Q&A 01

Japanese Etiquette: Little Things That Matter

Nobody will scold you for getting these wrong. People just notice. Here is what we kept noticing, starting with trains, then restaurants.

On Trains and Public Transport

Is it okay to talk on the phone on Japanese trains?

Most people don't, and the carriage is often quiet enough that a call would stand out. Phones are usually switched to silent mode, and many travelers find it easier to step off at the next station or wait for the platform.

Announcements on many lines ask passengers to refrain from calls, and some mention turning phones off near priority seats. Texting and quietly scrolling are fine almost everywhere.

Can I eat or drink on a train in Japan?

It depends on the train. On commuter and subway lines, people generally don't eat, though a sip of water or a quick candy is unremarkable. On long-distance trains such as the shinkansen, eating is common, and station bento boxes exist for exactly that.

A simple way to read the room: look for tray tables. If the seats have them, meals are expected. If not, many travelers wait until they get off.

Where should I put my backpack on a crowded train?

Many people move it to the front, hold it low by their feet, or place it on the overhead rack. The idea is to take up less space behind you, where you can't see who you're bumping.

Some railway posters show this with pictures, so you may spot them near the doors. On an empty train, nobody minds where your bag goes.

Should I give up my seat to someone else?

If you're in a priority seat, yes, most people would stand for someone elderly, pregnant, injured, or with small children. Priority seats are usually at the ends of each car and marked with pictograms.

Outside those seats, it's a kindness rather than a rule. Some people decline an offered seat, which is not meant rudely. A small gesture toward the seat usually works without words.

At Restaurants

Do I need to tip at restaurants in Japan?

Usually not. Tipping isn't part of restaurant culture here, and staff may chase after you to return the money, thinking you forgot it. Prices on the menu are what you pay, sometimes plus a small table charge at izakaya.

If you want to show appreciation, saying “gochisosama deshita” on the way out is understood everywhere. A few tourist-oriented places have started accepting tips, but it is still the exception.

Is it rude to leave food on my plate?

Leaving a little is fine, and leaving a lot is noticed more than it is judged. Many people here grow up hearing not to waste rice, so some travelers simply order less at first and add more later.

If a portion looks too big, asking for a smaller size (“sukuname”) at ramen shops and set-meal places often works. Allergies or dislikes are easier to explain before ordering than after.

What should I say when entering a Japanese restaurant?

You don't need to say anything. Staff will call out “irasshaimase” as you enter, and a nod or a smile is a normal reply. If they ask “nan-mei sama?” they want to know how many people, so holding up fingers is enough.

Some places have a ticket machine by the door or a sign-in sheet for the queue. A quick glance around before walking to a table often tells you which kind it is.

Can I use chopsticks however I like?

Mostly, yes, but a few habits stand out. Sticking chopsticks upright in rice and passing food chopstick to chopstick both resemble funeral customs, so many people avoid them. Pointing or waving with chopsticks also looks a bit off.

Resting them on the chopstick rest, or on the paper wrapper, is the easy default. Asking for a fork is completely normal, and many places have them.