Pay a fee, skip the line: More Japan restaurants introduce fast-pass services

Fast-pass services are becoming popular at restaurants in Japan, especially among young people and tourists. These services allow customers to pay an extra fee to enter restaurants without waiting in long lines. One service called SuiSui is available at 104 stores across 20 prefectures in Japan. Customers can scan a QR code outside a restaurant and buy a priority-entry ticket using their smartphones. The fee usually ranges from ¥500 to ¥2,000, depending on the restaurant and how crowded it is.

Some restaurants have adopted fast-pass services because customers often wait a long time for a table. At a ramen restaurant near Tokyo Station, waiting times can reach one hour during busy periods. One customer said he had used the service more than 10 times because he values his time. In Kyoto, tourists also use fast passes at a soba noodle restaurant where weekend and holiday waits can exceed two hours. Some customers are willing to pay a high fee so they can finish eating earlier and visit more tourist attractions.

A consumer behavior researcher explained that fast-pass services reflect younger people's interest in “time performance,” which means using time effectively. He believes these services could expand to other places, such as art museums and tourist attractions. As more people learn about fast-pass services, they may become popular among older generations as well.

Edited using generative AI tools. 
Source; https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/09/30/restaurant-fast-pass-popularity/

Comprehension

What is a fast-pass service?
How many stores in Japan had adopted SuiSui as of September 18?
How much does a fast-pass ticket generally cost?
Why do tourists use fast-pass services at restaurants in Kyoto?
What does “time performance” mean?

Discussion

Would you pay extra money to skip a long line at a restaurant? Why or why not?
How long are you usually willing to wait for food at a popular restaurant?
Have you ever waited in a very long line? What were you waiting for?
Do you think paying to skip a line is fair to other customers? Why or why not?
How do you usually make good use of your free time?
Would you rather save money or save time? Why?
In what other places would fast-pass services be useful?
Do you think fast-pass services should be available to everyone, regardless of income? Why or why not?
How can tourists make the most of their time when visiting a busy city?
Do you think people today are becoming too impatient? Why or why not?

Vocabulary

Priority entry — the right to enter before people who do not have priority.
Adopt — to start using or accepting something new.
Eateries — places where people can buy and eat food.
Prefecture — an administrative area in Japan, similar to a region or province.
Effective use — using something in a useful or productive way.
Spare time — time when you are free and have no important tasks to do.
Consumer behavior — the way people choose, buy, and use products or services.
Time performance — how effectively a person uses their time.