Taxes / Service Charges / Tipping
Taxes
In Japan a 5% consumption tax is levied on all goods and services purchased. From April 2004, prices displayed on all goods will include the consumption tax.
Service Charges
In addition to the consumption tax, a 10-15% service charge is added to the bill at most hotels and first-class restaurants.
Tipping
There is not a practice of tipping in Japan. However, at first-class ryokan(Japanese-style inns), the custom still remains of giving a tip to the nakai-san, the staff member who is in charge of the housekeeping of the guest’s room, brings meals, etc.
