Basic table manners

Itadakimasu and gochisosama

These words thank the ingredients and the people who made your meal. Say "itadakimasu" before you start eating, and "gochisosama deshita" when you finish or as you leave. Some people say it aloud or put their hands together, but skipping it isn't rude — saying it is just often appreciated.

Getting seated and calling staff

At many shops you tell staff how many people you are at the entrance and wait to be seated; some ask you to remove your shoes. The oshibori (wet towel) is for wiping your hands. To call a server, say "sumimasen" (excuse me) — some shops have a call button instead. Some shops take your whole order at once, others let you order as you go.

Chopstick basics and what to avoid

Rest your chopsticks on the chopstick rest when you're not using them. Hold disposable chopsticks (waribashi) side by side and pull them apart. Some habits are avoided more strongly than others: Avoid means it's culturally heavy and people really notice; Better not means it looks bad but travelers are often forgiven; Minor means it's worth knowing but rarely draws a reaction.

• Avoid Tatebashi (standing chopsticks) — sticking your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice; it recalls how rice is offered at a funeral
• Avoid Hashiwatashi / Awasebashi (passing between chopsticks) — passing food from one person's chopsticks to another's; it recalls how cremated bones are passed at a funeral
• Better not Sashibashi (stabbing) — piercing food with your chopsticks
• Better not Watashibashi (resting across a dish) — laying your chopsticks across the top of a bowl or plate
• Better not Neburibashi (licking) — licking your chopsticks
• Better not Yosebashi (dragging) — pulling a dish closer with your chopsticks
• Better not Sashibashi (pointing) — pointing at someone with your chopsticks
• Minor Mayoibashi (hovering) — moving your chopsticks back and forth over dishes without choosing
• Minor Saguribashi (poking through soup) — stirring through soup to dig out ingredients
• Minor Namidabashi (dripping) — letting broth drip from your chopsticks

Bowls and sound

It's fine to pick up a rice bowl or soup bowl — plates generally stay on the table. Sip soup straight from the bowl. Slurping noodles is fine; otherwise, eating quietly is the norm.

Finishing up

Leaving food is generally avoided, but if you can't finish, saying you'd like to leave a little is usually understood. Stack your dishes together and line your chopsticks up on the rest. At some counters and cafeterias, you return your own tray to a designated spot. Tipping isn't expected — a "gochisosama" at the register is enough.

Related foods

For how noodles sound and how they're eaten, see Noodle customs; for izakaya behavior, Izakaya customs; for sushi counters, Sushi counter customs; and for seating and table setup, Seating and table manners.