What is the norm in Tokyo for tipping, cabs, hotel maids, restaurants? Also do the restaurants add a service charge?

You don't tip ever in Japan. Anywhere. High-end restaurants may add a service charge, but you never give anything beyond that.

What Doug said. it's one of the joys of traveling in Japan.

It is a hard concept to understand, but its true! I have even read somewhere on the forums that you can embarrass people, hotel staff especially, if you insist on tipping.

No tipping in Japan. I had a waitress once chase after us as we were already down the street to give me back the change I left for her at the table

Aloha!

As is repeated often here, a tip is always appreciated especially if someone is just doing their job.

These people are earning less money than you are, so don't be cheap, give generously. You won't regret it when you see them give you a lovely smile and the locals give you a nod of approval mixed with a good deal of respect.

@Geordie - what part of "Other countries, other customs" do you find hard to understand? (Or are you being sarcastic about the regrettable American habit of exporting their tipping culture?)

See:

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/japan/t...articles/77764

"There is no custom of tipping in Japan. Leaving a little extra cash on the table at a restaurant will often result in a waiter chasing you down the street to give it back."

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/japan/620271

"One of the delights of being in Japan is that there's no tipping -- not even to waitresses, taxi drivers, or bellhops. If you try to tip them, they'll probably be confused or embarrassed"

http://goasia.about.com/od/Customs-a...g-in-Japan.htm

"Tipping in Japan or leaving gratuity is often viewed as being rude.

Although you may find someone willing to accept your cash handout, leaving a tip is not a part of Japanese culture and can possibly even be misconstrued as an insult!"

http://www.roughguides.com/destinati...ure-etiquette/

"Tipping is not expected in Japan. If someone’s been particularly helpful, the best approach is to give a small present, or offer some money discreetly in an envelope."

Leave your tipping culture at home, where it belongs.

<<These people are earning less money than you are, so don't be cheap, give generously. You won't regret it when you see them give you a lovely smile and the locals give you a nod of approval mixed with a good deal of respect.>>

This advice is condescending and daft. It misreads the Japanese completely. Note that "[l]eaving tips in Japan is commonly viewed as rude." (http://goasia.about.com/od/Customs-a...ng-in-Asia.htm).

Simply stated, don't tip.

Another voice wholeheartedly in the no no no no no, don't-even-think-about-it camp.

@Thursday

Geordie for the win.

OK, Geordie is just taking the p-ss vs. American travelers to Europe or something.

Now he can go back to banging on the underside of his bridge and complaining about the goats overhead.

The only time I tipped on my trip to Japan in 2013 was to take a 1000 yen note ($US10), place it into a plain white envelope and ask one of the attendants at the front desk of two different ryokans to give to the individual that went above and beyond the call to help me.

<<OK, Geordie is just taking the p-ss vs. American travelers to Europe or something. >>

Actually I was taking the p-ss out of American travellers in general, the continent or customs seem to be irrelevant when it comes to the your tipping culture

<<Now he can go back to banging on the underside of his bridge and complaining about the goats overhead.>>

I reslly hope that's not an attempt at humour

really

It was a successful attempt at humor, imo.

yup I'm, still laughing. I say a rousing success at humor.