Why is tipping discouraged in tokyo?

Travel Info
i could not understand the english through the language barrier, but I could tell by the look on the driver's face that i was not making him happy when tipping 20% for a wonderful ride from Narita to the Ginza District

Travel Tips

"Tipping" is just not done in Japan. It is not part of the culture. Tipping is a foreign concept that the Japanese don't do. It isn't necessarily insulting to the driver, but you could have put him in a difficult spot because tips are not standard and he probably was uncomfortable because you couldn't understand him - Japanese can get really uncomfortable around foreigners who can't speak Japanese and don't follow the cultural 'rules'. It was just a cultural and language miscommunication. Just remember, no one tips in Japan, so it is better to remember, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Others
This answer misses the point. You already DID tip. It was included in the price.

The drivers make a "profit" but that is not "tipping".

They're just being courteous. It's viewed as insulting.
Modified 1 year ago