In this guide
At a restaurant
Join the queue and let staff guide you to a seat. Follow the restaurant’s rules about outside food and taking leftovers away. In a small dining space, keep your bags out of walkways and off seats other people could use.
Read prices before ordering. If you are unsure about the total, ask about any additional charges and accepted payment methods before sitting down.
Useful phrase:
英語のメニューはありますか？
“Do you have an English menu?”
Paying and tipping
Tipping is not customary for everyday restaurant, café and taxi service in Japan. Pay the amount on the bill and say thank you.
Payment options depend on the business. For Fukuoka’s yatai, bring cash; the city’s visitor guide notes that many stalls do not accept cards. See the Fukuoka guide for more about food stalls.
Photos and privacy
Ask before photographing a person or the inside of a small restaurant. Respect signs that prohibit photography. Avoid blocking a doorway or stopping in a narrow passage just to get a picture.
Keep the street usable for the people who live and work there. If there is no suitable place to stop, move on and take your photo somewhere else.
On the move
Keep conversations quiet on trains and buses, and avoid phone calls. Take your rubbish with you when you cannot find an appropriate bin.
For your journey home, check Getting around after dark before your last stop of the night.
Quick questions
What should I do when I am unsure of a local custom?
Sources & updates
Official references reviewed 15 September 2026. The planning suggestions are editorial advice. Check the operator or venue for current hours, services and availability.
