Polite to Guest
Cultural · Dining
You
みんなで一緒に「いただきます」を言ってから食べ始めましょう。どうぞご一緒に。
みんなでいっしょに「いただきます」をいってからたべはじめましょう。どうぞごいっしょに。
Let's all say 'itadakimasu' together before we start eating. Please join in.
Romaji: Minna de issho ni 'Itadakimasu' wo itte kara tabehajimashou. Douzo go-issho ni. / Reply Romaji: Itadakimasu! (said in unison)
Reply
いただきます！（合掌して）
いただきます！（がっしょうして）
Itadakimasu! (with palms together)
Gesture & etiquette
Press your palms together naturally as you begin the phrase, and nod to the guest to signal they should join in. Smile warmly as you say it — this is a moment of genuine ritual sharing.
Inviting a guest to say 「いただきます」together includes them in the family ritual rather than treating them as an observer. Many foreign visitors have never said this phrase — giving them a gentle moment to participate is an act of cultural welcoming. The host typically initiates the phrase and everyone follows.