Fast Food & Grill · Practical guide
McDonald's
Teriyaki McBurger, Ebi Filet-O & Touchscreen Kiosks
Prices, ordering steps, payment details, and common mistakes — in one place.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Japanese name | マクドナルド (McDonald's) |
| Category | Dining / Fast Food Hamburger Chain & McCafé by Barista (McDonald's Japan Official Website) |
| Store Count | Approximately 3,000 stores across all 47 prefectures, dominating prime railway station exits, major airport terminals (Haneda, Narita, Kansai), and highway bypass corridors, operated by McDonald's Company (Japan), Ltd. (Store Locator) |
| Ordering Style | Fast-casual counter or automated self-order kiosk: order via multi-language digital touchscreen kiosks or front counter; receive printed order number; collect tray at the pickup counter; clear tray at self-service trash stations |
| Membership Required? | No membership or ID required (free McDonald's Japan smartphone app provides weekly coupons and mobile ordering); no reservations |
| Approximate Price Range | Daytime value sets ~¥500–¥900; evening dinner / Double Patty sets ~¥600–¥1,200; individual burgers ~¥170–¥550 (subject to periodic revision); Tax-Free not applicable (dining service / domestic consumption) |
| Payment Methods | Cash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, UnionPay with contactless NFC), Japanese transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA), electronic money (iD, QUICPay, WAON, nanaco, Rakuten Edy), and smartphone QR payments (PayPay, Rakuten Pay, d-Barai, au PAY, Alipay, WeChat Pay) |
| Multilingual Support | Self-order digital kiosks feature full English language switching; paper counter menus feature full English, Japanese, and visual photography; staff at metropolitan and airport stores are accustomed to international visitors |
What it is
McDonald's Japan (日本マクドナルド), affectionately called "Makku" (マック) in Eastern Japan and "Makudo" (マクド) in Kansai, is Japan's largest foodservice chain with roughly 3,000 locations nationwide. Opening its historic first store in Ginza in 1971, McDonald's Japan has evolved far beyond its American origins to become a unique cultural institution. Famous for legendary Japan-exclusive culinary staples—including the sweet-savory Teriyaki McBurger, crispy panko-breaded Ebi Filet-O (Shrimp Burger), seasonal autumn Tsukimi Burger, and powdered seasoning chicken Shaka Chiki—it also provides an indispensable travel sanctuary. With free nationwide high-speed Wi-Fi, abundant counter seats with AC power and USB charging outlets, and clean restrooms, McDonald's Japan is an essential emergency recharge hub for international visitors.
How to order
- Choose Your Ordering Method:
- Self-Order Touchscreen Kiosk (Recommended for Tourists): Available at most urban and suburban branches. Tap the "English" language button on the main welcome screen to browse the entire menu with high-resolution photography, allergen warnings, and customization options.
- Front Counter: Step up to an open register. English photo menus are embedded under the counter glass or laminated for point-and-order convenience.
- Mobile Order via App: If you download the Japanese McDonald's app, you can order from your seat (Table Delivery) or on your way to the store.
- Select Your Burger & Set Meal:
- Order a single item (Tanpin) or upgrade to a Value Set (バリューセット), which includes a Medium French Fries (or salad/nuggets) and a Medium drink.
- Value Lunch (ひるまック - Hiru-Makku): Available weekdays from 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM, offering steep discounts on classic set meals.
- Yoru-Makku (夜マック - Evening Doubles): Available daily from 5:00 PM, allowing you to double the meat patties on standard burgers for just +¥100 to +¥200!
- Checkout: Pay via credit card contactless tap, Suica/PASMO, QR code apps, or cash. Collect your printed receipt displaying your large order call number (e.g., #524).
- Pickup at the Counter: Look at the overhead digital call monitors above the counter. When your number moves from "Preparing" to "Now Serving" (Yobidashi-chu), present your ticket to receive your tray.
- Dine-In & Clean Up: Find a seat. When finished, take your tray to the waste station: pour remaining liquids/ice into the designated drain sink, dispose of paper wrappers into the burnable chute, and stack your plastic tray on top.
What to order first
- Teriyaki McBurger (てりやきマックバーガー): The undisputed king of Japan-exclusive burgers. Juicy pork patty coated in sweet, sticky ginger-garlic teriyaki glaze, crisp shredded lettuce, and creamy lemon mayonnaise inside a toasted sesame bun (~¥400 single, ~¥700 set).
- Ebi Filet-O (えびフィレオ): Plump, whole wild-caught shrimp packed into a crispy panko-breaded patty, topped with crunchy shredded cabbage and tangy thousand-island tartar sauce (~¥430 single, ~¥730 set).
- Shaka Chiki (シャカチキ - Red Pepper or Cheddar Cheese): Deep-fried crispy boneless chicken breast fillet served in a paper shaker bag with a packet of seasoning powder. Pour the spice powder inside, fold the bag, shake vigorously, and tear along the center perforated line! (~¥190).
- Seasonal Special Burgers (Tsukimi, Gracoro, Tatsuta): If visiting in autumn, try the egg-topped Tsukimi Burger; in winter, the creamy macaroni croquette Gracoro; in spring, the ginger-soy marinated fried chicken Chicken Tatsuta.
- Morning McMuffin Sets (朝マック - 5:00 AM to 10:30 AM): Mega Muffin or Sausage Egg McMuffin served with crispy golden hash browns and hot drip coffee.
Payment & practical info
Prices and details checked: October 2026.
- Accepted Payment Methods: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, UnionPay (all with contactless NFC tap), Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, iD, QUICPay, WAON, nanaco, Rakuten Edy, PayPay, Rakuten Pay, d-Barai, au PAY, Alipay, WeChat Pay, and cash.
- Tax-Free Status: Not eligible for tax-free shopping (免税対象外). Fast food and restaurant dining are legally classified as domestic service consumption under Japanese tax laws; tax-free export exemption does not apply.
- Hours: Major railway station and downtown entertainment stores operate 24 hours a day; standard urban stores operate from 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM until 11:00 PM.
- Amenities: Free high-speed Wi-Fi (00_MCD-FREE-WIFI - simple click-to-connect portal without complex logins) and individual counter seating with dedicated Japanese 100V AC and USB charging ports.
Good to know / Common mistakes
- Eat-In vs. Takeout Tax Rules: Japanese tax law levies 10% consumption tax for dining inside the restaurant (Ten-nai de) and 8% reduced tax for takeout (O-mochikaeri). Cashiers or kiosk screens will ask you to select your dining mode before payment.
- Drink Customizations: You can request iced drinks with "No Ice" (Koori-nashi) to get more beverage volume without diluting flavors. Hot and iced green tea (Sokenbicha) and Minute Maid Qoo white grape juice are unique Japanese options.
- Late-Night Drive-Thru Only: Some 24-hour suburban locations close their dining room lobbies between 24:00 (Midnight) and 6:00 AM, operating drive-thru or counter takeout windows only.
FAQ
- Q: Does McDonald's Japan have vegetarian or vegan burgers?
- A: Generally no. Unlike European McDonald's, Japanese locations do not currently carry plant-based burger patties. However, French fries, hash browns, side salads, apple pies, and McFlurry desserts are meat-free.
- Q: Can I use foreign credit cards on the self-order kiosks?
- A: Yes, international Visa, Mastercard, and JCB cards with contactless NFC chips or PIN verification work seamlessly on all kiosk terminals.
- Q: Are dipping sauces free with Chicken McNuggets?
- A: A 5-piece McNugget order includes one free dipping sauce (Barbecue or Master-blend Mustard, plus rotating seasonal Japanese sauces like Yuzu Pepper or Wasabi Mayo); extra sauce cups cost ¥40 each.
Sources
- McDonald's Japan Official Website (Verified: 2026-10-07)
- McDonald's Japan Store Search & Operating Hours (Verified: 2026-10-07)
- McDonald's Japan Official Menu & Pricing (Verified: 2026-10-07)