Japanese Restaurant Delivery Setup Checklist

Setting up delivery for your Japanese restaurant in Japan requires more than just signing up for a delivery platform. From business registration to payment processing with Japanese providers, this comprehensive checklist covers everything you need to get started.

1. Pre-Launch Requirements

Before you can list your restaurant on any delivery platform, ensure you have these essential documents and registrations in place:

• Business Registration (法人登記) — Your restaurant must be formally registered as a legal entity in Japan
• Food Safety Certification (食品衛生許可) — Required for any food business in Japan
• Delivery Partner Contracts — Establish accounts with Uber Eats Japan, Wolt, and Demae-can
• Business Bank Account — Required for receiving payments from delivery platforms

2. Platform Setup

Uber Eats Japan

Uber Eats is the largest delivery platform in Japan. Key setup requirements include:

• Submit business registration documents
• Provide food hygiene permit
• Set up menu with Japanese and English translations
• Upload high-quality food photography (white background preferred)
• Configure delivery radius and hours
• Install Uber Eats-specific tablet or use POS integration

Wolt Japan

Wolt has strong presence in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka:

• Business verification process (takes 5-7 business days)
• Menu photography guidelines (minimum 1200x1200px)
• Commission rate negotiation for high-volume restaurants
• Wolt Pro program eligibility

Demae-can

Japan's original delivery platform, popular with older demographics:

• Traditional Japanese menu format preferred
• Cash on delivery option available (unique in Japan)
• Strong in residential areas
• Setup in Japanese required

3. Technology Integration

Managing multiple delivery platforms from one system is essential for profitability:

• POS Integration — Connect your POS directly to delivery platforms for automatic order routing
• Kitchen Display System (KDS) — Display orders from all platforms on kitchen screens
• Printer Setup — Configure receipt printers for each platform (separate roll paper often required)
• Tablet Management — Designate tablets for delivery platform management
• Order Aggregation — Use a single system to manage orders from all platforms

4. Payment & Operations

Payment Processing

Japan has unique payment requirements:

• PayPay — Japan's largest QR code payment (owned by SoftBank)
• Rakuten Pay — Second largest, integrated with Rakuten ecosystem
• Credit Card Processing — JCB, Visa, Mastercard acceptance required
• Cash on Delivery — Offered by Demae-can for customers without digital payment

Delivery Fee Structure

Japan-specific considerations:

• Platform commission: 18-25% per order
• Delivery fee pass-through to customer (typically ¥150-350)
• Peak hour surge pricing during lunch (11:30-13:30) and dinner (18:00-21:00)
• Minimum order requirements to reduce small-order losses

Rush Hour Management

• Configure maximum concurrent orders to maintain quality
• Set prep time buffers during peak hours
• Manage delivery radius based on kitchen capacity
• Consider dedicated delivery staff vs. platform drivers

5. Marketing & Compliance

Japanese Review Platforms

Critical for building trust:

• Tabelog — Most influential restaurant review site in Japan
• Google My Business — Important for discovery and maps
• Retty — Growing social restaurant review platform

Food Labeling Compliance

Japan has strict food labeling laws:

• Allergen declaration required
• Ingredient list in Japanese
• Nutritional information (optional but recommended)
• Country of origin labeling

Marketing Budget

Recommended allocation for Japan market:

• Platform promotion fees: ¥30,000-50,000/month
• Social media (Instagram): ¥20,000/month
• Review response and management: ¥10,000/month

6. Quick Setup Timeline

Phase	Timeline	Key Actions
Week 1-2	Document Preparation	Gather business registrations, food safety permits
Week 2-3	Platform Applications	Apply to Uber Eats, Wolt, Demae-can
Week 3-4	Technical Setup	POS integration, KDS, printers
Week 4-5	Menu & Photography	Photo shoot, menu translation, platform input
Week 5-6	Testing	Soft launch, test orders, staff training
Week 6+	Full Launch	Go live with all platforms, monitor metrics

Summary

Setting up delivery for your Japanese restaurant in Japan is a multi-step process that requires attention to local regulations, payment systems, and platform-specific requirements. By following this checklist, you can ensure a smooth launch and set up efficient operations from day one.

Need help managing all these delivery platforms from one system? Contact Klikit for a demo of our order aggregation solution designed for Japanese restaurants.