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Japan, Without a Manual
Practical notes on dining, getting around and everyday etiquette—written for visitors who want to feel at home in Japan.
Last Order Means Earlier Than Closing Time
A restaurant may be open until 10 p.m. and still stop taking food orders well before then. The missing detail is last order.
Masataka Kawakubo
6 days ago2 min read
Why Some Ramen Shops Want You to Decide at the Door
At some ramen shops, the first question is not where to sit. It is what to buy from the machine by the entrance.
Masataka Kawakubo
6 days ago2 min read
Itadakimasu and Gochisosama: Two Small Phrases Around a Meal
One phrase begins a meal; another closes it. Neither needs to become a performance for visitors.
Masataka Kawakubo
6 days ago2 min read
The Tiny Plate Beside You: How Shared Izakaya Food Works
The little plate beside your drink is there for a reason: izakaya food is often ordered for the table and shared.
Masataka Kawakubo
6 days ago2 min read
What Is an Oshibori? Japan’s Little Welcome at the Table
Warm in winter, cool in summer: the oshibori is one of Japan’s smallest gestures of hospitality.
Masataka Kawakubo
6 days ago2 min read
Free Water and Tea: What Usually Appears at Your Table
A small glass of water or cup of tea may arrive before you order. It is usually hospitality, not a mystery item on the bill.
Masataka Kawakubo
6 days ago2 min read
Why Is There a Button on the Table? How to Call Restaurant Staff in Japan
In many casual Japanese restaurants, attentive service begins when you press a button. Here is how to use it—and what to do when there is no button.
Masataka Kawakubo
6 days ago2 min read
Why Izakaya Orders Arrive a Few Plates at a Time
An izakaya meal is not always one drink, one starter and one main course. It grows a few shared plates at a time.
Masataka Kawakubo
6 days ago2 min read
Buy a Ticket Before You Eat: Japan’s Restaurant Vending Machines
At some Japanese restaurants, the first person to take your order is a machine by the entrance.
Masataka Kawakubo
6 days ago2 min read
The Dish You Did Not Order: Understanding Otoshi at an Izakaya
The surprise appetizer at an izakaya is usually not a mistake and not necessarily free. It is called otoshi.
Masataka Kawakubo
6 days ago2 min read
Do You Pay at the Table or the Register in Japan?
The meal is finished, but the final step is not always obvious. The small bill holder on your table is usually the clue.
Masataka Kawakubo
6 days ago2 min read
Should You Tip in Japan? Usually No—and That Is Completely Fine
Excellent service can make visitors reach for extra cash. In Japan, a sincere thank-you is usually the better response.
Masataka Kawakubo
6 days ago2 min read
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