We always say that before traveling to another country, it's important not only to know its major tourist attractions or what you must see and do. It's also crucial to research a bit more about the customs, habits, and culture of the destination you're visiting. Especially if it's a country as different from ours as Japan. So, in this video-post, we're going to talk about all the things you should NEVER do in Japan, whether because they're unusual, disrespectful, or not as common as they are here.
- Don't enter an onsen if you're not naked And in line with this, NEVER enter an onsen without showering first. You enter the onsen already clean. The bathing ritual in Japan warrants a whole video-post, which we'll do in the future, but what you need to be super clear about is that an onsen is not like a spa where you can enter with swimwear. You wash first and then relax naked.
- Never speak loudly, especially on the metro or public transport Spaniards are known worldwide for speaking very loudly. And I speak VERY loudly. So you can imagine how hard it was for me to adapt to the situation. Japanese people are super quiet, so please, respect their silence.
- Never try to cut in line, whether it's to enter the metro or for anything else Seriously, Japanese people love queues. They queue for everything. Don't do this to them. Be respectful and wait your turn as you should.
- Don't eat or drink in public transport Unless it's allowed like on the Shinkansen where there are trays expressly prepared for it, don't eat or drink on public transport. Especially if it's crowded.
- NEVER smoke in unauthorized spaces, INCLUDING the street The only place where you can smoke on the street is in smoking zones, and be careful because if you break this rule, you could be fined.
- Don't tip Tipping in Japan is not seen as an act of generosity. It's not common because they believe good service is normal. So if you leave a tip at a restaurant, the waiter might come out to return the money thinking you left it by mistake ????
- Generally, don't board buses through the front door We've already mentioned this in our posts about transportation in Japan, in Tokyo, and in Kyoto, but it doesn't hurt to repeat it. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, so before boarding a bus, watch where the locals board, because most of the time it will be through the back door.
- Don't hand money directly to the person receiving it It's super common in stores and other establishments to have a tray where you place the money when paying. You leave it there, and the person receiving it takes it. Several times in Japan, by mistake, I tried to hand over the money, and very kindly they indicated with their hand that I should leave it in the tray.
- NEVER enter a hotel room with outdoor shoes on Outdoor shoes are for outside, so when entering a hotel or a house in Japan, you should leave them at the door. In some cases, at reception, and in others, at the room's entrance. Instead, you'll be given indoor slippers to wear.
- NEVER stick your chopsticks upright in food This is something that I personally find very hard not to do, but DON'T do it because it's a symbol of funeral rituals in Japan.
- Don't blow your nose in public It's considered rude, especially if you do it in a restaurant. So if you need to blow your nose, please go to the bathroom ????
- Never litter You shouldn't do it in any country because it's very dirty, but even less so in Japan.
- Never say 'chin chin' to toast In Japanese, you're naming male genitals, so if you're going to toast, it's best to say 'kampai' ???? It's not bad manners, but it can be super embarrassing, don't you think?
- Don't try to help a Japanese person who is doing their job If a hotel employee is carrying your luggage from one place to another and you try to help, they may take it as an offense or that they're not doing their job well. It's their job, and you don't want to take it away from them ???? I know it's not easy to understand because it's natural for me too to help others, but we don't want to offend the Japanese.
- Don't try to open a taxi door... They open automatically! Magic! In Japan, taxi doors open automatically. Yes, we're not crazy. They have a mechanism by which the driver can open it from their seat without you touching anything. And don't touch anything! Because you could damage the system ????
In general, the most important rule for traveling to Japan is respect for local culture and customs. Japanese people are very polite, reserved, and highly value cleanliness and order. By following these simple rules of behavior, your trip will be just wonderful! Don't forget to enjoy the atmosphere, try delicious food, and discover all the beauties of this amazing country. Kampai!