For many diners, tipping in Japan has always meant one thing: you don’t. However, Tokyo-based cashless payment provider Dinii is nudging that culture in a new direction. Dinii recently added a percentage-based tipping system to its service at restaurants across Japan. This launched in May.
This is the second tipping method the company offers. The first, called Oshi Support, launched in 2020. Inspired by Japanese idol fandoms, Oshi Support lets customers tip specific staff members by browsing their public profiles.
The new method works more traditionally. Diners are prompted to add a percentage-based tip to their total bill. Unlike Oshi Support, the new system sends tips directly to the restaurant, not to individual employees.
Currently, Dinii operates at about 3,000 restaurants in Japan. Around 13% of them use this new tipping feature. Interestingly, Dinii reports a nearly even split between Japanese and foreign users of the tip function.
However, this might mislead. Most Dinii users are likely Japanese, so proportionally, fewer Japanese users are tipping. In the Kansai region, foreign diners make up 61% of tip transactions, highlighting regional and cultural differences.
Meanwhile, Oshi Support remains popular with some staff. One server reportedly earned ¥70,000 in tips in one month. That said, Oshi Support may resemble host club or influencer culture, focusing on personal connection over service quality.
Tipping in Japan also faces practical barriers. Many restaurants already charge a fee via otoshi, a small appetizer. High-end spots may include a table or seating charge, reducing the need for extra tips.
Furthermore, tip pooling or kitchen sharing systems aren’t always in place at Japanese venues. Finally, Dinii’s message—“Let’s show appreciation with a tip”—contrasts with Japanese norms.
In Japan, excellent service is the baseline, not something considered extraordinary or requiring special thanks. Whether Dinii’s system changes tipping in Japan remains to be seen—but it has certainly sparked a new conversation.
