Vinegared Ginger (gari) is used between dishes as a palate cleaner. It is not meant to be eaten in the same bit as sushi.

When eating noodles, it is fine to make slurping noises.

Saki can be either chilled or hot, depending on how you like it.

Talk to the other diners around you. Sushi is about community, so start a conversation.

Don’t be afraid to ask for things such as Kazunoko, inago, hebo and idtakko that are not on the menu. Usually they are available, just not advertised.

People who handle food never handle money. Have another employee assist you with settling your bill. If you wish to tip the chef, use the tip jar provided.

When you’re at home, sushi etiquette is at your own discretion, but here are some recommendations for behaving in a sushi restaurant.

When you arrive at a sushi restaurant, greet the host or hostess. If you are interested in food preparation, sit at the sushi bar to be nearer to the chefs. Otherwise sit at a table.
Only order sushi at the sushi bar, order anything else from the menu (including soups, drinks etc) from a waitress.

Respect the sushi chefs (itamae), as they are quite busy. They usually love to chat and have been known to accept a beer or saki (only in the evening). Always complement highly as this may lead to great sushi rewards either later that meal or on a return visit. Be mindful though, that itamae have traditions that date back to the time of the Samuai.

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Agari – a cup of hot green tea
Arigato – Thank you
Arigato gozaimasu – Thank you very much.
Gochisousama deshita! – say after eating.
Irasshaimase – please come in – traditional greeting at a sushi restaurant.
Itadakimasu! – say  before eating
Kampai! – empty your cup – this is the traditional Japanese toast whilst you raise your glass.
Oshibori – a small hot/cold damp towel
Sumimasen – excuse me.
Sushiya – sushi restaurant
Wasabi motto! – more wasabi!

Nigirisushi – pieces of fish, shellfish, or fish roe over rice balls. These are hand pressed, commonly found in sushi bars. Most are of small design, to be eaten in one mouthful.

Makisushi (maki) – seafood and vegetables rolled in a sheet of roasted seaweed.

Temaki – hand rolls that you bite into.

Sashimi – sliced/chilled raw fish without rice. To slice fish for this sushi is a high skill for Sushi Chefs (an itamae) to learn. Eat this type with chopsticks.

Chirashi sushi – sliced/chilled raw fish served like sashimi but over a bed of rice

Gunkan – battleship sushi – many caviar sushi are wrapped in this style.