ETIQUETTE WHEN VISITING

SHOES:

Always take off your shoes when entering someone’s home. A Japanese home provides guests with slippers. Some temples and restaurants might also ask patrons to remove their shoes.

FUSSY EATER:

If you are the kind of person that normally picks things off the plate and puts it aside, do note, it is deemed disrespectful as the Japanese don’t like wasting. It not only offends your host but the farmers that produce the vegetables and livestock. A polite way to get around this is to sample a tiny portion from each dish on the table.

MIND YOUR TABLE MANNERS:

Wait until everyone is seated before saying itadakimasu (meaning I humbly receive) together. After the meal, you should thank the cook by saying, gochisōsama deshita (That was a great feast).

WAIT FOR YOUR HOST TO TOP UP:

Filling your own glass is an insult to your host or dining partners as it implies that they are ungracious. Rather wait for someone to fill your glass and raise it a little off the table when they are doing so. By the way, kampai in the Japanese equivalent to cheers.

WALKING AND EATING IN PUBLIC:

This is frowned upon, especially during festive occasions. Rather carry those takeouts in a secure bag to be consumed later. Drinking and eating are also not permitted on public transport.