Eating in Tokyo is a highlight of any trip, but the etiquette is a bit different from your local pub in Oz. From the lack of tipping to the mystery “appetizer” on your bill, here is how to navigate Tokyo’s dining scene like a pro.
1. No Tipping — And That’s Brilliant News
This is the best news for Aussies. There is zero tipping culture in Japan. The price on the menu is exactly what you pay, full stop.
• Rule: If you leave money on the table, there’s a decent chance your waiter will chase you down the street to hand it back.
• Why it’s great: The price you see on the menu (plus tax) is exactly what you pay.
Local Tip; You might have seen travel YouTubers claiming that tipping in Japan is a “grave insult.” This isn’t entirely true. While it’s true that there is no tipping culture in Japan, giving a tip isn’t considered offensive. If you’re at a small local bar or restaurant and you’ve had a great experience with the owner, it is perfectly okay to say “Otsuri wa irimasen” (Keep the change). It’s a nice gesture of appreciation. —you aren’t going to offend anyone by being generous!
2. The “Otoshi” (Table Charge) Mystery
If you sit down at an Izakaya (a Japanese pub-style restaurant) and a small dish appears on your table before you’ve ordered anything yet, it’s called “Otoshi” and it’s basically Japan’s version of a cover charge.
• What it is: A mandatory appetizer and table charge, usually found in Izakayas (Japanese pubs).
• Cost: Usually between 300 to 500 yen per person.
• Aussie Tip: Don’t be offended—it’s just part of the deal and it’s usually pretty tasty anyway.
3. How to Get the Waiter’s Attention
Back home we’re used to that awkward dance of trying to make eye contact with a busy waiter for ten minutes. In Tokyo, it’s much more straightforward.
• The Button: A lot of restaurants have a small call button right on the table. Press it when you’re ready to order and someone will be with you in no time.
• Sumimasen!: If there’s no button, don’t be shy to call out “Sumimasen!” If you don’t feel confident to call out in Japanese, don’t you worry. Simply raise your hand to catch a staff member’s attention. It is total standard practice in Japan and not rude at all. In fact, if you don’t signal them, you might be waiting forever!
4. Ordering via QR Codes
Since COVID, QR code menus have become really common across Tokyo restaurants. You scan the code on your table, a digital menu pops up on your phone and you order straight from there.
Local Tip; Most of these menus have an English toggle somewhere at the top of the page – look for it before you assume and you’re stuck staring at Kanji and guessing.
5. Paying at the Register, Not at the Table
This one trips up a lot of Aussies. In most Tokyo restaurants, you don’t wait for someone to bring the bill to your table – instead, a small slip of paper is left on your table throughout your meal and when you’re ready to leave, you take it up to the register near the exit yourself.
Local tip; It’s worth quickly checking whether the place takes card before your order. As covered in the [Money Guide], plenty of smaller and more traditional spots are still cash only – better to know before you’ve ordered three rounds of Yakitori!
Local Tip;
The service in Tokyo is world-class, tipping is a non-starter, Sumimasen is your magic word and paying at the register is just how it’s done. Get your head around those few things and you’re set for an absolute ripper of a food experience.
Tanoshinde! (Enjoy Tokyo!)