the “cheap, tasty and fast” beef bowl perfect for breakfast (at a discounted price), lunch or dinner. Of course, you don’t have to be an office worker or male to go in. They only have counter seats targeting customers who come in alone, and you’re expected to eat quickly and go. It’s not recommended for families with small children.

Gyu Katsu Kyoto Katsugyu (beef cutlet)

Gyu Katsu Kyoto Katsugyu has its roots in the historic city of Kyoto, Japan, and it operates in multiple locations throughout Japan and five foreign countries (more than 50 stores in Japan, 15 stores overseas, as of Dec. 2022). It is a popular beef cutlet restaurant. Known for its succulent and tender cuts of premium Kyoto beef which they serve lightly fried outside and rare inside. At the table, you can cook the meat to your taste – rare, medium rare, medium, well done, whatever you want – on hot stones. High-quality beef – irresistible for meat lovers!

Negishi (beef tongue)

Negishi (beef tongue restaurant) is renowned for its excellent beef tongue dishes. Their stores are concentrated in the Kanto region. The menu at Negishi offers a diverse range of dishes that showcase the exquisite flavors of their premium cuts of beef tongue and various other parts charcoal-grilled in front of you. The set menu comes with your choice of meat, barley rice and grated Japanese yam, tail soup and pickles. It’s healthy and delicious!

Kaiten Sushi (conveyor belt sushi)

Conveyor belt sushi restaurants, also known as kaiten sushi in Japanese, have become a staple in Tokyo’s dining scene. Originating in Japan in the 1950s, these innovative restaurants offer a fast and convenient way to enjoy delicious sushi at an affordable price. 
Located throughout Japan, these sushi restaurants can be found in bustling neighborhoods all over Japan. They feature a rotating belt that circulates various plates of sushi around the dining area, allowing customers to simply grab what they like. Some restaurants have changed their system to having the dish stop at your seat after you place your order. Some have Shinkansen train carrying the sushi plates to the delight of the little ones! 
The menu at kaiten sushi restaurants typically includes a variety of nigiri sushi, sashimi, and maki rolls, all freshly made by skilled chefs or sometimes robots, behind the counter. In addition to traditional options like tuna, salmon, and shrimp, diners can also find more creative offerings like tempura rolls, grilled eel, and even non-sushi food like ramen, french fries and dessert.

Top 3 kaiten sushi restaurants based on number of stores (as of July 2023):

• Sushiro 640 stores
• Hama Sushi 581stores
• Kura Sushi. 542 stores

Of course, there are many other excellent kaiten sushi restaurants – try a restaurant near you. You’ll definitely come across one all over Japan!

Coco Ichibanya Curry House

For curry aficionados, Coco Ichibanya Curry House is the place to go! This Japanese-style curry chain has more than 1,247 stores in Japan, 208 stores overseas (as of Feb. 2023). One of the best things about this restaurant is that you can order to suit your taste and appetite. First, select from 6 different types of curry sauce: pork curry, mild pork curry, beef curry, vegetarian curry, hashed beef curry. Then select the rice portion from 150g to 350g and more if you want. Finally, choose the spice level ranging from mild Level 1 to very spicy Level 20. I cannot imagine anyone choosing Level 20! In addition, for an additional fee you can add toppings to your curry such as pork cutlets, sausages, scrambled eggs, cream croquettes and eggplants. So many choices! But you’ll get the best combination to suit your taste.

Tenya (tempura)

Tenya is a popular chain of casual dining restaurants in Japan known for its affordable, delicious tempura dishes. For a reasonable price, you can savor the crispy, golden tempura at Tenya for a fraction of the price you would pay at a traditional, upscale tempura restaurant. Located primarily in major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, Tenya can be found in over 300 locations throughout Japan, making it easily accessible to locals and tourists alike. 
The menu at Tenya offers a wide variety of tempura options, including shrimp, vegetables, and seasonal ingredients. 

Tsubame Grill (grilled hamburger steak)

If you find yourself craving a delicious hamburger in Japan, go to Tsubame Grill. The restaurant chain’s 26 stores can be found only in Tokyo and Yokohama. With a rich history dating back to its establishment in Tokyo, this iconic restaurant has become a must-visit destination for burger lovers across the country. The menu features a mouth-watering selection of gourmet burgers, made with the finest ingredients without additives or chemical seasonings, and cooked to perfection on a wood-fired grill. 

Family Restaurants

Family restaurants in Japan, located all over Japan, are a unique blend of traditional Japanese cuisine and international dishes that cater to the needs of all family members. With a rich history dating back to the post-World War II era, these restaurants have become a staple in Japanese dining culture. They offer a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for diners to enjoy a casual meal with friends and family.  

The menu at these restaurants is vast and diverse, offering everything from classic Japanese dishes like ramen, sushi, tonkatsu and curry rice, to Western favorites such as hamburgers and pasta. Additionally, they offer a variety of desserts and drinks to complete your dining experience. The menu is diverse, with special dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is something for everyone at all times of the day. These family restaurants in Japan are the perfect place to dine out at reasonable prices with your loved ones. 

There are several family restaurant chains, but recommended are Royal Host and Denny’s.

Casual Italian dining – Saizeriya & Spajiro

Saizeriya is a popular chain of casual dining restaurants in Japan known for its affordable and delicious Italian cuisine. With a rich history dating back to its founding in 1967, Saizeriya has since grown to over 1,500 locations throughout Japan. 
Saizeriya offers a cozy and inviting atmosphere for diners to enjoy a wide range of Italian dishes at budget-friendly prices. From pasta and pizza to salads and desserts, the menu at Saizeriya boasts a diverse selection of classic Italian favorites prepared with fresh and high-quality ingredients.

Spajiro is a pasta restaurant that runs on a much smaller scale than Saizeriya (30 stores as of Jan. 2023) but it offers a unique fusion of Italian and Japanese cuisines. The menu boasts a variety of innovative pasta dishes, blending traditional Italian flavors with distinct Japanese ingredients and cooking techniques, from creamy wasabi carbonara to savory miso-infused bolognese, 

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