In Japan, tipping is not required!
In Europe and the United States, a tip is given after the meal as a service charge, but it is not customary to tip in Japan. There are some restaurants that charge a service fee, but in most cases, the fee is included in the bill.
Is Tipping Allowed in Japan?
Tipping is not completely absent in Japan. It is acceptable to tip when you receive service above and beyond what you paid for at a hotel or restaurant, and it is also possible to give a cash tip to a waitress at a ryokan in the form of a “gratuity”. In such cases, it is proper to pay in bills, not coins, and to wrap the money in an envelope or the like.
The Tipping Culture
Tipping culture tends to be confusing because it is unfamiliar to Japan. The culture differs greatly from country to country, so it is important to know what to expect and how much to tip in advance. If you do not know how much to tip, you may end up losing money, so we recommend that you keep this in mind as a must-prepare item when traveling abroad.