First Time Visitors to Japan
- Ondrey
- Jan 3, 2019
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 26, 2022
The quick In's and Out's about traveling through Japan that every first time visitor should know.
Traveling to a Foreign country is always a thrilling experience but once you get off the plane and see a language you can't read or hear a speech you can't understand the anxiety level starts to rise really quick. Japan is very different from western countries and so to avoid the panic attack I've put a few tips to help the first-time visitor feel more comfortable about communicating with locals. One thing to remember is that they have a different mindset about self and country. Their behavior is driven by the idea of being considerate to everyone else's feelings before their own.
Etiquette
The Japanese are a very polite society, and the niceties must be observed. I'm going to cover a few verbal and non-verbal communications that will help you make a good impression upon meeting someone new.
Bowing The Japanese do not shake hands or hug when meeting someone. Instead, they will bow from the waist. So do not just nod your head to acknowledge them. The deeper the bow the more respect you are showing someone.
Greetings Depending on the time a day you will be greeted by different words. Ohayo gozaimasu - Good Morning, Konnichi wa - Good Afternoon, Konban wa - Good Evening, Hajimemashite - Nice to meet you.
Gift Giving You will see a lot of well packaged gift boxes of varying size and variety all over Japan. The malls, train stations and specialty shops will all have different assortments prepackaged in colorful gift boxes. The Japanese will give small gifts like these when they are meeting someone to show gratitude for hospitality or time and consideration. If you know you'll be meeting someone for business or are invited to someone's home, you should bring a small gift with you.
Passing items When giving or receiving an item such as a business card or gift you should always use both hands.
Other helpful phrases Please a very important word in any language as a few ways levels of politeness. Kudasai - which is the less formal and more often used version and Onegaishimasu - which is used in more formal settings and carries a few other meanings depending on your context. Thank you which you will hear very often many ways. The longest version is Domo Arigato Gozaimasu - thank you very much. Then the shorter derivatives Domo Arigato, Arigato Gozaimasu meaning thank you and just Domo or Arigato for thanks. Gomenasai - I'm sorry is another good one to know, you will use it.
Public Behavior
Japan's massive public transportation system means a lot of people commute and walk to where they are going. Being in a congested and crowded area are means they follow some strict rules when out in public.
No Eating: In America we are very used to grabbing food on the go or caring a Starbucks coffee around as we shop. However, even though the Japanese have a vending machine with drink and food on every corner you are not supposed to enjoy that as you walk around in public. It is considered rude to eat food in front of someone else since you don't know if the sent or sight of your food will in turn make them hungry when the don't have the opportunity to eat. Being considerate of others (hard concept for most). The other reason is is that in decreases your likelihood of littering. Unlike vending machines being a dime a dozen find a trash or most likely recycle bin is much scarcer in public.
No talking on your cell phone: Another tough one for foreigners is to not have conversation on. On the trains you will see signs describing how rude it is for others to have to listen to half your conversation especially when many people will try and get in a quick nap while riding a train.
Smoking: Most restaurants will either be entirely smoking friendly or have smoking and non-smoking areas. But do not walk outside and light up a cigarette. When you are in public sidewalk spaces, they are no smoking and there will be designated smoking areas that you can find either near train stations or malls. These areas again help avoid littering.
Pointing: Your parents I'm sure always told you it was rude to stare or point. In Japan pointing is a definite no. One exception is pointing to your face in reference to yourself.
Dinning
Japan is still very much a cash country so when looking for a place to eat make sure that you have enough cash or look for signs that they take card. Sorry you won't be able to rack up the points using your travel cards in this country. Not all restaurants will have English speaking staff or a menu. You can attempt to use google translate or go somewhere else.
Service: Unlike western cultures they do not have waitresses that come around and check on you and your meal. If you are ready to order or need something, then it is ok to shout and yes you will sometimes have to shout. Sumimasen (which means excuse me) has been my word of choice to call someone over to my table. Some restaurants in order to avoid the shouting have installed call buttons on the tables so you can just push that instead and server will be there shortly.
Chopsticks/Hashi: There are no forks and knives, and their spoon is a miniature flat ladle for soup and sometimes rice. They are not like Benihana's with training chopsticks so if you don't know how to use them, I suggest you practice before visiting. The plane ride over will give you a pair with your meal, so you could have up to 12hrs of practice right there. Do not stick the chopsticks up right in your food or rice that is reserved for funeral offerings only and you do not want to bring death to the dinner table. Just like how pointing with your finger is bad using a chopstick to point is worse. If you are out to eat with others and sharing a communal plate of food do not pick up food from the plate with the same side, you eat with. It is also best etiquette to move food from a communal plate to your plate first before putting it in your mouth.
Drinks: If you are out with others and drinking it is rude to pour your own drink. Someone at the table will fill your glass and it is expected to reciprocate by pouring theirs. If you are done drinking then let it remain full because if it is empty, it won't be for long so don't take that as a sign that you need to finish the drink, it can become a very drunken cycle otherwise.
Paying and Tipping: Once you are done with your meal you will need to call over the server to get your check. You can do this several ways once they come over, saying Ryoshusho meaning receipt or Okaikei meaning check will work and you can also cross your index fingers to make an X symbol. It's suggested that you pay at the front counter instead of handing the money off to the server and most importantly you are not supposed to leave a tip. If you do, they will try and give you the money back and its often times taken as an insult to the server.
Trains
For specific information on traveling by trains please check out my post Traveling Through Japan by Train.
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