Tipping in Japan
Hi I’m Nobu, I like traveling overseas and in Japan, visited 26 countries!
I’m a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter of English for 10 years.
For the people who are interested in and planning trip to Japan ,
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Tipping in Japan
Tipping is one of the most common concerns of foreign visitors to Japan.
Especially if you are from countries where tipping is customary, such as North Americans.
So, if you think you have received very good service and quietly leave a tip on the table, the waiter will come running after you to give you back the money, saying, “Sir, you forgot something.”
Tipping Culture history
Tipping culture was introduced from the West in the 19th century, but never made it a habit.
It is said that the reason for this is that there is no higher or lower rank in terms of occupation.
We Japanese are taught from our childhood that’ all occupations are equal’ , they are all supported each other.
So the original meaning of the tipping like favor from “white-collar worker” to “blue-collar worker,” does not exist in Japan.
It is also said that all professions are equally valuable and everyone takes pride in his or her work.
Nowadays, you will almost never encounter a situation where you have to pay a tip in Japan.
Service Charges
However, this does not mean that there is no such culture at all.
In some hotels and high-end restaurants, a percentage (about 10%) of the service charge is added to the service price.
In such high-end restaurants, it is common to set a service charge, or in other words, a tip is automatically paid, so it is almost impossible to tip separately.
Traditional tipping Culture in Japan
Here are some examples of acceptable tipping in Japan.
It is acceptable to tip hotels, restaurants, and tourist guides when the service is above and beyond what is paid for.
We sometimes give cash tips to ryokan NAKAI (waitress)in the form of “gratuities.”
In Japan, when you stay at a ryokan, you may be assigned to a NAKAI (waitress )who is in charge of your room.
This person becomes your private concierge during your stay at the ryokan.
When you arrive at the ryokan and your room NAKAI( waitress )comes to greet you in your room.
We often give a tip of about 5,000 yen.( in my case)
It is good manners to pay in bills, not coins, and to wrap the money in an envelope.
The same may be appropriate when you receive private services such as a sightseeing guide.
If you satisfied the service and you want to pay a tip, they will accept it.
So don’t hesitate to send them a tip if you appreciate their services.
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