No Tipping in Japan: Good Service is Expected

There’s no tipping in Japan.

And that’s a really, really good thing.

When I first ate in a restaurant in Japan, like many travelers before me (and since), the idea of getting up from the table and not leaving cash behind (or adding it onto the credit card) seemed odd, if not downright wrong.

Why’s that?

Well, if you’re from the US, Canada or parts of Europe, for example, you may very well assume that good service warrants a monetary reward. 

I used to assume that, too. And we’ll get to the flip side of that, later.

In Japan, service is included. It’s expected. Not providing the expected standard of service in Japan would be shameful for a business, whether that’s a restaurant or retail store.

A Japanese person would never think of leaving a tip in a restaurant. It’s a totally foreign idea.

And yet some visitors to Japan not only assume they need to tip, they try to tip even when already advised not to.

What Happens If You Try to Tip in Japan?

Despite what are probably the best of intentions, trying to give your server (or hotel staff, etc) a tip in Japan will not go over well.

The tip cannot be accepted. 

By societal norms alone, that worker would have to refuse your tip. And in a society where confrontation is regularly avoided and the word “no” is not often used, your tip attempt actually places that worker in a rather awkward and uncomfortable position.

If you leave a cash tip on the table, the staff will have to chase you down to give it back. That’s taking time out of their busy shift, so again, the good intentions will actually backfire.

If you want to do a good thing for your restaurant server, write a nice Google review and mention them by name. Beyond that, there’s not only no need to reward their service, there’s no way to.

Tips are simply not good etiquette in Japan.

Why Is Tipping Common in Many Places Outside Japan?

There’s no one right answer as to why tipping culture exists in the US and elsewhere.

But many of us (I’m an American, by the way, living in Japan) feel like tipping has gotten out of hand, especially in North America.

Why?

Probably because servers can legally be paid less than minimum wage in the US, and so the price on the menu has an unwritten, hidden cost of tipping after the meal. 15% used to be standard; now it’s more like 20% “minimum,” with 25%-30% not uncommon.

And tipping has spread to coffee shops, fast food restaurants and seemingly everywhere service is provided in the US.

Don’t get me wrong. I want everyone to be paid fairly for their hard work. I just want those wages to be incorporated into the up-front cost of goods and services.

We could go on. But you’re here to talk about Japan.

Omotenashi: Why Service in Japan is Expected

In Japan, the concept of "Omotenashi" is deeply ingrained in the culture and defines the exceptional level of service you’ll experience throughout the country. 

Omotenashi is a philosophy of selfless hospitality, where service providers anticipate the customer’s needs and deliver a memorable experience without expecting anything in return.

Omotenashi is seen in hotels, ryokan (inns), stores, restaurants, street food stalls and elsewhere. It’s often about creating a warm, welcoming environment that makes you feel valued and respected. As a visitor, you’ll likely notice that the attention to detail, genuine care, and thoughtfulness in every interaction are unparalleled.

The absence of tipping is a reflection of the cultural emphasis on pride in one's work and the commitment to providing every guest with the best possible experience. The expectation is that every guest deserves the highest level of service, regardless of whether they offer a gratuity. This cultural approach ensures that all customers are treated equally and that the focus remains on delivering sincere and consistent hospitality.

Having said that, I’ve heard rumors that a few coffee shops and other businesses (tourist traps, most likely) in high-traveler-density locations have been putting out tip jars. I hope that’s not true. If it is, they need to be shamed. That’s just greedy — and dangerous.

Why dangerous? If something like that spreads, it poses a threat to Japan’s culture, at least to the omotenashi aspects of it. We’ve seen this in other travel hotspots around the world. But that’s a discussion for another day.

Enjoy the No-Tipping Culture in Japan

As you go along your self-guided tour in Japan, I hope you’ll enjoy and appreciate the non-tipping aspects of Japanese culture.

You might just be spoiled by Japan, and could very well be disappointed when you go back home.

That’s a commonly reported sentiment by visitors to Japan weeks or months after they go home.

And it pretty much debunks the idea that money (and a sliding scale thereof) is somehow supposed to define how a person is supposed to be treated.

When we ask people what they like about Japan or what draws them to visiting Japan, “the culture” is often a top answer.

Omotenashi is a big part of Japanese culture, and likely the biggest one you’ll have everyday interactions with.

So let’s all enjoy this no-tipping thing!

Other than the pro tips, of course – sorry, shameless plug – that you get here from Japan Travel Pros.

Until next time, happy travels!