Planning a trip to Japan? 🇯🇵 I’m Kanako, your online Japanese teacher, and in this post I’ll share some essential tips you should know before coming to Japan. These cultural insights and practical points will help you enjoy your stay more comfortably.
Greetings in Japan
In many countries, people shake hands, kiss on the cheeks, or hug each other as greetings. But in Japan, we don’t usually do these. We also don’t say “How are you?” or “Have a nice day” to shop staff. A simple “Konnichiwa” or polite bow is enough.
Train Etiquett
Trains are a big part of daily life in Japan, so good manners are important.
- Avoid speaking loudly, eating, making phone calls, or playing music without headphones.
- Strong-smelling foods are not recommended on the train.
- Perfume is okay, but avoid strong scents (especially in traditional places like sushi shops).
- For safety, some trains have women-only cars during certain hours.
Health & Medicine
- When you are sick, it’s common to wear a mask in public.
- Blowing your nose in public is considered impolite; most people do it in private areas like the bathroom.
- Medicine in Japan is often milder than in other countries, so bring your own if needed.
Dining Etiquette
- Learn basic chopstick manners—avoid sticking chopsticks upright in rice or passing food chopstick-to-chopstick.
- You don’t pay at the table. Instead, take the receipt to the counter when you’re done.
- No tipping is required. Instead, saying “Gochisosama deshita” or “Arigato gozaimashita” is polite.
Money Matters
- Credit cards are widely accepted, but some small shops, temples, or shrines only take cash. Always carry some yen with you.
- While Apple Pay and other mobile payments are becoming more common in Japan, not every shop supports contactless payment. In those cases, you may need to use the physical card itself.
Shoes
- At certain places, especially temples, ryokan (traditional inns), or some restaurants, you may need to remove your shoes.
Shopping & Lifestyle Tips
- Darker shades of makeup are limited in Japanese brands. Vegan or cruelty-free products exist, but many don’t carry certification marks, making them hard to identify—even for locals.
- Vegan food can be tricky. For example, miso soup or noodles often contain fish-based broth, and even mochi or rice crackers may include hidden milk or eggs.
Final Thoughts
I hope these tips help you feel more prepared for your trip to Japan. If you have other useful information for travelers, please share it in the comments below!
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