Japan Etiquette Quick Reference
Especially for first-timers. Japan has unwritten rules that locals follow naturally - knowing them makes you a more comfortable and respectful visitor.
The Big Three (most important)
- No eating while walking - eat standing at a stall or sit down
- Quiet on trains - no phone calls, keep voice low, headphones in
- Shoes off at the entrance - if there’s a step up and a row of shoes, take yours off
Trains
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Stand to the side when doors open | Talk on the phone |
| Move to the back of the car | Play audio without headphones |
| Offer your seat to elderly/pregnant | Eat (exception: Shinkansen long-distance is fine) |
| Keep bag in front or on the rack | Block the door |
Escalator rule (important - cities differ!):
- Osaka: Stand on the right, walk on the left
- Tokyo: Stand on the left, walk on the right
Shoes
- Remove shoes when entering a home, many traditional inns (ryokan), and some restaurants with tatami seating
- Look for the step up (genkan) and a row of shoes/slippers - that’s your cue
- Slippers provided at the entrance are for indoor use only - remove them before stepping onto tatami mats
Onsen (Hot Springs)
- Wash thoroughly at the shower stations before entering the bath - this is non-negotiable
- No swimwear - you enter bare
- Tattoos: many traditional onsen prohibit visible tattoos; check the policy before going
- Towels stay out of the water - fold your small towel and put it on your head or the side
- Separate baths for men and women (usually)
Cash and Tipping
- Japan is still heavily cash-based - carry yen at all times
- Tipping is not done in Japan - it can be considered rude or confusing. Don’t tip at restaurants, taxis, or hotels.
- When paying cash, place money on the small tray at the register, not directly in the cashier’s hand
Trash
- There are almost no public trash cans in Japan
- You are expected to carry your trash until you find a bin (usually at a convenience store)
- Convenience stores (combini) have bins outside for their own products - use them after purchases there
Convenience Stores (Combini)
- 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart - these are excellent and used constantly
- Grab food, snacks, ATM cash, phone charging cables, medicines
- Say “Fukuro wa iiidesu” (袋はいいです) to decline a plastic bag
Basic Phrases
| Phrase | Japanese | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Thank you | Arigatou gozaimasu | Always |
| Excuse me | Sumimasen | Getting attention, passing someone |
| I’m sorry | Moushiwake gozaimasen | Formal apology |
| Do you speak English? | Eigo wa hanasemasu ka? | At shops/help desks |
| Where is [place]? | [place] wa doko desu ka? | Navigation |
| This one please | Kore o kudasai | Ordering |
| Check please | Okaikei o onegaishimasu | Restaurant |
| Emergency! | Kyukyu! | Urgent help |
Photographing People
- Always ask before photographing someone directly - “Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?”
- Shrines and temples: check for “No Photography” signs inside buildings
- Some markets and shops don’t allow photography - look for signs