Culture Briefing

Know before you go — cultural intelligence for any destination

A practical cultural briefing before you travel — greetings, taboos, dining, dress, tipping, business etiquette, religion and safety. It separates the practices that are widely observed from the ones that vary by region, generation or setting, and flags what is worth checking locally rather than taking on trust. Tailored to your trip purpose.

See what Culture Briefing gives you

Real output from an actual run on the trip below — an excerpt of a longer briefing, nothing reworded.

The trip

Business trip to Osaka, Japan, for a week, from the United States. Vegetarian and don't drink alcohol; meeting a client's executive team.

Real run, 2026-10-08 — one of the tool's own built-in examples.

Overview

Osaka is Japan's second-largest metropolitan area with a more informal business culture than Tokyo, though formality in first meetings remains higher than typical US practice. Business etiquette and hierarchy matter significantly; social settings are noticeably more relaxed. Vegetarian dining is feasible but requires advance planning, particularly for business meals. Alcohol is central to after-work socializing; as a non-drinker, you can decline.

Business etiquette

  • The business card exchange (meishi koukan) is a formal ritual: present your card with both hands, read the card you receive carefully for a few seconds, place it in front of you on the table (never in a back pocket or written on), and thank the person. This applies in first meetings or formal introductions.
  • Hierarchy and seniority are significant; allow senior figures to speak first, and address them by their title and family name unless explicitly invited otherwise.
  • Direct disagreement in a group setting, particularly with a senior person, contrasts with stating reservations indirectly — phrasing concerns as 'that is one perspective' or 'there may be other considerations' is more typical in business meetings.

For you specifically

  • Confirm vegetarian dining preferences with your client or restaurant contact at least a day before any business meal — day-of requests often cannot be fulfilled. Specify 'no fish, no fish stock, no meat broth' clearly, as some vegetarian dishes include dashi or fish-based ingredients.

Higher-stakes missteps

  • Disagreeing with a client or senior figure directly in front of others — raising concerns privately afterward is the more typical approach in this context.
  • Handling a business card casually — putting it in a back pocket, writing on it, or not examining it — departs from the standard of receiving with both hands and studying it briefly.

Tipping and payment

  • No tipping in Japan — not in restaurants, taxis, hotels, or any service context. Leaving cash on the table or offering it directly can be awkward or even refused.
  • Paying the bill: in a business context, the person who invited or has higher rank typically pays. Accept graciously if someone pays for you.

Customs vary by person, company and region. Culture Briefing describes what is widely observed and says what varies; your host is the best guide to their own expectations.

In a Nutshell

When
You've booked the trip and you don't want to be the rude tourist.
You give
Destination, trip purpose, how long, and where you're from.
You get
What is widely observed, what tends to cause friction, what varies by region or setting, and what to check locally before you rely on it.
The edge
Specific and calibrated to where you are from, rather than 'respect local customs' — and it separates a strong convention from a practice that varies, instead of presenting a country as one thing.

Good to Know

Questions people ask

What should I know about business etiquette in Japan?

First meetings are more formal than in the US: a slight bow, family names with -san, and a careful business-card exchange — offered and received with both hands, read briefly, and kept on the table in front of you. Senior people usually speak first, and disagreement is normally raised privately or indirectly rather than in front of the group.

Do you tip in Japan?

No. Tipping is not customary in restaurants, taxis or hotels, and leaving cash can cause awkwardness. Good service is included in the price.

How do I eat vegetarian in Japan?

Plan ahead. Many dishes that look vegetarian use dashi, a fish-based stock, so ask specifically for no fish, no fish stock and no meat broth, and tell your host or the restaurant in advance of a business meal.

Can Culture Briefing cover anywhere?

Yes — any country or region, for business, family, study or travel. Add your home country and anything about your situation, such as dietary needs or who you will meet, and the briefing focuses on what matters for you.