Tables and sitting
In Japan, some restaurants and private homes have low tables and cushions on the floor, rather than Western style chairs and tables. These are usually found on tatami floors. Please visit our information page about sitting techniques and rules for more information.
Itadakimasu and Gochisosama
In Japan, you say "itadakimasu" ("I gratefully receive") before eating, and "gochisosama (deshita)" ("Thank you for the meal") after finishing the meal.
Individual versus shared dishes
It is not uncommon in private households and in certain restaurants (e.g. izakaya) to share several dishes of food at the table rather than serving each person an individual dish. When eating from shared dishes, move some food from the shared plates onto your own with the opposite end of your chopsticksor with serving chopsticks that may be provided for that purpose.
Chopsticks
The proper usage of chopsticks is the most fundamental element of Japanese table manners, and therefore, we have assigned them a separate information page.
Some Table Rules
- Blowing your nose in public, and especially at the table, is considered bad manners.
- It is considered good manners to empty your dishes to the last grain of rice.
- Talking about toilet related and similarly unappetizing topics during or before a meal is not appreciated by most people.
- Unlike in some other parts of East Asia, it is considered bad manner to burp.
- After eating, try to move all your dishes back to the same position they were at the start of the meal. This includes replacing the lids on dishes and putting your chopsticks on the chopstick holder or back into their paper slip.
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