Local Customs

Sake is more than a drink, it's a tradition that almost passes as the very life-blood of Japanese social and cultural life. Sake ranges greatly in price and quality. The cheapest factory brews are best consumed at blood temperature while the top-quality, handmade nihonshu, known as ginjo-shu or daiginjo-shu, is served chilled. Sake is usually served in ceramic flasks (tokkuri) and drunk from thimble-sized cups (choko). It is customary to only pour for your drinking partners, never for yourself. They, in turn, will pour for you.

Tokyo Dining

There are said to be more than 80,000 restaurants in Tokyo, which makes eating out an exciting proposition. Every neighbourhood is well endowed with a vast array of eating houses catering for all tastes and budgets. Japanese cuisine is, of course, represented in all its glory and visitors are recommended to take the plunge and try foods that may be unfamiliar, but will probably be delicious.

Cooks in Japan place enormous importance on the process of preparation and presentation. Basically, a formal meal will have numerous courses, some of which may contain no more than a single morsel. This system of serving food lends itself to more artistic decoration and happens to be easier to eat with the ubiquitous chopsticks. Seafood lovers will be in heaven; with its long coastline and age-old ban on meat eating, it's not surprising to find that Japan consumes a greater variety of marine life than any other single nation.

Tokyo Tipping Advice

The Japanese do not give or expect tips. To them it is a Western tradition that is considered a little vulgar. Service charges tend to be included in the bill - a 5% consumer tax and a service charge of around 10–15% may be added in pricier restaurants. The Japanese often insist on picking up the tab for their foreign friends. It's polite to refuse three times, then let them pay, promising to get the next one. At table, guests should wait for their host to indicate where they should sit. It's the Japanese custom to place guests in the most comfortable chairs facing the best view.