Planning a trip to Japan? Get ready to immerse yourself in a land of rich culture and timeless traditions! 🌸 Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, navigating Japan’s unique customs and etiquette can enhance your experience and ensure a smooth journey.
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CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction
1:05 Train & Station Etiquette #1 Be quiet
1:58 #2 Do not make phone call
2:14 #3 No big luggage during rush hour
2:38 #4 Sidestep congestion
3:49 Culture Practice #5 Do not munch while strolling
4:18 #6 Avoid sitting on the ground
4:40 #7 Avoid barefoot on tatami mat
5:44 Social Norms #8 Make line, not cut in
6:06 #9 No littering
6:38 #10 Do not ignore signals
7:11 Wrap up
Just let me know if you have any questions. I’ll do my best to answer them based on my knowledge.
Feel free to leave a comment if you have a specific topic you’d like me to explore!
#japan #tokyo #train #Etiquette #visitjapan #manner #rules
Hey everyone, I’m Lila! I was born in Kyoto and have spent over 20 years in Tokyo, immersed in its vibrant culture. While weekdays keep me busy in the multinational corporate world, I cherish the moments when I get to play tour guide for visiting colleagues. It’s a special chance to share insights into Japan’s rich history, traditions, and modern life. Now, I’m excited to pass on that knowledge to you in this video, packed with crucial tips for a smooth and respectful journey. Thinking about visiting Japan? Thinking about visiting Japan? You might’ve heard our culture is a bit different. Maybe you’re excited to see the sights and soak up some Japanese history? That’s awesome! But while tons of folks come to experience Japan, we also want them to have a smooth trip. That’s why I want to share 10 handy tips, broken down into ３ categories: on the train etiquette, cultural practice and social norms. Buckle up, and by the end, you’ll understand why we do things the way we do in Japan. Oh, and don’t forget to subscribe for more helpful tips, including dos and don’ts at restaurants coming up next! Let’s dive in! Category A Train & station Etiquette: Keeping it Quiet and Considerate Tokyo can get incredibly crowded! With 14 million residents and an additional 2 million commuters during weekdays, it’s a bustling metropolis. Since most of us rely on trains for commuting, it’s important to be mindful of not disrupting the smooth flow of travel. That’s why there are some unwritten rules for train etiquette That’s why there are some unwritten rules for train etiquette Shhh! Shhh! When you’re on trains or in crowded places, it’s important to keep the volume down and maintain a quiet atmosphere. Even during off-peak hours, it’s courteous to avoid loud conversations or disruptive noise. Being mindful of others’ need for peace and quiet ensures that everyone can enjoy their journey without disturbance. So, whether you’re catching up with a friend or simply passing the time, remember to speak softly and keep the noise to a minimum. Smartphones are cool, phone calls not so much. Games and browsing are totally fine, but silence the sound. If you get a call, explain you’re on the train and will call back later, or hop off at the next station. Rush Hour with Big luggage? Not a good mix. Tokyo rush hour is weekdays from 7:30 to 9:00 AM and 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Consider using a delivery service for your luggage or choose a more spacious car with wheelchair space. A wheelchair space is a corner with no seats, so you don’t have to worry about your luggage occupying the doors. Sidestep congestion: It’s crucial to ensure that you’re not obstructing pathways in crowded stations. When large groups gather or individuals stop abruptly in the middle of pathways, it can lead to congestion and inconvenience for others. By being mindful of your surroundings and stepping aside if you need to check directions or pause for any reason, you contribute to the smooth flow of foot traffic and alleviate potential bottlenecks. This simple act of courtesy ensures that everyone can navigate the station without unnecessary delays or frustration. So, whether you’re consulting a map or taking a moment to regroup, remember to step aside from the main path to allow others to pass freely. In Japan, cleanliness is highly valued, which is why removing shoes at the entrance is a common practice. It’s ingrained in our culture as a way to maintain cleanliness and comfort within our homes. By leaving shoes at the door, we not only keep our living spaces tidy but also create a welcoming and hygienic environment for ourselves and our guests. Moreover, this simple act serves as a clear boundary between the outside world and the sanctuary of our homes, helping to preserve the tranquility and serenity of indoor spaces. Category A Train & station Etiquette: Plus, it’s a clear line between indoors and outdoors. Eat-in, not walk-around. We typically sit down to eat, and I’m guessing it’s the same for you, right? Along those lines, munching while strolling is a no-no. It might even be frowned upon. However, it’s cool to snack at festivals or in spots like Asakusa and Yokohama Chinatown. Just mind your trash! Some festivals have big bins for trash. In case there isn’t, bring a bag to toss your stuff or carry it with you. Avoid sitting on the ground. Since we track dirt from outside on our shoes, sitting on the ground outdoors can lead to transferring that dirt back inside later. That’s why you might notice us using sheets during picnics, including cherry blossom viewing, to create a clean barrier between ourselves and the ground. Remember, if there’s a bench available, it’s always the preferable choice! Take off your shoes. No barefoot!! In temples, shrines, Japanese inns (Ryokan), and taverns(Izakaya), you may have to take off your shoes to enter the room. In such cases, it is impolite to be barefoot. In particular, tatami mats cannot be washed, so if you are sightseeing barefoot and wearing sandals, it’s more appropriate to wear socks when entering a room to prevent sweat and dirt from soaking into the tatami. it’s more appropriate to wear socks when entering a room to prevent sweat and dirt from soaking into the tatami. C. General Social Norms Breaking the rules might seem like a quick win for an individual, but in the long run, it can lead to inconvenience for others. In Japan, there’s a collective effort to uphold these rules, ensuring that everyone can live comfortably and harmoniously. It’s not just about personal gain; it’s about fostering a community where everyone’s needs and well-being are respected. So, while it might be tempting to bend the rules, it’s important to consider the broader impact on those around us and strive to maintain the social order that makes Japan such a pleasant place to live. Line up, don’t cut. In Japan, patience is a virtue! When waiting in line, whether at a shop, attraction, or train station, it’s important to wait your turn politely. Cutting in line is considered rude. Everyone queues up in order, so don’t worry if you can’t speak Japanese – just follow the line and wait your turn. This keeps things smooth and respectful for everyone. Trash? Take it with you! Japanese streets are clean because we don’t litter. If you have trash, find a convenience store, train station, or take it back to your hotel. Recycling bins for cans and bottles are usually next to vending machines, but be careful not to put other garbage in them. Failure to separate them will make recycling difficult. It is natural to throw garbage away when shopping at a convenience store, but it’s not desirable from the standpoint of the store to go in only to throw away garbage. Red light, means stop! This is really important, even when there aren’t any cars in sight. We want to set a good example for children, so it’s crucial to avoid ignoring signals, especially if there are kids nearby. Jaywalking poses a safety risk for everyone. I recall seeing a tourist near Tokyo Tower getting a warning for jaywalking. Let’s prioritize safety and wait for the green light to cross, regardless of how tempting it may be to dash across an empty street. So, that’s it for our 10 handy tips! I’ve ended up sounding like a preachy old women, haven’t I? You might think, "Ugh, what a hassle…" Growing up in Japan, these things aren’t enforced but rather become second nature, so we don’t even think twice about them. It’s because of practices like these that Japan appears orderly, with clean streets and trains running on time. Following these guidelines will make your trip to Japan smoother and more enjoyable, and trust me, it’ll make the locals happy too! Remember, being considerate goes a long way. Thanks for watching! If you found this helpful, be sure to give the video a thumbs up and subscribe to the channel for more Japan travel tips and insights. Domo arigato! (Thank you very much!)