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Top 5 Delivery Services in Japan: Uber Eats, Demae-can, menu, and More
This service includes sponsored advertisements.
Food delivery services are rapidly growing in Japan. Some of the major companies are Uber Eats, Demae-can, menu, Rakuten, and Wolt. We compared the services and features of these companies.
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Having left Taiwan for 17 years, I stumbled upon Tokyo and gradually fell in love with this rapidly changing metropolis that also holds onto its traditional culture. In between taking care of children, I enjoy finding solace in a place about a 15-minute walk from the station with a population density of about 30%. Although picky when it comes to food, I am passionate about seeking out delicious cuisine, love cooking, and enjoy feeding others. I also identify myself as a member of the Potato Chips Association.
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The Rapid Growth of Food Delivery Services
In the past few years, delivery services have been rapidly growing in Japan. Uber Eats is especially well-known when it comes to food delivery, whether for grocery shopping or restaurant orders.
However, there are other unique services out there. We compiled a list of five food delivery services in Japan that are now in the spotlight. Below is an introduction to their respective features, discount offers, and more!
Top 5 Food Delivery Services in Japan
1. Uber Eats
2. menu
3. Demae-can
4. Rakuten Gurunavi Delivery
5. Wolt
1. Uber Eats: A Prime Example of a Food Delivery Service
Photo by PR TIMES
Uber Eats launched its service in Tokyo in September 2016. It's safe to say that the company is the symbol of modern food delivery services.
Uber Eats’ best features are the easy-to-use app for ordering food and its abundant lineup of restaurants. It’s great to know they will accommodate any destination as long as it’s within their set delivery zone.
Additionally, the service offers delivery promotions and discount coupons. You can also manage your points via the Uber Eats app.
Discounts:
First Uber Eats Order: 1,700 yen discount (Limited to orders over 1800 yen as of May 2024).
Download the app or check out Uber Eats’ official website for more details.
2. menu: Delivery and Takeout from Famous Restaurants + Exclusive MATCHA Discount Coupon
Photo by PR TIMES
menu is a food app developed in Japan. The company makes it possible for users to easily order delivery or takeout with just a smartphone.
menu offers a delectable selection of stores and restaurants exclusive to their delivery and takeout services. This includes well-known restaurants, Michelin-star restaurants, and even products from Queen’s Isetan.
The service also accommodates low-sugar, vegetarian, vegan, and halal diets, making this app a great choice for international visitors, too.
MATCHA readers can now benefit from discounts by using the menu service from this link and inserting the coupon code RNPA_RFKV34.
MATCHA Discount Details
*First-time use only, this coupon allows you to use 1,200 yen once and 700 yen eight times.
*It can be used on purchases of 1,500 yen or more.
*Please enter the coupon code RNPA_RFKV34 from the app's My Page.
*The coupon can be obtained until 3/31/2025 and is valid for 31 days from the date of entering the coupon code.
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3. Demae-can: Find Food You Want to Eat
Photo by PR TIMES
Demae-can is Japan’s largest delivery service. They are affiliated with over 100,000 stores from chain locations to private enterprises. The service mainly delivers pizza and bento boxes, but have recently expanded to groceries and daily necessities.
In the past, they have collaborated with animation movies such as Jujutsu Kaisen 0 and Doraemon the Movie: Nobita’s Little Star Wars. The service is gaining attention for holding limited-time campaigns commemorating these movie releases.
Additionally, Demae-can does not limit its drop-off locations. This makes it possible to get deliveries made to parks or cherry blossom viewing spots for a picnic.
Discounts:
When you make your first order on the Demae-can app, you will receive a 2,000 yen discount coupon (Limited to orders over 2,100 yen). You’ll also receive a 1,000 yen promo discount to use on your next order (Limited to orders over 1,200 yen. Available for use 14 days after your previous order as of April 2022).
Download the Demae-can App
4. Rakuten Gurunavi Delivery: A Partnership Between Two Major Websites
Photo by PR TIMES
Rakuten Gurunavi Delivery is a delivery service by Rakuten, an e-commerce company, made in partnership with Gurunavi, a gourmet online food guide in Japan.
In particular, the service is committed to delivering bento lunch boxes to your home. They have partnered with popular Tokyo restaurants such as Marunouchi Tanita Shokudo to deliver bento lunch boxes with a diverse menu and excellent nutritional value.
Of course, you can place an order even if you’re not a Rakuten member. However, we recommend becoming a member to start earning Rakuten Points. Rakuten Delivery also provides support for residential water leaks, electrical and waterworks, and computer troubleshooting.
Discounts:
Receive five times the points when you make your first order on Rakuten Gurunavi Delivery (as of April 2022).
Download the Rakuten Gurunavi Delivery App
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5. Wolt: A Finland-Based Service
Photo by PR TIMES
A service called Wolt has been appearing on TV commercials in Japan these days.
The number of stores and restaurant partners falls behind Uber Eats and Demaecan. However, this proxy-buying service can be used at chains such as Costco, Natural Lawson, and Ikea. The service delivers both food and daily necessities.
Their delivery fee is also cheaper than other services, making it an easy selection. The fact you can order from certain stores only offered by Wolt is another charm.
Side-by-Side Comparisons
| Delivery Service | Uber Eats | Demae-can | Rakuten Gurunavi Delivery | Wolt | menu |
| Promotions | First-time users get a 2,500 yen discount | Earn points via additional payment methods | You can earn Rakuten Points | First-time user discounts | Several discount coupons available |
| Major Store Partnerships | Starbucks | Unique campaign menus | Marunouchi Tanita Shokudo, Matsuya Ginza | Costco, Ikea, Natural Lawson | Michelin star restaurants, Queen’s Isetan Supermarket |
| Payment Methods | 1. Credit card 2. Apple Pay 3. Line Pay 4. PayPay 5. Cash, etc. |
1. Credit card 2. Apple Pay 3. AmazonPay 4. Line Pay 5. PayPay 6. Cash, etc. |
Credit card | 1. Credit card 2. Apple Pay 3. Google Pay 4. PayPay 5. Cash, etc. |
Credit card |
| Features | - Combined deliveries, No.1 in store promotions | - Holds numerous movie campaigns, get original novelty goods | - You can set a specific delivery date. A strong selection of restaurants offering bento lunch boxes | - Has the lowest commission fees, proxy-buying available at Costco and Ikea | - Numerous discount coupons available for trending restaurants |
In Japan, there may not be a huge difference in the selection of stores and restaurants offered by each delivery service. But isn’t eating delicious food without taking a step outside the biggest benefit of ordering online?
Find your favorite restaurant and order using promo codes and discounts!
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FAQ
What is the largest food delivery app in Japan?
In Japan, the largest food delivery app is Uber Eats, closely followed by Demae-can. According to a report released by Statista, the Uber Eats app had been downloaded 29.92 million times by the end of 2023. In comparison, the Demae-can app was downloaded 21.71 million times, while Domino's 8.84 million times.
Does Uber Eats work in Japan?
Yes, Uber Eats is currently the most prominent delivery service in Japan. The platform is user-friendly and accessible for ordering due to its bilingual app and interface.
What is food delivery called in Japan?
In Japan, food delivery services are commonly referred to as "demae", which translates to "ordering out" or "takeout" in Japanese. In recent years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, the term "takeout" has gained ground, with more and more dining facilities offering the option for customers to take their food to enjoy at home.
Do you tip delivery drivers in Japan?
In Japan, tipping is not a common practice, including when it comes to food delivery. It is generally not expected to tip delivery drivers in Japan as the service charges and fees are usually included in the total cost of the order. Delivery personnel are typically well-compensated by their employers, so tipping is not customary or necessary, and may cause confusion if attempted.
Can foreigners do Uber Eats in Japan?
Foreigners who meet the Uber Eats driver requirements in Japan, including possessing the necessary legal documentation and meeting other criteria, can work as Uber Eats delivery drivers. However, specific eligibility requirements may vary, so individuals interested in becoming Uber Eats drivers in Japan should check the current regulations and guidelines provided by Uber Eats to ensure they meet all necessary criteria.
Main image courtesy of Pixta
Having left Taiwan for 17 years, I stumbled upon Tokyo and gradually fell in love with this rapidly changing metropolis that also holds onto its traditional culture. In between taking care of children, I enjoy finding solace in a place about a 15-minute walk from the station with a population density of about 30%. Although picky when it comes to food, I am passionate about seeking out delicious cuisine, love cooking, and enjoy feeding others. I also identify myself as a member of the Potato Chips Association.
more
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