Japanese Life Rules That Might Seem Foreign To Visitors

Proper Pouring Etiquette

There are likely going to be certain rules around drinking and serving guests no matter where you go. Japan is the same way. In Japan, it's polite for one person to pour drinks for everyone else at the table before having someone else pour drinks for them. This means that even if you're the one pouring drinks for everyone else at the table and you pour their drinks first, it's still disrespectful to pour your own drink.

After everyone has poured their drinks, it's time to have fun. This usually starts with "kanpai," which is Japanese for "cheers." You can drink your drink after this is spoken.