Japanese Food Tips

People in East Asia have a culture of using chopsticks (hashi) when eating. Many Japanese chopsticks are traditionally made of wood. Because the tree culture is rooted in Japan and there are many wooden houses, it is said that chopsticks are often made from the unused surplus of wood. Most chopsticks are painted with lacquer. Some high-end chopsticks sold at department stores and specialty shops are made through many processes by chopsticks craftsmen. Many people use their own favorite pair of chopsticks when eating at home. Chopsticks for children are short, and, as the children grow, their chopsticks are replaced by longer ones. There are long chopsticks for using when cooking (saibashi) and there are chopsticks for serving dishes (toribashi). Disposable chopsticks (waribashi) are usually provided at restaurants or with bento sold at shops or train stations. Why not buy a pair of chopsticks for yourself? Table manners about chopsticks have been posted on our website.