Omotenashi おもてなし
- Membership
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read

When visiting Japan, you will undoubtedly be left in awe at the level of hospitality. This is no coincidence, and is actually a deeply rooted element of Japanese culture. This exceptional standard of hospitality has a word in Japanese, omotenashi (おもてなし), with very historic roots. As such, omotenashi is one of the core values of the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix, and is something we strive to provide to all our guests.
The word omotenashi is a combination of the honorific o- (お-) prefix, and a form of the verb motenasu (もてなす), which means to entertain, make welcome, or treat [a guest]. Omotenashi is one of the many words in Japanese which do not have a direct translation into English, though it is best explained as the implicit understanding between host and guest that there is no task too menial, providing the outcome of the visit is an outstanding experience for the guest. In other words, omotenashi can best be summarized as predicting your guests’ needs before they themselves are aware it is needed.
In the West, there is the expression “the customer is always right”, but even this falls short of the phenomenon of omotenashi. For example, if you have guests in America (at your business or your home), there is the general expectation that the guest can/should ask for what they want, and you will provide. However, in Japan, a guest having to ask for something would be a sign of a failing host. This does not mean the Japanese host is asking constant questions to their guest (which would certainly be annoying, even in America), but rather the filling up an empty cup unprompted, ensuring there are clean slippers for guests to wear before they arrive, and other tasks that demonstrate the host is deeply aware of what their guests need.

Omotenashi originated from the Japanese tea ceremony, which is often referred to as sadō (茶道) or chanoyu (茶の湯). Chanoyu has historic ties to Buddhism, and there is evidence of it being practiced as early as 815 AD (though it would not be until the 12th century when this practice rose in popularity). When chanoyu is performed, the tea is fully prepared in front of guests and involves precise movements in a rigid order. The care and effort it takes to prepare tea in this way mirrors the importance of the guests: careful and precise movements symbolize the guests' elevated status and honor. Sloppy and careless movements would indicate a lack of care for the guests, and should be seen as a great insult. This is why chanoyu is only performed by someone who has studied and mastered the way of tea, and often why important business deals were (and still are) carried out in a teahouse.
You should now be able to understand the significance of omotenashi and why it is one of the core values of the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix. We hope you can enjoy your time at the Garden as much as we enjoy looking after you.
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