Table Manners In Japan

So, you’ve decided you’re going to Japan. Excellent choice. You’ve probably been thinking a lot about what you want to do during your visit. Will you see the cherry blossoms during the spring? Go to a beach in Okinawa? How about hike and see the fall foliage? You’ve likely spent a lot of time researching things to do … but have you thought about Japanese table manners?

Every culture has different rules or etiquette that one has to follow, and Japan is no exception. So, to help you know what you can (and can’t) do at the dinner table, we’ve put together a list of table manners that will likely save your skin while you are eating in Japan (especially if you eat in private homes).
In Japan some restaurants and homes have low sitting tables and chairs, which is very different from the Western types. In Japan, sitting on the floor is very common. Men sit with their feet crossed, while women kneel down. When you are sitting keep that in mind. Only men should cross their feet and women must kneel.

When you receive your food, before you start to eat, you should say ‘itadakimasu’ (which means ‘I gratefully receive’). When you finish your meal make sure you say ‘Thank you for the meal’ by saying ‘gochisosama.

In Japan, it’s not unusual to have several dishes served that are meant to be shared. In western culture food is often served individually, but in Japan dishes are often shared because it is part of their food culture. So, if you eat at a restaurant and there are shared dishes, make sure you move some of the food from the shared dish to your plate (do this yourself, don’t dish up food for other people or ask someone to do it for you).You’ll move the food with your chopsticks, so make sure you use the opposite end if you’ve already used yours. Sometimes there will be a special set of chopsticks for dishing up food.

When it comes to drinking alcohol with meals, it’s not polite to pour your own glass. It’s a Japanese custom to serve each other, so make sure you check your party’s coups frequently and serve them more when their cups get low – they’ll return the favor. Also, make sure you do not start drinking until everyone at the table has been served. You’ll all raise your glasses for a drinking salute. Make sure you avoid using ‘chin chin’ when drinking a toast because in Japanese this phrase refers to the male genitals.

Along the same lines, it’s impolite to become obviously drunk (or wasted as we call it) in many formal restaurants, so make sure you are aware of the rules and do not bother other guests at the restaurant.

There are many different types of foods you’ll eat in Japan, and each has its own proper way of eating. Rice, for example, is eaten by taking the bowl in one hand and the chopsticks in the other. You’ll life the bowl to your mouth and then use your chopsticks to ‘scoop’ the rice into your mouth.

If you’re eating sushi, you’ll pour a little sauce into a separate saucer. Then take your sushi and dip (not dunk) it. Most sushi has wasabi in it, so you won’t need to add that to your sauce.

If you’re eating Miso Soup you’ll usually eat the food from the soup with your chopsticks and then drink the soup broth from the bowl.

Your mom has probably always told you not to slurp noodles, but in Japan it’s okay. You’ll use your chopsticks to eat noodles and then softly slurp them into your mouth – just try not to be too loud about it.

There are some dishes, called Kare Raisu, where rice is actually mixed with a sauce. You’ll be given a spoon to eat these dishes. It will be one meal that’s a little easier to eat.

Eating can be tricky when you are dealing with big chunks of food. You’ll need to use your chopsticks just right to eat them. Before you begin eating, use your chopsticks to cut the pieces into smaller pieces and then pop the smaller pieces into your mouth. Or, if that isn’t working, you can just bite off a small piece and then put the rest back onto your plate.

When you are finished eating, make sure you never stick your chopsticks into your rice. This is very rude because it resembles the Japanese tradition of burning incense sticks at a funeral. When you finish eating, lay your chopsticks on the chopstick holder or on the edge of your plate.

Here are a few more tips to help you get through your meal:

• Don’t eat right from the communal dish. Make sure any food you take is placed on your plate before you begin eating it.
• Alternate eating dishes. Have a bite of fish, then some veggies, then some rice. Don’t eat all of one thing before moving on to the next.
• Don’t ask for special requests or substitutions in your meal. There is a great deal of work and care that goes into planning a meal and how it will be presented.
• It’s offensive to ask for a change.It’s very rude to blow your nose at the table. Excuse yourself and blow your nose in the restroom.
• Some restaurants provide a damp hand dowel to wipe your hands before eating. While it is acceptable for men to wipe their faces with it, women should only use it for their hands.
• Tipping in Japan is not common and it’s not expected. In some cases the staff may chase you out of the restaurant to give you back your extra money. Rather than tipping, it’s polite to say ‘gochisosama deshita’ which means ‘thank you for the meal.’

Now that you know the basics of table manners, you’re ready for your Japan vacation. Enjoy every minute.

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