Dreaming about visiting Japan? There’s a very strong chance that part of the appeal is the food. Here at The Japan Concierge, we’re of the opinion that the food alone is reason enough to book a ticket to Japan. We’d happily fly to Tokyo for sushi, to Osaka for Takoyaki or to Fukuoka for some of their incredible ramen. And we think you should too!

You may well be aware that Tokyo has more Michelin stars than any other city on earth. That’s an incredible 198 restaurants with 261 total stars this year – in just one city…

It’s not all Michelin stars though, if you’ve been to Japan then you’ll already know the culinary delights offered by convenience stores like Family Mart, 7/11 and Lawson. These low-cost, high-quality, and delicious snacks and treats are reason enough to spend time in Japan – just ask world-famous chef, David Chang who is renowned for his love of Japan’s conbini offerings.

Then there are the depachika, food stalls in the basements of department stores where you can buy the most incredible food imaginable.

As with any food culture with a rich history, there are some unique etiquette rules to be aware of that can easily trip up unsuspecting foreign visitors.

Chopsticks

• Many restaurants provide disposable chopsticks, even in very high-end establishments. Rubbing the two chopsticks together once separated is a real no-no as this suggests that the chopsticks are of poor quality and calls into question the generosity of your hosts.

• Be careful not to pass food to another person using chopsticks or stand chopsticks into a bowl of food – both acts are associated with funerals and should be avoided at mealtimes.

• Treat chopsticks as you would any item of cutlery, avoid waving them in the air or using them as drumsticks or pointers.

Dining

• While you might want to savour the whole experience, you should never smell your food as this suggests that you’re questioning the quality of the meal provided.

• Waste is frowned upon in Japanese culture and this extends to soy sauce, only pour a small amount into the soy sauce bowl (a teaspoon at the most) at a time and refill as required.

• Pickled ginger (gari) is provided in sushi restaurants as a ‘palette cleanser’ to have between sushi pieces. It should never (ever) be eaten along with a piece of sushi or sashimi.

Drinking

• If drinks are presented in a bottle or in a carafe, it’s frowned upon to pour your own drink, especially in formal situations. The norm is for you to top-up your companions’ drinks and in return, someone will return the favour (don’t forget to return the favour if someone pours a drink for you!)

• Despite the small cups, sake is not intended to be consumed as a shot. Sake is sipped as you would a glass of wine.

Seating charges

• Izakaya and some restaurants will generally charge a seating charge per person which includes a small dish of food called an otōshi. The fee varies and is usually around ¥200 to ¥1000. This is standard practice in Japan and is not aimed at foreign visitors. (It’s worth noting that it’s also not negotiable regardless of whether you consume the otōshi or not…)

Tipping

• There is no expectation of tips in Japanese culture. Leaving a tip may at best lead to confusion with staff running after you to return your forgotten ‘change’ or at worst cause unintended offence. While this is a general rule, you may find that larger Western hotels may automatically add a service charge based on their global policies.

Bills and payment

• When asking for the check it is not unusual to be handed a small piece of paper with just the total amount owing written on it, as opposed to itemised bills that are more common in the West. This too is normal and just a quirk of dining out in Japan, especially in smaller establishments. You are generally expected to trust that the restaurant has been honest and accurate in calculating the charges.

Cash

• Japan is still very much a cash-based economy, this is particularly true of smaller and older businesses. It’s best to always carry sufficient cash to cover your meal just in case.

Eating on the go

• A visit to a conbini and a depachika are an absolute must…just make sure you find somewhere to sit down and enjoy your meal, as eating while walking just isn’t done – nor is eating on the subway or commuter trains (long-distance trains are a different story and purchasing a famous ekiben or station bento is highly recommended).

The food culture in Japan is incredible and hopefully, these tips will help you avoid any blushes along the way. As with anything in Japan, if you’re not sure do feel free to ask someone for guidance. The Japanese will be delighted that you took the time to learn about their culture.