Tipping in Japan

Tipping for standard service is not a Japanese custom. It's very different from the practice in western countries. They don't tip waiters or cab drivers, for example. These people are paid for their work. They're proud of doing a good job, and they don't expect anything extra from the customer.

Some employees of western-style hotels are getting used to westerners' tipping them. They don't always refuse the tip, but they don't expect it. And now western-style hotels add a service charge to the bill.

Japanese may tip for special service. If someone does something for them that's really extra, then they tip to show appreciation. But it's not expected for standard good service.