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'I’ll never forget!' Just How is Japan’s Beloved Omotenashi Service at Restaurants?

Date published: 13 July 2021

While an everyday occurrence for Japanese locals, international travelers are often surprised at the incredible level of extra service found at Japanese restaurants. To find out what stands out the most, we looked back on some past interviews with foreign residents in Japan who were particularly impressed with Japanese “omotenashi” hospitality culture. Let’s see what they had to say!

(The following are opinions based upon the personal experiences of interviewees).

“Restaurants and eateries throughout Japan often provide diners with a cold towel in summer and a warm towel in winter. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced the same level of service in any other country!” said an Italian man who had been studying Japanese in Tokyo until spring 2016.

Indeed, many are thoroughly grateful towards the painstaking efforts Japanese staff put into ensuring your “oshibori” complements the temperature of the season. There’s nothing more satisfying than cooling down during a stifling summer’s day or warming up against the freezing winter with a freshly chilled or heated oshibori. Best of all, this service is completely free!

“Of course, you can also use the public toilet for free in Japan, too! I’ve yet to find another place with such a high level of service in the world.” Most of us take for granted that we can use the toilet for free. However, there are more than a few countries where public or restaurant toilets are a luxury within themselves.

“One time, when I went to a particularly well-known restaurant in Japan, I had an 'omotenashi' experience I’ll never forget! Naturally, the food and service was an absolute delight; however, what I found particularly outstanding was the story behind the food.

"The staff elegantly explained the meaning behind each ingredient and what role they play in creating luck and fortune for us. I’ve never experienced anything like it before!” said a Korean woman working in Japan.

No matter the country, expensive and high-class restaurants are guaranteed to provide first-rate service and exquisite food. However, having staff carefully and enthusiastically explain each element of your dish and its significance is a form of “omotenashi” rarely found outside Japan.

“Along with the stomach, my heart was filled with affection for the sheer effort that everyone was putting in for my sake. Meanwhile, my worldly knowledge and appreciation of Japanese culture was enriched, allowing me the ultimate dining experience.”

Receiving all of this extra service, especially when you didn’t expect it, is undoubtedly what makes dining out in Japan such an unforgettable experience!

“No matter the season, even during winter, as soon as you’re seated in a restaurant, iced water is on the table - for free! With restaurants consistently providing either pristine tap water or high-quality mineral water, you’ll rarely feel dehydrated in Japan! I was seriously impressed! I was also surprised that you could drink water straight from the tap without boiling it,” said a Chinese exchange student.

Similar to an “oshibori” wet towel, from the moment you sit down, a glass of freshly chilled iced water is on the way! In addition, many countries such as China don’t have drinkable tap water, making many Chinese and other travelers truly appreciative of the wonders of Japanese tap water!

“In Korea, it’s really difficult to go out alone. If you want to check out a café or dine at a restaurant, you’ll need to find someone else to go with you - lest you be looked at strangely. However, in Japan, there are lots of seats for singles with plenty of space or barriers in between to ensure privacy. I don't have much time to go out for lunch with other people, so it's really helpful for business professionals like me!” said a Korean woman who moved to Japan with her family.

Surprisingly, going out to eat alone in countries like Korea, especially as a woman, is generally frowned upon. That’s why many appreciate Japan’s carefree and welcoming attitude to those dining out by themselves.

Seeing someone enjoying a solo lunch or a quick dinner at a fast food outlet or café is far from unusual in Japan. In fact, there have recently been incentives created to encourage people to go out and have fun alone, such as “singles karaoke” and theme parks like Tokyo Disney Resorts giving priority access to singles for rides and such.

Despite this, the demand for facilities to provide for singles in countries like Korea is rapidly growing. This will undoubtedly lead to more people and restaurants allowing singles the space to have fun alone without judgement.

We hope you enjoyed hearing the thoughts of international residents experiencing Japan’s legendary omotenashi culture. While the above is simply considered a natural, everyday convenience by Japanese people, to many citizens of the world, this touch of extra service has a profound impact on changing the way we view service and dining.

We’re sure that as fans of Japanese culture, our readers have their own omotenashi stories where Japanese staff and servers have gone the extra mile to ensure absolute comfort and contentment. From the jovial “irasshaimase” greeting to the heartfelt “arigato gozaimasu” farewell, the boundless charm of Japanese omotenashi awaits your return!