Top 4 Japan Food Delivery Apps: Choices for Expats & Locals

When living in Japan, there are times when going out to eat is too much of a hassle. That is why these Japan food delivery apps are here for you.

Today, we look at Japan’s top 4 food delivery apps for both expats and locals.

1. Uber Eats

Uber Eats is Japan's most dominant food delivery service, especially in Tokyo. With a large pool of delivery partners, it stands out for its convenience and reliability.

The app runs from 7 am to 2 am in all prefectures of Japan. However, you might have less access if you live in a more rural area. 

Despite its coverage and quick delivery, there can be additional charges, especially during peak hours. However, the app will display the additional cost, allowing you to decide whether to pay the extra. 

Uber Eats has plenty of ongoing promotions. You can click “Deals” in the app and find examples of “Save 750 yen when you spend 2000 yen.” Plus, they have an Eat Pass subscription for free delivery. 

What makes Uber Eats great is that you can order from small cafes or restaurants that don’t have their own delivery service. 

Plus, to help cut waste, you have to request utensils when ordering actively.

Key details:

• Coverage: Nationwide coverage in all 47 prefectures. Some cities and towns where it is not available

• Apps: Google Play and iOS

• Payment Options: Credit card, PayPay, Rakuten Pay, LINE Pay, Apple Pay, Cash on Delivery (COD)

• Delivery Charge: Varies by restaurant, with additional surcharges during busy periods

• Contactless Delivery: Yes

• Sustainability: Disposable items like cutlery and straws are not provided by default, helping to reduce waste

Uber Eats is perfect for fast, reliable delivery, with many famous restaurants, food delivery options, and extensive restaurant choices across Japan. Whether you're ordering breakfast or late-night dinner, it’s a top pick for expats and locals.

2. Wolt (DoorDash)

Wolt is a new and foreign delivery app in Japan from March 2020, starting from Hiroshima and expanding to major cities in Japan. 

After merging with DoorDash in 2022, Wolt’s services have grown larger, making it a key player in the Japan food delivery app.

What makes Wolt different from UberEats is their affordable delivery rates, as the delivery charges are based on your distance from the restaurant:

• 0.0km to 1.5km: 99 yen

• 1.5km to 2.5km: 199 yen

• 2.5km to 4.0km: 299 yen

There are also no service fees when you order more than 1,200 yen, compared to Uber Eats, which has a 10% service fee charge.

They offer food delivery in various regions in Japan, including Kanto, Tohoku, Hokkaido, some parts of Kansai, and southwestern prefectures of Japan.

Key Details:

• Coverage: Covers 24 Japanese prefectures, including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Fukuoka.

• Apps: Available on Android and iOS

• Payment Options: Credit card, Google Pay, Apple Pay, PayPay

• Delivery Charge: Varies based on distance, starting from ¥99 to ¥299

• Store minimum order amount: 1000 yen

• Contactless Delivery: Yes

• Discounts: Use the code 75ERTKE at signup or this link to get ¥300 off each of your first three orders.

For a little smoother, cost-effective food delivery experience, Wolt is a great choice in Japan, with affordable rates, a wide selection of restaurants, and an easy-to-use app interface.

3. 出前館 (Demaekan)

Demaekan is a Japanese food delivery app with over 20,000 restaurants. It includes popular chains such as Freshness Burger, Domino’s, KFC, CoCo Ichibanya, and local favorites.

Most restaurants have a minimum order of ¥2,000; you can check users’ ratings to help you decide where you want to order from.

What makes Demaekan a different food delivery app is that it operates around specific locations, such as a major train station, that extends to nearby neighborhoods. For example, the “Ueno” delivery zone can also cover Magome and Iidabashi nearby. 

Key Details:

• Coverage: All 47 prefectures from Hokkaido to Okinawa.

• Apps: Available on Android and iOS

• Payment Options: Cash on delivery, credit card, Amazon Pay, Apple Pay, LINE Pay, PayPay

• Delivery Charge: Set by each restaurant

• Minimum Order: Set by each restaurant

• Contactless Delivery: Yes

• Discounts: Visit Demaecan's discounts page for special offers and promotions.

Demaecan is a solid choice for food delivery, especially if you're looking for popular chain restaurants or reliable local options in Japanese.

4. Menu（メニュー）

Menu is a delivery and takeout food delivery app in Japan with over 100,000 restaurants, from well-known chain stores to local eateries.

What makes Menu different from other Japanese food delivery apps is its rank-based system, which rewards frequent users with higher ranks and unlocks more perks when you order.

Menu’s easy-to-navigate interface allows you to find your favorite restaurant with ease. 

Key details:

• Coverage: across all 47 prefectures in Japan

• Discounts: Offers frequent promotions and coupons through the app. 

• Apps: Available for both Android and iOS. 

• Payment options: Credit card, Apple Pay, PayPay, LINE Pay, Amazon Pay, and COD. 

• Delivery charge: Varies depending on the restaurant. Minimum order amount: Set by each restaurant. 

• Contactless delivery: Yes.

Menu is a great option for anyone in Japan looking for a smooth and rewarding food delivery experience with extensive restaurant listings.

Restaurant-branded delivery apps

If you know where you are ordering from, these apps are for you.

Pizza Hut Delivery

Pizza Hut is here when you are craving pizza.

Their app allows you to choose various pizza toppings and has ongoing deals. While the minimum order is about 1,400 yen, the overall prices vary between locations.

Key details

• Coverage: Anywhere there's a Pizza Hut location.

• Apps: Google Play and iOS

• Payment Options: Cash on delivery, credit card, various points-cards system, PayPay, cashless payment services.

• Delivery Charge: Free Delivery

• Minimum order amount: ¥1,400 (may vary)

• Contactless Delivery: Yes

Domino’s Pizza

They offer food delivery from when they open to when they close (9am to 1am).

Unlike Pizza, they do not have a minimum delivery order. Similarly, Domino has many discounts and deals for its users.

Key details:

• Coverage: Anywhere there's a Domino's near you

• Apps: Google Play and iOS

• Payment Options: Credit card and cash

• Delivery Charge: Free

• Minimum order amount: None

• Contactless Delivery: Yes

Frequently asked questions

Does Japan have food delivery services?

Yes, Japan has domestic and foreign food delivery services, including 出前館 Demaekan and Menu（メニュー), as well as UberEats and Wolt.  

Is Uber Eats in Japan?

There is Uber Eats in Japan. When you use the app in Japan, you can choose to order in Japanese or English, making it super accessible to Japanese and foreign expats living here. 

Can you use DoorDash in Japan?

Initially, you could use DoorDash in Japan; however, after merging with Wolt, DoorDash was discontinued in Japan. So, all DoorDash service users and delivery partners were transferred to Wolt.

What is the largest food delivery app in Japan?

Uber Eats, followed by Demaekan in Japan, is the most prominent delivery service.

In closing

There are other Japan food delivery apps to choose from, but these are the most popular services that people use in Japan. Whether it's a quick meal from a chain or at a local eatery, you'll receive your food with their convenient and reliable service.