Use my ultimate guide to Japanese tableware to learn the must-have bowls, plates, and utensils for a traditional Japanese meal, how to arrange your table setting, and where you can buy these pieces.

A variety of Japanese tableware—bowls, plates, cups, and dishes—are neatly stacked on a wooden surface, showcasing different patterns, colors, and textures. A pair of chopsticks and a spoon are placed in front.

Are you interested in serving a Japanese meal (or known as washoku 和食) in a traditional Japanese setting? Imagine recreating the dining experience you’ve had from your memorable ryokan stay in your very own home!

In this post, I’ll show you exactly what you will need for tableware to present a typical Japanese meal. I also included the measurements so you can find similar-size Western plates and bowls if you have to use them.

Trust me, everyone can pull off a Japanese-style table setting with ease and confidence. Let’s get to it!

The Must-Have Japanese Tableware

A wooden tray holds six assorted Japanese bowls and plates with different shapes, colors, and patterns—an elegant way to build a kitchen for Japanese cooking—arranged neatly alongside a pair of chopsticks.

1. Rice Bowl (Ochawan or Chawan) お茶碗

Two small porcelain bowls of Japanese tableware rest on a wooden surface; the left bowl features a green and yellow pattern with a blue ribbon design, while the right bowl displays an orange and yellow pattern with a red ribbon motif.

The most “personal” element among Japanese tableware is the rice bowl. In Japan, each family member may have their own personal rice bowl dish with different sizes and materials. Dad may get a big ceramic rice bowl, mom may use a porcelain rice bowl with sakura pattern, the daughter may use a modern cat design rice bowl, and the son may use a character print on the rice bowl.

There is a couple of rice bowl set called Meoto Chawan (夫婦茶碗). The husband gets the big bowl and the wife gets the smaller bowl. There are also rice bowls for children, while toddlers use plastic rice bowls (yes, Japanese toddlers can be picky and temperamental during mealtime too).

The concept here is about customization for personal liking, which I think makes the dining fun and intimate. Since Japanese cuisine focuses on seasonality, you may change up the bowls based on the seasons.

Size:

  • 12 cm/4.7″ (4寸) in diameter, 6 cm/2.4″ in height, contains 150 g/5.3 oz of steamed rice.
  • 11.4 cm/4.5″ in diameter, 5.7 cm/2.3″ in height, and contains 130 g/4.6 oz of steamed rice (for a female bowl of Meoto Chawan)

2. Soup Bowl (Shiruwan or Owan) 汁椀・お椀

Two wooden bowls with a checkered pattern, inspired by Japanese tableware, sit on a wooden surface. The bowl on the left features black squares, while the one on the right has red squares. Both have a smooth, polished finish.

Since shiruwan or owan is used to serve hot soup, it is often made with the wooden material. Unlike rice bowls, everyone in the family typically uses the same type.

On a special day or holiday, soup is served in a shiruwan/owan with a lid. It is usually lacquered and has beautiful designs such as flowers.

Size:

  • 12 cm/4.7″ (4寸) in diameter, 6 cm/2.4″ in height, contains 220-280 ml/roughly 1 cup of liquid.

3. Medium Plate (Chu-zara) 中皿

Several stacks of ceramic plates, reminiscent of Japanese tableware, display various patterns and colors—including a blue and white checkered design—arranged on a wooden surface against a plain background.

This plate is mainly used to serve the main dish (主菜). When you have a table with big serving plates and bowls in the middle, these medium plates can be used as an individual plates.

When used in a non-typical Ichiju Sansai setting, you can use this medium plate for a toast, etc.

This plate is very helpful so it’s nice to have variations of designs, shapes, and materials for different seasons and table settings.

Size:

  • 21 cm/8.3″ (7寸皿) – A perfect dish for Ichiju Sansai’s main dish. A serving plate for a la carte.
  • 18 cm/7″ (6寸皿) – A dish to fit Shokupan (Japanese pullman loaf). Good size for single serving salad and side dish.

Side Notes for Big Plate (Oh-zara 大皿): 

  • 30 cm/11.8″ (10寸皿・尺寸皿) – A serving platter for a big party, sashimi platter.
  • 27 cm/10.6″ (9寸皿) – A serving platter for 4, great for plating ingredients for hot pot.
  • 24 cm/9.4″ (8寸皿) – A one-plate dish for pasta and curry.

4. Small Plate (Ko-zara) 小皿

Two stacks of japanese tableware sit on a wooden surface. The left stack has round ceramic plates in neutral and blue tones, while the right features green and earthy plates, some with unique hexagonal shapes.

These small plates are perfect for side dishes, desserts, and snacks, or you can use them as an extra plate to share.

Smaller plates can be used as an accent for the table setting. Have fun collecting different colors and shapes to spice up your table.

Size:

  • 15 cm/5.9″ (5寸皿) – Good size for an extra plate to share or a slice of cake.
  • 12 cm/4.7″ (4寸皿) – Good for small dishes like Cold Tofu, pickles, and Japanese sweets (wagashi).

5. Tiny Plate (Mame-zara) 豆皿

Five small decorative plates of Japanese tableware, featuring intricate blue floral, geometric, and fan designs, are arranged on a rustic wooden surface.

Mame-zara is used for soy sauce for sashimi, spice/condiments, or garnish (green onion, grated ginger) for Cold Soba, or small ingredient.

Size:

  • 9 cm/3.5″ (3寸皿) – Good for bite-size dishes or condiments like soy sauce.
  • 6 cm/2.4″ (2寸皿) – Good size for putting a garnish. It can be used as a chopstick rest.

6. Small Bowl (Kobachi) 小鉢

Two stacks of japanese tableware rest on a wooden surface: the left stack features three white bowls with colorful fish designs, while the right stack holds three beige, rustic ceramic bowls.

Kobachi is a small bowl normally used to hold Sunomono (vinegared salad), Aemono (dressed dish), Nimono (simmered dish), or Chinmi (special delicacies). It also can be used as an individual dish for hot pot.

There is no “specific” size for kobachi bowls, but there are three rough sizes listed here.

Size for Small Kobachi: Roughly 12 cm/4.7″ in diameter.

Side Notes for Medium & Big Kobachi Bowls: 

  • 15 cm/5.9″ (5寸) in diameter (Medium Bowl, 中鉢) – Perfect for a two-serving main dish (with soup/sauce) or single-serving soup and donburi dish.
  • Roughly 22 cm/8.7″(7寸) in diameter (Big Bowl, 大鉢) – Perfect for a four-serving main dish (with soup/sauce) or single-serving noodle soup dish.

How to Set up the Table For Japanese-style Dining

Diagram showing the structure of a Japanese meal with labeled circles and traditional Japanese tableware: Main Dish (sashimi or grilled dish), Side Dish 1 (nimono), Side Dish 2 (aemono), Rice, Soup (miso or clear), and Pickles.

Before setting up the table, it is helpful to understand the elements of a Japanese meal. Known as the Ichiju Sansai, a typical Japanese meal at home involves one rice with several side dishes and a soup. I included a more in-depth article on Ichiju Sansai for your reference.

The location of each dish is set for Ichiju Sansai: Steamed rice on the left front, and soup on the right front. Then the main dish is behind the soup, and side dish 1 is behind the steamed rice. Side dish 2 and pickles are located in the middle space.

Chopsticks & Chopstick Rest

A pair of chopsticks with green handles, a staple of Japanese tableware, rests on a light green chopstick holder atop a wooden surface with a plain light background.

When you serve a meal in Japanese table setting, chopsticks and chopstick rests (hashioki) are a must-item. You may ask if chopstick rests are necessary. Well, chopstick rests are there for hygiene reason so the used chopsticks don’t touch the table. Plus, don’t you think they add a nice accent to the setting?

A wooden organizer with compartments holds various decorative chopstick rests and small objects, reflecting the elegance of Japanese tableware. Below, assorted pairs of chopsticks are arranged neatly in rows, showcasing different colors and patterns.

There are so many designs for chopsticks and chopstick rests, and it’s fun to collect them so you switch them up for different seasons and occasions.

Bonus: Nice-to-Have Tableware

These are not essential, but they are a great add-on for those of you who cook Japanese dishes regularly. If you have the kitchen space, you should consider getting them:

1. Rice/Noodle Bowl (Donburi) 5寸深丼

Two stacks of ceramic bowls on a wooden surface; the left stack has three bowls with blue vertical stripes, and the right stack has two white, scallop-rimmed bowls—an elegant display of Japanese tableware.

A large bowl used for soba or udon noodle soup as well as rice bowl (donburi) dish.

Size: 15 cm/5.9″ in diameter, 8.5 cm/3.3″ in height contains 900 ml.

2. Ramen Bowl (Ramen Bachi) ラーメン鉢

Four red and white Chinese soup bowls with dragon designs, inspired by Japanese tableware, are stacked on a wooden surface; two are stacked on the left and two on the right.

A large bowl used for ramen.

Size: 18 cm/7″ in diameter, 9.5 cm/3.1″ in height, contains 1400 ml.

For a great selection of authentic Japanese ramen bowls (all made in Japan), check out my store, JOC Goods. Each piece is carefully curated to bring the traditional Japanese dining experience to your home.

3. Soba Dipping Dish (Sobachoko) 蕎麦ちょこ

Five small pieces of Japanese tableware, each ceramic cup features a unique blue and white pattern—stripes, thin vertical lines, checkered, and floral—arranged on a wooden surface against a plain background.

A tube-shaped dish used for soba dipping sauce and small dishes.

Size: 8 cm/3.1″ in diameter, 7 cm/2.8″ in height, contains 180-200 ml.

Explore our curated collection of traditional soba dipping dishes (Sobachoko) at JOC Goods—perfect for dipping sauce, appetizers, or tea.

4. Steamed Cup (Mushi Wan) 蒸し碗

Two white ceramic cups with blue vertical lines, each with a matching lid, showcase elegant Japanese tableware. One cup is covered, while the other's lid rests beside it, all placed on a wooden surface.

A cup designed for steaming, and comes with a lid. It’s used for dishes like chawanmushi.

Size: 8 cm/3.1″ in diameter, 8.5 cm/3.3″ in height, contains 200-230 ml.

5. Teacup (Yunomi Jawan) 湯呑み茶碗

Three small Japanese tea cups sit on a wooden surface. Two cups are brown with earthy tones and one is light gray with a subtle textured pattern, all showcasing the beauty of traditional japanese tableware.

A cup used for Japanese green tea.

Size: The size varies depending on the occasion.

Measurement

Japanese tableware comes in various sizes and shapes, but they are guided by these measurements to create a well-balanced meal.

The measurement unit sun (寸) is used for Japanese tableware and it was introduced in the ancient history of Japan derived from measurements and proportions of the human body, collectively known as “Shindoshaku” (身度尺).

UnitSub-unitsMetric (Approx.)
1 Bu (分)0.1 Sun0.3 cm / 0.12″
1 Sun (寸)10 Bu3.0 cm / 1.18″
1 Shaku (尺)10 Sun30.0 cm / 11.8″

Additional Tips & Resources

1.Mix & Match – When comes to table set up, you don’t have to follow the strict rule of using only Japanese designed tableware. Some of the western-style plates and bowls can work to complement the table. Consider white or earth tones when choosing your colors. Handmade ceramic bowls and plates by your local artisans make an excellent choice too. You may be able to pick out designs that are very similar to Japanese tableware or in symmetry with Japanese elements.

2. Think harmony – In addition to colors, shapes, and textures, you will learn that the Japanese dining aesthetic places an emphasis on harmony. Which is what washoku 和食 all about. Everything has a place and purpose. When selecting your tableware, you don’t have to look for overly ornated choices but work on creating a balance to guide your artistic arrangement.

Where Can You Find Japanese Tableware?

JOC Goods carries my very own curated collection of Japanese tableware and kitchenware. Our selections focus on the traditional craftsmanship of small kilns and artisan workshops in Japan. We at Just One Cookbook launched this new e-commerce site in late 2024 to provide timeless and high-quality pieces that anyone can own.

This is a dream project of mine that’s inspired, in part, by readers like you! If you’d like to learn more about this journey, please read my Building JOC Goods post.

In Japan

If you have the opportunity to visit Japan, check out my article on 10 Cookware & Tableware You Should Get from Japan.

The easiest place to find Japanese ceramics and kitchen items is to go to the kitchen floor (usually 7th or 8th floor) of the nearest department stores or Tokyu Hands. If you can spend some time to shop ceramics during your trip, you may want to find ceramic shops in the cities you are visiting.

If you are in the Tokyo area, I would suggest checking out Kappabashi Kitchen Town, and here’s a small list of popular ceramic shops in Tokyo.

With this, I hope you’re inspired to do a Japanese table set-up the next time you prepare a Japanese meal at home. And if you do, don’t forget to snap a picture and share it with #justonecookbook on Instagram. I’d love to see them!

Also, if you know where to find gorgeous Japanese tableware in your local area, share it with us in the comments below. 

Starting to build your kitchen for Japanese cooking? Here is my recommendation for the kitchen essentials.

A bright, modern kitchen with white cabinets and appliances, thoughtfully designed to build a kitchen for Japanese cooking. Various pots, pans, and utensils are neatly arranged, with a wooden mixing bowl and measuring cups in the foreground.

How to Build a Kitchen for Cooking Japanese Food – A Beginner’s Guide

What is the most common size for a Japanese rice bowl?

A standard Japanese rice bowl (Ochawan) is typically 12 cm (4.7 inches) in diameter. This size is specifically designed to fit comfortably in one hand, allowing the diner to lift the bowl closer to the mouth while eating, which is proper etiquette in Japan.

Why are Japanese soup bowls usually made of wood or lacquer?

Wooden and lacquerware bowls are preferred for hot soups like miso soup because wood is a natural insulator. It keeps the soup hot while remaining cool to the touch, making it safe to hold the bowl in your hands. Additionally, wood is much lighter than ceramic, making it easier to sip directly from the rim.

How do I properly care for authentic Japanese ceramics?

To preserve the glaze and texture of handcrafted Japanese tableware, it is best to hand wash them with a mild detergent and a soft sponge. While some modern pieces are dishwasher safe, many traditional ceramics are porous and can be damaged by high heat or harsh chemicals.