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We've all heard about this beautiful, faraway land of the rising sun. Japan is known for its incredible culture, customs and rich traditions that are as old as history itself. So it's quite likely that if you’re a traveler there, you may run into stark cultural differences and get yourself some very weird looks on the way.
But thanks to Tina, a traveler and TikTok creator with a whopping 1.3M followers, we now have a very clear list of things you should never, ever do in Japan.
Shared in a series of fun and lighthearted TikTok videos, Tina warns that eating and drinking (yep, coffee counts too!) is a big no-go and that talking on your phone on public transport is disrespectful. Scroll down below to find out what other things you should not do in Japan!
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#2
Don't try on clothes without a face cover. This prevents makeup from staining the material.
#3
Don't pull open the taxi door. Japan's living in 3020, remember? They open automatically.
Previously, a Lithuania-based Japanese language expert Kotryna Kvietkauskaitė told Bored Panda in an interview that the Japanese are very welcoming of foreigners who put in the effort to speak their language and absorb their culture.
“In Japan, when a foreigner speaks Japanese, they can often get praise for their language skills, even if they simply introduced themselves which is one of the first things that students learn to do,” she said that you’ll often get points for trying, even if what you’re saying isn’t at native-level standards yet.
#4
No talking on the phone on public transport. You will get judgy stares.
Andy Acceber 3 years ago
Yes, if you talk into a banana in public, the world will judge you. Face it, the world is cruel.
#5
Don't stand on the wrong side of the escalator. Keep left if you're not in a hurry.
#6
Don't leave your backpack on inside public transport. No one wants a backpack in the face.
Kotryna also said that learning any language, including Japanese, is a personal experience. Everyone moves at their own pace and we shouldn’t be in a rush to compare ourselves to others in our own journeys. “One person might take 5 years until they learn to read Japanese fiction without any problems while another person might take 10 years. In other words, there isn’t a clearly-defined point that can be reached after which a person can confidently state that they know Japanese as well as the average native,” she said.
#7
Don't blow your nose in public. It's bad manners and just kinda gross. Sniffle it back in or go to the bathroom to let those boogers out.
Andy Acceber 3 years ago
This is such a cultural difference to where I live. Growing up, sniffling was considered so rude that even now as an adult, I gag when I hear it. Here, it's considered much less rude to blow your nose than to repeatedly sniff.
#8
Don't bargain the price. It's not like the other Asian countries. In Japan most things are legit.
#9
Don't expect everyone to know English. Try to learn some Japanese.
Hannah Edwards 3 years ago
That should be the rule for visiting any country! It’s good manners to learn at least the basics.
#10
Don't walk into fitting rooms with shoes on. Take them off before entering to keep everything clean.
#11
Don't poke or squeeze fresh produce at supermarkets. Trust me, they only put out the best ones, just grab and go.
#12
Don't place money directly into the cashier's hands. Put it on a tray.
Hannah Edwards 3 years ago
I always think the opposite, it’s rude to make the cashier pick it up!
#13
Don't eat or drink while walking. Drinking coffee counts too. You will get judgy stares.
#14
Don't go barefoot or wear house slippers into the toilet. Use toilet slippers.
Andy Acceber 3 years ago
Does a family share toilet slippers or does each family member have their own pair stored by the bathroom door?
#15
Don't get into PDA. Just save it for the hotel room, okay?
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What do you think ?
Marcellus II 3 years ago
These "Hey look this" list misses context ---- there's a few reasons behind all of these (hygiene being the dominant theme)... A line or two of explanation would make this a 10x more interesting post (and remove the constant "wow how weird" reactions) as it shows a world view tying them together.
Uber Mensch 3 years ago
Their country, they get to set the rules. It's a physically small country with a LOT of people, so when you're up to your armpits in armpits, courtesy/consideration get _real_ important.
Marcellus II 3 years ago
These "Hey look this" list misses context ---- there's a few reasons behind all of these (hygiene being the dominant theme)... A line or two of explanation would make this a 10x more interesting post (and remove the constant "wow how weird" reactions) as it shows a world view tying them together.
Uber Mensch 3 years ago
Their country, they get to set the rules. It's a physically small country with a LOT of people, so when you're up to your armpits in armpits, courtesy/consideration get _real_ important.
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