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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.
Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
The above is an AI-generated image.
Why Isn’t Tipping Common in Japan?
The main reason tipping doesn’t exist in Japan is that good service is considered standard, not something that needs extra reward. Hospitality is closely linked to the idea of pride in one’s work. Staff are expected to do their job well regardless of whether a customer pays extra.
Wages are also high enough that workers are not relying on tips to make up their income. Prices already include service, and charging fairly for that service is seen as the responsibility of the business, not the customer.
Who Doesn’t Need a Tip in Japan?
In almost all everyday situations, you should not tip at all. This includes situations where you might normally tip, like…
Restaurant and café staff
Hotel staff like housekeeping, reception, concierge or bellboys
Taxi drivers
Leaving money on the table in a restaurant or trying to hand cash directly to staff may result in the money being returned to you, often repeatedly, as staff try to correct what they see as a mistake.
In taxis, the fare you see on the meter is the final price. Drivers will not expect, request, or accept a tip.
In hotels, including business hotels and larger international hotels, tipping bell staff or housekeeping is not expected.
This is an AI-generated image.
What Happens If You Try to Tip?
If you attempt to tip, staff may look confused, embarrassed, or politely refuse. In some cases, they may chase after you to return the money, assuming you left it behind accidentally.
Exceptions to the No-Tipping Rule
As with any rule, there are exceptions…
Free Tours
You’ll find these in big cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, and they are usually a great way to get an introduction to the city. The one I did in Osaka walked you through all the main sights in half a day and, even though it was my fourth visit to the city, I learned a few things. That’s my guide below, giving us some good foodie spots to try.
These tours run on tips, and so you should always give something at the end. I usually give 1000 yen, but I’m never sure if that’s the right amount, so I asked my friend Josie from Josie Wanders, who is the Queen of Free Tours – she takes them everywhere and took a few in Japan. ‘I normally aim for around AU$15,’ she told me. ‘In Japan, I recommend 1500-2000 Yen minimum. If it’s a small group, I tend to give a little more; a larger group, it would be on the lower end. But I always say add more if it’s a particularly good tour’
Oops – seems I’ve been under tipping!
Private Guides or Drivers
For privately hired guides, interpreters, or drivers – especially those working independently – tips may be accepted – and appreciated. This should not be handed over casually. If you do choose to give something extra, it’s best done discreetly, ideally in an envelope, and framed as a thank-you rather than a tip.
Foreign Guides
If you book a coach tour via a platform like Get Your Guide, Klook or Viator, and the guide is not Japanese, they may be more inclined to ask for tips at the end of the tour. It’s up to you if you choose to give them. They will be received happily.
One time, I did tip a tour guide from a larger company. It was after a food tour I took during Golden Week in Tokyo. There were only three of us on the tour, and once the official time ended, the guide offered to take us to see a couple of extra things – and we had the most amazing time. We even ended up carrying a float in a local festival. When someone gives up their own time, on a public holiday, and creates one of the best Japanese memories ever, I think they deserve a tip!
What Should You Do Instead of Tipping?
The best way to show appreciation in Japan is simply saying thank you and expressing how pleased you are with the service.
Get extra points in restaurants for using ‘oishi’ – the Japanese word for delicious, or, if you want to show off a bit, try gochisousama deshita – pronounced go-chee-so-sama desh-ta, which specifically means, ‘thank you for the meal.’
One of the guides in my Japan group also suggested leaving a positive online review for the company on Google, or the booking platform you booked it via, and ideally, mentioning the guide by name.
Should I Bring Gifts from Home?
A lot of tourists do this now, bringing everything from Trader Joe bags to tiny cute clip-on koalas, but when the subject of tipping came up in my Facebook group, Kyoto-based guide Jay Tee, added this article he had written, and I thought it made an interesting point.
He points out that most Japanese live in small houses, and so don’t really have room to keep all the things that people give them. For this reason, he suggests that if you do want to show appreciation in some way, bring a food item, from home (checking that it doesn’t break any rules for bringing things into Japan) or from a local store, that they can eat and/or share with the others in the team, and that they don’t need to take home.
Oh, and if you’re wondering about the fruit he talks about in that article, here’s a picture of some ‘gift melons’ – those prices are not a misprint – they really do start at AU$100 each!
Another group member, who used to work in hotels, pointed out that presentation of gifts is also very important, so make sure things are in a nice bag or paper when you present them.
In Japan, not tipping isn’t rude – it’s correct. You’re not short-changing anyone by paying the listed price, and you’re not expected to reward good service with extra money – just heartfelt thanks.
Who Writes This Blog?
My name is Helen Foster, and I’m a journalist and author. My travel articles have appeared in publications including The Australian, Escape, RAC Horizons, Jetstar Magazine, Sainsbury’s Magazine, and more.
I’ve traveled to Japan eight times before – solo and with my partner and visited over 25 towns and cities. My last visit was November 2024 so, everything here is pretty up to date.
