Sushi · Practical guide
Kura Sushi Japan Guide for Tourists: Bikkura Pon, Capsule Toys & How to Order
Prices, ordering steps, payment details, and common mistakes — in one place.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Dining / Kaitenzushi (Conveyor Belt Sushi Chain) (Kura Sushi Official Website) |
| Store Count | Over 540 stores nationwide across all 47 prefectures, including global flagship stores in Asakusa, Harajuku, and Oshiage (Store Locator) |
| Ordering Style | Entrance kiosk check-in ticket; order via tabletop touchscreen tablet or smartphone QR code; pull plates from the patented "Mr. Fresh" antibacterial dome; drop empty plates into table chute to trigger "Bikkura Pon!" lottery games; pay at automated self-checkout machine (First Time at Kura Sushi Guide) |
| Membership Required? | No membership or ID required for walk-in dining (official app allows timed reservations) |
| Approximate Price Range | Plates starting from ¥115+ (pricing tiers vary by store location: ¥115, ¥125, ¥130, or ¥150 base plates tax-included; specialty plates priced higher, as of September 14, 2026; subject to revision) |
| Payment Methods | Varies by store; self-checkout kiosks accept cash, credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Diners, UnionPay), transit IC cards, and various QR code payment apps (PayPay, Rakuten Pay, d-barai, au PAY, LINE Pay, Merpay, Alipay, WeChat Pay) |
| Multilingual Support | Reception kiosks, tabletop tablets, and self-checkout machines support English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean (First Time at Kura Sushi Guide) |
What it is
Kura Sushi, operated by Kura Sushi, Inc. ("Muten Kura Sushi"), is one of Japan's leading conveyor belt sushi chains with over 540 locations across all 47 prefectures, famous for its additive-free food philosophy and high-tech entertainment dining. The restaurant features patented "Mr. Fresh" (Sendo-kun) protective covers that shield revolving sushi plates from airborne droplets, opening automatically when diners lift the plate edge. Every table is fitted with a plate disposal chute that automatically tallies your bill and triggers the beloved "Bikkura Pon!" digital animation game for every five plates inserted, awarding collectible capsule toys. With comprehensive multilingual touchscreens, smartphone ordering, and automated self-checkout, it offers a fun, stress-free dining adventure for families and international tourists.
How to order
Dining at Kura Sushi is an interactive, gamified dining experience:
- Check in at the entrance kiosk: Touch the reception kiosk monitor at the entrance to choose your language (English, Chinese, Korean, or Japanese). Enter your party size and seat preference (booth table or counter), then collect your printed seating slip displaying your table number.
- Find your booth and prepare green tea: Follow the overhead aisle signs to your table. Prepare hot green tea using the tabletop hot water tap and green tea powder canister. Grab soy sauce and chopsticks from the table compartment.
- Grab sushi from the belt using the "Mr. Fresh" dome trick: As sushi rotates past your seat, do not touch or pull the clear plastic dome. Instead, hold the front edge of the plate and tilt it slightly upward—the dome will automatically pop open, allowing you to slide the plate out effortlessly.
- Order specialty dishes on the tablet or phone: Switch the tabletop ordering tablet to English, or scan the table QR code to order directly from your smartphone. Custom orders, soups, ramen, and desserts will arrive on the high-speed express upper lane right at your table.
- Drop empty plates into the chute for "Bikkura Pon!": As you finish each sushi plate, slide it into the metallic plate return slot located at the side of your table. The system automatically tallies your bill, and for every five plates you insert, a "Bikkura Pon!" animated game plays on your screen—if you win, a capsule toy drops down from the overhead dispenser!
- Pay at the self-checkout register: When finished, tap "Check Out" on the tablet to confirm your bill. Take your seating slip to the automated self-checkout machine (serufu-reji) by the exit to scan and pay.
What to order first
All menu items below are verified on the Kura Sushi Official Website and the First-Timer's Guide:
- Fresh Salmon & Tuna Nigiri (Base Plates): Premium red meat tuna (Maguro), Atlantic salmon, and broiled salmon nigiri; base plates start from around ¥115 to ¥150 tax-included depending on store tier (as of September 14, 2026; subject to price adjustments).
- *Seared Cheese Salmon (Aburi Cheese Salmon)*: Lightly torched salmon topped with melted savory cheese and Japanese mayonnaise.
- Additive-Free Ramen & Miso Soups: Muten additive-free fish broth ramen bowls, clam miso soup, and chawanmushi (steamed savory egg custard) delivered in secure lidded bowls on the express lane.
- Tempura Nigiri & Crispy Sides: Made-to-order crispy prawn tempura nigiri and french fries.
- Desserts & Seasonal Sweets: Parfaits, Hokkaido milk soft-serve ice cream, and traditional Japanese sweets like warabimochi.
Payment & practical info
Checkout facilities and special flagship store features across Kura Sushi:
- Accepted Payment Methods: Self-checkout registers accept cash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, UnionPay), transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, etc.), and QR code payment apps (PayPay, Rakuten Pay, d-barai, au PAY, Alipay, WeChat Pay).
- Global Flagship Locations: Special multi-story flagship branches (including Asakusa ROX, Oshiage Skytree-mae, and Harajuku) feature stunning Edo-period Japanese festival (matsuri) aesthetics, lantern walls, and giant interactive shooting gallery games.
- Tax-Free Status: Not eligible for tax-free shopping. Restaurant dining services are classified as domestic consumption and are not eligible for duty-free exemptions.
- Wi-Fi & Power Outlets: Varies by store; customer Wi-Fi is available at select branches, while power outlets are generally not provided.
Good to know / Common mistakes
- Trying to pull or pry the "Mr. Fresh" dome open: Forcing the plastic dome by hand can jam the conveyor. Just lift the front edge of the plate upward, and the dome opens automatically.
- Putting ramen bowls or dessert cups into the plate chute: The metallic disposal slot is designed only for standard round sushi plates. Placing soup bowls, wooden platters, or plastic cups into the chute will cause blockages; leave non-plate dishes on the table for staff to collect.
- Leaving plates on the table instead of using the chute: If you stack plates on the table, you miss out on the Bikkura Pon capsule toy game! Insert them into the slot in sets of five.
- Tipping staff: Tipping is never accepted in Japan.
FAQ
Q1: How much does a meal at Kura Sushi cost? Most guests eat around 7 to 12 plates plus a side dish or dessert, resulting in an average cost of roughly ¥1,200 to ¥2,000 per person (based on plate prices starting from ¥115 as of September 14, 2026).
Q2: How does the Bikkura Pon capsule toy game work? Every time you insert 5 empty sushi plates into the tabletop return chute, an animated minigame automatically plays on the tablet screen. If the animation ends with "Atari" (Win), a collectible capsule toy drops down from the machine above your booth!
Q3: Can I pay with credit cards or transit IC cards? Yes, Kura Sushi's automated self-checkout registers accept major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, UnionPay), transit IC cards (Suica/PASMO), and mobile QR code apps like PayPay, Alipay, and WeChat Pay.
Sources
- Kura Sushi Official Website: https://www.kurasushi.co.jp/ (Verified: 2026-09-14)
- Kura Sushi Official Store Locator: https://shop.kurasushi.co.jp/ (Verified: 2026-09-14)
- Kura Sushi Official Beginner's Guide ("First Time at Kura Sushi"): https://www.kurasushi.co.jp/first_kura/ (Verified: 2026-09-14)