By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team
World cultures are wonderfully diverse and rich, with each country having its own customs and significant cultural differences. Therefore, behavior while traveling abroad is extremely important—respect local customs to avoid touching on local landmines and taboos. Taiwanese tourists generally enjoy traveling to Japan, but Japan also has many dietary and lifestyle etiquettes and details that require special attention. Below are ten situations listed for travelers as a reference for future trips to Japan.
(Photo provided by Christopher)
1. Avoid Eating While Walking
Although Japan does not outright ban eating while walking, it is still best to avoid it. Even street vendors often have high tables or seating areas, encouraging people to eat in one spot. Some shops even dislike customers loitering and snacking near their entrances.
2. Do Not Pass Food with Chopsticks
During Buddhist funeral ceremonies in Japan, special chopsticks are used to pass the bones of the deceased. As such, passing food to someone with your chopsticks can evoke associations with funerals, making it considered inauspicious.
3. Finish Your Sushi in One Bite
Japanese sushi is one of the must-try delicacies, and its true essence lies in the spirit of eating it in one bite. Most sushi is made to be just the right size for a single bite. If you eat a piece of nigiri sushi in two bites, the chef might think their creation isn’t delicious enough.
4. Keep Your Phone on Silent When Riding the Train
When riding the train, make sure to switch your phone to silent or vibrate mode as soon as you board. Try to avoid taking calls, and near priority seating, it’s best to turn your phone off entirely out of respect for fellow passengers.
(Photo provided by Christopher)
5. People with Tattoos Cannot Enter Onsen Baths
In Japanese customs, many still associate tattoos with organized crime. As a result, most onsen (hot spring bathhouses) have signs prohibiting tattooed individuals from entering, with only rare exceptions. If someone with tattoos (regardless of size or meaning) enters a public onsen, locals will typically leave.
6. Wash Before Entering the Bath
It is customary in Japan to bathe naked when soaking in an onsen, though a few places may allow visitors to wear a swimsuit. Regardless, washing before entering the bath is essential—not only to clean your body, but also as part of the tradition of gradually warming up in the bathwater.
7. Remove Shoes Before Entering a Home
When entering a Japanese home, you must take off your shoes and change into slippers to keep the interior clean. When visiting someone’s home, guests usually instinctively switch to the slippers prepared by the host. However, when entering tatami mat rooms, you should only go in wearing socks.
(Image source / Onsen Ryokan Daikon no Hana)
8. Language Taboos
Similar to Chinese cultural taboos, certain numbers are best avoided. In Japan, there are similar avoidances, such as words that sound like “suffering” or “death,” and the numbers 4 and 2 because their pronunciation resembles the word for death. Therefore, hospitals generally don’t have rooms or beds numbered 4 or 42. The number 13 is also considered taboo—many hotels don’t have a 13th floor or room 13, and Haneda Airport has no Gate 13.
9. Gift-Giving Taboos
Giving gifts is quite common in Japan. Whether visiting a friend’s home or attending a gathering, it’s customary to bring a small gift. However, try to avoid giving gifts in purple or green. Due to religious beliefs, purple is seen as a color of sorrow, and green as an unlucky color. When visiting sick people, avoid sending camellia flowers or light yellow and white blooms, as these are associated with funerals.
10. Wear Kimono and Yukata with the Left Side Over the Right
There is an important taboo in wearing traditional Japanese kimono and yukata—the correct way is to have the left side over the right (outer layer) for both men and women. Wearing them reversed (right over left) resembles how the deceased are dressed for funerals, so this taboo must be remembered carefully.
(Photo provided by Tainan City Tourism Bureau)
The most important things about traveling abroad are enjoyment and safety. Beyond the ten taboos and etiquette points above, learning more about Japanese culture and manners can help you avoid many unnecessary problems during your trip. It's also a basic sign of respect for the local culture and will give you greater peace of mind when planning your travels.
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