How to: Dining Out in Japan | Easy Guide

Dining out in Japan can sometimes be a little stressful, as Japanese eating etiquette is a set of traditional perceptions that might be varied depending on different circumstances.
Before dining out at a traditional Japanese restaurant, whether it's an ordinary dinner with your friend or an important business meeting, it’s a good idea to study up on Japanese dining practices and table etiquette. This video will help you out with a comprehensive introduction to Japanese dining etiquette, covering eating habits, table manners, and how to consume the most popular cuisines.

Key Moments


0:00 Introduction

0:22 Entering the restaurant

Most restaurants in Japan do not require you to make a reservation in advance. However, for a more popular location, you’d better make a phone call before coming.
It is traditional to wait for a member of staff to meet you and inquire how many people are dining in your group as you enter the restaurant. If you are sitting on tatami (rather than a Western-style chair), reception will ask you to leave your shoes in a locker before entering the main area of the restaurant.


1:05 Ordering and Eating

When placing an order in a restaurant, raise your hand and make eye contact with a member of the waiting staff. It's also helpful to say sumimasen ('pardon me') to them.

Some restaurants may also provide a little gadget on your table that you can use to communicate with the wait staff or pay your bill. If this is the case, please press the appropriate button, and a member of the waiting staff will soon appear at your table.

2:45 Payment & Tips

While there’s no hard-and-fast rule to who pays for a meal in Japan, it’s considered standard for the person who made the invite to pay for the meal.
Tipping is not a requirement in Japanese restaurants. If you do so, you might end up with the staff chasing you to give you back any money left behind.
Instead, it is polite to say “gochisousama deshita” when leaving.

3:40 Outro

Whether you've recently moved to Japan or are just passing through, it's vital to brush up on Japanese culinary etiquette before you go. While it may appear frightening, we hope our guide has put your mind at ease and provided you with some excellent advice for your first meal in Japan.

I hope you find this sharing beneficial. Thank you for watching us!