In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, international travel to Japan dipped tremendously. Now, things are starting to ramp back up. The number of international visitors that traveled to Japan in June of 2022 was over 1,000% higher than the year prior.
Japan is a nation that values respectability and there are many customs that the Japanese follow to show respect. As an English-speaking foreigner, you won’t be expected to know every custom when visiting Japan. However, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t attempt to show good manners.
We’re here to talk about some of the most important etiquette tips that will help you navigate your time in Japan. From showing respect to host families to behaving properly in a restaurant, we’re here to save you from potential embarrassment.
Read on to learn the many ways to show respect and common courtesy when visiting Japan.
Handle Chopsticks Appropriately
Before you head to Japan, take the time to learn how to use chopsticks if you don’t already know. Become proficient in using chopsticks to eat a variety of foods, from sushi to noodle-based dishes. Remember that when you want to lay your chopsticks down, you must always lay them flat across the top of your bowl or place them on the table with the thin side on your chopstick rest.
Don’t Pick Around Ingredients in Your Food
Before you go to Japan, we also recommend learning about Japanese cuisine–and letting go of any pickiness or food aversions you may have at home. While it might not phase anyone in the West if you pick around ingredients you don’t wish to eat, doing so in Japan is considered rude to your host and to the farmers who provided the food on the table. Plus, it is considered wasteful, something that is frowned upon in Japan.
Allow Someone Else to Refill Your Glass
In Japan, the phrase kampai is like the English phrase cheers–it is meant to be said when drinking alcohol as a sort of toast to everyone in the room. What you should also know about drinking alcohol in Japan is that you should never refill your own glass, as doing so sends the signal that you believe the host is ungracious or inattentive. Instead, wait for your house to refill your glass for you, lifting it slightly off the table to show that you are appreciative of the gesture.
Show Your Manners at Meal Time
Unlike family-style dinners in the West, you should never start to serve yourself or begin eating before everyone is at the table. Once everyone is seated, make sure to say itadakimasu along with your table mates, which means, “I humbly receive.” If you have the opportunity, you should also say gochisō-sama deshita to the chef who prepared your meal, which translates to, “That was a great feast.”
Be Mindful of Seating in Public
When you’re taking advantage of public transportation, make sure that you give up your seat for anyone who needs it more than you. Always double-check that you are not sitting in seats designated for pregnant women, disabled people, or children–even if none of those people are around in the moment.
This one shouldn’t be too foreign to Westerners, who may notice similar rules or customs at home. However, Westerners are more likely to ignore these kinds of rules or behave in a selfish manner. In Japan, you should consider these fast and hard rules, rather than guidelines.
Don’t Eat and Drink on the Go
Many Western cities are fast-paced, and it’s not uncommon to see people eating or drinking while walking. In Japan, this is not an option, and you should always keep your food or drinks secured and unopened until you get where you’re going. If you do need a drink while you’re out and about, purchase it, drink it where you’re standing, and throw away the container.
Place Your Payments in the Tray
One thing that may surprise Westerners is that most establishments in Japan still accept cash, only. Make sure that you have enough cash to get through your trip, rather than assuming that you can pay with a credit card. Never hand your cash to a cashier, but instead place it in the tray that you will likely find on the counter near the register.
Don’t Tip the Way You Would in America
While America isn’t the only country that operates on a tipping system for service employees, it’s one of few. In Japan, service employees like restaurant servers or cleaning professionals do not receive a tip from patrons because they are paid a higher wage.
If you feel compelled to leave a tip for a service worker that performed an excellent job, make sure to place the tip in an envelope. Handing cash to another person is considered uncouth and will embarrass the recipient.
Present and Receive Business Cards Properly
If you’re traveling to Japan for business purposes, make sure that you bring plenty of business cards and, if possible, have special cards printed in both English and Japanese (see also ‘Is English Spoken Commonly In Tokyo?‘). When you first arrive at your business meeting, make sure to offer up your business card right away, holding it face up with both hands. Receive the other person’s business card in the same fashion.
Once you have someone else’s business card in hand, you have two options. You can either place it face up on the table in front of you or you can place it in a business card holder that you keep in a jacket pocket. Never put a business card directly in your pocket or in your wallet.
Know How to Dine Without Chairs
One adjustment that Westerners should expect to make is dining without the upright chairs they’re accustomed to. Some homes and restaurants may have chairs, but many establishments will expect you to eat while sitting on the floor.
In a formal environment, both men and women will kneel with their legs beneath them in a straight-backed position. In more casual settings, women can sit with their legs tucked to one side and men can sit cross-legged. When in doubt, watch what your hosts do before assuming a position.
Always Remove Your Shoes Before Going Inside
It’s worth noting that Japanese citizens aren’t likely to point out any missteps that foreigners make when trying to show respect. Not only would drawing attention to a mistake represent its own faux pas, but Japanese citizens often understand that foreigners won’t understand or know every unspoken rule that dictates Japanese manners.
However, if there’s one thing that you must know, it’s that you should always remove your shoes when you’re entering someone’s home. In fact, you may even encounter restaurants and other establishments that also require you to shed your shoes. Whenever shoe removal is expected, the host will offer you a pair of slippers to wear inside, which you should always accept and don graciously.
Remember That Bowing Is Nuanced
You will notice right away that Japanese citizens bow to one another as a way to say thanks as well as to apologize. How deep or lengthy the bow is will depend on the scenario and what the bow is meant to convey. As a foreigner visiting Japan for a short while, you will not understand these nuances and complexities.
It should come as a relief to know that many Japanese citizens will offer foreigners a handshake. This can prevent the uncomfortable possibility that your bowing won’t match the meaning or relationship. If you do find yourself in a position where bowing feels appropriate, make sure to offer only a small bow or nod of the head.
Show Up On Time
In some Western cultures, there is such a thing as “fashionably late.” This is not at all the case in Japan, where things like dining aren’t meant to start until everyone is at the table.
If you say that you’re going to show up somewhere, follow through. Make sure that you are right on time. If you happen to get lost, make sure to express your apologies and explain what happened, rather than breezing in late with no explanation.
Follow These Customs When Visiting Japan to Show Respect
If you’re visiting Japan from an English-speaking country, you should take the time to learn more about the culture before making your trip. While there are a lot of unspoken rules to show respect that Japanese citizens won’t expect you to know, there are some that are common courtesy. Use this guide to behave in a polite manner during your trip to Japan.
Are you ready to learn more about Japanese history and culture? Take a look at our cultural blog posts to continue deepening your knowledge of this beautiful country.
