Japan Etiquette 101

Japan is a fascinating and safe travel destination, but there are some unique customs. Like taking shoes off indoors, lining up to board a train or an escalator, keeping quiet on trains, and taking your rubbish home (bins can be rare).

Being mindful of cultural etiquette will enhance your travel experience and help you avoid misunderstandings.

Do’s

Learn some simple Japanese expressions

Your trip will be easier, and people react to you nicer, if you learn some basic Japanese phrases.

Excuse me / I’m sorry (Great when getting off the train past people)	su-mi-ma-sen
Yes	hai
No	ii-e
Hello	kon-ni-chi-wa
Thank You	a-ri-ga-tou-go-zai-ma-su Simple/Informal: a-ri-ga-tou
After you	do-zo
How much is this?	ko-re-wa i-ku-ra de-su-ka Simple/Informal: o-i-ku-ra
Where is the toilet?	to-i-re wa do-ko de-su-ka Simple/Informal: to-i-re do-ko
Where is the XXX train station?	XXX e-ki wa do-ko de-su-ka Simple/Informal: e-ki-wa do-ko
Help me	ta-su-ke-te

Shopping & Money

• At almost every point of sale, there will be a small tray where you place your cash or your card for goods and services. Always use the tray.
• Always accept your change in full, this is very important. Never give a ‘tip‘, or they’ll chase you out of the store to return your money.
• If you’re shopping for clothing, take your shoes off before entering a fitting room. You’re expected to wear a single-use face hood provided to avoid getting makeup and sebum (natural oil on your face) on the clothing you’re trying on.
• When you buy an item, the seller may hold your item and gesture towards the door. They will expect you to lead the way (customer always leaves the store first), and at the front of the shop they will offer your package and say thank you. You only have to reciprocate with a slight bow and walk away. if you continue to look back they will remain at the front of the shop until you’re out of sight. So be polite, but don’t keep them waiting, leave promptly and avoid looking back.

Tip: Cards are nowadays widely accepted, but smaller shops can still only accept cash. You can get cash out from your foreign debit card at a 7-Eleven convenience store for almost zero fee.

Trains

Japan has an extensive rail network you can use as a traveller and is the optimal way to get around the country. Within Japan there is the national network called “JR” which covers the Shinkansen bullet trains and metropolitan lines. In addition there are many private companies which also run their own rail lines. By far the most convenient way to make use of the train network is to purchase a travel ‘IC card’ which is a transit pass you can load cash onto as required. These ‘IC cards’ can also be used to pay for other good like drinks out of vending machines and convenient stores.

• On the platform there will be indicators where to stand to wait in line. Only stand in these locations when waiting for the train, and never jump the queue.
• Make sure you get onto the correct train. This may sound simple, but given the complexity of the Japan train network, it’s quite easy to hop onto the wrong train and end up going in the wrong direction or upsetting a member of staff if you get onto a premium carriage which requires an additional paid ticket to board. Always check twice and be sure you’re getting onto the right train, especially at major stations.
• Speak quietly on the train with your fellow travellers and read the room. If you’re getting looks, you’re speaking too loudly.
• Put your phone on silent, and never speak on the phone whilst travelling by train. Use messaging apps instead if you must communicate during travel.
• Move away from the doors when boarding the train and when existing, “excuse me” (su-mi-ma-sen) is sometimes the only way you’ll get out.
• Offer your seat to someone who may need it.
• When taking the escalator out of the platform, don’t swerve around people and cut in line. Walking up or down escalators is discouraged, so don’t walk past people on escalators even if the “walking line” looks free. (The standing line is on the left for Tokyo and surrounds, and right for Osaka and surrounds.)
• Make use of Japan Rail (JR) Passes if you’re doing a lot of travelling. JR passes can be used on both Shinkansen and JR metropolitan lines. Please remember however the ‘super express’ trains are not covered by the JR pass and require an additional ticket to be purchased (more details).

Tip: Buy a travel IC card at the airport or train station so you can simply touch on and off each local train trip. If you’re traveling across Japan a few times, purchase a Japan Rail Pass before you leave your country. This can save you hundreds of dollars if you’re doing a lot of travel on the Japan Railway network. If you’re only traveling, for example, from Tokyo to Kyoto once during your trip then it’ll be cheaper to buy a normal one way ticket.

Eating

• If you see shoes at the entrance of a restaurant, you’ll need to take them off. Bring a pair of socks to dinner if you’re the kind of person who enjoys wearing sandals.
• Most restaurants will offer you a towel for wiping your hands upon arrival (oshibori), don’t use this for any other purpose like wiping your face or neck as it’s bad manners.

Public toilets

• It’s advisable to carry with you a pack of tissues or a small zip lock bag of toilet paper with you at all times because some public toilets will have no toilet paper, particularly in rural areas. Although this is much less common nowadays, it’s best to be safe than sorry.
• Many public toilets, particularly the men’s bathroom, do not offer the same level of privacy compared to other countries; just be aware of your surroundings and if in doubt just do as the locals do, don’t overthink it.

Tip: If you have a choice, go to the toilet in a shopping centre. They’re super clean, have more toilet features (even a pull-out tray to take your shoes off and get changed on).

Driving

Although it’s common for Japanese drivers not to obey the speed limit, as a visitor it’s advised to always obey speed signs and all other road rules.

Shopping

You’ll also commonly be asked to remove your shoes before stepping into a change area. As a general rule of thumb, if you see a ‘raised’ section of floor, this usually indicates shoes should be taken off, so please keep a look out and always ask before trying on a garment, don’t worry, the staff will be watching closely and will be very eager to assist in any way with your purchase.

In addition, for female shoppers, for any garment which may go over your head like a dress or top, the salesperson will offer you a mesh cover to place over your head to protect the garment from makeup, even if you’re not wearing any. This is very common so you can almost 100% guarantee this will happen. Just try to go with the flow 🙂

Shoes

• Wear shoes that are easy to take off, as there will be plenty of places you can’t enter with your shoes on (clothing stores’ fitting rooms, preserved castles, traditional restaurants, pubs and diners with tatami mats, people’s homes etc.)
• If you see slippers or shoe lockers, take off your shoes at the entrance. It’ll be very obvious where to place your shoes and in some places you don’t need to worry about your shoes once you take them off as the staff will take care of it and return them when you leave.

Tip: Consider changing your shoe laces to elastic so you can slip them on and off.

Bowing

• You won’t be expected to know the intricacies of knowing how to bow correctly in Japan as it’s very complicated. Having that said, a very slight bow from your hips when saying thank you makes a big difference when showing gratitude. You’ll likely find as a foreigner you’ll instinctively reciprocate a bow, so it’ll come naturally, but generally speaking as a customer, you should only give a very shallow bow.
• The shop keeper, out of respect, will always want to bow deeper and longer, this is part of the culture. Your role as the customer is to only perform a very shallow and short bow, this is perfectly acceptable and will be appreciated by the local population.
• If you’re very lucky you may happen to witness a member of the public purchase a brand new car from a dealership. This one of the most formal displays of gratitude in Japan you’ll be able to witness, and is quite the spectacle.

Elevator buttons

• Unlike other countries, elevators in Japan predominantly use buttons to hold the door open. The door will close even if you’re standing on the threshold. Please be very careful.
• If you’re carrying something large like a travel suitcase, or are travelling with someone in a wheelchair, it’s important to identify where the buttons are as soon as you enter, as you will need them to leave the elevator safely.
• People in the elevator do tend to press the ‘Open’ button for you if you’re walking towards the elevator so you don’t miss it. It’s nice to return the favour by holding the ‘Open’ button when they get off the elevator, then pressing ‘Close’ once everyone has left safely.

Avoids

• Taking photos inside shops. This is generally frowned upon and you should only take photos of clothing or items you’ve purchased outside the premises.
• Flushing anything except toilet paper that’s provided down the toilet. The sewer pipes in Japan are notoriously easy to clog and it makes for a very awkward conversation.
• Blowing your nose in public or at the dinner table. It’s best to do this out of sight such as the bathroom. If you must blow your nose, be discrete.
• Drinking in public:
  • Although legal in most places, generally speaking it’s something as a visitor you should avoid as it will draw the wrong kind of attention to yourself. There is a notable exception to this rule however during Spring when cherry blossoms are present; keep in mind however it’s always best to sit and drink, not to walk and drink.
• Taking the last train home:
  • Generally speaking, trains stop operating around or just after midnight across Japan.
  • We all want to stay out and have a good time, but the last train home, is never a good experience. It’ll be hot, very cramped and occasionally with someone physically sick nearby.
  • Ensure you give yourself time to get home and if you have a choice between the last train and a taxi, as a tourist you’re much better off taking a taxi.
• Talking to police:
  • Members of the police force in Japan are not tour guides and asking questions may draw unwanted attention to yourself. It’s best to ask a member of the public for help if necessary.
  • This is especially true for police holding long poles or standing on boxes. These officers are on the look out for suspicious or criminal activity, and will not be in any mood for discussion.
• Poking your chopsticks vertically into your rice bowl or touching chopsticks with another person. Using chopsticks in this way is generally reserved only for funerals and won’t be appreciated at the dinner table.
• Stopping automated doors with your hands or body. Unlike doors in other countries which use a light beam to detect whether a person is in the way, Japan typically uses physical sensors which can pinch or crush your fingers. If an automated door is closing, keep your hands clear, particularly young children on trains.
• Being a general pest: Blocking walkways, standing on roads taking pictures, using “selfie sticks” in public etc.
• Saying Goodbye: Contrary to popular belief, “sa-yo-na-ra” is usually not the most appropriate way to say goodbye as it has certain implications this will be the last time you ever see each other. If you’re saying bye to your friends, something less formal like “ma-ta-ne” or “ja-ne” is more suitable. Roughly this translates to “let’s do it again” or “see you later”.

Don’ts

• Don’t have a phone call or speak loudly on the train. Be aware of your surroundings and reciprocate what the locals are doing. If nobody is speaking, it’s a good hint to speak very softly or not at all.
• Don’t have loud conversations outside, particularly at night or in places of worship like temples and shrines.
• Don’t wear a towel or swimwear in a Japanese onsen. If you want to keep private, research and book a private onsen where you can have privacy.
• Don’t smoke while walking or in non-designated areas. It will be very obvious where spoking is permitted as there will be a large ground of people puffing away together in a huddle.
• Don’t touch anything left on tables such as wallets, phones, keys, clothing etc. These are the belongings of other people reserving a seat. To a foreign person the instinct is to return the item to it’s owner, but this may land you in trouble and be accused of stealing property. Don’t touch anything left of a table.
• Don’t take photographs of other people or ask locals whether you can take their picture. This is generally very rude and won’t be appreciated even if you mean well.
• Don’t litter or place rubbish into the wrong bin. If in doubt, watch what the locals do and follow their example. If there is no bin near you, take it home. Japan is very clean because people keep their rubbish with them until there is a bin.
• Don’t give money to anyone who approaches you with what appear to be religious memorabilia. These are usually scams. If you want to buy a souvenir from a temple for example there will be a small kiosk where you can purchase from the temple.
• Don’t have any physical altercation in Japan, even if you think the other person is the aggressor. A Japanese person will always be looked on favourably by police and the courts irrespective of what happens and it’s likely you’ll be in a lot of trouble. Always walk away from a fight or you’ll find yourself in the back of a police car.
• Don’t bring drugs or weapons of any kind to Japan. If you need to bring medication you may need to prepare some additional paperwork in advance or you could get into trouble at the airport. For example, if you need to bring more than 1month supply of your own prescription medication, you need to apply for – and receive – an import certificate called “Yunyu Kakunin-sho” before you leave your home country and bring it with you for customs.