Japan » Dining in Tokyo

Many restaurants in Japan display plastic or wax replicas of their dishes at the entrance. They usually look very similar to the real dishes. When you enter a restaurant, you will be greeted with the expression "irasshaimase" ("please come in"), as it is usual in any Japanese store. Waiters and waitresses are generally trained to be extremely efficient, polite and attentive, and will usually immediately lead you to your table. If they don't, you can assume that it is okay to sit at any table.

While a majority of restaurants in Japan are equipped exclusively with western style tables and chairs, restaurants with low traditional tables and the customers sitting on cushions on the floor, are also common. Some restaurants feature both styles side by side. In case of a traditional Japanese interior, you are usually required to take off your shoes before stepping onto the seating area or even at the restaurant's entrance.

After you sit down, a glass of water or tea will be served for free and later refilled. You also receive a wet towel (oshibori) for cleaning your hands. If chopsticks are not already set, you can usually find some in a box on the table. Most often, they are wooden chopsticks that need to be separated into two before usage.

In case of some restaurant types, for example izakaya or Chinese restaurants, it is common for all people at one table to order and share various dishes. At restaurants that serve set menus, bowl dishes (e.g. domburi or noodle soups) or western style dishes, on the other hand, each person usually orders and eats one separate dish.