Etiquette Guide for Foreign Visitors to Japan
From Bowing to Bathing, Dining to Dressing Correctly There are Rules
Oct 16, 2008
Japanese Etiquette can be a minefield for foreign visitors, but treat everyone and everything with a little sensitivity and no offense will be caused.
Japanese etiquette rules may appear rigid to Westerners, but as in all cultures, etiquette is merely a tool used to facilitate social intercourse and to help avoid confrontation and upsets. Despite rumours to the contrary, the Japanese are tolerant of mistakes made by foreigners but the following few rules will help the visitor to Japan to survive without mishaps.
- In trains and subways, conversations should always be conducted in hushed tones. It is considered very rude to talk loudly.
- Blowing your nose in public is frowned up, especially in restaurants. If a visitor has a cold this is difficult, but the Japanese way is to keep sniffing, then to blow the nose when in a private place.
- As in many parts of Asia, the correct way to sit on the floor is with legs tucked underneathu. If this is not possible because of infirmity, any comfortable position will do provided the bottoms of the feet are not pointing at anyone.
- Always use two hands when handing something or when receiving something.
- The cashier in a restaurant will always bring the bill on a tray. It is polite to place the money or CCs on this tray rather than handing it directly to the waiter or cashier.
- Jaywalking and crossing streets again the red is rarely seen in Japan. Even if there are no cars within miles, the Japanese will wait for the signs to change before crossing the street.
- Bow on meeting and to express thanks. The Japanese believe that the head is the most important part of the body and, by bowing, they show respect. The depth of the bow and its duration is determined by the status of the people in relation to each other (akin to the Thai “Wai”). Bend from the waist, straight back, arms stiffly to the side of the body. However, most Japanese understand that foreigners do not bow, and a simple nod is acceptable.
- Public bathing is a tradition in Japan, whether in public baths, the hot-spring spas (onsens) or private homes. The procedure is always the same. Disrobe completely and place clothes in locker, enter the bath area, soap down by the taps and then wash off all soap before getting into the bath with the others.
- The Japanese are great gift-givers and if invited to a private home visitors should always come armed with a gift. Gifts from the visitor’s country are very welcome – crafts and foods especially – otherwise, flowers, chocolates or fruit (always nicely wrapped and presented) make good gifts.
- Wet towels which are handed out on arrival at a restaurant, are for wiping the hands only. Never use on the face.
- It is permissible to point to a dish someone is eating and ask for some of that. Or ask the waiter to recommend something. The seto (set menu) is main course with miso soup. Budget-conscious diners should consider eating at railroad stations where the food is designed for commuters in a hurry who want something filling and cheap. Soup can be sipped directly from the bowl, and slurping noodles is considered good manners.
- To ask for the check in a Japanese restaurant, cross one index finger over the other to form an X. There is definitely no tipping in Japan – a service charge is added to your bill. The no tipping rule also applies to taxi drivers, hotel porters and cinema usherettes
The copyright of the article Etiquette Guide for Foreign Visitors to Japan in Japan Travel is owned by Mari Nicholson. Permission to republish Etiquette Guide for Foreign Visitors to Japan in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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