Money
Tipping
Don't. Saying thank you is enough.
What to know
- Tipping isn't customary at restaurants, bars, cafes, taxis or hotels.
- That covers the porter who carries your bags, the taxi driver who lifts your suitcase and the bartender who remembers your order. Pay what's on the bill or the meter and nothing more.
- Say "arigatou gozaimasu" and smile. A small bow with it is how people say thanks here. The deeper the bow, the more respect it shows.
- Japan has its own custom of kokorozuke, a gift of thanks "from the heart". It's occasional and personal, not a fee for service.
- Private guides and interpreters who work with overseas visitors may accept a tip, but even then it isn't expected. Treat it as a personal thank-you, not a percentage.
- If you do give money, put it in an envelope and hand it over discreetly. Small envelopes are sold at convenience stores, stationery shops and 100-yen stores.
psst, if a guide made your trip, a small gift from your home country often lands better than cash. Hand it over quietly at the end of the day, not in front of the group, and keep it small enough that it doesn't feel like a debt.