Japanese culture is rich, and the role of Japan on the world stage makes it a choice place for the holidays. Deciding to live in or visit Japan is easy, but fully integrating into Japanese culture is another matter.
There are strict rules and definite ways to do some things you might consider ordinary, such as pouring yourself a glass of Japanese sake or rice wine. Hospitality, team spirit, and respect are some of the values that underlie this aspect of Japanese culture.
It may delight you to know that honoured guests and visitors are doted upon. It may interest you even more to know that Japanese laws are not so hard on where and when a drink may be had. In this guide, we’ll take you through the etiquettes for drinking wine in Japan.
Rules for drinking sake
In Japan, the more formal the occasion, the more adherent you must be to etiquette. Traditions play an important role on how to take a meal and alcohol along side it. Here are some tips on how to act like the Japanese, when you go to Japan.
Be on time
Punctuality is of immense importance in Japan, such that arriving just on time is considered being late. The general practice is to arrive 10 or 15 minutes earlier.
As a guest in Japan, you must take into account the fact that the average Japanese is brought up in a time conscious environment. Keep this in mind whenever you get that invite to participate in any Japanese business or cultural experience. When such opportunities come, arrive on time, relax, meet amazing people, and leave an impeccable impression.
Know your seniors
This is very important within the context of a business outing. Japanese culture is based on hierarchy and mutual respect. In fact, Keiro-no-Hi is a national day set aside to honour elderly citizens.
Although it is conventional to allow others pour your glass, you are expected to treat anyone higher in status with deference by pouring their drinks, ordering drinks, and properly positioning your own glass while you take that sip. Address people whom you do not know personally with ‘-san’ after their names. This is an honorific title that accords them respect.
Team spirit
You should always drink sake(rice wine), beer, or bourbon together and at the same time with the entire group. Sochu is another traditional drink you may enjoy. The first drink will be poured into everybody’s glass and ideally, you should wait to receive yours last.
Kanpai
Whether served warm or served hot. Drinking sake alone is frowned upon in Japan. The word ‘ Kanpai’ proposes a toast, which means ‘to empty the glass’. At formal events including a drinking party, dinner or wedding, kanpai is used to end the speech. It is like saying ‘cheers’ in English.
Whilst you are to wait for all members of the group to receive their glasses before you receive yours, you should also wait to hear ‘cheers’ before taking a sip from your glass. It embodies the spirit of Japanese hospitality.
Receiving a drink
Empty your glass and hold it with both hands as a sign of humility. You may even pretend to refuse the offer. Receiving drinks is an act that must be reciprocated.
Generally, the junior pours for the senior. Celebrants and honored guests receive special attention in this regard. Ensure your glass is positioned slightly lower than that of a person who is higher in status at the table.
Pouring a drink
This is a drinking culture that is required of everyone at the table. Even at events, refusal to do so shows a complete disregard for such values as selflessness and hospitality. Courtesy requires that you hold the bottle with your two hands while pouring, your left hand should support the center of the bottle.
Why should you not pour your own sake
There are seemingly superstitious reasons why you should not pour your own sake. Whatever you do and wherever you go in Japan avoid doing so. Females who do are destined to never get married. On the other hand refusal to pour sake into another’s cup makes you a carrier of bad luck.
Say No
You can politely refuse an offer to pour sake, beer or any distilled alcohol into your glass by placing your hands over it or leaving your glass full.
Leaving
Sake’s alcohol content will leave you in good shape after the party is over, as far as you did not have a bit too much to drink. It is tradition to let the host create an opportunity for you to leave. However if you must leave, then don’t just pack your bag, bow, and leave. As an honored guest, express this urgency to the superior and help out with the bill if necessary. Then again, you can wait till the end and help with tidying up the place. In all you do try not to offend your friends.
Other points to consider
Drinking age
Are you above 18 years? While this may guarantee a foreigner access to alcoholic drinks in his/her home country, in Japan it may just be enough reason to have a serious conversation with the police.
Visitors are not exempt from the law that permits only persons above the age of 20 to drink alcohol. It is simply a privilege to have to wait two long decades before being allowed to raise a glass of Japanese sake.
The Minor Drinking Prohibition Act creates this barrier. Whether you go to a Karaoke bar, a sushi restaurant or an Izakaya with friends, do keep your ID close by, just in case you have to prove that you deserve to be served.
Drunk driving
It is commonly said that Japanese law is ‘comparatively lax’ on drinking. You are at liberty to take alcoholic beverages on the train, in the park, subway, and bus; or even in a car, or on a motorcycle.
Other countries including, Poland, Norway, India, and the United States have very stiff laws on drinking in public. Ironically, the Japanese culture frowns upon eating in public spaces. Despite this, it is illegal to drink while driving.
You may sit on a Shinkansen and swill cans of alcohol without so much as a puzzled look in your direction. But you must not do the same behind the wheel of a private car. The laws on drinking and driving are strict even for motorbike and bicycle riders.
Nonetheless, passengers, pedestrians, and other users of public places are only permitted to drink responsibly. Behaviours influenced by alcohol that disrupt the ‘public order’ are against the Japanese culture.
Further, you have no legal authorization to drink on private property. Especially private properties with specific signs that say ‘Do Not Drink’.
Conclusion
It is important to know the do’s and don’ts of drinking in Japan, just in case you find yourself at the Izakaya with a couple of nice people to drink hot sake or mix sake with yakitori sauce, while politely chattering in Japanese.
Harmony, respect and order are core values reflected in Japanese drinking etiquette. Every action and gesture seeks to show that one is thinking of others, being respectful and knowledgeable of his/her role.
If you keep these tips in mind, you can build lasting friendships over shared drinks.