# Why dont Japense Steakhouse Have Windows??? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 22, 2003, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-japense-steakhouse-have-windows/176918 "2003-05-22T23:02:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Perfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@Mr.Perfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Perfect)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2003, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-japense-steakhouse-have-windows/176918/1 "2003-05-22T23:02:59Z")
I noticed that none of these restuarants have windows. Does it have something to do with the “show” going on inside or is it some Japanese custom. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Catalyst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@Catalyst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catalyst)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-japense-steakhouse-have-windows/176918/2 "2003-05-23T00:01:57Z")
The one I go to (Miyabi/Kyoto) does. Big windows into the mall, no less; anyone can look on at the neat goings-on. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-japense-steakhouse-have-windows/176918/3 "2003-05-23T00:42:06Z")
Could be. But keep in mind that **many** restaurants don’t have windows. Sometimes they’re in crappy locations where the view would detract from the dining experience. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-japense-steakhouse-have-windows/176918/4 "2003-05-23T03:57:02Z")
Do you mean steakhouses in Japan or Japanese-style steakhouses in America? If the former, then **John Mace** ’s theory is definitely the case: a lot of restaurants of all types (in the cities, anyway) don’t have windows. I’ve noticed that the fancier the restaurant, the less likely it is to have windows, unless it happens to be on a top floor with a great view. Usually this is because the only view available is of the walls of the surrounding buildings. If the latter, then maybe it’s because they want to keep their restaurant in the style of other restaurants in Japan? They may also be trying to create a unique atmosphere to make guests feel like they’re somewhere exotic. Being able to look out the window at Louie’s Discount Mattress Barn on the other side of Route 128 kinda spoils the effect. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-japense-steakhouse-have-windows/176918/5 "2003-05-23T21:14:29Z")
And welcome to the board, by the way! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-japense-steakhouse-have-windows/176918/6 "2003-05-23T21:54:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sublight \* > \*\*Do you mean steakhouses in Japan or Japanese-style steakhouses in America? If the former, then **John Mace** ’s theory is definitely the case: a lot of restaurants of all types (in the cities, anyway) don’t have windows. I’ve noticed that the fancier the restaurant, the less likely it is to have windows, unless it happens to be on a top floor with a great view. Usually this is because the only view available is of the walls of the surrounding buildings. > > If the latter, then maybe it’s because they want to keep their restaurant in the style of other restaurants in Japan? They may also be trying to create a unique atmosphere to make guests feel like they’re somewhere exotic. Being able to look out the window at Louie’s Discount Mattress Barn on the other side of Route 128 kinda spoils the effect. \*\* I think Sublight is right. Japanese-style restaurants in the U.S. often take great pains to put up paper walls, to create the illusion that diners are really in an old-fashioned Japanese building. Glass windows would shatter that illusion pretty quickly. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2003, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-japense-steakhouse-have-windows/176918/7 "2003-05-24T04:34:46Z")
The real reason is that Japanese steakhouses use Macs instead. ---
**Author:** ![yola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/48db29/32.png) [@yola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yola)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2003, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-japense-steakhouse-have-windows/176918/8 "2003-05-24T08:28:37Z")
Our local Chinese Restaurant is in a quonset hut so no windows. Its called the Fu Kung now after having to change it. Great California Rolls. It was an Italian place before that. Can’t remember the name. ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2003, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-japense-steakhouse-have-windows/176918/9 "2003-05-24T09:36:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AHunter3 \* > \*\*The real reason is that Japanese steakhouses use Macs instead. \*\* I’m sorry, but I’m afraid the penalties for horrible puns like that is death. Oh, wait, I’m looking at the old Rulebook. The new one states that you shall have to sit in the comfy chair until lunchtime and be beaten with the soft pillows for several hours, with only a bit of tea to drink until then. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Rieux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dr.Rieux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Rieux)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2003, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-japense-steakhouse-have-windows/176918/10 "2003-05-24T10:08:37Z")
“Not the _comfy chair_!”