Japanese Food Etiquette: What Foreigners Need to Know (2025)
Japanese dining has layers of etiquette — some strict, some flexible. Most foreigners are forgiven for not knowing them, but knowing the basics shows respect and makes eating out a richer experience. Before You Eat Itadakimasu (いただきます) Say this before every meal. It means roughly “I humbly receive” — an expression of gratitude for the food, the cook, and everything that went into the meal. Used in homes, at restaurants, everywhere Say it even if you’re alone Accompany with a slight bow or hands pressed together Oshibori (おしぼり) A warm (or cold in summer) towel brought before the meal. ...