No Tipping in Japan
In general, there is no tipping necessary in Japan as in many establishments, there is already a ten percent service charge added to the bill. Some workers are offended to be offered a tip because they do their job well and do not feel that a reward is necessary for doing their job. The only exceptions that I’ve noticed are taxi drivers and tour guides. I assume these workers are often offered tips from Americans and their resistance has been worn down. On my first trip to Japan, I wasn’t convinced of this countrywide custom and was not yet fluent in the language of Japanese currency so I opened my hand with some change and the driver took no time in choosing the largest denomination coin I had, a 500 yen coin!
Tour guides are always appreciated for their knowledge of the local history, explanations of the customs, and entertaining anecdotes. I’ve had conversations with fellow Americans and sometimes get clues from passengers as they leave the tour bus. Some guides accept tips and some do not. A tour guide with a wife and son to support would probably accept a tip but a retired person probably would not. In other words, you should never feel obligated to offer a tip in Japan unless there was an extraordinary service that goes above and beyond their ordinary exemplary service. You may be offending someone.