Etiquette in Japan

Learning the Art Respect

I think something that Westerns often overlook when travelling abroad are local customs and etiquette. It’s so common to hear Westerns saying things like, “I will wear what I want”, “If they don’t like how I act then don’t have to look”…well that’s such a close minded way to live. It’s so important to remember you aren’t at home, and respect goes a very very long way.

I travelled to Hokkaido twice, once in grade 8 and again in grade 9, then the 3rd time I went to Japan was in the Spring of grade 11. This trip was to attend a private school in Tokyo. I was fortunate to have been selected to be part of a cohort of 12 girls and 12 boys from BC going on this trip. Prior to our departure, everyone participating in the program needed to complete an Etiquette Class. We were taught sooo many things about proper manners and etiquette for Japanese customs. There were so many things that I had no idea about. Especially the chopsticks etiquette.

These are highly valued in Japan, and misbehaving tourists are increasingly causing frictions. In order not to annoy or offend the locals, foreign visitors should be familiar with at least the basic rules…here are a few things to google. Still to this day, these rules are very much part of my daily routine. As a Canadian, when I see someone ‘breaking’ one of these rules, my heart sinks and then I remember…these are Japanese customs. But still, I think they are valuable for all.

• Indoors:
  • A lot of rules regarding indoor manners in Japan are related to footwear. A clear line is drawn between inside and outside, and outdoor shoes and indoor slippers are handled accordingly. KNOW your slippers! NEVER wear your shoes inside a house. 
  • The border between inside and outside is not the door itself, but the entrance area called genkan. This entrance is typically slightly sunken and all shoes are to be removed in this space.
  • Slippers are provided by the host. If you are not wearing socks, it is polite to bring a fresh pair of socks to wear after removing your outdoor shoes because entering someone’s house barefoot is not considered well mannered. Still to this day I bring a pair of socks if I am barefoot.
  • Slippers can be worn anywhere inside the house EXCEPT rooms with tatami floor and there are separate slippers for the toilet room. The regular slippers are left outside the door when using the washroom. Don’t forget to remove your toilet slippers after usage, a common faux pas among foreign travelers.
• On Streets:
  • In Japan you drive on the left side of the road, so when walking on the streets and entering the trains KEEP LEFT. 
  • It’s also considered rude to walk and eat
  • Do not take photos of faces. It is illegal to post photos of people with clear faces online without their permission.
• On Trains:
  • Remove your backpack, no cell phones, and no eating. These are just common sense and also rules in North America but clearly people lack it. 
• Food:
  • DO NOT put soya sauce on your rice, geez. 
  • DO NOT stick chopsticks into your food, especially not into rice. This is done only at funerals with rice that is put onto the altar.
  • DO NOT pass food directly from your set of chopsticks to another’s. Again, this is a funeral tradition, which involves the bones of a cremated body.
  • If you have already eaten with your chopsticks, use the opposite end to take food from a shared plate.

These should not be considered rules, but more about being respectful.

_{Please note that I have not received these products for free or at a discounted price in exchange for my opinion.  There may be links that are affiliate links but at the time of posting this review, I have not received any monetary kickbacks.}