Japanese Table Manners (2024)

FAQs

What are the basic table manners of Japan? ›

When eating from shared dishes (as it is commonly done at some restaurants such as izakaya), it is polite to use the opposite end of your chopsticks or dedicated serving chopsticks for moving food to your own dish. Blowing your nose at the table, burping and audible munching are considered bad manners in Japan.

Not finishing one's meal is not considered impolite in Japan, but rather is taken as a signal to the host that one wishes to be served another helping. Conversely, finishing one's meal completely, especially the rice, indicates that one is satisfied and therefore does not wish to be served any more.

Don't leave food behind. It's considered bad manners to leave even grains of rice behind, so be sure to clean your plate! If there are some foods you cannot eat, ask to have them left out of the dish. Do use the opposite end of chopsticks to pick up food from a shared dish.

Hara hachi bu is a Japanese term meaning “Eat until you're 80% full.” It originated in the city of Okinawa, where people use this advice as a way to control their eating habits. Interestingly, they have one of the lowest rates of illness from heart disease, cancer and stroke, and a fairly long life expectancy.

First things first: slurping your noodles loudly in Japan is not considered bad table manners. However, contrary to what Remitly's study suggests, just because it's not rude doesn't mean it's a cordial way of saying 'thank you'. So we're here to set the record straight.

While slurping is all right, smacking lips, burping, and other eating sounds are seen as poor manners. It's best to be careful if you're a loud eater.

"I don't think that Japanese people really mind that foreigners cannot use chopsticks well," she said. "We Japanese may not be very good at using knives and forks either. And if anyone can't use chopsticks very well, they can always ask for a fork."

Rice is sacred in Japan and leaving uneaten rice or even morsels of rice in a rice bowl are frowned upon. While visitors will be forgiven, if you don't plan to finish your rice, ask for small portions, decline rice or make an effort to eat every rice morsel.

Tipping in Japan is not customary. Indeed, as stated in many Japan travel guide, attempting to tip staff can be offensive. If you do try and tip in Japan, you will find in most cases that the tip is politely refused as tipping is not part of the Japanese culture and not expected.

As a general rule, we need to take off a hat or cap inside and on formal occasions, particularly in the presence of guests or those who are at higher positions. But we can keep it on when shopping privately or on casual/private occasions.

Is it rude to pick up your bowl in Japan? ›

In Japan, it is perfectly acceptable to lift the bowl to taste soup or eat rice. Conversely, eating rice or miso soup without picking up the bowl and leaving it on the table is considered bad manners. Other small plates and bowls are also easier to eat if you lift them.

Hara Hachi Bu: Stop Eating When You're 80% Full

If you've ever been lucky enough to eat with an Okinawan elder, you've invariably heard them intone this Confucian-inspired adage before beginning the meal: hara hachi bu — a reminder to stop eating when their stomachs are 80 percent full.

While it is ok to enthusiastically slurp Japanese soups, eating noises such as burping and munching loudly are unwelcome, as is blowing your nose at the table. It's fine to sniff to avoid the need to blow your nose, but otherwise, just excuse yourself and pop to the bathroom to sort that out.

Japan. Japan implemented the 'metabo' law which included the measurement of waist sizes in 2008 in attempt to overcome increasing obesity rates.

Basic Etiquette

An important concept that informs etiquette in Japan is omotenashi, which generally translates as 'hospitality'. It refers to the quality of being thoughtful and considerate of others in such a way that the host can anticipate the needs of their guests or customers and adjust accordingly.

Typically the Japanese eat at low dining tables and sit on a cushion placed on tatami floor (a reed-like mat). In formal situations both men and women kneel (“seiza”), while in casual situations the men sit cross-legged and women sit with both legs to one side.

Combine vegetables, fruits, milk products, beans and fish in your diet. Avoid too much salt and fat. Maintain a healthy body weight and balance the calories you eat with physical activity.

Bowing is an essential part of Japanese custom to show respect, thanking, greeting or apology. In stead of shaking hands, we bow, and it depends on time and people how long and deep you bow. Generally men keep their hands in their side, and women put their hands together on their thighs with fingers touching.