“Irasshaimase”(ihra-shy-ee-muss-eh),
sometimesin loudchorus,willbeheard
onenteringcertainrestaurants(and
shops)– there’snoneedtorespond- it’s a form of welcome.
If drinkingnihonshu(sake),makesureyou
serveothersbutnotyourself(exceptin the
company of good friends). Kampai! (Cheers!).Offer“thanksin advance”fora mealby
saying,“Itadakimasu”(itta-ducky-muss).
If sittingatanupmarketsushiorrestaurant
counter(bestforchefaction)readtheroom
forvolumelevels.If you’rebusytalking,
stoptoadmirethechef’sworkfromtime
totime.Extravagantsushishouldneverbe
tamperedwithbutatvenueswheresoy
is available, make sure to use restraint.There’sa multitudeofchopstickrulesbut
rememberthemostcriticalandyou’llbe
fine:neverleavechopsticksstanding
uprightin food(especiallyrice)orpass
foodwiththem(bothrelatedtofuneral
rituals)– andalwaysreturnthemto
thechopstickrest(orbalanceneatly
on your bowl) when not eating.Overwhelmed? Don’t be. Expectation is low for short-term guests, a show of Japan’s unique hospitality but, rest assured, efforts will not go unnoticed.Topaythecheque,gainthewaiter’s
attentionbysaying“sumimasen”(sue-me-
muss-en;a handywordmeaningboth
“excuseme”and“oops,sorry”),orby
catchingtheireyewhileforminga discreet
“X”signwithyourindexfingers– a
signthemealhasended.If, after
severalpost-mealcupsoftea,you're
offered matcha, it’s time to leave.DINING OUT
Nevertip.Instead,showyourappreciation
forthechefandteam’seffortsbysaying
“gochisousamadeshita”(gotchi-soh-
summa-desh-tuh),whichmeans“thank
youforthedeliciousmeal”,anddon’t
be surprised if staff bow to you in return.●GOURMET TRAVELLER 63ILLUSTRATIONS MELISSA MARTIN.