How to Eat Like a Local in Japan: Essential Restaurant Manners

Japanese Food Culture: The Do's & Don'ts of Restaurant Manners

Dining in Japan is more than just enjoying delicious sushi, ramen, and tempura—it's about respecting the culture through proper etiquette. Japanese restaurants often have specific customs that can seem complex to first-time visitors, but once you understand the reasons behind them, they become second nature. This guide will help you navigate the essentials, from footwear rules to chopstick dos and don’ts, so you can dine with confidence.

1. The Shoe and Slipper Rules: Keep It Clean!

One of the first things you may encounter in a traditional Japanese restaurant is the requirement to remove your shoes. This rule applies mainly to places with tatami (straw mat) flooring. Here’s what you need to remember:

• Step up properly: At the restaurant entrance, there’s usually a slight elevation between the outdoor and indoor areas. Take off your shoes on the lower level before stepping onto the higher, clean area.
• Use the slippers: Many restaurants provide indoor slippers for walking through the corridors.
• Tatami mats are sacred: When entering a tatami dining room, remove your slippers and walk barefoot or in socks. Slippers, which touch the less clean corridor, shouldn’t touch the tatami.
• Toilet slippers: If a restroom has separate toilet slippers, switch to them while using the restroom, then switch back to regular slippers afterward. Forgetting to change back is considered very embarrassing!

By following these customs, you’re showing respect for cleanliness—an important aspect of Japanese culture.

2. The Unspoken Rules of Drinking in Japan

Drinking is a social activity in Japan, especially in izakayas (Japanese pubs) and fine dining restaurants. Here’s how to drink like a local:

• Never pour your own drink: If you’re drinking with others, it’s customary to pour drinks for each other rather than serving yourself. If you order a bottled drink, wait for your companion to pour for you and return the favor.
• Use both hands: When someone pours for you, hold your glass with both hands as a sign of respect.
• Wait for the toast: Don’t start drinking until everyone has their drink and the group has made a toast—usually with a cheerful “Kanpai!” (cheers!).
• Avoid saying "Chin-chin": While this phrase might mean “cheers” in some languages, in Japan, it’s slang for male genitalia! Stick with "Kanpai" to avoid awkward moments.

By following these drinking customs, you'll blend in effortlessly with Japanese social etiquette.

3. Chopstick Manners: What NOT to Do

Chopstick etiquette is important in Japan, and there are two major taboos that visitors should never break:

• No passing food from chopsticks to chopsticks: This act is associated with Japanese funeral rituals, where bones are passed this way during cremation ceremonies. If you want to share food, place it on a small plate for the other person to pick up.
• Never stick chopsticks upright in rice: This also mimics a funeral ritual where a bowl of rice with upright chopsticks is placed for the deceased. Always lay chopsticks across a chopstick rest or the side of your plate.

Other chopstick tips:
✔ Don’t point with chopsticks.
✔ Don’t wave them around while talking.
✔ Don’t stab food with them like a fork.
✔ Don’t rub disposable chopsticks together—it implies they are cheap.

Master these simple rules, and you’ll impress Japanese dining companions!

4. How to Order and Eat Respectfully

Once you’re seated, follow these general dining manners:

• Use polite phrases: Before eating, say "Itadakimasu" (meaning “I gratefully receive”) to show appreciation for the meal. After eating, say "Gochisousama deshita" (thank you for the meal).
• Slurping is okay: Unlike in many Western cultures, slurping noodles is completely acceptable and even encouraged as a sign that you're enjoying your food.
• Don’t mix wasabi into soy sauce: For sushi, place wasabi directly on the fish if needed, rather than mixing it into the soy sauce dish.
• Tipping is not required: Japan does not have a tipping culture, and leaving extra money on the table might confuse or even offend the staff. If you want to show appreciation, simply say "Arigatou gozaimasu" (thank you very much).

By following these simple yet thoughtful actions, you’ll enhance your dining experience and gain respect from locals.

5. Specialty Restaurants: A Unique Dining Experience

Unlike many Japanese restaurants abroad, which serve a mix of sushi, ramen, and other dishes, Japan has many specialty restaurants dedicated to a single type of food. Some examples include:

🍜 Ramen shops – Only serve ramen, sometimes with limited toppings.
🍣 Sushi restaurants – Focus on high-quality sushi, often served piece by piece.
🥩 Yakiniku restaurants – Specialize in Japanese barbecue, where you grill your own meat.
🥢 Kaiseki restaurants – Offer an elegant multi-course meal experience.

When visiting a specialty restaurant, be prepared for a focused menu and expertly crafted dishes.

Enjoy Your Japanese Dining Experience

Now that you know the essential restaurant manners in Japan—from footwear rules to drinking customs and chopstick etiquette—you can enjoy your meals with confidence and respect. Whether you’re slurping up ramen, indulging in sushi, or savoring a kaiseki feast, following these cultural norms will help you have a more immersive and enjoyable experience.