Is it better to walk on the left? 11 things CNN says you must know before heading to Tokyo

▲ Japan is one of the favorite travel destinations for Taiwanese, and etiquette is key beyond just being a tourist (Photo / Wikipedia)

By Rita

Tokyo is a timeless travel destination for Taiwanese visitors. This city of over 10 million people has a culture vastly different from Taiwan’s, and knowing the local etiquette before your trip can make your experience even more enjoyable. CNN has compiled an article titled“11 Things to Know Before Going to Tokyo”, which is highly worth referencing. In fact, it covers not only etiquette but also many smart travel tips.

1. Don’t tip
Japanese people don’t have a tipping culture. If you leave a tip on the table, they’ll likely chase you down to give it back.

2. Walk on the left
Tokyo is a very crowded city, but there’s an underlying order to the chaos. One important unspoken rule is to keep to the left, just like the traffic on their roads.

3. Drink outside, smoke inside
Smaller izakayas or restaurants are more likely to be smoker-friendly. There are smoking cars on the Shinkansen. As for drinking, walking while drinking is a tradition.

4. IC cards
Suica and PASMO cards are equivalent to Taiwan’s EasyCard. Just buy, top up, and you can use most of Tokyo’s transportation. These two cards are interchangeable, saving you a lot of ticket-buying time.

5. There are still quiet areas
Although Tokyo is crowded, you can find peaceful spots in its alleys—shrines, temples, coffee shops, and so on.

6. Public bathhouses
The Tokyo Bathhouse Association is trying to introduce the bathhouse culture to international visitors. Some bathhouses offer professional etiquette guides and more.

7. You’ll hear “welcome” constantly
This word is frequently heard when entering an izakaya or restaurant. Customers don’t need to say thanks or reply—just a polite slight bow will do.

8. Sushi is really amazing
Many travelers find that after eating sushi in Japan, they can’t accept sushi from other places. This is quite common. And Tsukiji Market only allows 120 tourists in per day—you’ll need to line up early.

9. Free Wi-Fi
You can download the Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi app, which has 140,000 hotspots. Just register with your email to start using it.

10. Meat is everywhere
Vegetarians should be cautious when ordering food in Japan, as so-called vegetarian meals might contain ham strips, and even potato salad may have meat.

11. Umbrellas for rain or shine
Convenience stores put them out whenever it rains, and they’re super easy to grab.