Question
I am visiting Japan for the first time and I’m not familiar with Japanese dining etiquette. What should I say when entering a restaurant and when the meal finishes, to show politeness?
Japango Editor Team
When entering a restaurant, you can say いらっしゃいませ (irasshaimase), although it’s usually said by staff to customers; instead, greet them with こんにちは (konnichiwa) or こんばんは (konbanwa) depending on the time of day.
Once you finish your meal, it’s polite to say ごちそうさまでした (gochisou sama deshita), which means “thank you for the meal.”
In Japan, politeness and gratitude are significant when dining. While entering, offering a simple greeting like こんにちは (konnichiwa, meaning “hello”) or こんばんは (konbanwa, meaning “good evening”) helps in acknowledging the staff.
At the end of the meal, saying ごちそうさまでした (gochisou sama deshita) shows appreciation for the food. This expression is not only used in restaurants but also at home to thank whoever prepared the meal.
These small gestures make for a respectful and enjoyable dining experience in Japan. Happy eating!
