Dining Etiquette in Japan: What Every Tourist Should Know

Japan is renowned not only for its rich history and culture but also for unique traditions that permeate everyday life. Dining is no exception—there are numerous customs and rules associated with eating in Japan. If you want to avoid making faux pas as a tourist, it’s essential to understand Japanese dining etiquette.

We’ve prepared 9 essential etiquette tips you should familiarize yourself with before embarking on your journey to Japan.

1.    Wait to Be Seated

When you enter a restaurant, don’t rush to the first available table you see. The proper approach is to wait for the staff to seat you. By doing so, you not only follow the dining etiquette in Japan but also show respect to the service staff.

2.    Use Oshibori

What is Oshibori? It’s a damp towel that you’ll typically receive right after being seated in most Japanese restaurants. Oshibori is meant for wiping your hands, not your neck or face. The wet towel is part of Japanese dining etiquette because it’s expected that you will be tasting your food with your hands. After using the towel, fold it and place it to the side.

3.    Call the server

In Japan, it is completely normal to call the server during your meal, but there are specific rules for doing so. Here are three ways to properly call the server:

• Use the bell: In some restaurants, there are small bells on the table that are used to attract the server’s attention.
• Raise your hand: It’s fine to lightly raise your hand and keep it up until the server notices you. Be sure to avoid waving your hand.
• Say “Sumimasen”: It’s very common to use the word “sumimasen,” which means “excuse me” or “sorry,” when you want to call the server. This is a polite way to signal that you need the server’s help.

4.    Slurp your soup

It may sound surprising, but in Japan, slurping soup is quite common. By slurping and making slurping sounds, you show your satisfaction with the food. So, don’t be afraid to lift your soup bowl from the table and slurp it.

 

5.    Don’t pour soy sauce directly onto the food

With Japanese food, you are typically given soy sauce in a small dish on the side. If you want to season your sushi or another dish, it’s best to gently dip it into the sauce. Never pour soy sauce directly onto the food.

6.    Don’t mix wasabi with soy sauce

If you want to flavor your sushi with both soy sauce and wasabi, it’s important to follow the traditional way of eating. Instead of mixing the wasabi directly into the soy sauce, put a small amount of wasabi directly onto the sushi or other dish you’re eating, and then dip it in the soy sauce.

7.    Eat everything on your plate

In Japan, it is considered impolite to leave food on your plate. On the other hand, finishing everything you’ve been given shows that you enjoyed the meal and appreciate the effort that went into its preparation. Therefore, try to eat everything you’ve been served, even if you’re already full.

8.    Learn 2 basic phrases

Are you wondering what to say before eating in Japan? “Itadakimasu”—a phrase that literally means “I humbly receive.” By saying it, you show respect to those who prepared the food and to the ingredients themselves.

What to say after eating in Japan? Use the phrase “Gochisousama,” which also expresses gratitude for the meal and respect for those who made it.

Here are a few more words and phrases that might come in handy in Japan, not just during meals:

English	Japanese
Yes	Hai [haj]
No	Iie [íje]
Thank you	Arigatō [arigató]
Excuse me / Sorry	Sumimasen [sumimasen]
Hello	Konnichiwa [koničiva]
How are you?	O genki desu ka [o genki deska]
Nice to meet you.	Hajimemashite [hadžimemašte]
Goodbye	Sayounara [sajónara
I don’t understand.	Wakarimasen [vakarimasen]

9.    Properly Use Chopsticks

Using chopsticks is an essential skill in Japan, and there are many rules of etiquette associated with them. When eating with chopsticks, avoid:

• Sticking chopsticks into rice or other food. This is a tradition during funeral rites, so avoid doing it while eating.
• Passing food with chopsticks. Instead, place the food on a small plate or bowl and then offer it to the other person.
• Resting chopsticks on larger bowls. If you want to set your chopsticks down, use a small bowl or a designated holder (hashioki).

Traditional Japanese food is eaten with chopsticks, but if you’re not comfortable using them, don’t hesitate to ask for cutlery.

 

Now You’re Ready to Taste Japanese Specialties

Once you’ve mastered Japanese dining etiquette, you’ll be ready to try all the local delicacies. Whether you choose world-famous sushi, ramen, or lesser-known dishes like unagi or takoyaki, every moment spent at the table will be an experience for you.