More Restaurants, Clinics in Japan Offering System of Paying for Priority Entry
A growing number of restaurants and clinics have introduced a reserved ticketing system that allows customers to gain priority entry through paying an extra fee.
In Japan, an increasing number of restaurants and clinics are implementing a reserved ticketing system that allows customers to gain priority entry by paying an extra fee. This trend aligns with the growing social value placed on time efficiency, known as 'taipa' in Japanese. Such systems benefit both vendors and consumers by improving services while creating additional revenue for providers.
A notable example is Aidaya, a popular ramen shop in Tokyo's Taito Ward. The shop introduced a ticketing system called SuiSui, where customers pay a fee to skip the line. Prices vary by location and fluctuate based on usage, with a minimum ticket cost of ¥1,000. Customers can purchase tickets through a smartphone app and scan a QR code at the restaurant.
Hiroto Sakata, a civil servant who used the system, found it cost-effective and time-saving, allowing him to explore Asakusa more quickly. SuiSui's operator, Keiichiro Sato, the CEO of the company, conceptualized the system by adapting the already existing FastPass system from theme parks. The system has been adopted by approximately 100 restaurants nationwide, ranging from tonkatsu restaurants in Hokkaido to cafes in Kyoto and a steakhouse in Okinawa.
In the healthcare sector, Micin, Inc., a medical venture company, has provided a cashless payment service named curon Smartpass for outpatient clinics since 2022. This system enables patients to check in and pay via smartphones. Hozankai, a medical corporation, recently introduced the ticketing system at its clinics in Tokyo's Meguro and Toshima wards. Patients can receive priority treatment by paying an additional ¥500.
According to the Seiko Time White Paper 2026, 65.8% of respondents, aged 15 to 69, believe time efficiency is a social norm. The survey found that 32% of people have paid to save time, including 47.5% of respondents in their 20s.
Written by urgent.news from The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
