Really enjoyed reading this.
I have a problem with articles that usually either try to bash or over-romanticize Japan. Could definitely use more articles like this one.
I have a problem with articles that usually either try to bash or over-romanticize Japan. Could definitely use more articles like this one.
There are obviously some differences in how the Japanese eat stuff, but in general I can't say that Japanese are noticeably fussier when it comes to daily dining habits.
I think visitors often get the wrong impressions because what they see is:
1. Nice restaurants (not necessarily expensive ones), which are very particular about how they serve their food. 2. Enthusiastic hosts who go out of their way for infrequent guests - especially guests from abroad.
It all boils down to omotenashi - to be exoticizing a little, that's the Japanese spirit of treating guests with the utmost welcome. To be more down to earth, this is all about cultural expectations. Restaurants and cafes try to present a perfect-looking dish, because this is how they are judged by their customers. Some (not all!) hosts might go out of their way and serve using their best dishes, trying to make restaurant-looking food to make good first impressions on a guest.