TOKYO - Japan has traditionally not practiced tipping, but signs of change are emerging amid an unprecedented boom in inbound tourism.
Popular destinations like Tokyo’s Asakusa district are seeing record crowds, and by the end of March 2025, the number of foreign visitors to Japan had reached approximately 10.54 million — the fastest pace ever to surpass the 10-million mark.
As the influx continues, many tourists remain confused by Japan’s no-tip culture. One visitor recalled, "I tried to tip at a restaurant, but they politely refused. I was embarrassed and thought I had done something wrong." Another said, "I once left a tip for hotel housekeeping. Isn’t that considered appropriate in Japan?"
In response, some businesses have begun introducing tip boxes. One such box, labeled with a cheerful "Thank you!", sits near the register at a restaurant in Kyoto Prefecture, stuffed with 1,000 yen notes. Another location even displayed a 5,000 yen bill. A tourist from France explained, "If a place is good, I want to give something back."
While tipping remains uncommon, the rise in foreign visitors is reshaping customer service practices. Some establishments are tailoring their approach to meet inbound expectations — among them, a unique Tokyo bar drawing global attention.
In Ikebukuro, a bar known as the "Muscle Bar" — staffed entirely by muscular women — has become especially popular with foreign tourists. Nearly all customers inside are from overseas, and many are female.
A visitor from Hawaii said, "I love meeting muscular girls. I work out, so it’s fun seeing others like me." One of the bar’s signature attractions is a fresh fruit sour cocktail, squeezed on the spot using the strength of the bartenders’ arms.
Visitors from the United States shared, "I found this place on Instagram. It looked like fun, and we don’t have anything like it back home." Another added, "It’s so much fun. Just really entertaining."
The bar’s popularity on social media led to a surge in international reservations, but the influx also brought challenges. Last-minute cancellations and communication issues with overseas phone numbers became common.
To address this, the bar introduced "Japan Ticket," an online reservation and payment service. According to Japan Ticket CEO Tanaka Hiroaki, the platform helps restaurants manage menu translation, reservations, and payment processing for foreign guests.
Today, around 2,000 restaurants across Japan use the system. At the Muscle Bar, more than 90% of May reservations were made through Japan Ticket.
Store manager Harigae Hitomi said, "The number of cancellations has dropped dramatically. Because guests pay in advance, almost all of them show up. It’s nothing but benefits."
Source: FNN
