Top 10 Things You Should Know About Dining in Japan

One of the most fascinating aspects of dining in Japan is the ability to place your order using a vending machine. After selecting your preferred dish, you simply press the button corresponding to your choice, insert money into the machine, and don't forget to take the receipt that comes out afterward. Take this receipt to the staff once you've completed your payment. Vending machines can be found in almost every restaurant in Japan, ranging from large to small, offering customers an efficient and hands-off ordering experience.

Japan is home to approximately 2,470,000 vending machines, mostly dispensing drinks. The density of these machines is unique globally, and you can even find one on top of Mount Fuji!

In Japan, it's uncommon to use external lockers for storing personal items. Instead, people prefer to keep their belongings close, which can sometimes become a bit awkward while dining. To solve this, many Japanese restaurants provide small baskets, neatly placed under tables or nearby, where customers can store their bags or other personal items. This keeps your things out of the way while eating and easily accessible whenever you need them.

If you visit a Japanese restaurant, you'll likely notice numerous baskets around. This is just one of the unique dining customs in Japan.

Before your meal arrives, a wet towel, known as oshibori, is typically placed on the table. Alternatively, the staff may bring it to you once you're seated. In Japan, cleanliness is highly valued, especially when eating foods like sushi that are often eaten with your hands. The towel helps ensure you have a minimum level of hygiene before dining.

This wet towel is meant to clean your hands before eating, not your mouth. For that, dry napkins are available on the table. It's polite to use the oshibori as soon as it is offered, as a way to thank the staff for their hospitality. Just remember, it's for your hands only—avoid using it on your face or neck!

As the chefs prepare your meal, drinks are often served first. Starting with a cocktail or a cold beer is a great way to pass the time while waiting for your food. When Japanese people toast, they say "kanpai," which means "cheers." When you hear this, raise your glass and drink along with them.

The most important rule in Japanese drinking culture is never to drink alone. Always wait until everyone has their drink in hand before you take a sip. Then, wait for someone else to say "cheers" before you lift your glass and drink. It’s customary to make eye contact with those around you as you toast. Regardless of whether glasses clink, the glass of someone of higher rank should always be held higher than yours.

Similar to South Korea, people in Japan often order several dishes and place them all over the table to share. This custom is more common in Asian cultures than in Western ones. Ordering a variety of dishes in moderate portions adds richness and nutritional balance to the meal.

When it comes to Japanese cuisine, sushi is often the first dish that comes to mind. Known worldwide, sushi is a staple in Japan, particularly during traditional holidays. It is often displayed on the dining table in an array of colors and flavors. Sushi is commonly served alongside other dishes, creating a communal and diverse dining experience.

In Japan, it's common for individuals to pay for their own share when dining, socializing, or participating in group activities. This practice is known as Warikan, or as it's referred to in the West, "Let’s go Dutch." This straightforward approach means that restaurants often break down the total bill by person, making it easy for each person to pay exactly what they owe without needing to calculate or use a phone for math.

Although ordering food might follow Eastern customs, the way payment is handled in Japan is much like in Western countries—clear and fair. It’s considered a basic form of respect to contribute your share toward the meal. It would be rude for someone to simply get up and walk away without acknowledging the need to pay, unless there was a clear invitation to do so.

For the people of Japan, leaving a tip is considered rude and even disrespectful. It is seen as an implication that the service was poor, or worse, as charity for their hard work, which is deeply insulting. Instead of tipping, it's more appropriate to express your appreciation by saying "arigatou gozaimasu," a polite thank you that conveys respect for both the restaurant and the staff who served you.

In Japan, the concept of tipping is quite different from many other parts of the world. They view money as the result of labor, so giving extra beyond the set price would be seen as an affront, as it suggests the worker wasn't paid properly to begin with.

Japan's culture of queuing is famous around the world. People line up everywhere in an orderly manner, without pushing or cutting in line. This respect for order even extends to dining. The Japanese will happily stand in long lines to get into a restaurant, even if there are other places to eat nearby. They believe that good restaurants are worth the wait and should be respected in this way.

Whether young or old, Japanese people always queue up patiently, whether they're waiting to enter a place, buy something, or simply waiting their turn. They do so quietly, maintaining decorum until it's their turn. Many foreign visitors to Japan are often surprised and impressed by this level of respect and patience.

In some Western-style shops, customers are allowed to keep their shoes on, but in traditional Japanese restaurants, it is considered polite to remove your shoes. This is a basic sign of respect for the well-maintained wooden floors that the staff have carefully prepared for guests. In many places, there will be someone to remind customers to leave their shoes outside or place them on a shelf. If no one reminds you, just observe if anyone is walking barefoot inside or if the floor inside is elevated, which is a clear sign that you should remove your shoes as a mark of respect.

Before entering any Japanese home, it is customary to remove your shoes at the entrance. Inside, you will usually find indoor slippers for use. If you enter a room with tatami mats, you should leave your slippers outside the room. Most Japanese homes have separate rooms for the toilet and bathroom, and when entering the toilet, you must change into the special slippers provided for that area.

This unique art form is called 'Sampuru,' and it has become a traditional aspect of Japanese culinary culture. Most restaurants, food stalls, and supermarkets display fake food models to represent the items on their menu for customers to easily identify their choices.

Almost all restaurants in Japan feature large glass display cabinets showcasing plastic food replicas—from appetizers to main dishes and even desserts. These lifelike plastic models are meticulously crafted by artisans to resemble real food, allowing customers to quickly determine what they might like without confusion. This practice solves the common problem of not knowing exactly what a dish looks like and helps diners make informed decisions right away.