Japan travel tips for first-time visitors

Short videos with Hako the cardboard box, written up and checked against official sources.

Etiquette

Japan Street Etiquette: 3 Manners for Walking Around

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.

By Ready in JapanUpdated 3 official sources

Video cover: Japan Street Etiquette: 3 Manners for Walking AroundVideo out Oct 10

The 20-second video, with Hako. Follow on YouTube to catch it.

The 3 things to know

  1. Eat at the stall

    Bought a snack? Many stalls ask you to eat it right there. Take your trash with you, since public bins are few.

  2. Wait for the green light

    Wait for the green light, even when the road is empty. Crossing against the signal can be fined, though foreign visitors mostly get warnings.

  3. Smoke only at smoking spots

    Street smoking is banned in many areas. Use the smoking spots.

Quick answers

Is it rude to eat while walking in Japan?

It's generally not done, though there's no national law against it. Eat next to the stall, in a seating area, or on a bench, and take your trash with you.

Can you smoke on the street in Japan?

It depends on the ward. Rules differ by ward, and some wards fine people on the spot, so use the designated smoking spots.

Do I have to wait at a crosswalk if no cars are coming?

Yes, cross at the crosswalk and wait for the green man. Crossing against the signal can be fined, though foreign visitors mostly get warnings.

Read the video transcript

Walking around Japan? Three street manners.

One. Bought a snack? Many stalls ask you to eat it right there.

Two. Wait for the green light, even when the road is empty.

Three. Street smoking is banned in many areas. Use the smoking spots.

Small habits, happy streets.

Sources & how we checked

The tips on this page were checked against these official pages:

  1. japan.travelJNTO - Traveling Mindfully
  2. origin.police.pref.hyogo.lg.jpHyogo Prefectural Police - Pedestrian rules (English PDF)
  3. city.chiyoda.lg.jpChiyoda Ward - Fines for heated tobacco street smoking (Japanese)
Updated
Video
20 seconds, made by Ready in Japan
Good to know
Rules can vary by place. Follow local signs and staff.

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