Is It Rude to Eat on the Street? The Truth About “Tabearuki”

However, there is a confusing exception called “Tabearuki” (Walk and Eat). In specific tourist areas like Asakusa’s Nakamise Street or Kyoto’s Nishiki Market, stalls sell skewers and sweets meant for snacking. Even here, the unwritten rule is to eat standing in front of the shop that sold it to you. Do not walk into other stores with food in your hand!

The main reason for this strictness is trash. As you know, there are no public trash cans. If you walk away with a sticky skewer stick, you will be stuck holding it for hours. Eating at the shop allows you to hand the trash back to the staff immediately. It keeps your hands clean and the city spotless.