I went to have Sushi at a Kaiten-Zushi (conveyor belt sushi) restaurant after a very long time. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we did not eat out and now it has become a regular habit to eat at home. Sushi bars have changed since pre-pandemic times. Like most changes in Japan, these changes have been made without any fanfare. If one eats out at restaurants very often, it is likely that one may not notice anything at all. But, we did because of the time that has passed since we last went out.
Here are some examples.
1. There are robots that bring you the stuff that you order.
2. More foreigners are working at such places. They are even in charge of the cash register. They speak the standard phrases taught from their manuals fluently. This can be deceptive, as you can easily find out if you were to try and strike up a conversation in Japanese with them. Japanese customers are highly unlikely to do that, so they will be comfortable with the standard set-phrases delivered fluently.
3. Orders are not written down at most places. There is a tablet or iPad from which one can order. Click 会計 when you want the bill.
4. There are no sushi carrying plates on the conveyor belts as before. No more picking up the sushi one wants. Instead, there are the pictures of sushi, with prices and order numbers on small stands, going around on the conveyor belt. Even before the pandemic, people hardly picked up the sushi going around the conveyor belts because they had the option to order fresh ones using the tablets. This change is perhaps good because it prevents food waste and is more hygienic. But, I do miss a part of the old Japan.
