Well, yes! But also…no. Generally, food is seen as something to be mindfully enjoyed and appreciated, so eating while walking is considered rather improper. Also, you know, spilling = bad. Interestingly, however, there is a delightful phenomenon known as tabe-aruki that comes into play under special circumstances.
What is tabe-aruki?
Literally translating to “eating while walking,” tabe-aruki is entirely accepted (and even encouraged) in areas famous for street food or during festivals, where various yatai (food stands) offer delicious, portable bites to enjoy while exploring. You don’t have to walk while eating your yatai snacks, of course — finding an out-of-the-way corner to chow down is a great idea too! Perhaps a less literal translation of tabe-aruki could be “snack crawl.”
Some common tabe-aruki foods include takoyaki, dango rice dumplings, karaage fried chicken, ice cream, and various local specialties.
Japan has relatively few public trash cans, so if you’re doing tabe-aruki, expect to carry your rubbish until you can dispose of it. It may be helpful to carry a small plastic bag for your trash. Sometimes, festivals and other outdoor events will have designated areas for rubbish disposal, so take a look around and make sure to follow the trash-sorting instructions.
Drinking while walking?
Generally, sipping a beverage while walking is totally fine. The point, both with food and drink, is to avoid inconveniencing others, rather than the act of eating or drinking itself. If you’re in a crowded place or somewhere with fast-moving foot traffic, consider stepping out of the way before taking a drink, just in case of accidental bumps. On a similar note, it’s safer to have a lid on your drink if you’re sipping it in public.
If it’s a hot day, make sure you keep yourself hydrated, even if you’re on the move!
In Japan, it’s generally okay to drink alcoholic beverages in public, unless otherwise specified. Many festivals have yatai offering beer and perhaps a few other options, and alcohol is often part of cherry blossom viewing parties. In recent years, neighbourhoods in Tokyo and elsewhere have even started putting on outdoor craft beer festivals. You can treat alcoholic drinks much like yatai snacks: drinking in public is okay, just don’t inconvenience anyone — including, of course, through public inebriation.
FAQ
- Is it illegal to eat while walking in Japan?
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Nope, eating while walking is legal, and tabe-aruki (literally “eating while walking,” though the term perhaps shouldn’t always be taken literally) may even be used to draw tourists to a particular spot or neighbourhood. However, eating while walking is generally socially discouraged, especially in crowded areas — accidental spills are fun for no one, after all. Some popular spots may specifically request that visitors refrain from eating while walking to improve crowd flow or help keep the area clean.
- Is it illegal to drink alcohol while walking in Japan?
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No, it’s not illegal — just please keep things classy. Some outdoor facilities, such as gardens and parks, may forbid alcohol consumption on their premises.
- Can I eat and drink on trains in Japan?
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In general, please refrain from both eating and drinking on trains, especially when they are crowded. The risk of spillage is just so much higher on a moving vehicle. If you’re feeling dehydrated, though, go ahead and take a drink — health comes first.
On shinkansen bullet trains and many limited express trains, eating is okay, though. If the seats have tray tables, it’s a big hint that you can eat! (Gotta say, I love the moment when an evening shinkansen pulls away from the station and you can hear a million beverage cans being cracked open.)
If you’re unsure, take a look at what everyone else is doing or ask the staff what’s acceptable.
- Where should I eat if I buy food from a convenience store?
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It’s bad manners to stand and eat what you’ve just bought from a konbini inside the store. Some have designated eating areas, though — tables and chairs, hard to miss! If not, try to find an out-of-the-way spot outside the store, such as a park, or take your food back to your workplace, home, or accommodation.
- Why is eating while walking considered bad manners in Japan?
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In Japan, people value keeping public spaces clean and avoiding inconvenience to others. Obstructing foot traffic, spilling food on the ground or on others, and (gasp) littering are all potential negative consequences of eating while walking that people take pains to avoid. As always, take a look at what those around you are doing to see what’s acceptable in a given situation.