Japan Cultural Insights:

• Japan is a very healthy, safe, and clean country. Japanese people are very polite, very kind and considerate. They won’t directly tell you if you did something wrong (unless you're wearing your outdoor shoes inside or putting them in the wrong area).

• While it may be common to interact with people who speak English in the big cities and touristy areas, English is not as widely spoken compared to other countries. Learning a few helpful phrases can go a long way and also be a sign of respect. 

• When Japanese people meet, they traditionally bow instead of shaking hands. The lowest bow shows the deepest respect - know when to bow out of respect.

• The Japanese avoid the number four (shi) because it sounds like the word death. Tall buildings don’t have a 4th floor, and tea and sake sets are sold with 5 cups.

• Raised floors in Japanese houses indicate when to take off your shoes. You’ll typically see this at an entrance (indicates to take off outdoor shoes & switch into indoor shoes) and also in bathrooms (which implies a switch from house shoes to bathroom shoes).

• People are paid to push people into trains. Trains are so crowded, that jobs exist to cram people into the trains. Slurping your soup is seen as a compliment- paying tribute to the chef & the broth created.

• There’s a whole method to accepting a business card, take it with 2 hands, bow, and say thank you. Don’t just look at it quickly and put it away, Look at it a bit longer to show. appreciation for the person who is giving it to you - even try to look impressed

• If you are coughing or sneezing, wear a face mask.

• Mask your pooping sounds: when using a public bathroom, use the sound buttons to mask the sound of your pooping.

• Stand on the left side of the escalator to let people pass, unless you’re in osaka then it’s  right.

• There are vases with umbrellas in the streets that can be taken for free with the expectation that you replace them when you don’t need them anymore.

• In Japan, men shave their heads to apologize and women cut their hair after breaking up with a boyfriend.

• If you are in Tokyo on the emperor's birthday, you can walk the Imperial Palace grounds.

• Gambling is illegal. 

• There are a lot of cultural nuances for Onsens, read my article HERE if planning on visiting an onsen when in Japan.

Things to be mindful of when traveling in Japan: (Dos and Don’t Dos)

DON’T

• Don’t blow your nose in public, it is frowned upon. If you can, excuse yourself to a restroom,

• Don’t start drinking when you get your drink, wait for everyone to get their drink then cheers “kanpai” - also wait to eat until everyone is served.

• Don’t finish everything on your plate, the host will assume they haven’t fed you enough.

• Don’t point with chopsticks or rest them vertically with your food. Don't stick your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice, if sharing food, use a different set of chopsticks or the opposite end of chopsticks when eating from a joint plate.

• Don’t pour your wine. It’s considered polite to pour wine for your host but not yourself

• Don’t tip your waiter or pay your bill at the table (they’ll leave the bill at the table but don’t just put $ on the bill at the table, it’s considered very rude) Always take your bill to the counter to pay. Tipping culture is not a thing in Japan.

• Don’t give cash or card to the vendor directly, put it on a money tray if provided.

• Don’t eat, drink, or smoke while walking- it is considered rude.

• Don’t be loud on public transportation. DO use headphones with low volume and be very quiet on public transportation (no talking on the phone nor talking loudly when in transit, even headphones need to be quiet).

• Don’t open the taxi door, let them do it for you. (For more information about the public transportation, click HERE)

• Don’t wear the same house shoes in the bathroom through the rest of the house. (rubber sandals for the bathroom).

• Don’t call people by their first name, use their last name then add “san” to the end.

• Don’t kiss or make out in public. Avoid showing PDA all together. In Japan, even hugging is frowned upon.

• Don’t jaywalk - DO follow the crosswalks.

DO:

• DO remove your shoes when entering a home ( most accommodations provide house shoes) A step and entrance slippers are a sign to take off your shoes.

• DO take a sip of broth before trying the rest of your ramen. Slurping is polite & common in Japan. 

• DO use both hands when giving and receiving gifts and bow when doing it. This is also important to remember when receiving business cards.

• DO arrive early to planned events. In Japan, on time is considered late & so you should plan to be 15 min early for everything in Japan.

• DO carry a ziplock bag with you. You will most likely need to hold your trash - there are not a lot of public trash cans and littering is unacceptable. Japan is a very clean country - even the cities! 

• DO respect personal space. Avoid hugging or other close contact gestures. Bowing is a sign of respect and can be done when saying “Arigato gozaimasu” (Thank you) in place of shaking hands or hugging.

• DO take up as little space as possible on public transportation. While in other countries it might be common to sit with your bags next to you, in Japan everyone sits with their bags in their laps. In Japan, everyone is extremely considerate which is why even when they get on public transit, they move their backpack to the front of them so they don’t accidentally bump into someone. 

• DO dress to impress and dress conservatively if wanting to blend in. In Japan, you won’t really see anyone in sweatpants out in public. They dress modestly and almost like they are always coming from a work event. For women, wearing longer skirts, dresses, and pants can be a more respectful outfit choice.