Value Village ／ Before you come to Japan
This answer is a draft. It stays unpublished until legal review and source verification are complete.
"Do I tip?" is the first question most visitors ask, and the answer is short. The longer, more useful answers are about the things that replace tipping: the table charge, the wet towel, the call button, and how you pay.
| Item | What it is | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| Otoshi / tsukidashi | A small starter served automatically at izakaya, functioning as a table charge | ¥300–800 per person |
| Service charge | Added at some hotels and high-end restaurants, stated on the menu | 10% |
| Late-night charge | Some izakaya and karaoke after 22:00–23:00 | 10% or a fixed fee |
| Oshibori | Hot or cold wet towel for hands | Free |
[Verify] Tax-inclusive pricing rules with the National Tax Agency; otoshi price ranges are observational.
Staff may chase you to return it. If you want to express thanks, say "gochisōsama deshita" (thank you for the meal) as you leave.
It is a customary table charge in the form of food, usually listed on the menu in Japanese. You can ask to decline it at some places, but many treat it as non-optional. Budget for it at izakaya.
Staff generally do not check in mid-meal. Use the call button on the table or raise a hand and say "sumimasen".
Splitting equally ("betsu-betsu") at the till is common. Splitting by item is less common and slower; many places will still do it if asked politely.
Slurping noodles is normal. Talking on the phone at the table, and loud groups in quiet restaurants, are what draw looks. Read the room: izakaya are loud, sushi counters are not.
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https://www.nta.go.jp/english/taxes/consumption_tax/
https://www.japan.travel/en/guide/dining-etiquette/
https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/en/
⚠️ Editorial note: the source URLs above were identified by search. Our working environment cannot reach go.jp domains, so the contents have not been checked against the text. Verify every source before publication and record who checked it and when.
What we share here are ideas and everyday practices passed down among people living in Japan, together with general information drawn from public sources. They are not official recommendations, and they are not professional instruction. Practices vary between households and regions.
This is general information. Results vary from person to person and depend on your own conditions and surroundings.
Please decide for yourself, using your own judgement, whether any of this suits your situation. We cannot accept responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from following this article.
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