What dining etiquette should be observed when eating in Japan?

Hey there! Planning a trip to Japan? There are indeed some subtle dining etiquettes, but don't worry, Japanese people are generally very understanding towards tourists. Remembering a few key points will not only make you seem 'in the know' but also help you better express your respect for the food and the chef.

Before You Start Eating:

• Once everyone is seated, before you begin eating, put your hands together and say “Itadakimasu” (いただきます). This isn't just 'Let's eat'; it's a deeper expression of gratitude to everyone involved in preparing the meal, from the farmers to the chefs.

During the Meal (Mainly Chopstick Usage): This is the main event; chopstick usage requires the most attention. Just remember a few 'don'ts':

1. Don't stick your chopsticks upright into your rice: This is done during funerals to offer food to the deceased and is considered very unlucky.
2. Don't pass food from your chopsticks to someone else's: This is also a funeral custom. If you want to share food, you can place it on your own small plate and then hand the plate to the other person. Alternatively, using serving chopsticks (which restaurants usually provide) is perfectly fine.
3. Don't suck or lick your chopsticks: It's considered impolite.
4. Don't point at people or dishes with your chopsticks: Just as you wouldn't point with your finger.
5. Don't hover your chopsticks over dishes, indecisively: Decide what you want to eat before picking it up.
6. Don't reach for distant plates with your chopsticks: Simply pick up the plate with your hand.

Other Small Details:

• Drinking Soup: If it's a small bowl of soup (like miso soup), you can directly pick up the bowl and drink from it, then use your chopsticks to eat the solid ingredients.
• Eating Noodles (Ramen, Udon, etc.): Feel free to slurp loudly! In Japan, slurping noodles indicates that they are delicious and also helps cool down the hot noodles to avoid burning your mouth. So, slurp away with confidence.
• Soy Sauce: Pour only a small amount of soy sauce into your dish; you can always add more if needed. When eating sushi, dip the fish side into the soy sauce, not the rice side, otherwise, the rice might fall apart and absorb too much soy sauce, making it too salty.
• Finishing Your Food: Try to finish everything on your plate, especially rice. In Japanese culture, wasting food is considered very impolite.

After the Meal:

• After finishing your meal, put your hands together again and say “Gochisousama deshita” (ごちそうさまでした). This means 'Thank you for the meal' or 'It was a feast,' expressing gratitude to the restaurant and the chef.

Paying the Bill:

• In Japan, most restaurants do not require tipping. Giving a tip might even confuse the staff. When paying, you typically take your bill to the cashier near the entrance, rather than waiting for the server to collect payment at your table.

Overall, the core principle is 'respect'. Respect the food, respect those who prepared it, and respect those you are dining with. Relax and enjoy your meal!