Do you tip at an izakaya? Tipping in Japan, explained

Why you don't need to tip at a Japanese izakaya, which extra lines on the bill aren't tips, and how to say thanks instead.

Short answer: no. At an izakaya in Japan you don’t need to leave a tip. What you pay is what’s on the bill — and that’s all the staff expect.

An izakaya bill slip and cash on a small tray at the register — At many places, the bill and your money go on a small tray at the register. Nothing extra is expected.

Why there’s no tipping

In Japan, good service is part of what you’re already paying for. Japan’s national tourism organisation (JNTO) puts it simply: tipping isn’t common in bars, cafés, restaurants, taxis or hotels. Staff wages don’t depend on tips the way they do in some countries.

If you leave money on the table

Staff will most likely think you forgot it. Some will even run after you to give it back. If you want to show you were happy, there are better ways — see below.

Coins left on an izakaya table next to empty beer mugs — Leave coins like this and the staff will most likely think you forgot them.

Lines on the bill that aren’t tips

Your bill can have a few lines besides food and drinks. These are set by the shop, not by you:

Otoshi (お通し) — the small dish you get when you sit down. See What is otoshi?
Service charge (サービス料) — some places add a percentage, for example 10%.
Seat or table charge (席料 / チャージ)

A handwritten sign at an izakaya: otoshi 330 yen per person, and a 10% service charge — A sign like this tells you the otoshi price and the service charge before you order.

If you want to know before you order, look for these on the menu or on signs in the shop. Not sure what a line on your bill is? Izakaya Buddy’s Check my bill explains each one.

A few places now accept tips

With more visitors from countries where tipping is normal, a few places in Japan have started to accept tips — a tip box by the register, or a tip option when you pay through the ordering app on your phone. These are optional. If you don’t want to tip, you can simply skip it.

A phone showing the tip options in an izakaya's ordering app — Some ordering apps now ask if you'd like to add a tip. 0% is one of the choices.

How to say thanks instead

The thank-you that Japanese customers use costs nothing. On your way out, try:

At a small counter place, you can also offer the owner a drink. It goes on your bill at the menu price. Some will happily accept, others will politely say no — either is fine.

A customer and the owner raising their glasses across an izakaya counter — A drink for the owner is a friendly way to say thanks at a small counter place.

Back to the full evening: How an izakaya works.