Japan Etiquette

🇯🇵 Japan Travel Etiquette Checklist

🏠 General Manners

☐ Bow or nod when greeting
☐ Speak quietly in public
☐ Don’t tip at restaurants or taxis
☐ Respect personal space — minimal touching
☐ Avoid confrontation or raised voices

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🍱 Dining Etiquette

☐ Don’t stick chopsticks upright in rice
☐ Don’t pass food chopstick-to-chopstick
☐ Say “Itadakimasu” before eating
☐ Say “Gochisousama deshita” after eating
☐ Use the back of chopsticks for shared dishes
☐ Finish all the food on your plate
☐ Don’t pour soy sauce directly on rice

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🚆 Public Transportation

☐ Be quiet on trains & buses
☐ Let passengers off before boarding
☐ Remove backpacks or hold them in front
☐ Avoid phone calls on public transport
☐ Use “priority seats” only if needed

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🏯 At Shrines & Temples

☐ Rinse hands & mouth at temizuya before praying
☐ Follow shrine bow-clap-pray-bow ritual
☐ Don’t take photos if signs say no
☐ Stay on designated paths

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🏨 Hotels, Ryokan, & Onsen

☐ Remove shoes before entering tatami rooms
☐ Don’t wear slippers on tatami
☐ Use bathroom slippers only in restrooms
☐ Wash body before entering shared baths
☐ Enter bath quietly — no splashing
☐ Check tattoo policy before using onsen

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🛍️ Shopping & Money

☐ Use the small tray when paying
☐ Don’t hand cash directly to the cashier
☐ Carry cash — not all stores take cards
☐ Don’t open products before paying
☐ Say “Fukuro wa iranai desu” if you don’t need a bag

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🌸 Street & Outdoor Etiquette

☐ Don’t eat or drink while walking
☐ Don’t litter — carry your trash
☐ Smoke only in designated areas
☐ Stand on the left side of escalators (right in Osaka)
☐ Close & shake off umbrella before entering buildings

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🍶 Social Etiquette

☐ Pour drinks for others before yourself
☐ Don’t cross arms to say no — use gentle gestures
☐ One person pays the bill, others reimburse later
☐ Say “Arigatou gozaimasu” often

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💬 Communication

☐ Avoid sarcasm or strong opinions
☐ Use polite phrases (e.g., Sumimasen, Onegaishimasu)
☐ Smile and bow slightly when thanking
☐ Avoid pointing directly at people or things

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🚫 Cultural “Don’ts”

☐ Don’t blow your nose in public
☐ Don’t rest feet on seats or tables
☐ Don’t wear revealing clothes at temples/shrines
☐ Don’t talk loudly on phones indoors
☐ Don’t assume “maybe” means yes

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