Japan Traveler guide

When eating at a Japanese table, it is customary to say "itadakimasu!" ("Thank you for the food") before eating.  It is a sign of respect to the food, as well as to the others eating with you.  Never play with the food or the chopsticks as it is considered rude.  Sipping the broth or the noodles is okay, in fact it is a compliment which implies that the food is delicious.  When done, place the used chopsticks in the hashi-oki and say "gochisousama" which means "the food was great".