Do not arrive late. Being late can be a source of concern to your Japanese host and can be considered rude. Arriving late can be a hassle for everyone because they might think that you are lost and can’t find your way. The best way to avoid giving your host grief is to show up around ten minutes early.

An invitation to drink in Japan can arrive in many of different contexts. It’s part of the Japanese business cultural experience that colleagues and their superiors share after work drinks, but can just as easily be a casual gathering of friends. Whatever the circumstances, there are important rules to observe if you don’t want to seem rude or ignorant.

First, it is important to know who your superiors are and who are the seniors in the room. When you come in, you should acknowledge the people in the room and quietly greet them, so as to not attract attention.

If you don’t know someone’s name, ask and try to remember them. In Japanese, anata (the Japanese version of “you”) is considered too personal. You should call people with whom you are not familiar by their first or last name followed by -san. This establishes a respectful atmosphere, which can later bloom into a new friendship.

After the introductions, take your seat. The seat closest to the entrance is called shimoza (lower seat), so the politest thing to do under any circumstance is to sit there or someplace close to it. Whatever you do, don’t sit at the back of the room away from the entrance! This one is the kamiza; a seat for higher-ranking members.

Every language has its own translation: “cheers” in English, “santé” in French, “gān bēi” in Chinese, and each culture attaches its own importance to it. Know that it is very important in Japan that you do not approach the drinks by yourself at the beginning. Instead, wait for someone to give you a glass.

The first drink is poured for everyone at the same time. Before you start sipping, wait for the magic word: “Kanpai!” When you clink the glasses, yours should be at a lower angle than your superior’s or elder’s. Respecting those rules creates a moment of friendship and bonding, which is the first step in making new friendships.

Don’t let the Japanese alcohol take over! After the first drink, remember to stay attentive and watch the glasses of others around you. When their glasses are empty, ask what they want to drink and pour it for them. If your glass is empty, wait for somebody to ask if you want a refill, as serving yourself will seem too casual in front of your senior and superior.

To pour a drink for someone else, use both hands to hold the bottle. Make sure the bottle’s label is facing up, and that your left hand is supporting it at the center. The glass should be held at a slight angle by the person receiving the drink to facilitate the refill. It's also considered a humble gesture to initially pretend to refuse the drink. The person pouring always insists, as it is considered to be a key part of hospitality.

Also, be sure to converse with your fellow partygoers. Don’t worry if your Japanese language skills are poor! Drinking parties are all about getting to know one another, and you may find yourself talking about where you are from, why you came to Japan, and about many other interesting topics. People will help you with your Japanese, or may even want to practice their English.

Departures sometimes create awkward moments. The best method is to wait for the host or a superior to decide when the party's over. If you leave before the rest of the party, then you’ll stand out and the host will wonder why you left so early.

Also, what about the bill? No one likes the person who leaves someone else with the bill, no matter what culture everyone is from. If you know you must leave early, be sure to let the host know and make arrangements concerning the payment in advance.

When the party is over, kindly offer your help cleaning up and thank everyone for the night. Be sure to collect your belongings! It is better to not forget anything so you don’t have to return and perhaps create a new awkward situation.

This may all seem very complicated, and there are many subtleties to observe. Don’t worry! As a rule, the Japanese are very nice people. If they see you trying to respect their customs, they will understand that you can’t do everything perfectly (they may even forget themselves, if they have a bit too much to drink). So relax, enjoy the cultural experience, and make some new friends!