In this post, I take a look at the top fast food chains in Japan.
We’ll learn:
- What types of food is “fast food” in Japan
- The 10 most popular fast food brands in Japan
- List of 100+ other fast food chains
Let’s get started!
What is fast food in Japan?
First, what exactly is considered “fast food”?
Merriam-Webster dicitionary defines fast food as:
“of, relating to, or specializing in food that can be prepared and served quickly.”
Source
It’s sort of broad, but we’ll go with that.
Based on this definition, fast food in Japan includes all the typical Western fast foods (burgers, fried chicken, pizza, etc.), as well as Japanese foods like gyudon, ramen, soba, takoyaki, bento boxes and more.
As a result, there are a TON of fast food chains in Japan. Even some sushi shops can be considered fast-food.
Top 10 Fast Food chains in Japan (by popularity)
For this list, I have decided to use a more analytical method — the stores are ranked based on their monthly search volume (from Google Japan).
If two restaurant brands have similar search volume, then I compared them using Google Trends to see which is more popular.
The flaw to this method is that people may be searching a restaurant for other reasons than eating (e.g. a news scandal, special promotion, etc.). I think it is still a decent thermometer method to use though.
Based on my research, here are the top 10 fast food chains in Japan. Scroll down for a quick detailed description of each one.
- McDonald’s (マクドナルド)
- Sukiya (すき家)
- KFC (ケンタッキー)
- Sushiro (スシロー)
- Domino’s Pizza (ドミノピザ)
- Kura Sushi (くら寿司)
- Hamasushi (はま寿司)
- Mos Burger (モスバーガー)
- Marugame Noodles (丸亀製麺)
- Tie between: Yoshinoya (吉野家) and Matsuya (松屋)
1. McDonald’s （マクドナルド）
Perhaps to no one’s surprise, McDonald’s is the most popular fast food chain in Japan (and the world).
The first McDonald’s Japan store opened in 1971 in Ginza, Tokyo. There are now over 2,900 stores across the country, employing around 140,000 staff, with sales of about ¥352 billion yen (approximately $2.5 billion USD)
McDonald’s Japan serves all the classic favorites, as well as some uniquely Japan items like shrimp burgers, and teriyaki chicken burgers.
A Big Mac costs about ¥650 ($4.50 USD), and a Big Mac meal costs around ¥950 ($6.70).
According to the the WSJ, McDonald’s Japan has the best service in the world (compared to other McDonald’s worldwide)1https://jp.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303493804579538982070488444.
Interesting note: In Tokyo region, McDonald’s is commonly called “Makku” (マック), while in Osaka region it is known as “Mac-doh” (マクド).
2. Sukiya （すき家）
Sukiya is the largest, and most popular gyudon (beef rice bowl) chain in Japan.
Other than gyudon, they also serve other types of donburi, curry, and teishoku (i.e. Japanese set meals).
The first Sukiya opened in 1982 in Yokahama Japan. They currently have over 2000 stores across the country, with annual sales of approximately ¥172,266 million yen (about $1.2 billion USD)2https://www.zensho.co.jp/jp/ir/resource/pdf/40.4Q.pdf.
A standard gyudon (M size) cost just around ¥400 ($2.82 USD). You can add a set (soup and salad) for just ¥190 ($1.35 USD)
Sukiya also has shops around the world including China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Brazil, and Mexico.
Interesting note: Sukiya’s parent company Zensho also owns other popular chain restaurants like Nakau, Coco’s, and Lotteria.
3. Kentucky Fried Chicken （ケンタッキーフライドチキン）
Like most other people in the world, Japanese people love their fried chicken.
KFC is the third most popular chain restaurant in Japan. It is typically simply referred to as “Kentucky” (ケンタッキー).
The first KFC opened in 1970 in Nagoya. There are currently over 1100 stores throughout Japan, with annual sales of approximately ¥99,926 million yen (approx. $700 million USD).
A 2-piece chicken combo (w/ drinks and fries) cost around ¥940 ($6.65 USD).
Interesting note: In Japan, it is tradition to eat KFC on Christmas. One theory of why this happened is that foreigners living in Japan couldn’t get turkey. So, instead they ate KFC. The company decided to use this as a promotion in 1974, and it became popular to eat KFC on Christmas.
4. Sushiro（スシロー）
Sushiro is a conveyor belt sushi restaurant (i.e. kaiten-sushi 回転寿司). They are the largest sushi chain in Japan.
The first Sushiro opened in 1984. They now have over 600 stores around the country, with annual sales of ¥213.2 billion yen (approx $1.5 billion USD).
Sushiro also has stores in Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and China.
At conveyor belt sushi restaurants, you typically pay for each plate of sushi you eat. Sushiro prices start from around ¥120 per plate (2 pieces of sushi), and go up to ¥260 per plate ($1.85 USD).
Interesting note: In January 2023, a video surfaced of a customer licking soy sauce bottle/cups/sushi and placing them on the conveyor belt for other customers to use. This caused the company’s stock value to plummet, as people no longer wanted to go to Sushiro. The company has since sued the customer for ¥67 million yen (approx $480,000 USD).
5. Domino’s Pizza (ドミノピザ)
Domino’s Pizza was the first pizza delivery chain in Japan. They are still the largest pizza delivery chain in the country.
The first Domino’s opened in 1985 in Ebisu, Tokyo. They currently have over 900 stores across Japan with annual sales of ¥81 billion yen (approx $570 million USD).
A medium sized pizza costs around ¥1500 yen ($10.50 USD).
Some unique flavors include Spicy Mayo & Mochi, Hokkaido 3-cheese, and Char-grilled Chicken Teriyaki. Domino’s Japan also has “Pizza Rice Bowls”, which is basically pizza toppings served on top of rice.
Interesting note: Domino’s is the only pizza chain with a store in all 47 prefectures.
6. Kura Sushi (くら寿司)
Kura Sushi is another popular conveyor belt sushi chain (i.e. kaiten-sushi 回転寿司)
The first Kura Sushi opened in 1977 in Sakai City, Osaka (which is also famous for making Japanese knives) . They now have over 500 stores around the country, with annual sales of ¥180 billion yen (approx $1.3 billion USD).
Kura Sushi also has stores in Taiwan and the United States.
A plate of sushi at Kura Sushi starts at around ¥115 (2 pieces), and goes up to ¥250 per plate. Kura Sushi also serves ramen, udon, and donburi at their restaurants.
Interesting note: After you eat 5 plates, you get a chance to win a small prize/toy. (びっくらポン)
7. Hamasushi (はま寿司)
Hamasushi rounds out the “big three” conveyor belt sushi chains in Japan (along with Sushiro and Kura Sushi).
The first Hamasushi opened in 2002 in Ashikaga. They have expanded rapidly, and already have over 500 stores across Japan. They also have stores in Taiwan.
Part of the reason for their quick expansion is that they are part of Zensho Group; the same parent company as #1 gyudon chain Sukiya (i.e. they have a lot of money).
Hamasushi is the cheapest of the big three sushi chain restaurants. Plates of sushi start at just 110 yen.
Interesting Note: Hamasushi provides 5 different types of soy sauce for customers to use.
8. MOS Burger（モスバーガー）
MOS Burger is the second largest burger chain in Japan, just behind McDonald’s.
The first MOS Burger restaurant was founded in 1971 in Tokyo, Japan. There is now over 1200 locations throughout Japan, as well as 400 locations overseas (China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Australia).
MOS Burger’s total sales in Japan in 2022 was about 85 billion yen (approx. 600 million USD).
A standard MOS burger costs around 450 yen. A set (burger, drink and fries) will cost about 900 yen.
MOS Burger has plenty of unique menu items not found at typical American burger places. The most unique / famous product is their Rice Burgers, which uses a bun made out of rice.
Interesting note: “MOS” stands for “Mountain, Ocean, Sun”.
9. Marugame Noodles（丸亀製麺）
Marugame is the only noodle restaurant in the top 10. They specialize in udon and tempura.
The restaurant started in 2000, and currently has over 800 locations across Japan. Their total sales in 2022 was over 102 billion yen ($720 million USD).
They also have over 200 stores around the world in the USA, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and England.
A standard bowl of udon (i.e. kake udon) cost just 390 yen. Tempura costs 100 to 200 yen (per piece).
Marugame is part of Toridoll company, which also owns other restaurant brands like Kona’s Coffee, Tori Doll, and Ton-ichi.
Interesting note: The restaurant is named after Marugame City (Kagawa Prefecture), which is famous for Sanuki udon. Interestingly, they do not actually have a store location in Marugame City.
10 (tied). Yoshinoya (吉野家)
Yoshinoya is another popular gyudon (beef bowl) restaurant chain. It is easily the oldest chain restaurant in Japan.
The company started WAY BACK in 1899 in Tokyo. There are now over 1200 locations throughout country. Yoshinoya used to be the largest gyudon chain in Japan, but was surpassed by Sukiya back in 2008.
Yoshinoya is the most international Japanese fast food chain though, with over 900 store locations overseas (United States, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, etc.).
The company had annual sales of about $168 billion yen (approximately $1.1 billion USD), although this number also includes Yoshinoya’s subsidiary companies.
Other than gyudon, Yoshinoya also sells various types of donburi, teishoku, curry, and even soba.
A standard, medium-sized gyudon at Yoshinoya costs 450 yen. A set (salad and soup) costs and additional 195 yen.
Interesting note: Yoshinoya Holdings Co is also the parent company of the popular Hanamaru restaurant chain, which sells udon noodles.
10 (tied). Matsuya（松屋）
Matsuya rounds out the “big three” gyudon restaurants in Japan.
The business started in 1966 in Tokyo. They now have just over 1200 locations throughout the country. Its total sales in 2022 was about 94 billion yen (666 million USD).
Matsuya is the least international of the gyudon chains, with overseas locations only in China and Taiwan.
Similar to Yoshinoya and Sukiya, Matsuya also sells various types of donburi, teishoku, and curry dishes.
Matsuya parent company (Matsuya Foods Holdings Co.) also operates some smaller restaurant brands that sell tonkatsu, steak, Chinese food, ramen, and curry. They also have businesses in kitchen repair/construction, laundry, and food delivery.
Interesting note: Matsuya actually started out as a Chinese restaurant in 1966, but opened a gyudon restaurant just a couple years later. The original Chinese restaurant then closed in 1969.
List of all fast food chains in Japan
Here is a sortable and searchable list of over 100 fast food chains in Japan. (Source)
| English Name | Japanese Name | Type of Food |
|---|---|---|
| Wendy's | ウェンディーズ | Burger |
| Santeole | サンテオレ | Burger |
| Mos Burger | モスバーガー | Burger |
| Mcdonald's | マクドナルド | Burger |
| Lotteria | ロッテリア | Burger |
| Kua'aina | クアアイナ | Burger |
| Jeff Okinawa ( Okinawa Island Only) | ジェフ沖縄 | Burger |
| Freshness Burger | フレッシュネスバーガー | Burger |
| First Kitchen | ファーストキッチン | Burger |
| Dom Dom Hamburger | ドムドムハンバーガー | Burger |
| Burger King | バーガーキング | Burger |
| Burger City | バーガーシティ | Burger |
| Big Boy | ビッグボーイ | Burger |
| Becker's ( Kanto Area Only) | ベッカーズ | Burger |
| Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen | ポパイズ・ルイジアナ・キッチン | Chicken |
| Kentucky Fried Chicken | ケンタッキーフライドチキン | Chicken |
| Lucky Pierrot ( Oshima Area Only) | ラッキーピエロ（渡島地方のみ） | Curry |
| Go Go Curry | ゴーゴーカレー | Curry |
| Curry Shop C&C | カレーショップC&C | Curry |
| Coco Ichibanya | CoCo壱番屋 | Curry |
| Champion Curry | チャンピオンカレー | Curry |
| Yoshinoya | 吉野家 | Donburi / Gyudon |
| Yayoi Eaves | やよい軒 | Donburi / Gyudon |
| Tokyo Power Meshi | 東京チカラめし | Donburi / Gyudon |
| The Don | ザ・どん | Donburi / Gyudon |
| Tendon/Tempura Honpo Santen | 天丼・天ぷら本舗 さん天 | Donburi / Gyudon |
| Tendon Tenya | 天丼てんや | Donburi / Gyudon |
| Sukiya | すき家 | Donburi / Gyudon |
| Nadai Una Toto | 名代宇奈とと | Donburi / Gyudon |
| Matsuya | 松屋 | Donburi / Gyudon |
| Katsuya | かつや | Donburi / Gyudon |
| Kaneko Hannosuke | 金子半之助 | Donburi / Gyudon |
| Gyudon Taro | 牛丼太郎 | Donburi / Gyudon |
| Dontei | どん亭 | Donburi / Gyudon |
| Dondonan | どんどん庵 | Donburi / Gyudon |
| Mister Donut | ミスタードーナツ | Donuts |
| Dunkin Donuts | ダンキンドーナツ | Donuts |
| Dairy Queen | デイリークイーン | Ice Cream |
| Taco Bell | タコベル | Mexican |
| Omusubi Gonbei | おむすび権米衛 | Onigiri |
| Strawberry Cones | ストロベリーコーンズ | Pizza |
| Sbarro | スバーロ | Pizza |
| Pizza-la | ピザーラ | Pizza |
| Pizza Hut | ピザハット | Pizza |
| Pizza California | ピザ・カリフォルニア | Pizza |
| Domino Pizza | ドミノ・ピザ | Pizza |
| Chicago Pizza Factory | シカゴピザファクトリー | Pizza |
| Yoshimura Family | 吉村家 | Ramen |
| Yangzhou Businessman | 揚州商人 | Ramen |
| Yamaoka Family | 山岡家 | Ramen |
| Todai Ramen | 東大 | Ramen |
| The Best In The World | 天下一品 | Ramen |
| Tenri Stamina Ramen | 天理スタミナラーメン | Ramen |
| Taste Clock Tower | 味の時計台 | Ramen |
| Suwaki Koraku Chinese Soba | すわき後楽中華そば | Ramen |
| Sun Tomato Noodles | 太陽のトマト麺 | Ramen |
| Sugakiya | スガキヤ | Ramen |
| Special | 特一番 | Ramen |
| Shirakaba Villa | 白樺山荘 | Ramen |
| Shinza | 神座 | Ramen |
| Saika Ramen | 彩華ラーメン | Ramen |
| Rokurinsha | 六厘舎 | Ramen |
| Reckless | 無鉄砲 | Ramen |
| Ramen-Do Sendai | ラーメン堂仙台っ子 | Ramen |
| Ramen Zundoya | ラー麺ずんどう屋 | Ramen |
| Ramen Yokozuna | ラーメン横綱 | Ramen |
| Ramen World | らーめん世界 | Ramen |
| Ramen Tonta | ラーメンとん太 | Ramen |
| Ramen Shop | ラーメンショップ | Ramen |
| Ramen Santoka | らーめん山頭火 | Ramen |
| Ramen Sanpachi | ラーメンさんぱち | Ramen |
| Ramen Octagon | らーめん八角 | Ramen |
| Ramen Kairikiya | ラーメン魁力屋 | Ramen |
| Ramen Kagetsu Arashi | らあめん花月嵐 | Ramen |
| Ramen Jiro | ラーメン二郎 | Ramen |
| Ramen Fuku | ラーメン福 | Ramen |
| Ramen Family | らーめんふぁみりー | Ramen |
| Ogiya Ramen | おおぎやラーメン | Ramen |
| Noodle Shop Musashi | 麺屋武蔵 | Ramen |
| No. 8 Ramen | 8番らーめん | Ramen |
| Nintama Ramen | にんたまラーメン | Ramen |
| Nantsuttei | なんつッ亭 | Ramen |
| Mutsumiya | むつみ屋 | Ramen |
| Mongolian Tanmen Nakamoto | 蒙古タンメン中本 | Ramen |
| Moment Of Kuidang | 一刻魁堂 | Ramen |
| Marugen Ramen | 丸源ラーメン | Ramen |
| Lai Lai Ting | 来来亭 | Ramen |
| Kyushu Jangara | 九州じゃんがら | Ramen |
| Kyushu Chikuho Ramen Mountain Hut | 九州筑豊ラーメン山小屋 | Ramen |
| Kurumaya Ramen | くるまやラーメン | Ramen |
| Kourakuen | 幸楽苑 | Ramen |
| Kokuya | 古久家 | Ramen |
| Knot Bone Noodles Taizo | 節骨麺たいぞう | Ramen |
| Kinkyuemon | 金久右衛門 | Ramen |
| Kazekaze Ramen | 風風ラーメン | Ramen |
| Igakuya | 壱角家 | Ramen |
| Ichiran | 一蘭 | Ramen |
| Hope Pavilion | 希望軒 | Ramen |
| Hidakaya | 日高屋 | Ramen |
| Hakata Tenjin | 博多天神 | Ramen |
| Hakata Sanki | 博多三氣 | Ramen |
| Hakata Ippudo | 博多一風堂 | Ramen |
| Hakata Ikkosha | 博多一幸舎 | Ramen |
| Hakata Furyu | 博多風龍 | Ramen |
| Gutan | 古潭 | Ramen |
| Ganso New Tantanmen Honpo | 元祖ニュータンタンメン本舗 | Ramen |
| Furaiken | 風来軒 | Ramen |
| Fukushin | 福しん | Ramen |
| First Wisteria | 藤一番 | Ramen |
| First Asahi | 第一旭 | Ramen |
| East Noodle House | 東麺房 | Ramen |
| Dosanko | どさん子 | Ramen |
| Chirimen-Tei | ちりめん亭 | Ramen |
| Chinese Noodles Aoba | 中華そば青葉 | Ramen |
| Champontei Sohonke | ちゃんぽん亭総本家 | Ramen |
| Ajisen Ramen | 味千ラーメン | Ramen |
| Ajihei | あじへい | Ramen |
| Ah Hakata Humanity | あぁ博多人情 | Ramen |
| 175°Deno Dandan Noodles | 175°DENO担担麺 | Ramen |
| Subway | サブウェイ | Sandwich |
| Yamada Udon | 山田うどん | Soba / Udon |
| Umemoto | 梅もと | Soba / Udon |
| Tsurutontan | つるとんたん | Soba / Udon |
| Ringer Hat | リンガーハット | Soba / Udon |
| Nakau | なか卯 | Soba / Udon |
| Miyako Soba | 都そば | Soba / Udon |
| Marugame Noodles | 丸亀製麺 | Soba / Udon |
| Komoro Soba | 小諸そば | Soba / Udon |
| Hanamaru Udon | はなまるうどん | Soba / Udon |
| Hakone Soba | 箱根そば | Soba / Udon |
| Famous Fuji Soba | 名代富士そば | Soba / Udon |
| Yudetaro | ゆで太郎 | Soba / Udon |
| Soup Stock Tokyo | スープストックトーキョー | Soup |
| Sushiro | スシロー | Sushi |
| Kura Sushi | くら寿司 | Sushi |
| Kappa Sushi | かっぱ寿司 | Sushi |
| Hamazushi | はま寿司 | Sushi |
| Genki Sushi | 元気寿司 | Sushi |
| Tsukiji Silver Octopus | 築地銀だこ | Takoyaki / Okonomiyaki |
| Koga School | 甲賀流 | Takoyaki / Okonomiyaki |
| Jumbo Sohonten | じゃんぼ総本店 | Takoyaki / Okonomiyaki |
| Dotonbori | 道とん堀 | Takoyaki / Okonomiyaki |
What’s your favorite?
The top 10 Japanese fast food restaurants includes three gyudon shops, three sushi places, two burger joints, one pizza place, and one noodle shop.
Sukiya and Matsuya are definitely my go-to fast food places when I’m in Japan.
Which is your favorite?
Or, did I miss one on my list?
In any case, let me know in the comments below!
