Exit Search

Japanese etiquette tips every visitor should know

March 18, 2021

Japan is a country with buckets of charm and ancient history, but its customs can be tricky to navigate

There’s a lot to love about Japan. Its quirky streets, delicious cuisine and centuries-old castles attract millions of visitors each year, but while its culture intrigues, it also confuses. Manners and strict etiquette practices are deeply entrenched in the lives of Japanese people and can be intimidating to first-time travellers.

Yoshimi Nagashima, etiquette expert and founder of Impredge, an image and etiquette consultancy based in Tokyo, says that Japanese people put importance on maintaining good harmony with others.

“Etiquette in Japan has been considered wisdom for living comfortably with each other for a long time," says Yoshimi. 'If you learn our customs and etiquette in advance, you will be able to [connect] with local people, making your trip more enjoyable and exciting,” she says.

Yoshimi Nagashima Impredge
Yoshimi Nagashima Impredge

1. Remove your shoes

In Japan, it’s customary to remove your shoes while indoors. Some westernised spots allow visitors to keep their shoes on, but when entering most homes, restaurants or ryokans (traditional inn), shoes should be left at the entrance. This practice keeps tatami floors looking pristine and prevents contamination coming inside.

Keep an eye out for signage (or staff) that will indicate whether removing footwear is expected. These places will provide slippers in the bathrooms – just remember to remove them when you exit, as they’re considered much dirtier than regular shoes.

A sign outside a Temple instructs visitors to remove their shoes.
A sign outside a Temple instructs visitors to remove their shoes.

2. Queue with the flow

You could walk the streets of Japan from Tokyo to Kyoto and you’d be lucky to see a single person pushing and shoving to be served. In the land of the rising sun, queueing is key. This applies to all the typical scenarios, such as waiting at a cafe or shop counter, and beyond.

“Japanese people form an orderly queue when waiting for trains at busy times, such as the morning or evening rush hours,” Yoshimi says. Underground train platforms have lines denoting where to line up for each carriage, and shinkansen (bullet train) stations clearly label where each carriage will board.

You can forget slotting in beside a friend, too; Yoshimi says cutting the line is never acceptable.

Visitors wait to enter the Sensoji Temple, Tokyo.
Visitors wait to enter the Sensoji Temple, Tokyo.

3. Watch your chopstick technique

Like much of Asia, chopsticks are the cutlery of choice in Japan, but in addition to the challenge of mastering their technique, travellers must also watch the way they use them. There are enough chopstick taboos to make your head spin, but Yoshimi says the biggest faux-pas relate to Japanese funerary practices; these are known as tate bashi and utsushi bashi.

Tate bashi is the act of sticking your chopsticks into the middle of a bowl of rice, while utsushi bashi is the passing of food from one set of chopsticks to another. Both techniques are demonstrated in Japanese funerals and are therefore disrespectful in any other setting.

Chopsticks are often used with Miso Soup in Japan.
Chopsticks are often used with Miso Soup in Japan.

4. Slurp away

In many corners of the world, noodle soup causes anxiety. People shy away from ordering the dish to avoid the inevitable struggle of eating it in a socially-acceptable manner. But in Japan, there's no such problem. Slurping is considered a sign of enjoyment and is even said to enhance the flavour of your meal! You have our permission to order a steaming bowl of ramen and slurp with abandon.

A woman eats a bowl of Ramen with chopsticks in Japan.
A woman eats a bowl of Ramen with chopsticks in Japan.

5. Don’t be late

Japanese are very punctual people and when visiting the country, it’s expected that you’ll follow suit.

“When you travel by bus or train, you need to be at the station or bus stop on time, otherwise you will miss your [transport],” says Yoshimi.

Catch any train in Japan and you’ll quickly learn this is true; it’s common for public transport to arrive ahead of schedule and depart precisely on time. Yoshimi adds: "When you meet someone for the first time, it would be polite to arrive five minutes prior to your appointment time.”

A purifying station in Chozuya Temple, Japan.
A purifying station in Chozuya Temple, Japan.

6. Respect religious sites

Some of Japan’s biggest attractions are its ancient Buddhist and Shinto shrines, and as with most sacred sights around the world, they come with their own set of customs. When exploring famous spots such as Fushimi Inari-taisha, be sure to observe the etiquette exhibited by Japanese people and displayed on signage. Common etiquette is to keep your voice down and purify yourself at the chozuya (shinto water ablution pavilion) before entering the main shrine.

chozuya temple purifying station japan
chozuya temple purifying station japan

7. Check your greetings

Japanese greetings can be tricky for foreigners. Across the west, hugging is common practice, and across Europe, it’s customary to kiss on the cheek. In Japan, Yoshimi says it’s best to stick with the most common greeting: a bow, especially when meeting elderly people. While there is specific etiquette in regards to angles and amount of times to bow, simply returning the gesture or nodding will be appreciated.

Yoshimi adds that in a business setting, a handshake is also acceptable.

Two geishas bowing in Kyoto, Japan.
Two geishas bowing in Kyoto, Japan.

8. Keep the change

Leaving a tip is a common way to express gratitude in dozens of countries around the world, but such a practice isn’t popular in Japan. In fact, if you leave money on a Japanese restaurant table, there’s every chance a staff member will run after you to return it, thinking it was left by mistake. The Japanese work ethic emphasises high standards and rather than incentivising it, excellent service is seen as standard practice.

The best thing you can do to thank the staff for a great meal is to give them a smile and your best attempt at the phrase "gochisousama deshita" which means, "thank you for the meal, it was a feast."

Money left on a tray as a tip in Japan.
Money left on a tray as a tip in Japan.

9. Ditch your perfume

Sushi is one of Japan’s greatest and most renowned delicacies. People train for years, even decades, to become an itamae (sushi chef) and the world’s freshest seafood is auctioned at Tokyo’s Toyosu Market every morning. For these reasons and many more, it’s fair to say that sushi is big business.

That’s why, Yoshimi says, perfume is not allowed at many fine sushi restaurants.

“Sushi chefs believe that the fragrance of perfume ruins their meals, especially when [customers] are eating sushi at the counter facing the chefs.”

A sushi counter in Tokyo, Japan.
A sushi counter in Tokyo, Japan.

Although Japanese etiquette can seem overwhelming, Yoshimi says that Japan is the country of hospitality.

“If you don’t have time to learn our customs, don’t worry! We welcome tourists.”

Subscribe Now!

To receive our free printable eBook "Inspiring Japan"

book
RELATED TOURS
Travel from:Jun 2024
Travel until:Dec 2025
Japan
Included
Fully Escorted

Included

Typically $5,649
Now
$3,499 pp twin share
NZD
Travel from:Jun 2024
Travel until:Dec 2025
Japan
Included
Fully Escorted
Lively Pace
Typically $5,649
From
$3,499 NZD
pp twin share
Flights Included
Travel from:Oct 2024
Travel until:Oct 2024
Japan
$99pp deposit
Included
Fully Escorted
Typically $6,951
Now
$4,899 pp twin share
NZD
Travel from:Oct 2024
Travel until:Oct 2024
Japan
$99pp deposit
Included
Fully Escorted
Lively Pace
Typically $6,951
From
$4,899 NZD
pp twin share
Travel from:Nov 2024
Travel until:Nov 2025
Japan
$99pp deposit
Fully Escorted
Leisurely Pace
From
$15,999 pp twin share
NZD
Travel from:Nov 2024
Travel until:Nov 2025
Japan
$99pp deposit
Fully Escorted
Leisurely Pace
Small Group
From
$15,999 NZD
pp twin share
Flights Included
Travel from:Aug 2024
Travel until:Nov 2025
Japan
$99pp deposit
Flight Inclusive
Fully Escorted

Flight Inclusive

Typically $10,226
Now
$9,199 pp twin share
NZD
Travel from:Aug 2024
Travel until:Nov 2025
Japan
$99pp deposit
Flight Inclusive
Fully Escorted
Moderate Pace
Typically $10,226
From
$9,199 NZD
pp twin share
New Tour
Travel from:Nov 2024
Travel until:Dec 2024
Japan
$99pp deposit
Local Guides
Moderate Pace
From
$6,299 pp twin share
NZD
Travel from:Nov 2024
Travel until:Dec 2024
Japan
$99pp deposit
Local Guides
Moderate Pace
Small Group
From
$6,299 NZD
pp twin share
Travel from:May 2024
Travel until:Nov 2025
Japan
$99pp deposit
Moderate Pace
Partially Escorted
From
$7,699 pp twin share
NZD
Travel from:May 2024
Travel until:Nov 2025
Japan
$99pp deposit
Moderate Pace
Partially Escorted
7 Days
From
$7,699 NZD
pp twin share
Cherry Blossom Dates
Travel from:May 2024
Travel until:Nov 2025
Japan
$99pp deposit
Lively Pace
Partially Escorted
Typically $14,878
Now
$7,599 pp twin share
NZD
Travel from:May 2024
Travel until:Nov 2025
Japan
$99pp deposit
Lively Pace
Partially Escorted
Typically $14,878
From
$7,599 NZD
pp twin share
Travel from:Jun 2024
Travel until:Nov 2025
Japan
$99pp deposit
Partially Escorted
Moderate Pace
Typically $12,276
Now
$7,299 pp twin share
NZD
Travel from:Jun 2024
Travel until:Nov 2025
Japan
$99pp deposit
Partially Escorted
Moderate Pace
Group Tour - Classic
Typically $12,276
From
$7,299 NZD
pp twin share
Travel from:Jun 2024
Travel until:Nov 2024
Japan
$99pp deposit
Leisurely Pace
Fully Escorted
From
$8,699 pp twin share
NZD
Travel from:Jun 2024
Travel until:Nov 2024
Japan
$99pp deposit
Leisurely Pace
Fully Escorted
7 Days
From
$8,699 NZD
pp twin share
Travel from:Jun 2024
Travel until:Nov 2025
Japan
$99pp deposit
Partially Escorted
Moderate Pace
Typically $18,481
Now
$9,899 pp twin share
NZD
Travel from:Jun 2024
Travel until:Nov 2025
Japan
$99pp deposit
Partially Escorted
Moderate Pace
7 Days
Typically $18,481
From
$9,899 NZD
pp twin share
Travel from:Mar 2025
Travel until:Apr 2025
Japan
$99pp deposit
Moderate Pace
Fully Escorted
Typically $8,634
Now
$4,999 pp twin share
NZD
Travel from:Mar 2025
Travel until:Apr 2025
Japan
$99pp deposit
Moderate Pace
Fully Escorted
Typically $8,634
From
$4,999 NZD
pp twin share
Travel from:Oct 2024
Travel until:Nov 2024
Japan
$99pp deposit
Fully Escorted
Moderate Pace

Small Group

From
$9,599 pp twin share
NZD
Travel from:Oct 2024
Travel until:Nov 2024
Japan
$99pp deposit
Fully Escorted
Moderate Pace
Small Group
From
$9,599 NZD
pp twin share
Processing...