Topic · 4 tips
Japan Etiquette for Tourists: Rules to Know
Escalators, streets, homes and the unwritten rules in between. Each tip below comes with a short video starring Hako, the written version, a Japanese phrase to try, and links to the official sources we checked.
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Join the end of any queue and never cut in at the front. On escalators, many people stand on one side and walk on the other, but Saitama and Nagoya ask everyone to stand still, and those ordinances carry no penalty.
Covers: Join the end of the line · Stand on one side · Saitama and Nagoya: stand still · Need to pass? Say sumimasen
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Japan has no national law against eating while walking, but people generally don't, so eat next to the stall or in a seating area. Wait for the green light even when the road looks empty, and use designated smoking spots, since street smoking rules vary by ward.
Covers: Eat at the stall · Wait for the green light · Smoke only at smoking spots
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Three things surprise many visitors in Japan: tipping isn't customary, public trash cans are rare, and you take your shoes off at a raised entrance. Small habits like these show respect.
Covers: No tipping · Carry your trash · Shoes off at a raised entrance
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Take your shoes off at the entrance and put on the indoor slippers provided. Swap to the separate toilet slippers inside the toilet room, switch back afterward, and take all slippers off before stepping onto tatami mats, where socks are fine.
Covers: Shoes off at the entrance · Toilet slippers: switch, then switch back · Tatami: slippers off
