Before drinking in Japan, people say "Kanpai!" (乾杯), which means "Cheers!" and translates to "empty cup," used for toasting any beverage like beer, sake, or tea; it's polite to make eye contact and slightly raise your glass. Before starting the whole drinking session, especially after work, you might also hear Otsukaresama! (お疲れ様), meaning "thank you for your hard work," as a warm greeting.
After everyone's drinks have arrived, it is customary in Japan to click glasses together and interject "Kanpai!" before drinking. If you are in a big group, you'll often see people raise their glasses instead. And so it's used just like the word "cheers" in English.
In Japan, the most commonly used word for "cheers" is 乾杯 (kanpai). It's the go-to word at social gatherings, whether you're in a casual setting with friends or at a formal event like a wedding or company dinner.
Japanese phrases to remember: Entering an izakaya
Usually the whole staff will say this loudly and enthusiastically. Irasshaimase and yokoso are both words of welcome used when greeting customers as they enter.
The "Japan 5-minute rule" refers to extreme punctuality, meaning you should arrive 5 minutes before a scheduled time (e.g., 9:55 AM for a 10:00 AM meeting) to be considered "on time," as being exactly on time is seen as late, showing respect and reliability; it's part of the Japanese concept of go-fun-mae koudou (five-minute prior action). This emphasis on being early is deeply cultural, contrasting with many Western norms, and applies to business, appointments, and even trains, where delays over 5 minutes warrant apologies and certificates.
By saying "Itadakimasu," people express their appreciation for the food, the chef, and nature itself. However, there is no need to worry. Many Japanese people understand that foreigners may not be familiar with the phrase, and they generally do not consider it rude if it is not said.
Try to pour for those who are older than you or more senior in rank, or simply pour as a sign of respect and gratitude. Among friends, continue to top up each other's drinks so that no one's cup runs dry. Pouring with both hands, rather than one, is good manners.
Baked sweet potatoes, called yakiimo in Japanese, are a traditional snack enjoyed in autumn and winter.
The 1-2-3 drinking rule is a guideline for moderation: 1 drink per hour, no more than 2 drinks per occasion, and at least 3 alcohol-free days each week, helping to pace consumption and stay within safer limits. It emphasizes pacing alcohol intake with water and food, knowing standard drink sizes (12oz beer, 5oz wine, 1.5oz spirits), and avoiding daily drinking to reduce health risks, though some health guidance suggests even lower limits.
Sharing sake symbolizes tying together a relationship. At a traditional Japanese wedding, the bride and the groom share three cups of sake. They each take three sips in turn from each cup to seal their bond as a married couple.
A clear refusal of anything, especially at a time of enjoyment, is a bit jarring to Japanese sensibilities. However, going through the motions is perfectly acceptable. In recent years, oolong tea or a similar non-alcoholic beverage is increasingly offered as an alternative.
Russia and Australia have the highest prevalence of alcohol dependence overall, with 2.61 per cent and 2.58 per cent, respectively. According to the WHO, US has the lowest rate of alcohol dependence with only 1.92 per cent.
Toasting in Japan is SPELLED kanpai but it really sounds like "come-pie" or kampai :) If you want to be culturally correct, you should wait until "kanpai" is said, say it as well as you raise your glass BEFORE you take your first sip (at the beginning of a meal,etc.).
Other synonyms include: here's to you; good health; your health; and informally, bottoms up! The practice of saying cheers dates back centuries and is usually accompanied by the clinking of glasses filled with wine, beer, whiskey, tequila, champagne, or any other alcoholic drink, and even water.
The name Nikka Yuko (日加友好) means Japan-Canada friendship, and was chosen to symbolize the enduring friendship between the two nations and to acknowledge the contributions of Japanese Canadians to Southern Alberta. The garden opened on July 14, 1967, during the Canadian Centennial celebrations.
Japanese people say "草" (kusa, meaning grass) as slang for "LOL" or "hahaha" because a string of repeated "w"s (wwww) used to express laughter looks like blades of grass, evolving from the kanji 笑 (wara) for laugh, shortened to 'w'. It signifies amusement, similar to typing "lol" in English, but context matters, and it's generally used in informal online settings.
Walking and eating are generally looked down upon in Japan. Especially when in public areas that are crowded or congested. No one wants to be walking behind someone munching on food when trying to get to their destination.
The japanese tea ceremony or matcha drinking ritual is the traditional way of drinking grean tea leaves after eating Japanese sweets. This particular way of making and drinking tea has many specific rules including the way of boiling tea, pouring tea, tea room design, the way of interaction between the host and guest.
No. You say “Arigato gozaimasu” to the waiter and “itadakimasu” as a statement to those eating with you or to the food itself. I say it even when I'm eating alone at home. Totally ok!
The Japanese 80% rule, known as "Hara Hachi Bu", is a Confucian principle advising people to stop eating when they feel about 80% full, not completely stuffed, to support health and longevity. This practice encourages mindful eating, helps prevent overeating, and is linked to lower rates of illness and longer lifespans, particularly observed in Okinawan centenarians. It involves slowing down during meals, listening to your body's fullness cues, and appreciating food as fuel rather than indulging to the point of discomfort.
1. Arrive early. Punctuality is not just polite in Japan—it's expected. Here, being on time means arriving five to 10 minutes early (especially for restaurant bookings), strongly aligning with the culture of reliability and courtesy.
Ok, now we've covered itadakimasu, but what do you say after itadakimasu? In Japanese, there's another phrase that's used at the end of a meal. You guessed it – gochisousama deshita. Gochisousama deshita (or the more casual gochisousama) is usually translated as “thank you for the meal”, or “thank you for the feast”.