→ 5 Reasons for No Tipping at Restaurants in Japan

Many people know that there is no tipping in Japan. Casey Baseel goes over some of the reasons for this.

There are a lot of things to love about restaurant dining in Japan, and one of the nicest comes at the very end of the meal, since there’s no need to leave a tip.

Of course it's not as cut-and-dry as guidebooks and overzealous expats make it out.

At many Japanese restaurants, after you’re seated you’ll automatically be brought a small-portioned appetizer. However, this isn’t a complimentary nicety like the hot or cold hand towels that are also brought to the table. The appetizer, called an otoshi, is something you’re required to pay for, regardless of whether you want it or not.

I don't often go to Japanese pubs alone, so I usually don't have to deal with otoshi, but it is a thing.

Follow the link to read all his reasons.

LINK: Five reasons there’s no tipping at restaurants in Japan

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Back when I had my own website, I used to post a few random links everyday or every few days, in the style of http://kottke.org or http://daringfireball.net. Readers seemed to enjoy seeing them.

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	David LaSpina is an American photographer lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time. More?