Japan is a phenomenal country with wonderful people, and many different rules – spoken and unspoken. When visiting a new country, it’s important to remember that as tourists we are guests and must act like it. As guests, we need to be respectful of the locals, local spaces, and the culture. This etiquette guide introduces you to Do’s and Don’ts in Japan to prepare you for your upcoming trip!
Something that is important to note is that the following etiquettes and rules are not something to stress over. This guide is simply here to make you aware of the local customs and how you can be the best tourist. With that said, the most important rule is to be kind and respectful.
Alongside this guide, here are 23 ESSENTIAL Tips and things to know before visiting Japan! Without further ado, here are all the unspoken rules and do’s and don’ts in Japan.👇
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Here are all the Rules, Do’s and Don’ts in Japan👇
Do Bow When Thanking
In Japan, people bow when thanking, apologizing, or even saying hello. These bows are more of a head nod, and are always very appreciated.
Do Keep Quiet on Public Transportation
When it comes to public spaces, particularly transportation, it is important to stay quiet and use your “indoor” voice. If you’re traveling with other people, keep your voice levels to almost a whisper. Do not play videos or music on your phone, or devices, unless you have headphones.
Do Hold onto Your Trash
In Japan, there are no trash cans in the city. The only place you may find public trashcans are the many conbini (convenience) stores around the cities and towns.
Make sure to keep your trash with you at all times until you can properly dispose it at your hotel, or at a convenience store, like 7/11 and Lawson.
Do Dress Modestly
In Japan, people tend to dress more on the modest and business formal side. While you don’t need to be business formal, it is important to dress modestly – especially if you plan to visit Temples, Shrines, and other important sites.
As a tourist, here are things to not wear when visiting Temples and Shrines in Japan:
- Low-neckline tops and crop tops
- Sleeveless tops or spaghetti straps. Your shoulders must be covered.
- Short shorts or skirts
As a tourist, you’re not expected to dress like the locals. But if you want to match their styles and dress similarly, go for modest and/or nicer clothing. Here is what I recommend packing:
- Neutral essentials you can mix and match. Ex. White t-shirt.
- Dresses
- Long skirts
- At least one pair of comfy dress pants. You can wear jeans, but with 20,000+ steps a day, dress pants will be a comfier and more breathable option.
- Casual blazer. This is a bit extra, but I was so glad to have brought mine – it always elevated my looks.
Do Take Your Shoes Off When Required
Depending on where you are, you may need to remove your shoes to enter. You will typically see this at Ryokans, castles, tea rooms, and so forth.
Due to this, it is wise to bring socks with you in the chance you need to remove your shoes!
This is something you will also encounter at Airbnbs and possibly hotels. Make sure to be respectful and remove your shoes at the entrance, and wearing the correct and designated slippers. For example, bathrooms often have different designated slippers from the house slippers.
Do Go with the Flow: Escalators, Stairs, and More
When in public spaces, go with the flow! Here are some things you will encounter:
- Escalators are split in two: the standing “lane”, and the fast “lane”. The standing side changes from city to city, for example in Tokyo you stand on the right side and the left side in Kyoto. Make sure to place yourself on the correct side by following the lead of the locals.
- Furthermore, make sure you do not cut the line for the escalator. You need to go all the way to the back of the line, wherever you may be standing.
- Similarly, there are arrows on stairs that tell you on which side to walk when walking down the stairs, or up the stairs.
Do Be Respectful
If there’s a country that strongly values respect, it is the country of Japan.
Unfortunately, due to high tourism and too many misbehaving tourists, Japan has had to start closing off certain areas. So far this year, Japan has forbidden tourists from certain Geisha neighborhoods, and is now building walls in front of a Lawson with Mount Fuji views.
As mentioned earlier, we are GUESTS and we must respect the locals, local spaces, and culture. This means, do not harass Geishas or locals for pictures, don’t take pictures where it’s not allowed, follow instructions, and so forth.
Do Wear a Mask if You’re Sick
If you’re feeling sick, be respectful to those around you and wear a mask! Furthermore, avoid blowing your nose in public – this is frowned upon as its considered both unhygienic and rude.
Do Learn How to use Chopsticks
Before arriving to Japan, do yourself a favor and learn how to use chopsticks! In Japan, you will not always find forks and knives to help you out. Your foodie adventures will be much easier and more pleasurable with proper chopstick skills.
If you really need forks and knives, you can always ask the restaurant if they have any – or bring some with you from home.
Lastly, DO NOT play with your chopsticks and food and DO finish your food!
Do Learn Some Sentences
Now, I’m not saying you need to know Japanese – but knowing some essential sentences will be so helpful. Even more, this will be very appreciated by the locals! Here are some sentences to know:
- Konichiwa – Hello
- Ohayou gozaimasu– Good morning
- Konbanwa– Good evening
- Sayonara– Goodbye
- Sumimasen – Excuse me/Sorry.
- Arigato (gozaimasu) – Thank you. Adding “gozaimasu” makes it a formal “thank you”.
- Hai – Yes
- Iie – No
- Doko desu ka? – Where is it?
- Oishi desu – It is tasty
Don’t Not Sit on Curbs/Floor
Sitting on the floor, or on curbs, is considered unhygienic and rude. This is because you will be carrying those germs onto public transportations, restaurants, and so forth when you sit down.
For this reason, you will often see people squatted on the floor – but never fully sitting down.
Don’t Not Eat and Drink While Walking Around
This is more of an unspoken “rule”. In Japan, eating and drinking while walking is considered mannerless – and that’s all there is to it. It is not illegal, and nothing will happen to you if you “break the rule”.
Unless you’re in a rush or at a festival, it’s best to eat your food wherever you got it from. Not only for manners, but its also more convenient due to trash cans usually being available! If you walk while eating, you will have to hold onto your trash for a while.
As another pointer, unless you’re on a long Shinkansen commute, do not eat on public transportation!
Don’t Hand Money Directly
Usually, when paying, there will be a tray for you to place your money or card into. Unless someone is helping you out in counting yens, the custom is to always place your money in the tray and never directly in someone’s hands.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Japanese people are some of the kindest and welcoming people you could meet. Despite the language barrier, they are always ready to help out when in need. For example, when my boyfriend and I were lost in a train station, a kind man spotted us and walked us all the way to our train!🥹
Don’t Tip
Tipping does not exist in Japan, so remind yourself to not leave a tip. If you do, your waiter or waitress will worry and run after you thinking you forgot your money.
Do NOT Expect the Locals to Speak English
This is one of those “don’ts” that pains me to write, but please do NOT expect the locals to speak English. I’ve seen it too often, tourists getting upset when a local doesn’t know English and…
During my travels in Japan there was a time where a policeman at the train station apologized for not having “good” English. We shared a laugh, and after complimenting his English, I told him I should be the one speaking Japanese. We had good small moment, but I couldn’t help but feel sad a local would apologize to me.
With all this said, be open and try to communicate with the locals and make that connection. Sometimes you’ll communicate in signs and single words, and other times you’ll be able to fully communicate.
My small moments with the locals have been the biggest highlight of my trip, and I hope you will experience this too!
Do Not Occupy Seats Designated for Specific People
On all public transportation, there are seats reserved for the elderly, pregnant, and disabled people. Please do not occupy these seats – at the minimum, leave the seat when people in need arrive.
In my experience, Japanese people want to avoid confrontation. If you seat in these seats, chances are no one will ask you to give up the seat for someone in need. Due to this, it’s best to not sit in designated seats all together.
Do Not Smoke, Unless…
Did you know that smoking Japan has banned since April 2020? To specify, you CANNOT smoke indoors or on the streets.
To smoke in Japan, you will need to seek designated smoking areas – some of which are indoors and others outdoors. At the designated smoking areas there should be ashtrays. However, if it isn’t a designated area, but allows smoking, you WILL need a portable ashtray and carry your cigarettes until you find a trashcan or are back home.
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