I texted my husband to see if he was on his way home from the office and to ask what he wanted to do about dinner. I could have run over to the fish shop and picked up some sushi. He could have picked up something from the department store next to the train station. We also had the option of going to a restaurant.
We picked the third option. So, my son and I picked up all the Legos and walked over to the train station to meet Otousan (daddy) for dinner.
Each time we go out to eat, there are little differences I notice about dining in restaurants in Japan versus America.
When you first arrive at many restaurants, you are guided to your seats. Either under or next to the table, there is often a basket to put your purse or coat in. That way you don't have to hang it from the back of your chair or sit it on the floor. Floors that are walked on with shoes are considered disgusting to most Japanese people. The thought of putting your purse on it is stomach churning, but baskets are an easy fix.
The staff in restaurants here leave you alone at your table. You must call out "sumimasen" (excuse me) when you want to order, get more water, or anything else. While for the most part, I really appreciate this, I drink a ton of water and find asking repeatedly for water to be annoying. In larger restaurants there are call buttons at the tables. Usually a small little disk either loose on the table or affixed on the wall, you press it any time you need anything.
The last item is not as popular, but is often found in new restaurants - charging stations! We've dined at several restaurants with dedicated electrical outlets at each table for plugging in your phone while dining. You need to provide your own charge cord, but it is such a nice feature in this electronically-dependent culture.
We had a lovely dinner out. It was relaxed and just what we needed to wrap up a laid back day.
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