I know one doesn't tip in Japan, but how does one reward a hotel concierge for a job well done? Are they indeed offended by tips? Without going into detail, the concierge has done an extraordinary amount of work for us and when we were provided with similar service at our hotel in London we were told by an associate who lives in London that a $US 100 tip was not out of line.

I think a gift might be more appropriate. Big departments stores will have gift sets available.

I agree -- a gift set would work better. Also there is another way -- you can always wrap some yen up in one of those discreet gift evenlopes to thank the hotel staff in question for their extraordinary effort.

Writing this as I am at the Prince Shinagawa hotel in their newly renovated rooms.

Sanosuke!

Thanks

OK, so it's ok to give money just as long as it's wrapped nicely?

What is a "gift set" and are they really appreciated?

I'd be weary of giving cash wrapped or otherwise.
I got a small flower arrangement for front desk worker before.

Typically it's beer or coffee or sweets in a box, nicely wrapped. If you give money it's always nice to have a new bill. There's a special kind of envelope (a "shugibukuro" according to Mrs VB) for monetary gifts. You can get them at convinience stores

It's hard to set one up better than this.

If your wallet allows, you could always go this route:

(press the blue button if you're interested in the comments that were posted in relation to this one - post 18/19 onwards in the linked thread)

EDIT: Having just re-read them, I'd recommend this - the subsequent posts are among the most succinct and useful information I've ever seen on this topic - re Japan.

- And the en has also finally dropped as to why a certain contributor might tear out their guidebook pages after using them; they make excellent 100yen notes - great for confusing poilte bellboys with (or perhaps this belies a rather keener understanding of the culture than we may have expected, what he's really done is taken the concept of 'nazoraeru' to a whole new level in the modern world)

I continue to be amazed by some FTers evidently burning desire to tip in countries where it is not appropriate, e.g., Japan and China.

Take a look at this both amusing and agitated threat about tipping in China. http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...hlight=tipping

If the Japanese culture says don't tip ... why do it?

They've been at it again!?!?

I thought this topic had been well and truly exhausted in this China Forum thread: http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=580724
As this original tipping debate involved an Okura Hotel in China (Japanese owned), I emailed them. The response is in post #57. Even with an official response as to a hotel's policy on tipping, some people just know better and are determined to pursue their own course of actions.
And to continue to keep on encouraging others to do the same as them in a brand new thread.... sigh....

I really hope we don't get into a simillar war over on this forum. I believe the thread I linked to in my last post is pretty comprehensive... even covering etiquette at special times of the year like Xmas/New Year (I got a lovely thank you note in return for the modest gift of shortbread BTW).

I've never tipped anybody in Japan. I have, however, on occasion given someone who has regularly done something especially nice for me a small gift from the States or a box of sweets, etc.

In Japan, though, tipping for normal service (and even extraordinary service) isn't at all necessary. I've heard a story of a man who tried to tip the bellman at a hotel in Tokyo (forget which one). The bellman accepted the money, but at checkout, the man found that his tip had been deducted from his bill. The bellman didn't refuse the money, since that would be rude, but just took it down to the front desk and had them take it off the man's bill.

In Japan TGI Friday's has a 10% service charge . All of the money goes to the company.

The best way to thank some one for a job well done in Japan is to give that person a hand written card, delivered in person. Failing that, an email or fax will do, but also cc his/her boss.

Only in Tokyo?

2nd to allset2travel.

Most Japanese hotel/restaurant workers are nice to guests not for the money or gift, but solely for the goodwill. I would suggest writing them a letter after you return from your trip.