When visiting a restaurant in Japan, several behaviors are considered rude and should be avoided to show respect for Japanese dining customs:

• Do not wear shoes on tatami mats : Remove your shoes before stepping onto tatami flooring in traditional dining rooms

• Proper chopstick use : Never stick chopsticks upright into rice, as it resembles a funeral ritual and is a bad omen. Rest chopsticks on a holder or the wrapper, avoid pointing, stabbing, or waving them, and do not transfer food directly from chopsticks to chopsticks

• Do not mix wasabi into soy sauce : Instead, place wasabi on the sushi or sashimi before dipping it lightly into soy sauce

• Eat sushi in one bite : Avoid cutting sushi into pieces or tearing it apart. Also, do not place half-eaten food back on your plate

• Use pickled ginger as a palate cleanser : Eat a small amount between sushi pieces to appreciate different flavors

• Finish your food : Leaving food uneaten is considered wasteful and disrespectful

• Do not talk loudly or answer phone calls inside the restaurant : Speaking quietly and stepping outside to answer calls is expected

• Do not eat while walking : Food should be eaten at the table to show appreciation and avoid making a mess

• Slurping noodles is acceptable and a compliment : Unlike many cultures, slurping is a positive sign in Japan

• Do not hover chopsticks over dishes indecisively or leave food after touching it with chopsticks : This is seen as impolite hesitation or wastefulness

• Fill others' glasses before your own when drinking : This is a sign of politeness and respect in social dining

• Avoid putting elbows on the table and blowing your nose at the table : These are considered bad manners

• Do not pour soy sauce directly on rice or food : Soy sauce should be used for dipping only

• Say "itadakimasu" before eating and "gochisousama deshita" after finishing : These phrases express gratitude and respect for the meal

Following these guidelines will help you avoid offending your hosts and enhance your dining experience in Japan. The focus is on showing respect, avoiding waste, and maintaining harmony at the table