Table of Contents<\/p>
- 1<\/span> Meeting and greeting tips<\/a>
- 1.1<\/span> Bowing<\/a><\/li>
- 1.2<\/span> Gifts and business cards<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 2<\/span> Clothing tips<\/a>
- 2.1<\/span> Remove your footwear<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 3<\/span> Eating and drinking tips\u00a0<\/a>
- 3.1<\/span> Table manners<\/a><\/li>
- 3.2<\/span> Using chopsticks<\/a><\/li>
- 3.3<\/span> Tipping in Japan<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 4<\/span> Temples and Shrines<\/a>
- 4.1<\/span> Religious rituals<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 5<\/span> Trains and public transportation\u00a0tips<\/a>
- 5.1<\/span> Mobile devices<\/a><\/li>
- 5.2<\/span> Queues and lines<\/a><\/li>
- 5.3<\/span> In case of illness<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 6<\/span> The language barrier\u00a0<\/a><\/li>
- 7<\/span> Are there any cultural faux pas I should avoid in Japan?<\/a>
- 7.1<\/span> 1. Using toilet slippers<\/a><\/li>
- 7.2<\/span> 2. Eating and drinking while walking<\/a><\/li>
- 7.3<\/span> 3. Handling business cards<\/a><\/li>
- 7.4<\/span> 4. Blocking the escalator<\/a><\/li>
- 7.5<\/span> 5. Taking photos without permission<\/a><\/li>
- 7.6<\/span> 6. Public displays of affection<\/a><\/li>
- 7.7<\/span> 7. Jaywalking<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n
Meeting and greeting tips<\/span><\/h2>\n
Bowing<\/span><\/h3>\n
When in Japan, it is polite to bow to the other person when you meet them, when you are saying thank you, or when saying goodbye. If someone bows to you, lean forward and incline your head in return. There are many complexities to the bowing ritual \u2013 such as how far, how long, and how many times to bow \u2013 but as a tourist, you won\u2019t be expected to know these details<\/strong>. Simply making the effort will endear you to others.<\/p>\n
Gifts and business cards<\/span><\/h3>\n
In formal settings, such as on a business trip, it is customary to exchange business cards or name cards<\/strong> when you meet someone. In addition to cards, you may want to bring some small souvenir gifts from your home country. Giving a gift is a sign of appreciation<\/strong>, especially if you are staying in someone\u2019s home. Choose something small and unique to your homeland, such as a candy or key chain. Always use two hands<\/strong> rather than one when giving or receiving gifts or cards.<\/p>\n
Clothing tips<\/span><\/h2>\n
Remove your footwear<\/span><\/h3>\n
When entering private homes, temples, traditional style accommodations<\/strong>, and even many restaurants and tourist sites, you will be expected to remove your shoes. You will usually see shelving to place your shoes on. You may by given slippers to use while indoors.<\/p>\n
If the restaurant or accommodations include areas of tatami<\/em><\/strong>, or woven straw matting covering the floor, you will need to remove the slippers before walking on the tatami.<\/em> You may leave the slippers at the room\u2019s entrance.<\/p>\n
![\"Tatami](\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/ryokan-tatami-800x532.jpg\")
Tatami floored room can be found in ryokans, Japanese traditional hotels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Also, separate slippers may be provided for use in the restroom<\/strong>. Leave your original slippers outside the bathroom door, and change back into them when you exit the bathroom.<\/p>\n
Tip<\/strong>: while traveling in Japan, wear shoes that you can remove and put on quickly and easily. Don\u2019t forget to wear clean socks!<\/p>\n
Eating and drinking tips\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Table manners<\/span><\/h3>\n
Good manners involve words of appreciation<\/strong> before, during, and after the meal. Before you chow down, remember to say i-ta-da-ki-mas<\/em><\/strong>, the equivalent for “bon appetit” meaning, \u201cI will receive.\u201d During the meal, say oi-shii<\/em> to indicate that you are enjoying yourself.<\/p>\n
Afterwards, say go-chi-so-sa-ma de-shi-ta <\/em>to express appreciation for the meal. Don\u2019t be surprised to hear others slurping their soup or noodles<\/strong> \u2013 that is acceptable. It\u2019s fun, too, so give it a try while in a land that welcomes noisy eating!\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
Using chopsticks<\/span><\/h3>\n
If you\u2019ve already gotten the hang of eating with chopsticks, that\u2019s good. Remember, though, that your mother told you not to play with your food \u2013 similarly, in Japan there are certain actions that are considered \u2018playing\u2019 with your chopsticks<\/strong>. Avoid using them to scratch an itch, signal to a waiter in a restaurant, point at someone, spear a piece of food, or drum on the table.<\/p>\n
Also, don\u2019t cross the chopsticks<\/strong>, leave them standing up in your bowl, and don\u2019t use your chopsticks to \u2018hand\u2019 a piece of food to someone else\u2019s waiting chopsticks. The latter are related to funeral rituals and are therefore not appropriate for mealtimes. If taking food from a communal serving dish, use the \u2018wrong\u2019 end of the chopsticks, opposite the end you put in your mouth.<\/p>\n
![\"Chopsticks](\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/ramen-chopsticks-800x531.jpg\")
Don’t cross your chopsticks when resting them on the table.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Tipping in Japan<\/span><\/h3>\n
Tipping is not customary in Japan<\/strong>. If you leave a cash tip on the table, the waiter may not understand it and chase you down to return it. Money is also seldom passed from hand to hand. When paying for an item, you will place the cash in the tray provided. Your change will likewise be placed in this tray.<\/p>\n
Temples<\/strong> and Shrines<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Tours are offered at many Buddhist and Shinto shrines, and you may see these as mere tourist attractions \u2013 but remember, these are religious sites still used for worship<\/strong>. Be respectful when visiting a temple or shrine \u2013 don\u2019t enter off-limits areas, speak softly, and dress respectfully (i.e., don\u2019t wear your swim suit).<\/p>\n
Religious rituals<\/span><\/h3>\n
Most shrines require ceremonial washing<\/strong> before entering. Use a ladle to pour water over your hands. Catch some of the water in your hand<\/strong> and rinse your mouth<\/strong> \u2013 spit the water onto the ground<\/strong>, never<\/em> back into the water basin.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"Meiji](\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/meiji-shrine-entrance-e1466611660690.jpg\")
Meiji shrine entrance, in Tokyo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Trains and public transportation<\/strong>\u00a0tips<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Mobile devices<\/span><\/h3>\n
Talking on your cell phone in the confined spaces of a train or bus is considered rude. If you must use your phone to text message, turn the ringer to silent mode<\/strong>. Also, speak quietly to your travel companions.<\/p>\n
Stay connected in Japan with a Pocket Wi-Fi<\/a><\/p>\n
Queues and lines<\/span><\/h3>\n
In busy train stations, bus stations, and airports, you will be expected to form an orderly line<\/strong>. Don\u2019t push ahead, and pay attention to directional lines painted on the floors.<\/p>\n
In case of illness<\/span><\/h3>\n
Do not blow your nose while in a public place, and try to avoid sniffling or sneezing. If you are sick, purchase and wear a surgical mask to avoid spreading germs to others.<\/p>\n
Also read<\/strong>: Japanese trains etiquette<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
![\"Shinkansen](\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/shinkansen-bullet-train-1024x683.jpg\")
On train platforms, you should stand on either side of the doors in a queue.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The language barrier<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
While you may very well meet people who speak the English language, don\u2019t assume that everyone will. Instead, learn some helpful phrases in Japanese<\/a>, such as sumimasen<\/strong>,<\/em> meaning \u201cexcuse me\u201d or \u201csorry,\u201d and arigato<\/strong>, <\/em>which means, \u201cthank you.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
- 7.2<\/span> 2. Eating and drinking while walking<\/a><\/li>
- 5.2<\/span> Queues and lines<\/a><\/li>
- 5<\/span> Trains and public transportation\u00a0tips<\/a>
- 3.2<\/span> Using chopsticks<\/a><\/li>
- 3<\/span> Eating and drinking tips\u00a0<\/a>
- 1.2<\/span> Gifts and business cards<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 1.1<\/span> Bowing<\/a><\/li>