Japanese culture questions?

Question

I've seen how Japanese sit on the floor when they're eating. Is this common today, or is it only customary? How often is this done in Japan today?

Do Japanese schools have cafeterias? From what I've seen, it seems that students eat their lunch in their classrooms all the time.

Answer 1

I used to live in Japan and when we'd go over to Japanese people's houses we would sit on the floor and eat at short tables, kind of like coffee tables. They have tatami mats that we'd sit on, and sometimes a pillow. I remember going to visit Japanese elementary schools and eat in their cafeterias. There were more like the tables and benches that we use in America.  

Answer 2

Some Japanese sit on cushions on the floor and eat around a low table, as is traditional. Others sit on chairs and eat at dining tables as you might see in North America. It really depends on the family.

Also, some schools have cafeterias, and some don't. It depends on the school and the city where the school is.

Answer 3

It is still common to sit on the floor when eating, usually on a pillow at small table. It all depends on the people. Some people have tables where you sit on the floor and some have regular kitchen tables with chairs.

Some schools have cafeterias and some don't. I went to high school in Kyoto. My school had a very small cafeteria, so we usually ate in our classroom or out in the courtyard.

Answer 4

yep, people here still sit on the floor.