Dining Out Day (Gaishoku no Hi)

What Is Dining Out Day?

November 23rd is "Dining Out Day," established by the Japan Food Service Association. The association created it in 1984 to mark its 10th anniversary, choosing Labor Thanksgiving Day so that mothers, who are always busy with housework, could take a well-earned break. It's a day for families to eat out together and give the usual cook a rest.

The Scale of Japan's Restaurant Industry

Japan's food service industry is a massive sector, with a market size of more than 20 trillion yen before the COVID-19 pandemic. With over 500,000 restaurants nationwide, it's one of the core industries supporting Japan's entire food supply chain, including agriculture, food manufacturing, and logistics.

• Fast food and family restaurants: Nationwide chains have helped standardize Japan's food culture while spreading it widely
• Izakaya (Japanese pub) culture: A unique Japanese institution that serves as a place for socializing
• Ramen, sushi, and tempura: Genres that represent Japan's restaurant culture and have expanded globally

How the Pandemic Transformed Dining Out

• The rise of takeout and delivery: Food delivery services like Uber Eats expanded rapidly
• Private rooms and partitions: Infection-prevention measures became standard at many restaurants
• Accelerated cashless payments: QR code and contactless payments spread quickly
• Worsening labor shortages: This led to increased adoption of serving robots and self-order systems

How to Enjoy Dining Out Day

• Take the family member who usually cooks out to eat and let them skip the housework for a day
• Discover a hidden gem or well-loved local spot you haven't tried yet
• Enjoy your meal while reflecting on everyone involved—from the ingredients to the cooking and service