Basic Customs to Remember When Visiting Japan

Basic Customs to Remember When Visiting Japan

On visiting any dream destination, it is always good to read up on the customs and traditions of the place, so that you won’t commit any social blunders. If you plan to explore Japan for example, you must take note of these basic mores:

• Always address people with respect by bowing your head. This custom is quite intricate for the Japanese, as they have a guideline in how deep a bow should be for certain statures. For tourists however, inclining the head or bowing from the waist are agreeable enough.
• Do not do any tipping. Giving tips is frowned upon in any Japanese establishment; even for Japanese services because the general belief is that the price you are charged already covers everything. Tipping therefore, is actually considered rude.
• Get ready to take off your shoes. It’s important to respect thresholds in Japan, and you express your reverence to homes and establishments by taking off your footwear.
• Conformity is a valued characteristic. In Japan, it is not fashionable to be individualistic; it’s best to blend in the crowd and not try to stand out.
• Japanese baths are considered reverential. This is essential to know especially if you are being hosted by a Japanese family. They will most likely ask you to be the first in using their bath, as they consider it to be reverential. Do not dirty the water, and instead, soak in the bath only after you have washed and rinsed.
• Always observe proper table manners; and if manageable enough, use chopsticks every time you eat at restaurants or in Japanese gatherings.

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