7 JAPAN TRAVEL MISTAKES TO AVOID (ETIQUETTE GUIDE FOR TOURISTS)
Japan is a country deeply rooted in respect and social harmony. As a visitor, the locals are generally very forgiving, but learning a few basic unwritten rules will make your trip much smoother and earn you appreciative smiles.
Before you pack your bags, make sure you aren't making these 7 common tourist mistakes!
1. Tipping at restaurants Do not leave a tip! Exceptional service is standard in Japan. If you leave money on the table, the waiter will likely chase you down the street thinking you forgot your change.
2. Eating while walking Unlike in many Western countries, walking down the street while eating a sandwich or drinking a coffee is considered messy and slightly rude. If you buy something from a vending machine or convenience store, consume it by the store before moving on.
3. Talking loudly on trains Japanese trains are incredibly quiet. People use the commute to sleep, read, or text. Keep your voice to a whisper, and always put your phone on silent mode. Taking phone calls on the train is a major faux pas!
4. Bringing oversized luggage on the Shinkansen unannounced If you are taking very large suitcases on the bullet train (Shinkansen), you must reserve a specific "seat with an oversized baggage area." If you don't, you will be fined on the train. This is not required for standard checked-in suitcase as they would fit in the overhead compartment or in the luggage compartment between the cars. It is only for very bulky items.
5. Wearing shoes indoors Whether it's a temple, a traditional ryokan (inn), or even some restaurant dressing rooms, you will be expected to take your shoes off. Look for the lowered entryway (genkan) and a rack of slippers.
6. Misusing chopsticks Never pass food from your chopsticks to someone else's chopsticks, and never stick them vertically into a bowl of rice. Both of these actions resemble Japanese funeral rituals.
7. Ignoring the trash bin rules Public trash cans are incredibly rare in Japan, yet the streets are spotless. You are expected to carry your trash with you until you find a bin (usually located next to vending machines or inside convenience stores). Make sure to separate your burnable, non-burnable, and plastic waste!
