15 Japanese Table Manners

Japanese table manners, like a lot of other Japanese customs, can be a little strange at first. But hopefully, like other Japanese etiquette, you can get used to them too without causing too much damage.

If you're visiting Japan, chances are you'll be eating (I hope so anyway). And if you're eating, you'll need to know Japanese manners and etiquette. Here are some Japanese table manners to help you eat politely in Japan:

1. If you're eating with other Japanese people be sure to say the traditional "Itadakimasu" before eating and "Gochisousama Deshita" after you're done.

2. This probably goes without saying, but don't play with you're food.

3. Never stick your chopsticks into food to keep them in place, and do it to pick up food if absolutely necessary.

4. If you're taking food off the same plate as other people there's a certain way to do it.

• Use the other end of your chopsticks to take the food.

• Take what you want, and put it on your own plate. Don't eat it straight off the shared plate.

• Don't take more at a time than what fits nicely on your plate. If it's real expensive food, then even less.

5. When drinking with other people, never refill your own glass. Let someone else do it. Do the same for them.

6. Pick up and bring bowls to your mouth to eat without spilling. That means bowl to face, not face to bowl.

7. Slurping soup is ok. Most people do ii with hot things, especially ramen. No need to overdo it though.

8. At a restaurant, usually the hot white towel is for your hands, not your face. Not 100%, but it's safe to use it only for hands.

9. Don't put soy sauce on your white rice. Please.

10. In fact, unless the Japanese people with you do, don't put soy sauce directly on anything, Sushi and Sashimi included. It goes in a small dish that you dip the Sushi in.

11. When pouring alcohol, use both hands.

12. Chew with your mouth closed. Burping is also impolite.

13. If you like the food, be sure to say so. Vagueness will be interpreted somehow, and it might not be the same meaning as what you had indented.

14. Especially with rice, it's customary to eat every single grain. Not all Japanese will always do this but it will be a pleasant surprise to your host if you do.

15. When you're done eating, put everything back the way it was when it was served to you. Put all the lids back on the soup and put the chopsticks back on the holder/back in the white paper.


These are all based on personal experience and from observing Japanese natives. I've messed up Japanese table manners, and probably most other kinds of manners, countless times, and have watched others do it too. I'm hoping, through this article, you won't have the same problems.



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