Before you hop on that flight to Japan, there’s more to prepare for than your itinerary. Mastering a few key Japanese etiquette and customs will keep you from sticking out like a sore thumb—or worse, offending the locals. Here’s a crash course on what to know before you go.

japanese etiquette and customs greetings

Are you ready to navigate the intricate world of Japanese etiquette? The 5,000-year-old civilization of Japan has given rise to a complex code of social rules and customs. But fear not! With a bit of patience and the right guidance, you can easily master the basics of Japanese etiquette. And here’s the good news: the Japanese are generally forgiving when it comes to visitors making etiquette blunders.

From respectful greetings to avoiding chopstick mishaps, here’s your essential guide to Japanese etiquette, distilled into 10 crucial rules. Let’s dive in and ensure you make a great impression during your visit to Japan!

Japanese Greeting Etiquette

Knowing how to say “hello” in Japanese is essential for enjoying your trip. Understanding a bit of Japanese will not only bring smiles but also demonstrate respect and interest in the local culture.

Basic Greetings

“Konnichiwa” (pronounced “kon-nee-chee-wah”) is a respectful yet general way to say hello until sundown. Some other basic Japanese greetings are “Ohayou gozaimasu” (good morning), “Konbanwa” (good evening), and “Oyasumi nasai” (good night). A quick way to introduce yourself is to say “Hajimemashite! Watashi wa (name) desu,” which translates to “Nice to meet you! I am (name)”.

To bow or not to bow

In Japan it is customary for people to bow when they meet or say goodbye, instead of shaking hands. The depth of the bow depends on the relative status of the individuals and their relationship. Although foreigners are not expected to bow, it can become a habit, and you may find yourself bowing as well. If locals who are more familiar with Western customs offer you a handshake, be gentle as they may not expect a firm grip.

Dining Out

When eating in a Japanese restaurant, there are several ways to show respect and gratitude for the food and dining culture. Japanese people love to eat, so it’s a great opportunity to impress them with your chopstick skills.

Chopsticks Rules

It’s important to remember the following guidelines for using chopsticks:

  • Hold your chopsticks correctly. This may take some time to master, so practice as much as possible.
  • Do not play with your chopsticks. Avoid waving them around over food, pointing them at someone while talking, or using them to indicate dishes you find delicious.
  • Refrain from eating directly from shared dishes. Instead, transfer the food to your own plate or bowl before consuming it.
  • Never pass food with your chopsticks. This action is reminiscent of passing cremated bones at funerals in Japanese culture. Similarly, avoid sticking your chopsticks into a bowl of rice vertically, as this symbolizes something morbid.

Table Manners

  • In many Japanese restaurants, you will be provided with a moist towel, known as an “oshibori,” that can be either cool or hot depending on the season. These towels are meant to be used to lightly clean your hands before a meal. It is considered rude to clean your face with them or to use them as a napkin.
  • Do not pour soy sauce directly on your food, especially plain rice. Instead, pour a small amount of soy sauce into a bowl and use it to dip your food.
  • Mixing other food with rice is generally not done. You should eat a bit of one and then a bit of the other, but they should never be mixed together as is done in many Western countries.
  • When drinking miso soup, drink it out of the bowl as if it were a cup and use your chopsticks to fish out the solid food pieces. If a ceramic spoon is provided, use it; otherwise, you can drink directly from the bowl. Be careful of splashing the noodles back into the liquid in the case of noodle soups. If a ceramic spoon is provided, use it; otherwise, you can drink directly from the bowl.
  • It is not considered unpolite to slurp noodles while eating, especially when eating hot food like ramen, to show that you are enjoying it.

After The Meal

  • You can say “gochisosama-deshita” when you’re finished eating. This means “it was quite a feast” and is a way of thanking whoever provided your food. It’s especially gratifying to hear when you’re the one who cooked the meal, so make a point of saying it.
  • If you used disposable chopsticks, place them neatly back inside the small bag and fold the end. Otherwise, leave them sideways on your plate.
  • When eating in a restaurant, place your money on the small tray provided rather than handing it to the server or cashier. If no tray is present, use both hands to give your money and receive the change.
  • Tipping is not common, as the services you’ve asked for are typically covered by the price given.

Drinking Etiquette

  • Meals are often accompanied by drinks, such as beer or sake. It is customary to wait before raising your glass to your lips when at a dinner party. Everyone will be served, then someone will take the lead, raise their drink, and yell “kampai!” (cheers).
  • At dinner parties, it’s considered somewhat rude to pour your own drink. Instead, pour everyone’s drink but your own, and someone will notice and fill your glass. Ordering shared bottles of beer and sake is popular because this routine is one of the charms of an evening.

japanese-meal

Visiting Temples and Shrines

When visiting Japanese Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, it’s important to follow proper etiquette to show respect. Here’s a guide to help you enjoy your visit to these sacred places.

Visiting a Shrine

  • Pass through the torii gate, which marks the boundary between the sacred area and the secular world. Bowing once in front of the torii gate is the correct etiquette.
  • Purify your hands and mouth at the “temizuya” water pavilion using the ladles provided. Rinse both hands, then transfer some water into your cupped hand to rinse your mouth, and spit the water beside the fountain.
  • At the offering hall, throw a coin into the offering box, bow deeply twice, clap your hands twice, bow deeply once more, and pray for a few seconds. If there is a gong, use it before praying to get the deity’s attention.

Visiting a Temple

  • Behave calmly and respectfully.
  • At some temples, you may burn incense (“osenko”) in large incense burners. Purchase a bundle, light them, let them burn for a few seconds, and then extinguish the flame by waving your hand. Finally, put the incense into the incense burner and fan some smoke towards yourself.
  • You may be required to take off your shoes when entering temple buildings. Leave your shoes on the shelves at the entrance or take them with you in provided plastic bags.
  • Photography is usually permitted on temple grounds, but it may be forbidden indoors.

japanese etiquette and customs greetings temples shrines

Japanese House Etiquette

If you’re planning to visit a Japanese home, traditional ryokans, or the indoor sections of other historic buildings, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

  • The entrance area, called Genkan, is where you take off and put on your shoes. The indoor space is a bit different, with a separate type of flooring.
  • Slippers are usually provided, and if you’re not wearing socks, it’s polite to bring a fresh pair to wear after removing your outdoor shoes. You can wear slippers anywhere indoors except when entering rooms with tatami floors.
  • Tatami should only be stepped on with socks or bare feet. Remember to remove your slippers before stepping onto the tatami and place them neatly outside the tatami room.
  • In washrooms, separate toilet slippers are often provided. Leave the regular slippers outside the washroom door and remember to remove your toilet slippers after use, as it’s a common mistake among foreign travelers.

Japanese_house_slippers

Final Etiquette Tips

To help smooth things along and keep the social harmony intact, I’ve compiled a list of the main Japanese etiquette mistakes you really don’t want to make:

  • Never eat in public while walking. There are a lot of restaurants that serve food on the street, but you are supposed to eat it right there, on the spot, instead of walking away with it. Probably the only exception is ice cream.
  • Do not point your finger or chopsticks at people. If you have to indicate an object or direction to someone, wave your fingers with the palm downwards.
  • Do not mishandle someone’s business card. It’s not only in formal business situations that someone might offer you their card, but it could happen whenever and wherever. Taking it with both hands looks good, and spending a little time showing an interest in it is a real plus.

And here’s one last tip: don’t be embarrassed if you don’t know something. Just ask nicely, as the Japanese will understand that you acknowledge their culture is different and that you are interested to learn the rules. You will find them amazingly warm and open if you’ll simply make an effort to bridge the gap.

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