Contents
- 1 10 Things Not To Do In Japan
- 1.1 1. Chopsticks in rice
- 1.2 2. Shoes off
- 1.3 3. Eating on-the-go
- 1.4 4. Leaving tips
- 1.5 5. Talking on phone the train
- 1.6 6. Showing up empty-handed in guest’s homes
- 1.7 7. Business cards
- 1.8 8. Bringing only credit or debit cards
- 1.9 9. Escalator Etiquette
- 1.10 10. Making Friends and Hugging
- 1.11 Learn Japanese Online with BondLingo
- 1.12 Related
10 Things Not To Do In Japan
1. Chopsticks in rice
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when eating in Japan is how you use chopsticks. If you happen to be eating some sort of rice bowl and sides, you’ll often find yourself putting your chopsticks down. If you put your chopsticks in rice vertically, this action references the taboo called tsukitate-bashi (突き立て箸); doing this references funerals and is considered bad luck.
2. Shoes off
One of the other customs that may not come as second nature when in Japan is taking your shoes off whenever entering the home. The Japanese are very hygienic individuals, and always take their shoes off in the genkan (玄関) to avoid getting the house dirty. The last thing you want to do as a guest is make someone else’s home dirty.
3. Eating on-the-go
Many Japanese choose to eat their meals inside restaurants, homes, or right outside of convenient stores to avoid the likelihood of dropping food or littering on streets. As a result, the streets of Japan are extremely clean. When going to Japan, it will be in your best interest to at least be conscious of this cultural difference when eating food from convenient stores or to-go from restaurants.
4. Leaving tips
The Japanese strongly believe in an equal balance in respect, and meals are included in this belief. As a result, the Japanese feel that the process of cooking a meal will be paid fairly through the listed price of the meal, and any offset to this balanced relationship will create a sense of debt. Therefore, do not feel the need to pay more than you owe when eating in restaurants in Japan.
5. Talking on phone the train
Like all of the previous cultural habits that are derived largely from respect for others, talking your cell phone on the train is no different. Because people who are riding the train may be in a variety of different personal situations, this is avoided to create more peaceful ride to the destination. While texting and listening to music are completely acceptable, generally talking on the phone should be avoided.
6. Showing up empty-handed in guest’s homes
As a sign of respect, Japanese people always bring a gift when visiting another’s home as a guest, and this is non-negotiable. Gift giving in general is very popular in Japan and has many complex rules; for example, within occasions, gifts are expected for business, personal gifts, souvenirs, holidays, birthdays, and more. Within these occasions, there are certain kinds of gifts that make sense, and others that do not. If you have a friend in Japan you’re visiting, bring a gift.
7. Business cards
Business card culture in Japan is probably one of the largest differences when comparing the business worlds of Japan and Western society. When doing business in Japan, you will be expected to have your own business card holder, and know the proper etiquette associated with exchanging your card with someone else’s. Keeping it simple, it is important to have a card holder, exchange with both hands, read the front and back of the card, and never to put the card away until the end of the meeting.
8. Bringing only credit or debit cards
At least 50% of restaurants in Japan do not accept credit or debit cards, so it will be in your best interest to have cash on hand. What’s personally recommended is to request your bank to perform a currency exchange, as doing it in Japan will incure higher transaction fees, and may be a bit more stressful.
9. Escalator Etiquette
While there isn’t really a hard rule in Western culture for where to stand when you’re not in a rush on an escalator, there is in Japan. In Tokyo, you should stand on the left, and in Osaka on the right. For other places, just follow what everyone else is doing. Many of the most popular places in Japan are extremely crowded and maintaining a sense of organization within a sea of chaos is critical.
10. Making Friends and Hugging
If you’re introduced to friends or begin to develop a relationship with a native-Japanese person in Japan, be aware that affection culture is quite different. When meeting for the first time, Japanese people do not typically hug, especially older people. It is better to just verbally express your feelings of content as opposed to physically.