A Step-by-Step Guide to Japanese Table Manners and Chopstick Etiquette (2024)

Whether eating with new Japanese friends in a home or attending a business lunch, following a few simple rules of Japanese dining etiquette will make you shine. No need to be nervous; your hosts understand that you may not be familiar with all many of the customs and etiquette in Asia.

Start by saying hello in Japanese, offering a bow the correct way, then relax and use these tips to better enjoy an authentic cultural experience that you'll remember!

How to Use Chopsticks Properly

Knowing how to use chopsticks is essential for Japanese dining etiquette, particularly in formal occasions and when doing business in Japan. If you're clumsy with the chopsticks, how can you be expected to handle other important matters?Don't expect to always rely on Western-style utensils.

First, start by lifting the chopsticks with both hands and follow the basic rules of chopsticks etiquette. Always keep in mind that chopsticks are eating utensils, just as a fork and knife, so don't play with them, point with them, or rub them together!

If no serving utensils are provided during a family-style meal -- sometimes this is the case when visiting someone's home -- take food from the bowls on the table by using the thick ends -- the ends that don't go into your mouth -- of the chopsticks.

Observe These Rules for Using Chopsticks Properly:

• Avoid pointing your chopsticks at someone while talking.
• Do not wave your chopsticks around over food on the table.
• Do not point your chopsticks to indicate dishes you think are particularly delicious.
• Do not suck sauces off of your chopsticks.
• Do not rub your chopsticks together or play with them unnecessarily.
• Do not lift food by stabbing it with your chopsticks.

The Most Important Rule of Japanese Dining Etiquette

Never, ever, pass food with your chopsticks! Doing so reminds Japanese of the ritual of passing cremated bones between chopsticks at funerals. The same rule applies to sticking your chopsticks verticallyinto a bowl of rice -- another morbid symbol that could ruin someone's meal.

Japanese Table Manners

When first seated, many restaurants will provide you with a wet towel. Don't use the towel on your face or neck;instead, use it to clean your hands -- a good idea anyway if lots of handshakes were exchanged -- then fold it and put it aside.

Begin your meal by saying “Itadaki-masu” which means “I humbly receive.” Knowing a few otherJapanese language basics can bolster confidence as well.

Do not dump soy sauce directly on your food, especially plain rice; instead, pour a small amount of soy sauce into the small bowl and dip your food into it. You can always add more soy sauce to the bowl, but avoid wasting sauce or leaving food behind in the bowl.

When eating ramen or soup, you can sip directly from the bowl. Lift the bowl to your mouth with your other hand; avoid holding chopsticks and a small bowl in the same hand. Don't be surprised to hear slurping noises from around the table. Unlike in the West, slurping your soup is not only acceptable, it shows that you are enjoying the meal!

Cleaning your plate, even all of the rice, is considered proper Japanese dining etiquette -- never waste food that you have put onto your plate.

After the Meal

When the meal is finished, offer a formal thanks by saying: “Gochisosama-desh*ta” or simply “Gochisosama” for less formal occasions.

If you ate with disposable chopsticks, place them neatly back inside of the small bag and fold the end. Otherwise, leave them sideways on your plate rather than pointing them at the person seated across. Putting your sticks next to your bowl indicates that you aren't finished eating yet.

If eating in a restaurant, chances are that your host or the highest ranking personwill pay to follow the concept of saving face. If you pay, place your money on the small tray provided rather than handing it to the server or register attendant. If no tray is present, use both hands whengiving and receiving money.

Tipping in Japan is not common and is often considered rude -- don't worry about leaving something extra!

Eating Sushi with Proper Japanese Dining Etiquette

Sushi is the default for many business lunches. When eating sushi, pour only a little soy sauce into the small bowl provided; leaving a bowl of dirty soy sauce behind is considered wasteful.

When dipping nigiri, turn it over so that only the meat touches the soy sauce. Leaving rice floating behind in your dipping bowl is bad form.

Familiarize yourself with sushi terms in Japanese to better know what you're eating. You'll enjoy an authentic sushi experience even more so if you know a little about the history of sushi.

Japanese Dining Etiquette for Drinking

Meals are often accompanied or followedwith drinks, either beer or sake -- don't drink alone! Wait on all glasses to be filled, then someone will give a toast or simply say kanpai!which means "cheers" in Japanese. Raise your glass, return the kanpai, and then drink. If your hosts empty their glasses, you should try to do so as well.

Japanese often jump at the chance to pour drinks for each other; you should do the same. Top up the glasses of people seated around you, and never pour your own drink. Follow some basic Japanese drinking etiquette before emptying your glass.

Tip: sake is properly pronounced as "sah-keh," not "sah-key."

Things to Avoid in Japanese Dining Etiquette

• Don't blow your nose at the table; instead, excuse yourself and go to the restroom or outside. Sniffling at the table to avoid blowing your nose is actually acceptable.
• Do not point at people with chopsticks or your finger while making a point.
• Although you should bring a gift (note: some gifts are taboo in Asian culture)if invited to someone's home for dinner, avoid giving anything in sets of four or nine. The two numbers sound similar to the words for death and suffering and are regarded with superstition.