In Japan, slurping your soup and noodles is quite common. It helps you eat the noodles while cooling them down, so you don't end up burning yourself. While slurping is all right, smacking lips, burping, and other eating sounds are seen as poor manners.

In 2026, Japanese dining etiquette remains rooted in respect and mindfulness. The most common "rude" behaviors involve improper chopstick use, such as "Mayoi-bashi" (hovering chopsticks indecisively over dishes) or "Sashi-bashi" (spearing food like a fork). Never stick your chopsticks vertically into a bowl of rice, as this mimics a funeral ritual. Additionally, tipping is considered rude or confusing; the high level of service is included in the price, and leaving money behind may prompt a server to chase you down to return it. Other faux pas include talking loudly on a cell phone, blowing your nose at the table (sniffling is surprisingly more acceptable), and mixing wasabi directly into your soy sauce dish (you should place a dab on the fish instead). In 2026, it is also considered polite to say "Itadakimasu" before eating and "Gochisousama-deshita" after, acknowledging the effort that went into the meal.