How to order and pay (without the awkwardness)

Ticket machines

Many ramen and casual shops use a vending machine by the door: insert cash, press your dish (top-left is usually the house special), take the ticket, hand it to staff. No bill at the end.

The otoshi

At an izakaya you'll often get a small starter you didn't order — the otoshi, a modest seat charge (a few hundred yen). It's normal, not a scam.

Cash, IC cards & credit

Cash is still king at small and old establishments; carry some. Many places take cards and IC cards (Suica/Pasmo). Convenience stores take everything.

Getting the bill

In full-service places, you usually pay at the register on the way out, not at the table — bring the slip left on your table. Say o-kaikei onegaishimasu (“the bill, please”). Tipping is not done — the listed price is the price.

A few more

Slippers/shoes-off at tatami places; sumimasen to call a server; and a smile and a small bow cover almost everything else.