Tipping In Japan - A Complete Guide
Quick Guide
๐ฝ๏ธ Restaurant - Any Tip Can Cause Insult In Japan
๐น Bar - Do Not Tip
๐ Taxi - Do Not Tip
๐๏ธ Porter/Bellhop - Do Not Tip
๐๏ธ Housekeeping - Do Not Tip
๐ธ Tour Guide - Do Not Tip
๐ Ryokan - ยฅ1,000pp To Nakai-San In Envelope
In Japan, where the service is synonymous with perfection, tipping in the vast majority of situations can risk awkwardness and offense. Instead, you can express your gratitude with simple gestures.
Calculate a culturally appropriate tip for Japan using the calculator below and read on for more detail on tipping in Restaurants, Bars, Taxis, Hotels, Ryokans etc.
Japan Tip Calculator
Good Price For Japan
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Total With Tip
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Tipping in Restaurants
Do not tip when you eat in a restaurant in Japan. The exceptional service is ingrained in the culture and tipping can sometimes be considered rude. Servers take pride in offering impeccable service without the expectation of an additional reward.
In any case, in a lot of restaurants, youโll pay up front at the register.
Instead of a tip, you can show your appreciation with a polite "arigatou gozaimasu" (thank you) as you leave.
Tipping in Bars
Donโt tip in bars in Japan either. Japanese bartenders take pride in their craft and consider their service a part of their professional duty.
A sincere "kanpai" (cheers) is more than enough.
Tipping Taxi Drivers
Again, thereโs no need to tip taxi drivers in Japan. Rounding up the fare is common practice but this isnโt considered a tip. Instead, drivers appreciate a courteous demeanour during the ride.
Tipping The Porter/Bellhop
Donโt tip Japanese porters either. Instead, if a porter assists you with your luggage, express your gratitude with a genuine "doumo arigatou gozaimasu" (thank you very much).
Tipping Housekeeping
You guessed it! Donโt tip the maid service in Japan either.
Instead, if you want to express your thanks for their usually meticulous service, just leave a note saying "osuwarisama deshita" (thank you for the service).
Tipping Tour Guides
Japanโs no-tipping culture also extends to tour guides. If you want to express your gratitude, a verbal โdoumo arigatouโ (thank you very much) at the end of the tour will be much appreciated.
Tipping in a Ryokan
The exception to Japanโs no-tipping rule. If youโre staying in a Ryokan (traditional Japanese Inn), you can tip the Nakai-San (personal attendant) or Okami (manager).
It remains optional but a tip of ยฅ1,000 per person at the end of your stay will be very much appreciated.
Place clean, flat bills in an envelope or folded sheet of paper and hand it to the Nakai-San directly using both hands with a genuine bow.
Which Currency To Use
In Japan, you can only use the official currency, the Japanese Yen (JPY). Credit cards are widely accepted in major establishments but itโs advisable to carry cash to use in smaller businesses and rural areas. ATMs are readily available for currency exchange.
"Li tabi wo" or โใใๆ ใโ (Have a good trip) ๐ฏ๐ต๐ธ๐พ
