“Tipping culture over here is unlike anywhere else. Basically, we don’t tip. I work in a restaurant, and a lot of tourists add a gratuity whenever they pay in cash, but most of the time, we refuse any extra money. If we can, we give the money back, but if the customer has left, then we put the money in the register. We don’t keep it for ourselves. There are some exceptions out there, but for the most part, it’s the same all over Japan.” - Lin, Tokyo.

This applies to many services in Japan, not just dining out, but it is most prevalent in restaurants and bars. Tipping waitstaff or bartenders is unnecessary because Japanese culture values hard work, respect, and fairness.

Offering extra money can sometimes be awkward and may be perceived as implying that service workers aren't fairly compensated. While most tips are politely declined, some workers might accept a tip with a smile to avoid any discomfort.

In some restaurants, a service charge of around 10-15 percent may be added to your bill, which is the closest equivalent to tipping in Japan. If there is no service charge, it is still recommended not to leave a gratuity.

“Different izakayas will have different footwear rules. Some will let you keep your shoes on, but most will expect you to remove them at the door and store them in a locker. Be careful not to just walk straight in without checking the rules first!” - Harry, Osaka

Izakayas are popular spots for Japanese workers to unwind with drinks and food after a long day at the office. Although officially classified as taverns, the variety of food at most izakayas can rival that of many restaurants.

Due to their longstanding history, many izakayas enforce traditional footwear rules. In some, particularly traditional family-run izakayas (as opposed to chain taverns), you must remove your shoes before entering the building. In others, you will be asked to remove them at the entrance.

In more traditional izakayas, the staff will take your shoes and store them in a locker for you to retrieve when you leave. In more casual izakayas, you might need to place them in a locker yourself (and don't forget to take the key!).

“When eating in groups, don’t expect everyone’s dish to come out at the same time. On our first night in Tokyo, me and my wife went to a traditional Japanese restaurant somewhere in the backstreets of Shibuya. She ordered a noodle dish, and I had chicken and rice. Her food came out first, then we both sat waiting around for mine to come out. ‘It can’t be long now,’ we kept saying, but ten minutes passed, and I still had nothing. I thought they might have forgotten about me, so I asked the waiter. Unfortunately, the language barrier prevented me from getting a proper answer, but another patron in the restaurant told me that it’s normal for dishes to come out 10-20 minutes apart.” - Simon, Canada

This can be quite confusing. I experienced the same issue the first time I dined out in Japan. After years of dining out in the UK, I was used to everyone’s dish arriving at the same time.

In Japanese restaurants, however, your food is served as soon as it's cooked. If someone orders a light or quick-cooking dish, they'll receive theirs first, while you might still be waiting for your garlic chicken or tempura. Rest assured, the chef or waitress hasn't forgotten you.

In large groups, it's common for some people to finish their meals before others have even started. While it might feel a bit rude, this immediate cook-and-serve method ensures that dishes aren't left under heating lights, which can overcook food and diminish nutrients. This approach guarantees you're getting the freshest possible food every time.

“Otoshi will be added to your bill whenever you order alcohol. These are little snacks you can munch on while you wait for your food to arrive at your table. They’re not free, but they’re not expensive either.” - Bryan, Australia

In true Japanese style, for every problem, there’s a solution. When it comes to the above problem of food arriving at different times, this problem is addressed with otoshi, which is a table or seating charge, but comes in the form of an appetizer.

Otoshi, also known as tsukidashi (literally meaning ‘pushed out’) in Western Kansai, are small nibbles that are placed on your table as soon as any of your party orders alcohol in an izakaya (sometimes with soft drinks too, but not often). You might think these nibbles are a gesture of good faith, but you’ll actually be charged somewhere between 400 and 700 yen (around $3 to $6) for the privilege.

Why? Well, it comes back to Japanese traditions. The Japanese believe it customary to enjoy food and drink together, and with the waiting time between dishes arriving, otoshi allows you to enjoy food along with your drinks.

The custom of otoshi has a number of advantages. If you’re absolutely ravenous by the time you arrive at the izakaya, you can start eating immediately. It also gives you something to chomp on if your food is the last to arrive.

But the best part? You never quite know what you’re getting with the appetizer. Some typical otoshi dishes include steamed meat or vegetables, pickled cucumber, traditional salads, grilled fish pieces, and noodles. And for what you get, 400-700 yen is a small price to pay for such a delicious opener (and avoiding having to tip!).

“Finishing what you eat is a big deal over here. I see a lot of tourists order large portions and leave leftovers. But then they’ll go on to order dessert or extra food.” - Erika, Tokyo

In some countries, restaurants might be happy for you to order more than you can handle, but it’s a big mistake to do that in Japanese restaurants.

The Japanese consider it rude to leave food on your plate, and even more so to order more food when you haven’t finished everything you’ve already got. This is related to one of the fundamental concepts in Japanese culture, mottainai, which is a feeling of regret at having wasted something.

This is one of the reasons why Japanese food portions are quite small, so as not to risk overloading you and leading to waste. Of course, there might be genuine reasons why you can’t finish everything on a plate, such as allergies, but in this case, simply tell your waitress beforehand.

A useful sentence to remember: “watashi wa [food] arerugi-desu.” This means “I’m allergic to [food].” It’s easy to remember because arerugi sounds like allergy.

“Don’t expect American-style portions from places like McDonald’s in Japan. Over there, a large drink from McDonald’s is smaller than a medium one in most other countries. But with that said, Japanese fast food places get a lot more specialty items.” - Geert, Netherlands

If you’re starving and you need something right now, or you’re looking for a cheap meal out, one of the many fast food stores in Japan will gladly provide it.

As Geert says, portion sizes over here are a little on the smaller side, which comes back to the concept of mottainai again. But what Japan lacks in size, it more than makes up for in creativity.

For example, McDonald’s has a lot of Japanese-only items on its menu, including teriyaki burgers, chocolate fries, cheesecake McFlurries, and even a shrimp fillet burger.

“The first time I came to Japan, I had no idea what tabehoudai was, and when someone described it, it sounded like a buffet, which I usually avoid at home. When I tried it, though, it’s way more like just paying a set price and ordering as much as you want! Amazing! I love it with a nomihoudai (all-you-can-drink) too!” - Cassandra, Tokyo

For those with big appetites, you’ll find that the many tabehoudais (‘eat as much as you can’) around Japan will see you right. Unlike traditional buffets, a tabehoudai gives you a set amount of time to stuff yourself, usually around 90-120 minutes. Most tabehoudais serve a particular type of food, from salad, meat, sushi, and international cuisines. Depending on the restaurant in question, you’ll either serve yourself or order food to your table.

Interestingly, quite a few regular restaurants around Japan offer all-you-can-eat options in addition to regular dining, so try asking, ‘Tabehoudai ga arimasu ka?’ if you’re feeling particularly hungry. In some places, they’ll even give you a mini-barbecue to roast your own meat!

“So you’ve just picked up some fast food before you headed home, where are you going to eat it? The best place would be inside the store, because walking around and eating is considered rude in most parts of Japan. There are a few exceptions, but as a general rule, try to eat your food in the same place you ordered it!” - Joe, United Kingdom

Eating and drinking in public, including on public transport, is heavily frowned upon. This is particularly true for places of worship like shrines or temples, so avoid eating or drinking around them at all costs. One of the main reasons for this is Japan prides itself on having some of the cleanest streets in the world, and encouraging outdoor eating might leave a lot more trash.

The exceptions to this rule are public benches in quiet spots, near large groups of vending machines, and in some parks. Of course, during food festivals and on tables at yatai stalls are also permissible.
 
Now you’ve read this guide, you’ll know exactly how to conduct yourself in a restaurant in Japan. Of course, don’t be worried about making a few mistakes along the way – it happens to all of us! The Japanese people understand that tourists won’t be familiar with their customs, so don’t feel bad if you overlook a few things.