Little things that make your Japan trip better

Save phone calls for later^[1]

Chatting quietly is fine, but phone calls are generally avoided on trains and buses. Switch your phone to silent (“manner mode” in Japan) and send a message instead.

Why?Trains are shared quiet spaces — many people rest, read or nap on their way to work or school.

Let people off first^{[1, 5]}

Wait at the side of the door and let passengers get off before you board. Priority seats are for older people, pregnant women and people with disabilities.

✦ Did you know?Some bags carry a small keychain tag called the “Maternity Mark.” It's worn by expectant and nursing mothers — if you see one on a train, please be considerate, for example by offering your seat.

Women-only cars in the morning rush^[5]

On some lines, certain cars are for women only during the morning rush hour — on Tokyo Metro, from the first train until around 9:30 a.m. Children of elementary school age and younger, and passengers with disabilities and their caregivers, can ride too. Look for the “Women Only” signs where you wait on the platform; hours and cars differ by line.

Why?Rush-hour trains in Japan can be packed, and these cars help women and children travel with more peace of mind.

Escalators: stand still and hold the handrail^[4]

You may notice people in Tokyo standing on the left and people in Osaka standing on the right, leaving the other side open for walkers. But railways across Japan now ask everyone to stand still and hold the handrail — from July 21, 2026, 58 railway operators and other groups nationwide ran a joint “Stand Still, Don't Walk” campaign.

Why?People have fallen or bumped into others while walking or running on escalators, and leaving one side open can be risky for people who can only hold the handrail on one side.

Say “itadakimasu” before you eat^{[1, 10]}

Say “itadakimasu” before eating and “gochisosama” when you finish. In a group, people usually wait until everyone's food has arrived.

Why?“Itadakimasu” is a thank-you to the living things that became your food and to the people who prepared it.

Chopsticks: rest them, don't stand them^[10]

Don't stick your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice, and don't pass food from your chopsticks to someone else's. When you take a break, lay them on the chopstick rest (hashioki) if there is one.

Why?Many chopstick taboos are linked to funeral rituals. In Japan, a bowl of rice with chopsticks standing in it is offered to the departed, and after a cremation, family members pass the bones from chopsticks to chopsticks.

Slurping noodles is OK^{[1, 10]}

At noodle shops, slurping is generally accepted — but you don't have to if you'd rather not.

Why?It's said to cool down piping-hot noodles and bring out the flavor.

Sushi: dip the fish, not the rice^[1]

You can eat sushi with chopsticks or your hands. Dip the fish side into soy sauce, not the rice. Conveyor-belt sushi is relaxed; upscale sushi counters are a little stricter.

The wet towel is for your hands^[10]

Use the oshibori (wet towel) to wipe your hands, not your face.

Go easy on perfume when dining out

At sushi counters, Japanese restaurants and tea ceremonies, many people in Japan wear little or no fragrance.

Why?Japanese food and tea have delicate aromas, and a strong scent can change how the food tastes — for you and the people next to you.

Tip from our editor in Japan

Take video calls outside

Inside restaurants, cafés and shops, people keep calls short and quiet. If you'd like to video-call friends back home, step outside first.

Why?Like on trains, it's about sharing the space — everyone gets to enjoy their meal or shopping in peace.

Tip from our editor in Japan

No need to tip^[2]

Tipping isn't common in Japan — at restaurants, cafés, bars, taxis or hotels. A warm “arigatō gozaimasu” is the best thank-you.

Why?If you'd like to thank a private guide, there's a custom called kokorozuke (“from the heart”): put the money in an envelope and hand it over discreetly. It's never expected.

Shoes off where you see a step up^[1]

Take off your shoes at the entrance of homes, and at many Japanese-style restaurants, temples and hot springs. Saying “ojamashimasu” (“sorry to intrude”) as you enter someone's home is a lovely touch.

A small bow instead of a hug^[1]

Hugs, kisses and handshakes aren't common as greetings. A small, polite bow works almost everywhere.

✦ Did you know?When people bow on meeting, you'll often hear “yoroshiku onegaishimasu.” It has no exact English translation — something like “I'm in your hands, thank you in advance.”

Wash before you soak^[3]

Sit at the shower area and wash well before getting into the bath. Keep your small towel out of the water, and tie up long hair.

Why?The bath is shared by everyone, so it's for soaking — not for washing.

Have a tattoo? Check first^[3]

Many onsen still don't allow guests with tattoos. Check with the facility before you go, or choose a private bath (kashikiri-buro).

Eat where you buy^[11]

At busy markets and shopping streets, enjoy your snack at the shop or in the eating area rather than while walking. Tsukiji Outer Market, for example, asks visitors to eat in designated areas.

Why?Crowded streets are narrow, and it keeps clothes and shop goods clean.

Nara's deer: only deer crackers, please^{[6, 7, 8, 9]}

In Nara Park, the only food you may give the deer is shika senbei, the special crackers sold around the park. Don't give them bread, snacks, fruit or any human food, and never let them eat paper or plastic. If you have no crackers, hold up your empty hands and they'll usually walk away. Deer are wild animals, so take care with small children and male deer.

Why?Nara's deer have long been seen as messengers of the gods — legend says a god of Kasuga Taisha arrived riding a white deer — and they're protected as a Natural Monument. Human food and trash can make them sick or kill them.

✦ Did you know?In July 2026, Nara Park had 1,687 deer — a record high. The local deer protection group says one reason is people feeding them vegetables and leftovers: better-fed deer now give birth every year, and more deer wander out of the park to eat home gardens.

Carry a small bag for trash

Public trash bins can be hard to find in Japan. Keep a small bag with you and throw your trash away at your hotel.

Tip from our editor in Japan