Tipping is not customary in Tokyo and can cause confusion — excellent service is simply expected.
| Where | What's customary |
|---|---|
| Restaurant | Do not tip. Trying to leave extra cash is often politely refused or chased down as forgotten change. |
| Taxi & rideshare | No tip — pay the metered fare exactly. |
| Hotel | No tipping at most hotels. High-end ryokan may accept a discreet gratuity in an envelope (kokorozuke), but it's never required. |
| Bar | No tipping; some upscale bars add a seating charge (otōshi) instead. |
Tipping is not customary in Tokyo. Tipping is not customary in Tokyo and can cause confusion — excellent service is simply expected.
Do not tip. Trying to leave extra cash is often politely refused or chased down as forgotten change.
No tip — pay the metered fare exactly.
No tipping; some upscale bars add a seating charge (otōshi) instead.
Tipping customs as of 2026-07-13. Norms vary between venues and change over time — treat these as a guide, not a rule.