How to Use Chopsticks Etiquette in Ikebukuro,Tokyo,Japan

Chopsticks, or hashi (箸), are the primary eating utensils in Japan, and mastering them is a fun part of experiencing Japanese culture. While no one expects a tourist to be perfect, understanding the basic manners will show respect for the host and the traditions of the meal.

This guide will show you how to hold chopsticks correctly and, more importantly, the strict rules of etiquette to avoid the biggest cultural mistakes!

1.How to Hold Chopsticks (The Right Way)

1-1. The Bottom Chopstick (brown)

Place the first chopstick in the valley between your thumb and index finger.
Rest the bottom of this chopstick on your ring finger.
This stick remains still and acts as the base.

1-2. The Top Chopstick (gray/Moving)

Hold the second chopstick like a pencil, gripping it with your thumb, index finger, and middle finger.
This is the chopstick you will move up and down to grip and pick up food.

1-3. The Action

Keep the bottom chopstick steady.
Use your index and middle fingers to move the top chopstick, opening and closing the tips like a pair of tongs to grasp food.

1-4. Chopsticks for training (for children)

If you want to master the correct way to use chopsticks, try using “training chopsticks.” You can get them at 100 yen shops. Basically, we learn how to use chopsticks when we’re children in Japan. So, “training chopsticks” are basically only available for children. If you have large hands, they may be difficult to use.

＞100 Yen Shops【Daiso,Can★Do,Seria】 in Ikebukuro ,Tokyo

2.【NG】Incorrect Ways to Hold Chopsticks

While not an extreme offense, these grips make eating difficult and can be seen as slightly sloppy

2-1.【NG】Pencil Grip

This incorrect grip often results from holding both chopsticks in the same way you would hold a pen or pencil.This makes it difficult to grasp things.

2-2.【NG】Fist Grip (Nigiri-bashi)

Holding the chopsticks clenched in a fist, like a dagger.

2-3.【NG】Scissors Grip (Hasa-mi-bashi)

Holding the sticks like scissors, making an ‘X’ shape in the middle.

3.【NG】Chopstick Taboos: Etiquette Violations to Avoid

In Japan, many chopstick rules are related to funeral rites or are simply considered rude table manners. Avoiding these is the most important part of chopstick etiquette!

3-1.【NG】Hashi-watashi(Awase-Bashi.Hiroi-bashi)箸渡し（合わせ箸、拾い箸）

Passing Food, Chopstick-to-Chopstick
This is a strict taboo. It mimics the ritual of family members passing the cremated bones of the deceased.

3-2.【NG】Sashi-bashi (刺し箸)

Stabbing Chopsticks
Never spear or stab food with your chopsticks, even if a piece is slippery. It’s considered ill-mannered and childish.

3-3.【NG】Mayoi-bashi (迷い箸)

Wandering/Hesitation Chopsticks
Don’t hover your chopsticks over several dishes or wave them around while you are deciding what to eat. Decide first, then pick up the food.

3-4.【NG】Yose-bashi (寄せ箸)

Pulling Chopsticks
Don’t use your chopsticks to drag a bowl or plate closer to you. Use your hands to move dishes.

3-5.【NG】Watashi-bashi (渡し箸)

Crossing/Bridging Chopsticks
Do not lay your chopsticks across the top of your bowl or plate when resting. Use the chopstick rest (hashioki) or lay them straight down on the table, parallel to the edge of the table, with the tips pointing to the left.

3-6.【NG】Namida-bashi (涙箸)

Dripping Chopsticks
Letting liquid or sauce drip from the tips of your chopsticks onto the table or food. It’s messy and disrespectful.

3-7.【NG】Neburi-Bashi（ねぶり箸）

Licking Off Chopsticks
Licking or sucking food/sauce off the ends of your chopsticks.

3-8.【NG】Yubi-sashi-bashi (指し箸)

Pointing Chopsticks
Never point at people or objects with your chopsticks, especially when speaking.

3-9.【NG】Tsuki-tate-bashi (突き立て箸)

Vertical Sticking Chopsticks
Never stick your chopsticks vertically upright into a bowl of rice. This is done only at funerals as an offering to the deceased and is a serious taboo.

3-10.【NG】Tataki-bashi (叩き箸)

Tapping/Drumming Chopsticks
Tapping your chopsticks on the bowl or plate to make noise, like drumming. This is considered childish and rude.