A trip to Japan offers a feast for the senses, with food being one of its most celebrated highlights. From the comforting warmth of a ramen bowl to the delicate artistry of sushi, Japanese cuisine is a world-class experience. But to truly enjoy it, it’s helpful to understand the customs that surround it. Japanese dining etiquette is a set of unspoken rules that show respect for the chef, the food, and fellow diners.
Navigating these traditions can seem intimidating, but most are simple gestures of mindfulness and respect. Knowing how to handle your chopsticks, what to say before a meal, and how to pay the bill can transform your dining experience from merely good to exceptional. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Japanese restaurant etiquette for your 2026 travels, ensuring you dine with confidence and make a great impression.
Before You Eat: Greetings and Seating
Your dining experience begins the moment you step through the door. First impressions count, and a few simple courtesies will start your meal on the right foot.
Entering the Restaurant
When you enter a restaurant, you’ll almost always be greeted with a cheerful “Irasshaimase!” (welcome). This is a standard greeting from the staff to all customers. You aren’t expected to reply directly. A simple nod and a smile are the perfect acknowledgment.
A staff member will then approach you and ask how many people are in your party. You can hold up your fingers or say the number in Japanese if you know it—”hitori” for one, “futari” for two.
Taking Your Shoes Off
Some traditional Japanese restaurants, particularly those with tatami mat seating (zashiki), will require you to remove your shoes before entering the dining area. Look for a small, lowered entryway called a genkan, often with a shoe rack or lockers nearby.
Step up from the genkan onto the raised floor, taking your shoes off while facing away from the dining area. It’s considered poor form to step on the raised floor with your shoes on or on the lower floor with your socks. Neatly place your shoes on the provided shelves. If slippers are offered for walking around the restaurant, use them. Remember to remove these slippers before stepping onto the tatami mats. Having clean, presentable socks is a good idea.
The Oshibori (Hot Towel)
Once seated, you will be given an oshibori, a small, damp towel. It might be hot in the winter or cold in the summer. Use this towel to clean your hands before the meal. Do not use it to wipe your face, mouth, or the table. After use, fold it neatly and place it back in its tray or beside you on the table.
The Art of Ordering
Ordering in a foreign country can be part of the adventure. In Japan, the process is usually straightforward, even if you don’t speak the language.
Getting the Server’s Attention
Unlike in many Western restaurants, it’s considered polite to call for your server when you’re ready to order or need assistance. Look for the server and say “Sumimasen” (excuse me) in a clear but not overly loud voice. Some casual restaurants, like izakayas, have a call button on the table for this purpose.
Understanding the Menu
Many restaurants in tourist-friendly areas have English menus or menus with pictures. If not, don’t be afraid to use a translation app or politely ask for recommendations. Pointing at items is perfectly acceptable. A great phrase to learn is “Kore o onegaishimasu” (this one, please) while pointing at the menu item.
Set Menus (Teishoku)
For lunch, many restaurants like En Sushi offer teishoku, or set menus. These are an excellent value and provide a balanced meal, typically including a main dish, a bowl of rice, miso soup, and a side of pickled vegetables (tsukemono). It’s a fantastic way to sample different elements of Japanese cuisine at once.
Mastering Chopstick Etiquette
Chopsticks (ohashi) are the primary utensils in Japan, and using them correctly is the most important aspect of dining etiquette. While locals don’t expect foreigners to be experts, avoiding a few key mistakes shows respect.
How to Hold Chopsticks
- Rest the first chopstick in the valley between your thumb and index finger, balancing it on your ring finger. This chopstick remains stationary.
- Hold the second chopstick like a pencil, using your thumb, index, and middle fingers. This is the one you will move.
- Practice picking up small items by moving only the top chopstick.
Major Chopstick Taboos (Kirai-bashi)
Think of these as the absolute “don’ts” of using chopsticks. Many are related to Japanese funeral rites, so they carry significant cultural weight.
- Tate-bashi: Never stick your chopsticks upright in your bowl of rice. This resembles incense sticks at a funeral and is a strong reminder of death.
- Hashi-watashi: Do not pass food from your chopsticks directly to another person’s chopsticks. This is another practice reserved for funeral ceremonies. Instead, place the food on a small plate for the other person to pick up.
- Sashi-bashi: Don’t spear your food with your chopsticks. They are for picking up food, not stabbing it.
- Mayoi-bashi: Avoid hovering your chopsticks over different dishes while deciding what to eat. It’s seen as indecisive and greedy. Make a decision, then pick up the food.
- Neburi-bashi: Never lick or suck on your chopsticks.
- Yose-bashi: Don’t use your chopsticks to pull a bowl or plate closer to you. Use your hands.
- Watashi-bashi: Do not rest your chopsticks across the top of your bowl. This signals you are finished with your meal. If you need to rest them, use the provided chopstick rest (hashioki). If one isn’t available, you can rest them on the edge of a small plate or create a rest from the paper wrapper they came in.
How to Eat Specific Japanese Dishes
Different dishes come with their own set of customs. Here’s a quick guide to some of the most common ones.
Sushi and Sashimi
- Soy Sauce: Pour only a small amount of soy sauce into the provided dish. It’s wasteful to leave a large amount behind.
- Dipping: When eating nigiri sushi (fish on top of rice), turn the piece on its side and dip only the fish topping into the soy sauce. Soaking the rice will cause it to fall apart and absorb too much soy, overpowering the delicate flavor of the fish.
- Wasabi: Traditionally, the sushi chef has already placed the perfect amount of wasabi inside the nigiri. If you want more, you can add a tiny bit to the fish, but avoid mixing it into your soy sauce dish, as this is seen as unsophisticated in high-end establishments.
- Ginger (gari): The pickled ginger is meant to be eaten between different pieces of sushi to cleanse your palate. It is not a topping for the sushi itself.
- Hands or Chopsticks?: It is acceptable to eat nigiri sushi with your hands. In fact, many purists prefer it. Sashimi, however, should always be eaten with chopsticks.
Ramen, Udon, and Soba
- Slurping: Slurping your noodles is not only acceptable but encouraged! It does two things: it helps cool the hot noodles as you eat them and signals to the chef that you are enjoying your meal. Don’t be shy—give it a try.
- The Broth: It’s perfectly fine to drink the broth directly from the bowl. You can also use the large spoon (renge) provided. You are not obligated to finish all the broth, especially with ramen, as it can be quite rich.
- Soba Dipping Noodles (Zaru Soba): For cold soba noodles served with a dipping sauce, pick up a small portion of noodles with your chopsticks and dip them about one-third of the way into the sauce before eating. Don’t soak the entire portion.
Rice and Miso Soup
- Holding the Bowl: It is customary to pick up your rice bowl and miso soup bowl with your hands, bringing them closer to your mouth to eat. This prevents slouching and spilling.
- Drinking Miso Soup: Miso soup is meant to be drunk directly from the bowl. Use your chopsticks to eat the solid ingredients like tofu and seaweed.
Drinking Etiquette
Sharing a drink is a big part of Japanese social and business culture. Whether it’s sake, beer, or tea, a few rules apply.
Pouring for Others
In a group setting, it is customary to pour drinks for others but not for yourself. Keep an eye on your companions’ glasses, and if you see one is getting low, offer to refill it. Hold the bottle or flask with both hands when pouring to show respect. In turn, someone will pour for you. When someone is pouring for you, it’s polite to lift your glass slightly with both hands.
“Kanpai!” (Cheers!)
The Japanese word for “cheers” is “Kanpai“. Before taking your first sip, wait until everyone has a drink, raise your glasses, and say “Kanpai!” together. It means “empty cup” but don’t feel pressured to down your drink in one go.
Finishing Your Meal and Paying the Bill
The end of the meal has its own set of customs, from showing gratitude to handling the payment.
Showing Gratitude
Before starting your meal, it’s polite to say “Itadakimasu,” which is a way of expressing gratitude for the food. It roughly translates to “I humbly receive.” After you’ve finished, say “Gochisousama deshita.” This is a way of thanking the chef and staff for the wonderful meal, meaning “It was a feast.” Saying this as you leave is a lovely gesture that will be greatly appreciated.
Paying the Bill
In most Japanese restaurants, you do not pay at the table. The server will leave the bill face-down on your table or in a small tray. When you are ready to leave, take the bill to the cashier at the front of the restaurant to pay.
Tipping
Tipping is not a custom in Japan. In fact, it can be seen as confusing or even insulting. Excellent service is considered standard, and staff are paid a fair wage. If you leave money on the table, a server is likely to chase you down the street to return it. A sincere “Gochisousama deshita” is the best tip you can give.
Dine with Confidence
Japanese dining etiquette is rooted in respect and mindfulness. While this guide may seem to have many rules, the most important thing is to be considerate of others and show your appreciation. The Japanese are famously gracious hosts and will not expect you to be perfect.
By making a sincere effort to follow these customs during your 2026 trip, you’ll not only avoid any awkward moments but also deepen your connection to the culture. You’ll find that these small acts of politeness enrich your dining experiences, making every meal more memorable.
