Foreign nationals sometimes tell me how surprised they are by Japan’s “motenashi” hospitality. Shop staff are astonishingly polite in their interactions with customers, and if you go to someone’s home you’re given the royal treatment.
Where did this kind of motenashi (frequently stylised as “omotenashi”) originate?
Already a subscriber? Log in.
Win a prize this Mother's Day by subscribing to our annual plan now! T&C applies.
Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!