10 Japanese Family Restaurants With Coupon Apps

Japan is a foodie’s paradise but which restaurants are family-friendly? We’ve done the legwork so you can dine with peace of mind.

Picture this. It’s almost lunchtime and the kids are whining. You are slowly losing your mind. You have no clue where to eat when you see a massive sign pointing you in the right direction. The service staff greets you with a wide smile and you slide into a comfy booth, relieved. Crisis averted. In Japan, whenever it’s hangry o’clock, make a beeline to one of the nearest Japanese family restaurants or famirīresutoran, often shortened as famiresu. These chain restaurants can be found almost anywhere in Japan. They usually are very relaxed, perfect if you have loud-mouth kids.

Family-Friendly Pricing & Services

© Photo by Pixta: TokyoFridayDesign

Japanese family restaurants have extended opening hours, budget-friendly prices and abundant menu options. Menu items range from under ¥1,000 to around ¥2,500, with great-value meal sets and all-you-can-drink options available for a small fee. Most cater to families with kid meals on their menus, and some even come with a free toy to keep little hands busy. What tips the scales in their favor is the family-friendly environment: kid-friendly tables, booths and high chairs help everyone get comfy while chowing down. Even if your Japanese isn’t up to scratch, ordering is easy thanks to tablet menus with foreign language support. Some chains also let you order or book a table through an app, and several provide detailed allergy information on their websites.

With that said, here’s Savvy Tokyo’s handy guide to 10 Japanese family restaurants with coupon apps.

1. Gusto (ガスト)

© Photo by Pixta: Ryuji

Gusto is a family favorite because of its numerous locations and casual vibes. Even if you have picky eaters, this Japanese family restaurant is known for its diverse food options, including hamburger steak sets. There’s also a kid-friendly low-allergy menu. Register birthdays on the Skylark Group app and get a birthday coupon. Also, earn points that you can use at any Skylark Group restaurant.

• Cuisine: Western/Japanese
• Popular Dishes: Cheese-in Hamburg Steak, Chicken Nanban
• Coupon App: App Store, Google Play

2. Yakiniku King (焼肉きんぐ)

© Photo by Pixta: ponta2012

If you’ve got meat eaters on your hands, this all-you-can-eat Japanese BBQ restaurant ticks all the boxes. Yakiniku Police are on hand if you’re a newbie. The kids’ menu includes King Salted Tongue (pork), which is soft enough for youngsters to chew. Their app offers birthday coupons, membership coupons (unlock more discounts as you level up) and trading card coupons to receive in-store GooGoo Island (ぐぐアイランド) cards.

• Cuisine: Japanese BBQ
• Popular Dishes: Karubi (Short ribs), Tan (Beef Tongue)
• Coupon App: App Store, Google Play

3. Coco’s Restaurant (ココス)

© Photo by iStock: ponta2012

Coco’s is another popular Japanese family restaurant with weekly deals. It rewards customer loyalty with a point card system. The more points you rack up, the more deals you get. There’s also a birthday club for kiddies, offering a free Coco’s Rascal toy and dessert. You can also register up to four family members for birthday coupons through the app.

• Cuisine: Western/Japanese
• Popular Dishes: Hamburg Steak, Pancake Breakfast Set
• Coupon App: App Store, Google Play

4. Denny’s (デニーズ)

© Photo by iStock: tupungato

Even though they share the same name, this is not your average American Denny’s. However, it still fits the bill with spacious seating and a casual atmosphere. On the app, you can access birthday month coupons, kids’ birthday coupons and kids’ menu specials. You can also accumulate points, and as you level up, you unlock more coupons!

• Cuisine: Western/Japanese 
• Popular Dishes: Cheese Omurice, Green Tea Shiratama Mini Parfait
• Coupon App: App Store, Google Play

5. Big Boy (ビッグボーイ)

© Photo by Big Boy

This famiresu is recommended for hamburger steaks and salad bars. The Big Boy kids’ passport (for elementary school students and under) offers a free dessert with each visit. Children can also enjoy a free mini parfait on their birthday! In general, kids eat for free. Rack up points with each purchase for more rewards. Coupons valuing 5%, 10% and 15% and a 15% birthday discount coupon are also available on the app.

• Cuisine: Western
• Popular Dishes: Greedy Triple Grill, All-You-Can-Eat Salad & Soup Bar
• Coupon App: App Store, Google Play

6. Kura Sushi (くら寿司)

© Photo by Pixta: Tsuji

This kaiten sushi (conveyor belt sushi) restaurant is not only clean, convenient and affordable but also offers additive-free dishes, a major plus for health-conscious families. Instead of stacking dirty plates, dump them in the slot at your table. Also, every five plates you order, play Bikkurapon on the tablet or your smartphone for a chance to win a capsule toy! Through the app, you can also make reservations and get a free dessert coupon for your birthday.

• Cuisine: Sushi
• Popular Dishes: Kiwami Aged Tuna, Seared Cheese Salmon
• Coupon App: App Store, Google Play

7. Bamiyan (バーミヤン)

© Photo by Pixta: ponta2012

This restaurant offers a Japanese take on Chinese food. There is a kids’ menu with kid-friendly meals, including a low-allergen curry set. Register your birthday on the app and get a birthday coupon for your birthday month. Accumulate points on the app to enjoy deals at other Skylark Group restaurants!

• Cuisine: Chinese
• Popular Dishes: Gyoza, Chahan, Tenshinhan
• Coupon App: App Store, Google Play

8. Jonathan’s (ジョナサン)

© Photo by Pixta: Rosette

Although a bit more pricey than other famiresu, Jonathan’s offers premium-ingredient meals. Register birthdays on the app and get a birthday coupon. Original capsule toys are also available in-store. You can also get points here to redeem at any Skylark Group restaurant.

• Cuisine: Western/Japanese 
• Popular Dishes: Snow Crab Risotto, Classique Chocolate Parfait
• Coupon App: App Store, Google Play

9. Bikkuri Donkey (びっくりドンキー)

© Photo by Pixta: はっさく

Established in 1968, Bikkuri Donkey specializes in hamburger steak. What sets them apart from other hamburger steak joints is their commitment to sourcing the best and safest ingredients. Their app often includes limited-time coupons and chances to level up to more deals when racking up points.

• Cuisine: Western
• Popular Dishes: EggBerg Dish, Fondue-style Cheeseburg Dish
• Coupon App: App Store, Google Play

10. La Ohana (ラ・オハナ)

© Photo by La Ohana

Looking for an island getaway for your tastebuds? La Ohana offers Hawaiian-style dishes in a family-friendly atmosphere. If you’re in the mood for dinner and a show, check the website for performances, including hula and Hawaiian band shows. Register birthdays on the app and get a birthday coupon. Also, rack up points to use at any Skylark Group restaurant.

• Cuisine: Hawaiian
• Popular Dishes: Loco Moco, Hawaiian Pancakes
• Coupon App: App Store, Google Play

Although these two famiresu don’t have coupon apps, they still provide a lot of bang for your buck.

Bonus: Saizeriya (サイゼリヤ)

© Photo by Pixta: 煩悩のネコ

Even though the Japanese may have a different take on Italian cuisine, Saizeriya is your best bet if your mini me scarfs down pizza and pasta. This is the ultimate budget option for young families. Although there isn’t a digital coupon app, check the newspapers for regular deals.

• Cuisine: Italian
• Popular Dishes: Pizza Margherita, Milano Doria
• Coupon App: None, but the low prices are worth it!

Bonus: Royal Host (ロイヤルホスト)

© Photo by iStock: NicolasMcComber

This fancy-titled restaurant offers transparency on where it sources its food. Its higher-priced meals guarantee high quality and seasonal ingredients. An allergy-friendly kids’ menu is also available.

• Cuisine: Japanese/Western
• Popular Dishes: Black x Black Hamburg Steak, Double Choice Ice Cream
• Coupon App: No longer available, but deals are still available in-store.

Are you salivating yet? Be sure to bookmark the Japanese family restaurants that interest you the most before everyone gets hangry!