How to avoid cultural errors in Japan

When traveling to Japan, many people fear the possibility of committing a cultural faux pas. The truth is that there are a lot of rules to follow and many ways to mess up, but luckily the Japanese are generally a forgiving people. And with globalization on the rise, chances are your rude antics have been witnessed before and will be passed as product of innocent Western ignorance. If you would like to prove yourself a learned traveler who cares to make and leave a good impression, follow these simple guidelines…most of which I learned though trial and error.

While eating

• Remove your shoes while eating on a tatami mat
• Do not wipe your face or neck or blow your nose with the provided napkin or hot towel
• Do not pour soy sauce on your rice
• Do not point with your chopsticks
• Do not pass food with your chopsticks
• Do not stand your chopsticks straight up in your rice (this is done during funerals when a bowl of rice is placed at an altar)
• When not using your chopsticks, lay them down in front of you pointing toward the left
• Sushi is considered a work of art and should be eaten in one bite; do not ruin it by cutting or biting it in half
• Tipping is not required or expected in Japan. If you leave a tip, don’t be surprised if the server runs after you down the sidewalk to return it.
• Feel free to slurp your noodles, gulp your beverage and lift your bowl to your face. All are considered polite.

When visiting a home

• When entering someone’s home, remove your shoes and wear the slippers provided by the host. They are often too small for most Westerners, but pretend they fit fine. Leave your socks on while wearing the slippers…hopefully they are clean and have no holes!
• When using the restroom, change from the house slippers to the restroom slippers
• Bring a gift or several gifts for your host/hostess and give it with both hands and a slight bow
• Unlike the Western world, being late is absolutely unacceptable, even the tiniest bit.

Out and about

• When receiving a business card, accept it with both hands and read it though roughly as the giver watches. NEVER place the card in your pocket or shove it in your brief case! Make sure the giver sees you place it somewhere for safekeeping.
• Remove your shoes when visiting a temple
• Most temples allow pictures outside and around the temple but not inside
• Remove shoes and leave outside dressing room when trying on clothes at a store
• Speak in a lowered voice to your companion when on trains, waiting rooms, temples and other quiet spaces. Westerners are infamous for being unnecessarily loud.

My most important piece of advice when traveling to Japan: dress conservatively.

I committed many cultural errors on my visits, but none so glaring as wearing typical Western shorts and tanks. Not only did I receive disapproving glances for my scandalous leg baring but also a man who thought I was a prostitute prospected me for work.

Photo of Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan, originally posted by Toshihiro Oimatsu

Topic:  How to Tuesday | 2 Comments
Tags:  culture

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About the author

Andrea Bearce is a freelance writer who obsesses over travel, food, wine, culture and great books. She currently lives in Fort Worth, Texas but is determinately dreaming on moving somewhere far more glamorous.