Dining and drinking in Japan have a few dos and don’ts that are important to remember and practice. While making small mistakes is unavoidable, it’s good to familiarize yourself with customs and taboos so you can leave a good impression no matter where you go.
INDEX
Dining in Japan is pretty straightforward, although the experience might be unique from what you are used to. That's why it's important to learn the proper etiquette when eating as well as how to go about when dining in Japan—from the moment you step into a restaurant to when you have finished your meal and are about to pay.
In most restaurants, except for high-end ones, you pay at the cashier counter and not at the table. Outside of the major cities, most restaurants and stores prefer cash as the method of payment, so it's always good to have some on hand in case they don't take credit cards.
Tipping in Japan isn't necessary, and in some places, it is even frowned upon. If you leave a tip, the staff might even follow you out of the restaurant to return the money you “forgot.” For the Japanese, good service goes without saying and is part of the price and wages. This is also why there aren’t any specific waiters designated to a table.
It’s also important to note that, although there have been changes in recent years, smoking is still allowed inside the restaurant, especially for those in the countryside. Many places have a specific section within the restaurant, but it is not yet 100% smoke-free.
When you’re in a hurry to go from one place to the next, it can be tempting to eat on the go, such as on buses and trains. Nevertheless, the Japanese consider this as bad manners. There are also no trash bins available in most public places, so it’s best to eat in the store or restaurant so that you can leave your trash with them.
In most restaurants, except for high-end ones, you pay at the cashier counter and not at the table. Outside of the major cities, most restaurants and stores prefer cash as the method of payment, so it's always good to have some on hand in case they don't take credit cards.
After you sit down to order, you will be given an o-shibori, a type of wet towel that is either wrapped in plastic or presented to you on a dish or by a server’s hand. These washcloths serve to clean your hands before and during the meal. All you have to do is take the wrapper, unroll it, wipe your hands, and then place it back on the wrapper or tray.
Sometimes, food orders will arrive for one person at a time. If you are dining with others and want to let them know that they can start without you, you can say “o-saki no dozo,” which means “please go ahead.” Before beginning the meal, say “itadakimasu,” a polite way to say “I receive.” If you are in a formal setting, you can press your palms together and bow slightly in front of your meal.
Most restaurants in Japan serve dishes with chopsticks or o-hashi. They can be a challenge to hold properly for first-timers, but chopsticks are easy to use once you get the hang of them. First, use your ring finger and the base of your thumb to hold the base chopstick and keep it immobile. Next, hold the top chopstick (the one that moves) like a pencil between your middle and index finger. It may sound complicated, but after some practice, you’ll get more used to it.
When you use disposable chopsticks in restaurants, simply break them apart. Most of them are of good quality and shouldn’t splinter. If they do, refrain from rubbing them together, as this is seen as poor manners in Japan.
If you have difficulty handling chopsticks, you can ask for a fork or spoon. Chopsticks used as a skewer is considered bad manners or even childish. When you want to use your hands to gesture as you speak, put your chopsticks down first. Waving it around as you talk is a rude gesture.
When you want to set aside your chopsticks, put them on the hashioki (chopstick rest) or next to your bowl horizontally. Never stick them upright into your rice, as this is part of a Buddhist funeral ritual of offering food to the deceased and is considered offensive during mealtimes.
Passing food from one person to another, from chopsticks to chopsticks, is also taboo. This act is another Buddhist ritual during funerals where the bones from the cremated ashes of the deceased pass them to one another before transferring the bones into an urn. Instead of passing food in a similar manner, place something onto their plate or let them take it directly from their plate. You can also use the other end of the chopsticks to pass things.
When eating rice, hold your rice bowl with one hand while eating with chopsticks. The same goes for eating with a miso soup bowl. This is easier than leaving the bowl on the table. The bowl should be held under your mouth to avoid spills.
When people think of Japanese cuisine, sushi is often the first food that comes to mind. As one of the major symbols of Japan, sushi is more than just about raw fish. It has been a beloved food for centuries and is popular around the world.
Sushi masters (Taisho) take pride in the craft of sushi-making. It takes decades of training to receive the title, and while you don’t have to be a sushi master to enjoy it, learning a bit more about this wonderful dish will give you a better dining experience. If you're looking for an authentic Japanese experience, try out dinner at a formal sushi-ya (sushi bar or restaurant). For a more affordable option, you can go for kaiten-zushi, also known as conveyor belt sushi restaurants, sushi go-rounds, or sushi trains.
There are various kinds of sushi in Japan, with each region specializing in either their local fish or different preparation methods. You can eat sushi with the hand or with chopsticks, while sashimi is only eaten with chopsticks. When eating sushi, there are three common condiments you can eat with—soy sauce, wasabi (Japanese horseradish), or shoga (pickled ginger).
For those allergic to gluten, it's important to note that lots of Japanese foods (not just sushi) use soy sauce which contains wheat. While it might be challenging to find gluten-free restaurants in Japan, you can always opt to eat gluten-free food like rice, onigiri (rice balls), sashimi, tofu, eggs, and more.
In Japan, slurping your soup and noodles is quite common. It helps you eat the noodles while cooling them down, so you don’t end up burning yourself.
While slurping is all right, smacking lips, burping, and other eating sounds are seen as poor manners. It’s best to be careful if you’re a loud eater.
After you’ve enjoyed your food, it’s customary to say “Gochisosama deshita” as a way to express your gratitude for the meal. You can even make the same gesture you did before you ate—pressing your palms together and making a slight bow. Many people do this even when they are dining alone.
Japan has a culture of vegetarianism brought about by its Buddhist roots. However, there is generally not much awareness about vegan Japanese food. Most people assume that vegetarians can eat fish and that a vegetarian diet simply means not eating meat. Even vegetable ramen noodles use pork for the broth, and vegetable curry also uses beef for the paste and may contain meat. Miso soup, a popular soup in Japan, uses fish or dashi for the stock.
Some restaurants offer vegetarian dishes that you can choose from, although they can be harder to find, especially in rural areas. If this is a major point of concern for you, it's best to do some research ahead of time so you can see your options. The only places that offer completely vegetarian dishes are temples that offer meals, as monks are only allowed to eat vegetarian food.
Unlike in dining, where it’s okay to eat before the others, the drinking culture in Japan is a little bit different. It’s important to wait until everyone is served at a drinking party before starting a little ceremony to kick off the drinking. Everyone lets out at heart “kampai,” which actually means “empty glass.”
Instead of pouring your own drink, it’s customary to pour for others if they serve alcohol in bottles. Pouring for others is a kind and respectful gesture and will usually get others to pour for you too. If you'd rather not drink, it’s all right to say so. Most restaurants offer soft drinks, tea, water, and other non-alcoholic beverages.
Food is a great way to get to know more about a country's culture. For first-time adventurers or seasoned travelers, Japanese cuisine is worth exploring. If you can apply these simple steps to good etiquette, you'll have a better dining experience no matter where you go.
Find out the best time to visit Japan with details on climate, seasons, weather, as well as what to wear and where to go.
Spend a relaxing day in Japan when you visit an onsen. Here are some tips to remember to have the best hot spring experience.
With over a hundred thousand sacred sites, shrines and temples count among the most popular tourist spots in Japan. Learn the proper etiquette when you visit.
Share
SHARE