Your travel4seniors.com editor has visited Japan several times, beginning with those little misunderstandings around the Philippines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa in 1945. Many decades after those hostilities, we find hospitality at Japanese restaurants, shops, hotels and everywhere else fantastic.

Now, Japanese in the tourist industry bow and say chinkyaku, a polite welcome to visitors. Everyone, including doormen, waiters, bartenders and taxi drivers, are super considerate and helpful. However, tips are not expected nor accepted in Japan. While some restaurants may add service charges to checks, you don’t need to leave tips on the table when leaving. We’ve heard of instances when insulted waiters chased tourists down the street to return tips.

When planning and budgeting a trip beyond your borders, first be sure to learn all about each country’s tipping customs.