8 things to keep in mind about eating and drinking when traveling in Japan

1. No tips accepted:Japanese culture emphasizes hard work, respect, and fairness. Therefore, accepting tips from tourists can be considered rude because you are assuming that the staff are not earning a fair wage. Some restaurants add an additional service charge of 10-15% of the total bill, so you don't need to leave an extra tip. Most servers will politely decline to accept tips, but there are some cases where they accept tips to avoid embarrassing customers. Photo: Ikidane Nippon

2. Do not wear shoes in the shop:Izakayas usually have a no-shoes rule. Izakayas are popular after-work hangouts, serving alcoholic drinks and light snacks. Due to longstanding tradition, you will be asked to remove your shoes and store them in a locker at the entrance. Photo: Just Japan Stuff

3. Dishes will not be served at the same time:In Japan, it’s common for dishes to be served every 10-20 minutes. If you order something light or quick to cook, those will be served first. More difficult dishes will be served later, once they’re ready. If you’re in a group, it’s common for others to finish their dishes while you’re just starting to eat. However, this way of serving will help keep your food as fresh as possible. Photo: Wondrium Daily

4. Otoshi may not be free:Otoshi is considered a small snack while waiting for your food. It is added to the bill whenever you order alcohol, and costs around 400-700 yen (US$3-6). The otoshi custom allows you to eat immediately when you are hungry or you can have a small snack while waiting for your main dish to be served. The special thing is that you will never know what otoshi is because it is different from restaurant to restaurant. A typical otoshi can include steamed meat, vegetables, pickled cucumbers, traditional salad, grilled fish or noodles. Photo: Gurunavi

5. Always finish your food:The Japanese consider it rude to leave food on your plate. This is also related to one of the fundamental concepts in Japanese culture, mottainai, the feeling of regret for wasting something. That's why most Japanese portions are quite small. You won't feel so full that you end up wasting food. Of course, there are some exceptions, like if you have a food allergy and can't finish your meal. In this case, you just need to inform the waiter. Photo: Live Japan

6. Fast food stores:Portions at fast food restaurants in Japan are often smaller than those in other countries. This also ties into the concept of mottainai mentioned earlier. If you’re hungry and in need of a cheap meal, many fast food restaurants in Japan will be happy to serve you. Photo: Savor Japan

7. Buffet and tabehoudai are completely different:Unlike a traditional buffet, a tabehoudai is an all-you-can-eat meal with a set menu. You can eat as much as you want and pay a fixed price. Tabehoudai also gives you 90-120 minutes to enjoy your meal. Depending on the restaurant, you will have to serve yourself or order food to your table. Some restaurants will even provide a small grill for you to grill your meat. Photo: Live Japan

8. Do not eat while walking:Eating while walking is considered rude in most parts of Japan. This is especially true in public places such as places of worship including temples and shrines. Therefore, you should avoid eating around these areas at all costs. This is because Japan prides itself on having some of the cleanest streets in the world. Eating outdoors can leave behind more litter. The main exceptions are public benches near vending machines or at street food festivals. Photo: Live Japan