A restaurant situation for explaining in Japanese that your reservation cannot be found, showing your booking details, and asking about another table or waiting time.
Quick answer
予約したのですが、予約が見つからないようです。
Meaning I have a reservation, but it doesn't seem to be showing up.
Yoyaku shita no desu ga, yoyaku ga mitsukaranai yō desu.
When to use it
Use this when a restaurant cannot find a booking you made online or by phone. Be ready to show the reservation name, time, party size, confirmation email, or booking number.
Core phrases
予約したのですが、予約が見つからないようです。
Yoyaku shita no desu ga, yoyaku ga mitsukaranai yō desu.
I have a reservation, but it doesn't seem to be showing up.
予約名はLeeです。
Yoyaku-mei wa Lee desu.
The reservation is under the name Lee.
7時に2名で予約しました。
Shichi-ji ni ni-mei de yoyaku shimashita.
I booked a table for two at seven o'clock.
予約確認メールと予約番号があります。
Yoyaku kakunin mēru to yoyaku bangō ga arimasu.
I have the confirmation email and booking number.
What you may hear
予約確認画面を見せていただけますか？
Yoyaku kakunin gamen o misete itadakemasu ka?
Could I see your reservation confirmation?
こちらのシステムでは予約が見つかりません。
Kochira no shisutemu de wa yoyaku ga mitsukarimasen.
We can't find the reservation in our system.
お席はご用意できますが、少しお待ちいただきます。
Oseki wa go-yōi dekimasu ga, sukoshi omachi itadakimasu.
We can seat you, but there may be a short wait.
How to respond
予約時の電話番号でも確認していただけますか？
Yoyaku-ji no denwa bangō demo kakunin shite itadakemasu ka?
Could you check the phone number on the reservation?
予約が見つからない場合、今入れる席はありますか？
Yoyaku ga mitsukaranai baai, ima haireru seki wa arimasu ka?
If the reservation can't be found, is there a table available now?
待ち時間はどのくらいですか？
Machi-jikan wa dono kurai desu ka?
How long would the wait be?
Mini conversation
You
予約したのですが、予約が見つからないようです。
Yoyaku shita no desu ga, yoyaku ga mitsukaranai yō desu.
I have a reservation, but it doesn't seem to be showing up.
Other person
ご予約のお名前をお願いします。
Go-yoyaku no o-namae o onegai shimasu.
What name is the reservation under?
You
予約名はLeeです。7時に2名で予約しました。
Yoyaku-mei wa Lee desu. Shichi-ji ni ni-mei de yoyaku shimashita.
It's under Lee, for two people at seven.
Other person
予約確認画面を見せていただけますか？
Yoyaku kakunin gamen o misete itadakemasu ka?
Could I see your reservation confirmation?
You
はい。予約確認メールと予約番号があります。
Hai. Yoyaku kakunin mēru to yoyaku bangō ga arimasu.
Yes. I have the confirmation email and booking number.
Other person
こちらのシステムでは予約が見つかりません。
Kochira no shisutemu de wa yoyaku ga mitsukarimasen.
We can't find the reservation in our system.
You
では、今入れる席はありますか？
Dewa, ima haireru seki wa arimasu ka?
Then is there a table available now?
Other person
お席はご用意できますが、少しお待ちいただきます。
Oseki wa go-yōi dekimasu ga, sukoshi omachi itadakimasu.
We can seat you, but you'll need to wait a little.
More natural
予約がありませんと言われました is understandable, but 予約が見つからないようです keeps the tone neutral while staff checks. Once they begin searching, give the name, time, party size, and confirmation screen in that order.
Good to know
A reservation may be searchable by name, phone number, email, or booking platform. Keep the confirmation message ready. If the restaurant still cannot find it, ask whether there is a table now or how long the wait would be.
