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Japan is known for its fascinating culture, rich history, and incredibly complex customs. Despite being internationally recognised for its continually shifting fashions and boundary-pushing technological developments, Japan is also steeped in rich cultural traditions that date back thousands of years. Getting to grips with Japanese etiquette can seem daunting at first, so while Japanese people are very understanding of foreign travellers having different customs, here we explain some of the intricacies of this remarkable country with a handy list of dos and don’ts.
Bowing can loosely be seen as the Japanese handshake. It is used to greet people, say goodbye, express thanks, apologising, or when asking for a favour. Bowing can vary in depth from just a slight nod of the head to a fully arched bow. The only thing to note is that the deeper the bow, the more respect you are showing.
Shoes are considered dirty and are expected to be removed upon entering a home, a place of spiritual significance or a ryokan (旅館, family-run inn). Look out for shoe cupboards, step-up seating platforms, and areas with tatami matting or polished wood floors—these all signify places where you should remove shoes.
Top tip: while travelling in Japan you may have to take off your shoes several times a day so might make sense to opt for easily removable footwear.
Many properties offer a private onsen (bathtub in which to soak). However, if you don’t have access to a private onsen, visiting a communal tub is common practice in Japan, and offers a relaxing cultural experience, albeit one that is subject to a number of key dos and don’ts. You are expected to shower before getting into the onsen tub and, if applicable, tie up long hair before getting in. You also shouldn’t submerge your head underwater. Clothes (including bathing suits) and towels are not allowed in the onsen room, and quite often neither are tattoos, which are somewhat socially taboo in Japan. If you have a private onsen in your room, then you can more or less do as you please.
To prevent sticking out like sore thumb when eating with chopsticks, avoid pointing them at people, waving them in the air, or using them to spear food. You should also never stick your chopsticks upright into a bowl of rice or pass food from stick to stick as this is associated with funeral rites. If you’re lucky enough to experience a tea ceremony, it is considered polite to make an audible sipping sound upon your last sip to show appreciation for how well it had been made.
While this might sound strange, tipping is not part of Japanese culture and though you may want to use it as a gesture of appreciation for excellent service, it can actually cause a significant amount of confusion for recipients. The slight exception to this is with tour guides—while they will never expect a tip, it is acceptable if you feel so inclined, but present it in an envelope and hand it over using both hands, perhaps with a little bow as well.
When wearing a kimono or yukata, the left side should always be wrapped over the right—fold the right side towards your body first, and then left side on top of it. Right side over left is only done when dressing the dead for burial, so it’s considered bad luck to get this wrong.
Scott Dunn is a luxury tour operator specialising in tailor-made holidays. We build your holiday around what you want, not our preferences, and we take the time to understand what you enjoy so we can create the perfect holiday for you.
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