Tabelog and Hida-Takayama Tourism Convention Association Launch Nation's First Collaborative Model Project

Launch of Nation's First Public-Private Partnership

Tabelog, the restaurant search and reservation service operated by Kakaku.com (Shibuya, Tokyo; President: Atsuhiro Murakami), is joining forces with the Hida-Takayama Tourism Convention Association. Beginning July 1, 2026, this nationwide first initiative aims to improve dining accessibility for inbound tourists, reduce operational burdens on restaurants, and revitalize the regional economy. The project promotes the use of the "Tabelog Multilingual Version" among restaurants in Takayama, effectively removing language barriers.

Background and Objectives

With 970,000 international visitors in 2025, the Hida-Takayama area has seen rapid demand growth, yet faced challenges regarding insufficient search tools, multilingual support burdens for restaurants, and the risk of no-shows. Additionally, over-concentration of tourists in specific areas remains a concern. By leveraging Tabelog’s database of approximately 890,000 restaurants and 90 million reviews, the partnership seeks to resolve these issues.

Waiver of Online Booking Fees

Starting July 1, 2026, restaurants in Takayama utilizing the multilingual version of Tabelog for online bookings will be exempt from usage-based fees for all domestic and international reservations. This enables restaurants to manage multilingual operations effectively while utilizing cancellation fee collection features to mitigate no-show risks.

Future Schedule and Anticipated Impact

Applications for the multilingual service will open on June 1, 2026. This initiative aims to expand the travel range of visitors, alleviating overtourism while contributing to sustainable regional development. Tabelog remains committed to facilitating optimal matches between restaurant operators looking to increase inbound business and travelers seeking authentic Japanese culinary experiences.

About the Tabelog Multilingual App

The Tabelog multilingual app is the No. 1 download for Japanese gourmet searches among inbound travelers, having surpassed 2 million total downloads. It supports English, Traditional Chinese, and Korean, and facilitates online reservations for over 70,000 restaurants nationwide.