Is it impolite to finish your food in Japan?

Not finishing one's meal is not considered impolite in Japan, but rather is taken as a signal to the host that one wishes to be served another helping. Conversely, finishing one's meal completely, especially the rice, indicates that one is satisfied and therefore does not wish to be served any more.



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While restaurant portion sizes in Western countries have birthed a custom of taking leftovers home for a second meal, this is not the case in Japan. If you are considering asking for a take-home container, the answer, unfortunately, will almost always be no.

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10 Unique Japanese Eating Etiquette Rules
  • Never raise your food above your mouth. ...
  • Never rest your chopsticks on your bowl. ...
  • Never use your hand to catch falling food. ...
  • Slurping is a sign of appreciation! ...
  • Eat your soup with chopsticks. ...
  • Return all your dishes to how they were at the start of the meal once you're done.


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People who live in Okinawa, Japan have a wise strategy when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight. They call it “hara hachi bu”, which means to stop eating when you are 80% full. Studies show that cutting back on calories can lead to better heart health, longevity, and weight loss.

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Under a national law that came into effect two months ago, companies and local governments must now measure the waistlines of Japanese people between the ages of 40 and 74 as part of their annual checkups.

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Japan's Unspoken and Unwritten Rules: 21 Tips to Navigate Life in Japan
  • Avoid Walking While Eating and Drinking.
  • Dress on the Conservative Side.
  • Keep Train Chatter to a Minimum.
  • Don't Consider Elevators as Your Meeting Rooms.
  • Don't Stand in the Middle of Escalators.
  • You Don't Need to Open or Close the Doors of a Taxi.


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Most Japanese people eat sushi with their hands. Especially with nigiri sushi (single pieces of sushi with meat or fish on top of rice), it's totally acceptable. Miho: “Really, you can eat all sushi with your hands.

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