Contents

Meaning

一見さん means “first-time customer” or “a customer visiting for the first time.”

More specifically, it refers to:

A person visiting a restaurant, shop, or establishment for the first time
Someone who is not a regular customer or loyal patron
A new/unfamiliar customer as opposed to a repeat customer

Context and nuances:

The term is commonly used in Japan, particularly in restaurants, bars, cafes, and other service establishments. It distinguishes between:

一見さん (ikken-san) = first-time/new customer
常連 (jouren) = regular customer

Important note about exclusivity:

In some traditional Japanese establishments—particularly high-end sushi restaurants, exclusive bars, or certain ryokan (traditional inns)—there’s a practice called 一見さんお断り (ikken-san o kotowari), which means “first-time customers not accepted” or “no walk-ins.” These establishments only serve regular customers or those who have been introduced/referred by existing customers.

Example contexts:

A waiter might ask: “一見さんですか？” (Are you a first-time customer?)
A restaurant sign might say: “一見さんお断り” (First-time customers not accepted)
Someone might say: “このお店は一見さんを受け付けていない” (This shop doesn’t accept first-time customers)

Common English equivalents:

“first-time customer”
“new customer”
“walk-in customer”
“customer visiting for the first time”

Example sentences

一見さん (ikken-san) – 20 Example Sentences

1

Japanese: このお寿司屋さんは一見さんお断りで知られている。 English: This sushi restaurant is known for not accepting first-time customers.

2

Japanese: 一見さんですか、それとも常連さんですか？ English: Are you a first-time customer, or are you a regular?

3

Japanese: 一見さんでも大歓迎のお店を探している。 English: I’m looking for a restaurant that welcomes first-time customers.

4

Japanese: 京都の有名な料亭の中には、一見さんお断りのところが多い。 English: Many famous restaurants in Kyoto don’t accept first-time customers.

5

Japanese: 一見さんだから、メニューの説明をしてくれた。 English: Since I was a first-time customer, they explained the menu to me.

6

Japanese: あのバーは一見さんには厳しいらしい。 English: It seems that bar is strict about first-time customers.

7

Japanese: 一見さんでも良いお店なら、友達に紹介したい。 English: If it’s a restaurant that accepts first-time customers, I’d like to recommend it to my friends.

8

Japanese: その高級寿司店は一見さんお断りなので、誰かに紹介してもらう必要がある。 English: That high-end sushi restaurant doesn’t accept first-time customers, so you need to get an introduction from someone.

9

Japanese: 一見さんだという理由で、入店を断られた。 English: I was denied entry just because I was a first-time customer.

10

Japanese: このお店は一見さんをたくさん受け入れている。 English: This restaurant accepts many first-time customers.

11

Japanese: 一見さんですか？と聞かれて、はい、初めてですと答えた。 English: When asked “Are you a first-time customer?”, I answered “Yes, this is my first time.”

12

Japanese: 一見さんでも居心地よく過ごせるお店が増えてきた。 English: More restaurants are appearing where even first-time customers can feel comfortable.

13

Japanese: 一見さんお断りの理由は、店の雰囲気を守るためだという。 English: The reason for not accepting first-time customers is to preserve the atmosphere of the restaurant, they say.

14

Japanese: 友達が常連なので、一見さんでも大丈夫だろう。 English: Since my friend is a regular, being a first-time customer should be okay.

15

Japanese: 一見さんだと知って、特別にいい席に案内してくれた。 English: Knowing I was a first-time customer, they specially guided me to a good seat.

16

Japanese: あの居酒屋は一見さんも常連さんも同じように扱ってくれる。 English: That izakaya treats both first-time customers and regulars the same way.

17

Japanese: 一見さんだから、オーダーの時に丁寧に説明してくれた。 English: Since I was a first-time customer, they explained the ordering process carefully.

18

Japanese: 一見さんお断りのお店に入りたくて、常連の知り合いに紹介をお願いした。 English: I wanted to go to a restaurant that doesn’t accept first-time customers, so I asked an acquaintance who is a regular for an introduction.

19

Japanese: 一見さんでも楽しめるメニューが充実しているお店を探している。 English: I’m looking for a restaurant with a good selection of menu items that even first-time customers can enjoy.

20

Japanese: このお店は一見さんにも常連さんにも優しい雰囲気がある。 English: This restaurant has a friendly atmosphere for both first-time customers and regulars.

Conversation example

一見さん (ikken-san) – Conversation Examples

Conversation 1: At a Sushi Restaurant

Japanese:

店員: いらっしゃいませ。本日は初めてのご来店ですか？
客: はい、今日が初めてです。一見さんなんですが、入ってもいいですか？
店員: もちろんです。いらっしゃいませ。本日のおすすめをご説明させていただきます。
客: ありがとうございます。こちらのお店、有名ですよね。
店員: ありがとうございます。一見さんにも常連さんにも喜んでいただけるよう、心がけております。

English:

Server: Welcome. Is this your first time visiting us?
Customer: Yes, it’s my first time. I’m a first-time customer, but is it okay if I come in?
Server: Of course, welcome. Let me explain today’s specials for you.
Customer: Thank you. Your restaurant is famous, isn’t it?
Server: Thank you so much. We make sure to make both first-time customers and regulars feel welcomed.

Conversation 2: Planning a Restaurant Visit

Japanese:

友人A: ねえ、京都でいい寿司屋を知ってる？
友人B: あ、いい店があるんだけど、一見さんお断りなんだよね。
友人A: え、本当？どうすればいい？
友人B: 僕が常連だから、一緒に行ったら大丈夫だよ。紹介しておくから。
友人A: 本当？助かる。やっぱり常連がいると違うんだ。

English:

Friend A: Hey, do you know any good sushi restaurants in Kyoto?
Friend B: Oh, there’s a great one, but it doesn’t accept first-time customers.
Friend A: Really? What should I do?
Friend B: I’m a regular there, so if we go together, it’ll be fine. I’ll let them know about you.
Friend A: Really? That helps. Having a regular customer makes a difference, doesn’t it?

Conversation 3: At a Bar

Japanese:

店員: いらっしゃいませ。初めてのご来店ですね。
客: はい、一見さんなんですが、このお店に来てみたくて。
店員: ありがとうございます。一見さんのお客さんを大歓迎しております。メニューはいかがしましょう？
客: とりあえずビールでお願いします。
店員: かしこまりました。ご不明な点があれば、いつでもお聞きください。

English:

Bartender: Welcome. This is your first time here, right?
Customer: Yes, I’m a first-time customer, but I wanted to come to this bar.
Bartender: Thank you so much. We really welcome first-time customers. What can I get for you?
Customer: I’ll have a beer for now, please.
Bartender: Understood. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Conversation 4: Getting an Introduction

Japanese:

客A: その料亭、一見さんお断りなんですか？
常連: そうなんです。でも僕が紹介者になるから大丈夫ですよ。
客A: 本当ですか？ありがとうございます。
常連: いえ、いえ。僕の友達だからね。予約の時に、紹介者は僕だと伝えておきます。
客A: 助かります。常連の力はすごいですね。

English:

Customer A: Is that restaurant really strict about not accepting first-time customers?
Regular: Yes, it is. But it’s okay—I can introduce you.
Customer A: Really? Thank you so much.
Regular: Not at all. You’re a friend of mine. When I make the reservation, I’ll mention that I’m your referrer.
Customer A: That’s a lifesaver. The power of being a regular is impressive!

Conversation 5: Restaurant Staff Conversation

Japanese:

店長: 今日の新しいお客さんはどう？
店員: 一見さんのお客さんが何組か来ました。みんな満足そうですよ。
店長: 良かった。一見さんを大切にすることが大事だからね。
店員: 本当ですね。一見さんが常連になってくれたら嬉しいです。
店長: そうだね。一見さんの評判が良ければ、また来てくれるし、友達にも紹介してくれるしね。

English:

Manager: How are the new customers today?
Staff: We had several first-time customers come in. They all seemed satisfied.
Manager: That’s great. It’s important to take care of first-time customers.
Staff: Absolutely. I’d be happy if first-time customers become regulars.
Manager: Exactly. If first-time customers have a good experience, they’ll come back and recommend us to their friends too.

Conversation 6: Tourist and Local Friend

Japanese:

観光客: 京都のこのお店、予約できる？
地元の友人: ああ、そこは一見さんお断りなんだよ。残念だね。
観光客: え、そうなんですか？他の店で我慢するしかないですね。
地元の友人: いや、僕の知り合いがそこの常連だから、聞いてみようか。
観光客: 本当？そんなことしてくれるんですか？
地元の友人: そうだね。一見さんでは無理だけど、誰かの紹介なら大丈夫だよ。京都ってそういうところなんだ。
観光客: ありがとうございます。京都の文化、勉強になります。

English:

Tourist: Can I make a reservation at this Kyoto restaurant?
Local Friend: Ah, that place doesn’t accept first-time customers. Too bad.
Tourist: Really? I guess I’ll have to settle for another restaurant.
Local Friend: No wait, I know someone who’s a regular there. Let me ask for you.
Tourist: Really? Would you do that for me?
Local Friend: Sure. First-time customers can’t go, but if you get an introduction, it’s fine. That’s just how Kyoto works.
Tourist: Thank you so much. I’m learning about Kyoto culture!

Conversation 7: Online Review Discussion

Japanese:

ネットユーザーA: このお店、一見さんお断りなんですか？
ネットユーザーB: そうですね。でも初めて来た時は、そんなに厳しくなかったような。
ネットユーザーA: 本当ですか？紹介なしでも大丈夫ですか？
ネットユーザーB: 確かなことは言えませんが、一見さんを受け付けているお店もあるし、受け付けていないお店もあります。
ネットユーザーA: そうですか。事前に確認してから行った方がいいですね。
ネットユーザーB: そうですね。特に京都や大阪の高級店は一見さんお断りが多いので、注意が必要です。

English:

Internet User A: Does this restaurant really not accept first-time customers?
Internet User B: Yes, it does. But when I went for the first time, it wasn’t that strict.
Internet User A: Really? Is it okay to go without an introduction?
Internet User B: I can’t say for certain, but some restaurants accept first-time customers while others don’t.
Internet User A: I see. It’s better to check beforehand, isn’t it?
Internet User B: Definitely. Especially high-end restaurants in Kyoto and Osaka often have the no-first-time-customers policy, so you need to be careful.