Drinking rules

It is a Japanese custom to serve each other, rather than pouring the beverage into one's own glass. Periodically check your friends' cups, and serve them more once their cups are near empty. If someone wants to serve you more alcohol, you should quickly empty your glass and hold it towards that person.

While it is considered unacceptable to become obviously drunk in some formal restaurants, for example in restaurants that serve kaiseki ryori (Japanese haute cuisine), the same is not true for other types of restaurants such as izakaya, provided you do not bother other guests.

Wait until everybody at the table is served and the glasses are raised for a drinking salute, which usually is "kampai", before you drink. Do not say "chin chin" when proposing a toast, since in Japanese this term refers to the male genitals.