cartoon image of man offering tip to waitress. A speech bubble above her head says no thank you. This is an AI generated image.

Should You Tip in Japan?

In many countries, tipping is expected and important to top up people’s hourly wage. In Japan, however, tipping is not part of everyday culture and can sometimes actually confuse people. Here’s our guide on tipping in Japan – and how you can show appreciation for a job well done.

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Composite image of famous places in Japan - Tokyo Tower, Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome, Nara Deer and Kinkaku-ji Golden Temple with ticks on them

12 Steps to Plan The Perfect Japan Trip

Planning your first trip to Japan can get overwhelming. Tokyo alone has enough sights, neighbourhoods, food spots, and day trips to fill months and then you start adding Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Hakone, or Mount Fuji into the mix. Agghh, my head hurts… but these are the steps that can help reduce the panic and help you create a more manageable plan.

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packed suitcase with a red cross and the word 'nope' written on it

9 Things Not To Bring to Japan

When planning your Japan trip, it’s easy to focus solely on what you need to bring. But Japan has very strict rules about what you can’t bring into the country – or sometimes even take out of it. Some items that are perfectly normal at home, or on other trips you’ve taken, could get confiscated, … Read more