Japan Conveyor Belt Sushi: 3 Mistakes Tourists Make
At a conveyor belt sushi restaurant, never put a plate back on the lane, don't lean on the lane or put anything on it, and order what you want on the touch screen instead of waiting for it to pass. When you finish, stack your empty plates at your seat.
The 18-second video, with Hako. Open on YouTube
The 4 things to know
Never put a plate back on the belt
Sushiro's official English guide says not to leave or return a plate onto the lane. If you pick it up, it is yours.
Don't lean on the belt or put anything on it
Sushiro's guide also says not to lean on the lane and not to put anything on it, so keep your phone and bag off it.
Order on the screen instead of waiting
You can choose a language and order on the touch screen. The dish then arrives on your personal lane or in a personal cup, so you don't have to wait for it to pass by.
Stack your empty plates at your seat
Stack the empty plates at your seat. At Sushiro the bill is counted from the plates and paid at the touch screen, while at other shops you pay at the register by the exit.
Quick answers
Is it okay to take a plate and then change my mind?
No. Don't leave or return a plate onto the lane. Other conveyor-belt shops follow the same basic norms, though details differ by shop.
How do I pay at a conveyor belt sushi shop?
At Sushiro, the bill is counted from your stacked plates and paid at the touch screen. At other shops you pay at the register by the exit.
What is Kura Sushi like?
Kura Sushi's first-time guide describes a check-in kiosk, ordering by smartphone QR code or touch panel, and a self-checkout where a camera counts your plates. Store and equipment details vary.
Read the video transcript
Conveyor belt sushi in Japan? Don't make these three mistakes.
One. Never put a plate back on the belt.
Two. Don't lean on the belt, or put anything on it.
Three. Don't wait for the dish you want. Order it on the screen.
Then stack your empty plates at your seat.
Sources & how we checked
The tips on this page were checked against these official pages:
- akindo-sushiro.co.jpSushiro: How to Enjoy SUSHIRO
- japan-guide.comJapan Guide: Kaitenzushi (updated 2025-06-01)
- japan.travelJNTO: Kaiten sushi
- kurasushi.co.jpKura Sushi: first-time guide
- Updated
- Video
- 18 seconds, made by Ready in Japan
- Good to know
- Rules can vary by place. Follow local signs and staff.
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