もてなし

noun

hospitality; reception; entertainment

1. hospitality; reception; entertainment of guests

The act of welcoming and caring for guests, visitors, or customers. Encompasses service, food, atmosphere, and attentiveness.

心(こころ)のこもったもてなしを受(う)けた。

I received heartfelt hospitality.

この旅館(りょかん)はもてなしが素晴(すば)らしいと評判(ひょうばん)だ。

This ryokan has a reputation for wonderful hospitality.

日本(にほん)のもてなしの文化(ぶんか)は、相手(あいて)の気持(きも)ちを先(さき)に考(かんが)えることから始(はじ)まる。

Japanese hospitality culture begins with thinking of the other person's feelings first.

料理(りょうり)だけでなく、空間(くうかん)の演出(えんしゅつ)もおもてなしの一部(いちぶ)だ。

Not just the food, but the atmosphere of the space is also part of hospitality.

The noun form of もてなす (to entertain, to treat). Very commonly used in the polite form おもてなし, which gained international attention after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics bid presentation. Refers to a deep cultural concept of anticipating and fulfilling guests' needs before being asked.

Common collocations

心(こころ)のこもったもてなし: heartfelt hospitality
おもてなしの心(こころ): spirit of hospitality
もてなしを受(う)ける: to receive hospitality
温(あたた)かいもてなし: warm reception
もてなし料理(りょうり): food prepared for guests

Cultural note

Japanese おもてなし differs from Western hospitality in its emphasis on 一期一会(いちごいちえ) (once-in-a-lifetime encounter). The host anticipates needs without the guest having to ask, and the service is meant to feel effortless.

Similar words

歓待(かんたい): warm welcome — more formal, emphasizes the act of welcoming warmly
接待(せったい): business entertainment — specifically hosting clients or business partners
サービス: service — broader, more transactional; lacks the cultural depth of もてなし

Related Words

Compare: 歓待(かんたい) (warm welcome)

Compare: 接待(せったい) (business entertainment)

Compare: サービス (service)

general

Added 2026.5.8 21:08 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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