Abroad in Japan · Thursday, July 30, 2026
A listener named Mar from the Philippines recounted an experience at a video game-themed bar in Akihabara where they bought a round of drinks for all 12 patrons and the staff. This gesture of generosity, despite Japan's no-tipping culture, resulted in cheers of appreciation and small gifts in return, though it significantly impacted the listener's wallet.
“Having visited Japan more times than I can count over the years, one of my favorite spots is a quirky video game themed bar in Akihabara, Where I usually stop by a beer, but stop for a beer or two every other night whenever I'm in town. The staff are incredibly laid back, and the patrons have always been wonderfully welcoming. With one of them offering me a seat and initiating the traditional tourist exchange of where you from and how long you're staying in Japan. Overall, it was a much looser atmosphere than many other bars I've visited, with everyone simply enjoying themselves, gaming and laughing out loud. Haha. After a few drinks with my judgment suitably impaired by mild inebriation. I decided to buy the staff a drink from the staff drink section of the menu. A small token of appreciation. But since it was my final night in Tokyo, I wanted to make the experience a little bit more unforgettable. I decided to go one step further and offer a round of drinks for the 12 other patrons in the bar as well. This was met with the bartender exclaiming, "Eh?" "Seriously?" "Mira." "Mira sir." "Mira everybody." Before announcing it to the entire bar, triggering a cheer reaction of increasingly bewildered "One person to the next." As the drinks started flowing. I was met with balls of gratitude and even a few little gifts in return. While I awkwardly bowed back. Once everyone had their drinks, each person came over to tap and with a trusty bottle of water as I had an early flight to catch the next morning. We chatted for a while, mostly through my disastrous Japanese before I called it a night. It was indeed an incredible night, but my wallet says otherwise. What is the excuse surrounding, uh, buying around for everyone? Giving Japan's cultural norms and the country's complete lack of a tipping culture, or is buying around for everyone generally seen as a friendly gesture? Love the podcast guys. Mar from the Philippines.”
“It's not really at all. No, it's quite common. Don't tip people, just buy everyone a drink. And it is quite common that you buy drinks for like the bartender and the team working there, right? I'm sure you've done it.”