Sukiyabashi Jiro, Sushi Saito, etc - Reservations question

[Kalston]

I have been calling Jiro (Ginza location), Saito, etc to make a reservation for 2 months in advance, but they all tell me that they only take reservations for this month and next (so up to the end of January right now). How come I keep reading about other hounders making reservations for months in advance? Am I doing something wrong?

Thanks all!

[Ninisix]

Nothing wrong is done... Me I am the exact contrary, I can not book 2 weeks in advance, so I had to try to make that call many times before having a chance... In Tokyo the new year end season will begin from December 29 to January 05th, so if will be better to wait a week..

[Kalston]

Thanks for the response! Do you know why other people have been making reservations months in advance then?

[AlkieGourmand]

From my experience dining solo, I think two months notice is unnecessary at almost every restaurant in Tokyo. Generally, I was able to make reservations at every restaurant I wanted to try (including small restaurants like Saito and much-hyped restaurants like Ryugin) with a week's notice or less. It is even possible to drop in without reservations at some 3-Michelin-star restaurants (though I do not recommend doing so).

[Ninisix]

Due to the sushi boom, in a few years, number of fan have tripled. But this rapid increase was not adapted to the small & intimate traditional sushi.
Now, after the earthquake, the demand decreased... but, still, never never go to a high end sushi without reservation. Especially as usually, they manage for 4-5 seats, so you will likely end up to an unpredictable seat, ...  - and that's if you are lucky.