Every Visitor Should Know:
Japan is famous for being polite, orderly, and clean, and much of that comes down to shared, unspoken rules of consideration for others. None of these customs are complicated, but knowing them ahead of time will help you blend in, avoid awkward moments, and show respect for the culture you’re visiting. Here’s what every first-time (and repeat) visitor should keep in mind.
| The sense of comfort and security that people experience when traveling in Japan, for example, the politeness of the Japanese people, a society where lost belongings are properly returned to their owners, the low level of theft and overall sense of safety, quiet streets and neighborhoods, cities free of litter, towns without graffiti, clean public restrooms, trains that run on schedule, historic buildings that have been carefully preserved, beautiful natural surroundings, and unmanned roadside stands selling fresh vegetables, is by no means something that has happened by chance. These are all signs of an orderly society that the Japanese people have built over many years. From an early age, people are taught through education and upbringing the importance of following rules and avoiding inconveniencing others. Over generations, each individual has valued honesty and integrity, contributing to the development of the orderly society we see today. I believe that one of the major influences underlying these ways of thinking among the Japanese is Shinto, whose roots can be traced in part to the animistic beliefs in nature that have existed in Japan since the Jōmon period. Shinto has deeply permeated Japanese culture and everyday ways of life over the course of thousands of years. |
The Core Idea Behind Japanese Etiquette
Most Japanese manners come down to one underlying principle: don’t inconvenience the people around you. Once you understand that, almost every specific rule below makes intuitive sense; they’re really all variations on the same theme of mutual respect and consideration.
At the root of good manners is the idea that we should not think only about what is convenient for ourselves, but also about maintaining an environment in which other people can feel comfortable.
Not littering on the street and not eating while walking are ways of ensuring that everyone can share a clean and pleasant environment. Sorting our garbage is also a form of consideration for the people who will later handle and process that waste, making their work as easy as possible.
Rules such as not speaking loudly or eating in public places, including on trains and buses, also exist to maintain a quiet, clean, and comfortable environment for everyone. Washing your body before entering a public bath is another simple act of consideration, intended to keep the shared bathwater as clean as possible for everyone else who uses it.
When checking out of a hotel, gathering the garbage in the room and tidying the bed a little are also ways of making things as easy as possible for the cleaning staff. This is fundamentally different from the selfish attitude of thinking, “Cleaning isn’t my job, so it’s fine to leave the room messy.”
Our character and sense of dignity are reflected in everything we do. As the law of attraction suggests, the things that correspond to our own words and actions should eventually manifest in the world around us.
If we treat everything with care—including our belongings, the food that is provided to us, and our hotel room—we are likely to be treated with greater care and respect ourselves.
Everyday Manners to Follow
- Let people off the train before you board. When a train arrives, step to the side and let disembarking passengers exit first. Boarding passengers then form a single line and enter in order; cutting in or pushing to get on first is considered rude.
- Queue for everything, including restrooms. Whether it’s a train platform, a restaurant, or a public restroom, join the line and wait your turn. Skipping the line is one of the fastest ways to draw disapproval.
- Keep your voice down in public spaces. Loud conversations or phone calls on trains, buses, and in other shared public spaces are considered disruptive. A quieter, more reserved volume is the norm, even in casual settings.
- Don’t litter, and don’t expect trash cans everywhere. Public trash cans are surprisingly rare in Japan, despite how clean the streets are. The expectation is that you carry your trash with you until you find a bin (often near convenience stores or train stations) rather than leaving it behind.
- Avoid eating or drinking while walking. In general, if there’s a place to sit, that’s where eating and drinking happens, not while strolling through the street. A common exception is drinking from a bottled beverage or takeout coffee while walking, which is generally accepted. Even then, don’t discard the empty container on the street; carry it until you find a bin.
- Treat shrines and temples as sacred spaces. These are active places of worship, not just photo backdrops. Keep noise down, don’t touch or climb on structures, never leave graffiti, and follow any posted rules about photography or purification rituals. The same respect you’d expect at a place of worship in your own country applies here.
- Be mindful of your space while walking. Avoid walking side-by-side in large groups that block the sidewalk, and be aware of the people around you, especially in busy areas like train stations.
- Tipping is not expected, and can even cause confusion. Excellent service is simply the standard in Japan, not something that requires an extra tip. Leaving money on the table or trying to tip a server is unusual and may prompt them to chase you down to return it.
- Learning a little Japanese goes a long way. English proficiency is relatively low outside major tourist areas, so even a handful of basic phrases (hello, thank you, excuse me) will make your trip smoother, and is generally seen as a basic courtesy when visiting any country whose language you don’t speak.
Why These Customs Matter
These aren’t arbitrary rules; they reflect a broader cultural value placed on group harmony and consideration for others (often referred to as wa, 和). Visitors who take the time to follow them tend to have noticeably smoother, more positive interactions with locals throughout their trip.
Personal Space and Interactions with Strangers
Japanese culture places a strong value on personal space, and this shows up in ways that can surprise first-time visitors.
- Standing instead of sitting on a crowded train isn’t unusual, even when a seat is open. Many Japanese people, if they aren’t particularly tired, will choose to stand rather than settle into a narrow, tightly packed seat next to strangers. It’s a matter of personal comfort, not a judgment about who else is sitting nearby.
- If you notice no one sits next to you on the train, it isn’t discrimination. Some foreign visitors mention this experience, but it generally comes down to a general preference for avoiding cramped seating next to anyone, not a reaction to you specifically.
- Strangers generally don’t make eye contact and smile in greeting, and don’t strike up conversations out of the blue. This is different from the norm in some other countries, where a passing smile or a friendly comment to a stranger is common. In Japan, this reflects a broader consideration for not intruding on someone else’s space or time, rather than coldness, unfriendliness, or dislike. There’s no need to take it personally if a stranger doesn’t smile back or engage in small talk; it isn’t a sign of being ignored or disliked.
Travel with kids
If you’re visiting Japan with children, it’s important to make sure they do not disturb others on trains, in restaurants, or in other public places.
For example, in Japan, it is considered poor manners for children to stand on train seats while wearing their shoes, hang from the hand straps, or shout loudly. If they do so, a fellow passenger may ask them to stop. Even if no one says anything directly, you and your children may receive disapproving looks from those around you, which can leave a negative impression.
On the other hand, if children behave politely and respectfully, families are warmly welcomed in Japan. By paying a little attention to your children’s manners, you can help ensure that your trip to Japan is an enjoyable and memorable experience for everyone.
Japan’s clean, quiet, and safe cities are made possible because everyone follows the rules and observes good manners. We kindly ask for your understanding and cooperation in respecting these customs during your visit.
If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably the kind of person who cares about being considerate of others. We’d love for people like you to experience everything Japan has to offer, and we hope you have a wonderful and unforgettable trip.
in a Train
Many travelers bring large items such as suitcases, but when riding trains in Japan, it’s important to be considerate of other passengers and avoid blocking their way.
One situation that is occasionally seen is groups of foreign tourists placing multiple suitcases in the center aisle or near the train doors, obstructing passengers who are boarding or getting off. It’s understandable that groups want to stay together, but when traveling in a large group, it’s considerate to spread out within the same train rather than crowding into one area, so as not to inconvenience other passengers. In recent years, photos and videos of this kind of behavior have sometimes been shared on social media. Being mindful of those around you helps ensure that everyone can enjoy a more pleasant travel experience.
Another issue that occasionally arises on the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka is luggage storage. Some oversized luggage spaces require advance reservations, and passengers without a reservation are not permitted to use them. Nevertheless, there are cases where travelers place their suitcases in these reserved spaces without realizing the rules, which can lead to disputes.
If someone else is using a space that you reserved, it’s understandable that you would feel frustrated. If you accidentally use a reserved luggage space, simply apologizing and moving your luggage as soon as the mistake is pointed out can prevent the situation from escalating and help ensure that everyone leaves with a positive travel experience.
The Habit of Carrying a Handkerchief
In Japan, both men and women commonly carry a handkerchief as a matter of good manners.
Handkerchiefs are used in everyday situations, such as drying your hands, wiping sweat from your face, or wiping your mouth.
For example, people use them to dry their hands after washing them in a restroom, as well as after washing their hands at the purification fountain (temizuya) at a Shinto shrine.
In many other countries, carrying a handkerchief is not necessarily a common practice. For example, when foreign visitors leave a restroom without paper towels or hand dryers and shake the water off their hands instead, some Japanese people may perceive the gesture as looking a little like something a preschool child might do.
Of course, customs and habits vary from country to country, so whether or not you choose to carry a handkerchief is entirely up to you. However, it is worth knowing that some Japanese people may perceive it differently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally no. Most Japanese people understand that visitors aren’t familiar with every custom, and a genuine effort to be respectful is usually met with patience rather than judgment. These guidelines are about making your trip smoother, not about fear of causing offense.
Not usually, but always check for posted signs, since some areas (particularly indoor halls or specific rituals) prohibit photography. Avoid posing disrespectfully near religious statues or altars.
Festivals (matsuri) are one of the main exceptions: street food stalls are common, and eating while walking through the festival grounds is generally accepted in that specific context.
Phone calls on trains are generally avoided altogether, even at a low volume; it’s one of the more strictly observed rules of train etiquette in Japan.
Final Tip
You don’t need to memorize every rule perfectly before you land; simply staying observant, following the lead of people around you, and defaulting to quiet, considerate behavior will carry you through almost any situation.
This post is part of an ongoing series on Japan travel planning. Check back for more practical guides on getting around, dining etiquette, and regional customs.