Japan Etiquette for Visitors: The Dos and Don'ts That Matter

Japan etiquette is easier than its reputation suggests: visitors are not expected to know every custom, and small efforts are noticed and appreciated. The rules that matter most are taking your shoes off where indoor floors begin, keeping quiet on trains, not tipping, handling chopsticks carefully, and following the bathing rules in an onsen.

Shoes and slippers

Shoes come off at the entrance of homes, ryokan, many traditional restaurants and some temples; look for a step up or a row of slippers. Slippers are worn indoors but never on tatami mats, where you walk in socks. Toilets often have their own slippers — remember to change back.

Greetings and bowing

A small bow or nod is the usual greeting, and nobody expects visitors to master the different depths. A handshake is fine with people who offer one. Saying "arigato gozaimasu" (thank you) and "sumimasen" (excuse me, or sorry) goes a long way.

On trains and in public

• Keep your voice down and avoid phone calls on trains; set your phone to silent.
• Queue in the marked lines on the platform, and let passengers off first.
• Escalators: people stand on one side and walk on the other — the left in Tokyo, the right in Osaka.
• Rubbish: bins are scarce, so carry your rubbish until you find one, often at convenience stores.
• Eating while walking is frowned upon in many places; eat near the stall where you bought the food.

Money and tipping

Tipping is not part of Japanese culture, and an attempt to tip can cause confusion. Good service is included in the price. In shops and restaurants, place cash or cards on the small tray at the counter rather than handing them over directly.

Chopsticks and dining

Never stand chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice or pass food from one pair of chopsticks to another; both are linked to funeral rites. Use the rest provided, or lay them across your bowl. Slurping noodles is normal, and saying "itadakimasu" before eating is a polite touch.

Temples, shrines and onsen

At shrines, rinse your hands at the water basin before approaching. Follow signs about photography, especially inside temple halls, and in Kyoto's Gion district, where private alleys may be closed to photographers. In an onsen, wash thoroughly before entering the bath and keep towels out of the water; tattoos may not be allowed at some baths, so check beforehand. Our onsen etiquette guide explains each step, and the first-time travel tips cover rail, money and phones.