Hundreds of thousands of travelers visit Japan every spring to see its famous cherry blossoms. But in 2024, the sakura were fashionably late due to frequent temperature changes, leaving many stranded without somewhere to go because the main attraction was, well, not there.
You shouldn't let a couple of spoiled plans ruin the trip you've saved and waited for, which is why byFood is working closely with hosts and restaurants in Japan to offer more instant confirmations. Imagine this: Tomorrow's forecast says it'll rain cats and dogs — there go your plans to visit Shinjuku Gyoen. This temari sushi cooking class takes place in a beautiful flower-themed cafe in Shinjuku. And guess what? It accepts new guests instantly.
Finding food experiences or restaurants offering instant confirmation
byFood's 'Instant Confirmation' feature allows guests to instantly book a food experience or restaurant in Japan. There's no waiting for the host or restaurant to confirm your attendance — if you complete your checkout, block your calendar!
Find food tours, cooking classes, and dining experiences using our listing pages, or check if an experience offers instant confirmation when placing your request. You can use the same filter to find restaurants in Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka that offer instant confirmation.
When to use instant confirmation
Instant confirmations are always available, but they are especially handy when your plans don't go as expected. You might feel reassured to know this option exists in a couple of scenarios.
During tsuyu (Japan's rainy season) and typhoon season
Japan's rainy season is from early June to early July. During these weeks, expect rain every day and high humidity. Typhoon season, on the other hand, is roughly between the end of August and October.
Unsurprisingly, traveling to and around Japan during these periods is cheap. But it is tricky to plan when the weather is sure to be grey and unruly.
Cooking classes: These are timeless food experiences that combine learning, meeting new people, and eating your favorite food. With an experienced chef, you can pick up lifelong tips on cooking, preparing, and serving authentic Japanese dishes. On byFood, we offer cooking classes for ramen, sushi, and wagashi lovers!
Here are three of our favorite cooking classes:
- Private Tokyo Sushi-Making Class at 100-Year-Old Sushi Bar
- Amezaiku Candy Sculpting Workshop in Tokyo
- Ramen Noodle Making Experience in Kyoto
Tip: Bad weather also causes tour guides, even those who have their experiences on byFood, to cancel.
When there are irregular closings and cancellations
While most restaurants and cultural facilities in Japan are good about keeping on schedule, it's not uncommon for museums, restaurants, or other places to close unexpectedly. In these cases, it's nice to know you can count on instant confirmations to find a fun alternative and still enrich your trip to Japan.
Food tours: If you think that all food tours only involve eating and drinking, you're only partially correct. Food tours often include cultural stops and detours that will undoubtedly satisfy any traveler. It's also a sure way to explore like a resident — no frills or tourist traps!
Here are some food tours you can book:
- Tokyo's Tsukiji Market: Seafood, Japanese Knives, and Shrine
- Uncovering Uji: Premium Tea, Shrines & Spirituality in Kyoto
- UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakawa-go Half-Day Food Tour
Tour guides are experts at pivoting — even considering that some places close shop on what should be a regular business day, they know their area so well that they'll have a just-as-good backup spot.
If you're a traveler who prefers to leave their schedules open
Some of us like to travel without really planning too much ahead. Mood travelers wait until the very last minute to decide what they want to do that day or the next day. This feature makes food experiences accessible to even these free-spirited visitors.
Here are some restaurants you may not think can be confirmed instantly (but yes, they are):
Don't let a bad weather forecast or turn of events define your trip. byFood has dozens of experiences with instant confirmation available, rain or shine, for when you need a last-minute plan.
