Japan is definitely one of the most culturally interesting and quite frankly bizarre places I’ve been. I arrived in Tokyo and immediately experienced a complete sensory overload. It was so big, busy, bright and intense. And so amazing.
If you’re visiting Japan for the first time, lucky you. You’ll have a fantastic time. But before you go, check out my list of Japan dos and don’ts.
DO
Learn some Japanese words and phrases.
I always think it’s a good idea to learn a few common words or phrases before setting off somewhere new, but nowhere is this more relevant than in Japan. A lot of people do speak English in Japan’s main cities like Tokyo and Osaka, but some don’t, and if you’re venturing out of the main cities, the likelihood of finding English speakers gets smaller.
Here are a few words that are always good to know, and will help get you started.
Hello – Kon’nichiwa
Excuse me – Sumimasen
Thank you – Arigato
Buy a Japan Rail Pass.
Japanese train travel is generally very expensive but, as with everything in Japan, it’s so efficient. If you intend doing any travelling in Japan, you should definitely buy a Japan Rail Pass (JRP) before you go. I paid £330 for a 14 day pass, but it was worth it, both for the savings and for the convenience. You need buy your JRP before leaving your own country, you should enter Japan as a ‘temporary visitor for sightseeing’ and once you arrive in Japan you need to validate it at a ticket office before you can use it.
Use Google Translate.
With Google Translate you can point your phone camera at Japanese text and it instantly translates it into English on your screen.
Using Google Translate might have taken some of the fun out of trying to figure out what food I was ordering in restaurants, but it certainly would have come in handy for me the day I got lost in Kyoto. I had no wifi, there was hardly anyone about (and those who were didn’t speak English) and street signs were written in Japanese. Obviously.
Pexels / Pixabay
Take your shoes off.
It’s customary in Japan to remove your shoes before entering homes, Temples and some hostels, hotels and restaurants. This is for no other reason than to keep the floors clean. Normally you’ll know whether you need to remove your shoes, as you’ll see piles of shoes at the entrance, but if in doubt, it’s best to take them off.
Be polite.
Everyone in Japan is so polite. The level of courtesy Japanese people show for each other is incredible.
Now you’ve learned how to say ‘thank you’ in Japanese (“Arigato”), you should use it. At least 100 times every day.
Carry a small hand sanitizer.
In my experience very few public toilets in Japan have soap so if you’re out and about it’s worth carrying a small hand sanitizer.
Expect the unexpected.
I was having a quiet drink with my friend in a bar in Osaka. And then a guy walked into the bar (sounds like the start of a joke) with 2 snakes and an iguana in tow. Seriously.
This is just one example of some of the peculiar, crazy, unexpected shit you’ll experience in Japan. Just go with it.
Prepare to get naked in an onsen.
An Onsen is a Japanese natural hot spring bath. As a volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of onsens scattered throughout all it major islands.
You have to be naked to go in an onsen. No swimsuits allowed.
I’m not entirely sure why. I was told that it was something to do with germs and bacteria from swim suits, but I also read that it’s to do with the benefits of ‘naked communion’, breaking down barriers and getting to know people in a relaxed environment. Perhaps a little too relaxed if you ask me, I’m British after all. Most public onsens are gender specific so at least that’s something. To be fair, on reflection, I actually think it probably does wonders to promote positive body image.
Anyway, if you want to bathe in an onsen in Japan (and you should), you’ll have to do it in the skud!
No photo for obvious reasons.
Obey the rules.
Japan is a country of written and unwritten rules. Most of them stem from simple common sense and courtesy. It’s all about being polite and respecting each other. Simple things like walk on the correct section of a train platform, stand in an orderly line before boarding a train, say excuse me and thank you, take your shoes off.
Everyone obeys the rules. This may be why Japan is one of the safest countries in the world.
Don’t
Tip.
In Japan tipping is not common practice. It’s considered rude and sometimes degrading. You might experience a point blank refusal to accept a tip or find yourself being chased down the street by someone wanting to return your money. If you do feel compelled to tip, you might want to give a small gift instead.
Play with chopsticks.
Don’t play drums, stab your food, have a sword fight, point at somebody or do anything else with your chopsticks other than use them to eat.
tookapic / Pixabay
Speak on your mobile phone on public transport.
Despite the fact that public transport in Japan’s main cities is ridiculously busy, you will notice how quiet it is.
No one speaks on their mobile phones on public transport. In fact most people have their phones switched to silent.
Why? It’s partly to do with privacy – why would you want everyone listening in to your conversation? It’s partly to do with respect. You are sharing a small space with a lot of people and sometimes it’s just annoying to have to listen to someone else’s conversation. And it’s partly to do with rules. Most train stations in Japan have signage that kindly asks people to refrain from talking on their phones.
Be late.
This links back to politeness, respect and obeying the rules. Everyone and everything in Japan is punctual. There is no such thing as being fashionably late.
Show off your tattoo.
Although attitudes towards tattoos are changing, traditionally tattoos in Japan were linked to yakuza, Japanese gangsters and organised crime. So there’s still a culturally ingrained stigma attached to tattoos in Japan.
That said, unless you are Japanese it’s unlikely that anyone will think you’re linked to yakuza so you shouldn’t experience any problems if you don’t go out of your way to show off your tattoos. But, bear in mind, that some public onsens won’t let you in if you have an uncovered tattoo.
Point with your finger.
If you must point, use your full hand.
Stress.
As long as you use common sense, are polite, courteous and show some respect for Japanese culture and etiquette, you won’t go far wrong. No one will get upset or angry with you as long as you try.