Japanese Drinking Etiquette
Drinking etiquette is a crucial part in Japan culture. If you are traveling to Japan, you might drink with Japanese, thus knowing their drinking etiquette can bring you a more enjoyable experience. Drinking etiquettes differ from country to country, and that in Japan is unique from many places.
Seat Arrangement: Seat are arrange in the order of elderliness. The upper seats, which are further from the entrance, are reserved for the older and more respectful people. Lower seats, on the other hands, are taken by the juniors. For business gathering, ladies will spread among the men colleagues to serve during the meal.
Holding Cups: Junior staffs are not supposed to drink until senior supervisors start the event, usually with a simple speech. When rising your cup, make sure to have your cup lower than that of the seniors to show your respect.
Don't Pour Drinks for Yourself: Pouring drinks for oneself is an indication of failure in Japanese culture, thus you rarely find anyone doing so. When you observe other people's cup is less than half full, it is polite to pour drinks for them. If someone is offering to pour drinks, you should drink and empty the cup first and hold the cup with both hands.
Pour up to Eight Tenth of the Cup: When pouring drinks for other, have your right hand holding the bottle and left hand stabilizing the bottle's bottom. Show the pattern on the bottle, if any, upward. Also, only pour up to eight tenth of the cup for the ease of drinking.
Be Prepared for the Second Round: In Japan, it is common to continue the gathering after the meal. Often time, they would proceed to a bar or karaoke to continue drinking for the second round, third, or even fourth round.
Refusing Drinks Politely: Everyone can handle different amount of drink. If you have enough, you can politely recline further drinking by leaving your cup full, and people would stop offering more drinks. You can also request non-alcoholic drinks such as tea on the next ordering. Lastly, you can cover your cup with hand and apologize with smile to inform that you can't drink anymore.
As a reliable Japan travel agency, we are happy to provide you budget Japan group tours, and private car/limousine service, if you need more information on Tokyo tours, and Tokyo limousine service, please feel free to contact our specialists.
Drinking etiquette is a crucial part in Japan culture. If you are traveling to Japan, you might drink with Japanese, thus knowing their drinking etiquette can bring you a more enjoyable experience. Drinking etiquettes differ from country to country, and that in Japan is unique from many places.
Japanese Drinking Etiquette
Beer First: When you visit an Izakaya, staffs usually first ask what would you like to drink, instead of what to eat. In Izakaya, a drink is served before the main course. And Japanese usually begins with beers and then ordering sake other beverages.Seat Arrangement: Seat are arrange in the order of elderliness. The upper seats, which are further from the entrance, are reserved for the older and more respectful people. Lower seats, on the other hands, are taken by the juniors. For business gathering, ladies will spread among the men colleagues to serve during the meal.
Holding Cups: Junior staffs are not supposed to drink until senior supervisors start the event, usually with a simple speech. When rising your cup, make sure to have your cup lower than that of the seniors to show your respect.
Don't Pour Drinks for Yourself: Pouring drinks for oneself is an indication of failure in Japanese culture, thus you rarely find anyone doing so. When you observe other people's cup is less than half full, it is polite to pour drinks for them. If someone is offering to pour drinks, you should drink and empty the cup first and hold the cup with both hands.
Pour up to Eight Tenth of the Cup: When pouring drinks for other, have your right hand holding the bottle and left hand stabilizing the bottle's bottom. Show the pattern on the bottle, if any, upward. Also, only pour up to eight tenth of the cup for the ease of drinking.
Be Prepared for the Second Round: In Japan, it is common to continue the gathering after the meal. Often time, they would proceed to a bar or karaoke to continue drinking for the second round, third, or even fourth round.
Refusing Drinks Politely: Everyone can handle different amount of drink. If you have enough, you can politely recline further drinking by leaving your cup full, and people would stop offering more drinks. You can also request non-alcoholic drinks such as tea on the next ordering. Lastly, you can cover your cup with hand and apologize with smile to inform that you can't drink anymore.
As a reliable Japan travel agency, we are happy to provide you budget Japan group tours, and private car/limousine service, if you need more information on Tokyo tours, and Tokyo limousine service, please feel free to contact our specialists.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
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As a foreigner, do I have to follow the Japanese drinking etiquette?Japanese are very lenient to foreigners on drinking etiquette. As long as you practice common courtesy, Japanese are understanding on the cultural difference. However, we recommend following the Japanese drinking etiquette because it will show great respect to your Japanese fellow.
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If my Japanese friend has stopped drinking, can I continue to drink?Yes, it is okay to continue drinking. However, don't keep drinking for too long because your friend may want to end the gathering.
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Why do I have to hold my cup lower than those of seniors?Seniors are treated with high respect in Japanese culture. To show respect, make sure to hold your cup lower than those of seniors.
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Is it inappropriate to get drunk in Japan?Getting drunk is not considered as inappropriate. In fact, getting drunk displays a sense of affinity. However, make sure your behavior doesn't bother other people. Keep in mind though, getting drunk in any given situation is not the best thing you want to do.
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If I start with a whisky in Izakaya, it is considered impolite?No, the information on our article is based on common practice in Japan. And Japanese are more lenient with foreigners on the drinking etiquette.
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If Japanese started to drink non-alcoholic beverage, does that means they have enough wine?Not necessarily, sometime Japanese like to have other beverage when drinking wines. If you want to be sure, you can ask politely.
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How to avoid the drinking etiquette in Japan?Japanese are very lenient to foreigners on drinking etiquette, as long as you practice common courtesy. If you are not familiar with the drinking etiquette, you can observe your Japanese fellows.
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