JAPAN HAS SO MANY UNSPOKEN RULES I COULD BE HERE ALL DAY TALKING ABOUT IT ๐ฃ I hope to save you some embarrassment with this video!!
Today I’m sharing 16 unspoken rules in Japan that you need to know before your next trip to Japan ๐ฅฐ They are varying levels of…originalness…throughout the video. It’s impossible to make one of these with totally fresh information, so if you think the first few are obvious or something, I encourage you to keep watching or skip ahead to the next ones to see!! Because there’s a lot!! But really they can all be boiled down to the last one lmao ๐
Let me know if you can think of any others people should be aware of down below in the comments!!
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JAPAN’S UNSPOKEN RULES ๐ | 16 You Need to Know Before Traveling!
49 Comments
What rule surprised you the most!? And you do know any others I didn't mention in this video? Let me know down below!!! โบ
I am visiting for the first time in a couple of weeks and I am bringing my 10-year-old daughter with me. Your videos have been invaluable in my prep, so thank you for all these videos ๐
Hi, I'm planning on moving to Japan, and I would be sooo interested in a video like this one, but for living in Japan ^.^
Iโm American, but it will always baffle me how some Americans will get absolutely furious that they canโt tip in Japan and many other countries. Like why are you mad that the waiters get paid an actual good wage and you donโt have to pay their salary basically? The tipping culture in the USA is absolutely ridiculous and it needs to go away.
As a person with messed up feet I have to wear ankle braces. I dread the whole having to take my shoes on and off process because it is a process for me. Oh well I guess.
No one yields their seats in Japan. I would trust that "tip".
When I was in Japan it felt like everyone was quiet except the designated loud person in each area lol. Like thereโs always one person yelling about something (promoting a shop or event etc) and then everyone else is very quiet
You will usually have to take your shoes off in change rooms as well. And a lot of stores will give you a cover to put on your head so that you donโt get makeup on the clothing item you are trying on (like sweaters etc).
I am moving to Japan in November! I accepted an English teaching job and I am super stoked!
Oh haiiii 4K! lol
Thank you for putting these rules out there! I usually don't talk to anyone when I ride the local transit system here in the US so that's one thing I have down haha! Hopefully folks take some notes!! :3
So, basically, Common Sense Manners… or, all that is sadly lacking in the $tate$, OK, got it!
I should.also mention that leaving a small tip when using Uber eats (or similar service) in Japan. It's ok especially if it's raining or cold/hot. Those people do work hard to get my food over in a timely manner.
When in Japan three years ago, I learned that pedestrians always obey walk lights even in very small towns. I was in a town so small that it had only one stop light and witnessed a pedestrian waiting for the light to change even though there was no traffic in either direction for at least a 1/2 mile. Conform and blend in.
Videos like yours were so helpful the first time I visited Japan! The escalator thing was wild to me since โus Americansโ purposeful clog everything humanly possible. ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ
Great info! I was just in Tokyo and absolutely loved. What is the expectation with bikes? It seemed like I had a lot close calls. I couldnโt identify a pattern with where people walk and where the bikes are expected to be. Thank you! I would like to hear more about what it takes to live there.
Rule #1 don't do this in Australia people who think you are being rude and will remove your item. Rule #13 in Australia so many people have food intolerances and allergies that you need to be able to alter your food
I feel on the taxi door one. I've moved to Japan from the US 7 months ago and there was one time where I shut the door without even thinking by accident. It was after I shut the door that I was like "Oh crap, I shouldn't have done that". For those of us in the US, opening and closing taxi doors ourselves is second nature.
The thing that annoys me the most is that you have to carry your trash around. But usually there are small trash cans in front of Lawsons / Family Mart / 7-11 where you can discreetly throw it away. And normally, at least in large cities, you are never more than maybe 2 blocks from a convenience store.
I'm living in Japan long term, but my brother is getting ready to visit for the first time — this video was a great reminder of things that might surprise him that I forgot about/got used to, so thank you! The socks one is a big one that I don't think people talk about enough!
I was surprised by the auto taxi doors, that would definitely catch me off guard.
Thanks for the list, I like to be prepared when entering a different culture.
Be kind and it's all going to work for you! Great stuff as always Allison. I watched till the end and even translated everything for my mom ( she likes you a lot even though she doesn't understand english at all) Stay safe ! Do more videos like this one. It's really helpful and interesting.
I want to see you do another sit down video and avoid swaying your hands around for more than 15 times.
Just saw two stupid gaijins doing a presentation on zoom in a McDonald, they were talking so loud non stop for an hour and more. So rude!
Allison: Eating or drinking while walking is rude
OSAKANS: Ha! Watch me!
๐๐
Would think more transit places will forbid standing on one side of the escalator because it slows the flow of traffic reducing capacity and causes uneven stress and wear to the escalator distributing most of the weight on one side.
Thanks for another great video! I didnโt know the taxis have automatic doors. How cool!
The 17th rule (sort of)โ you will be greeted when you enter any store, business, hotel, restaurantโฆ and youโre not expected to say anything in return. Thatโs a tough one for me. I keep wanting to respond, or say hello, or thank you.
Trash question: Any tips on dealing with our finished ekiben (bento) boxes and wrappings when we get off the Shinkansen? It seems like potentially a lot of potentially messy things to carry around for a few hours while sightseeing.
Thank you for this video. Hope to bump into you when i am back in Tokyo last week of March for the sakura.
Do we need to tip for hotel bellboy instead?
dont blow your nose in public, just keep sniffing quietly.
After seeing this video, I think I should start littering, if it means I get to meet my favorite youtuber ๐
Not really a rule, but a tip: there are pretty much no water fountains in Tokyo so it is a but pointless to carry around a canteen, as us Americans love to do. Instead, stopping at little cafes and shops to hydrate on something tasty is convenient and more affordable than the US, as well as capitalizing on their excessive vending machines and convenient stores that are around every corner. Of course creating plastic waste sucks, but they do have more strict recycle rules here so it slightly eases the conscience..
Peace from Tokyo
These are not really rules, but common sense. Unfortunately nowadays there is lack of those things everywhere.
As a diabetic, Iโll be at a huge disadvantage if I canโt modify menu items. ๐ฅด
Your new camera is great!
Japanese society seems quite respectful (lining up in an orderly fashion, keeping quiet on public transport). Most of the rest of the world can learn a thing or two from the Japanese.
My wife was so confused when the people suddenly stood on the wring side of the escalator… So that's a Kyoto thing…
Epic timing with this video, thanks Allison!! I arrived in Tokyo 2 nights ago. First time visiting, so appreciate the tips! Also, I totally see what you mean about American tourists. They do kinda stand out.. ๐ฅฒ Also also, I have mad respect for you for living in Japan ๐๐ป
7:23 "if you litter I will personally find you and yell at you", this made me thumbs up the video right away!! ๐
Absolutely loved every minute
Fantastic advice. I have lived here since 1989, and really appreciate your video. I hope everyone who visits here watches this before arriving.
Sometimes I think it's very sad that some of these things have to be said out loud at all. That's partially why I love Japan so much. Just don't bother anyone with your business! No matter if that means to be mindful while talking or walking or whatever… just respect the space and peace of the people around you. Sadly this seems very hard. This Video really reminded me how much more of a culture shock it was to come back from Japan to my home country ._.
The most informative video about traveling to Japan for people in a hurry. I'm headed there this week!
Awesome info, Thank You! A couple of follow up questions if anyone can help me, I would appreciate it. If I am in a store that accepts credit cards, does that go on the tray, or directly to the cashier? Iโm assuming once you get in the taxi they will also automatically close the door? If I donโt like tomatoes and I take it off of my burger and leave it on the plate, is that considered rude? Are all numbers on signs selling items in 1-2-3 numerals or will I find them sometimes exclusively in Japanese numerals? (I know, I have a tendency to overthink everythingโฆ)
almost everything u said is actually normal for a sane european.
5 days in Tokyo and they were very disciplined about being on the left on escalators, however walking around they were all over the place, left, right middle, no consistency. I find people in the US walking are much more disciplined about walking on the right but all over the place on escalators.
Isn't it normal everywhere to cover the mouth or nose when coughing or snee zing?
When travelling in Japan it is just a case of be courteous and aware of others, this is sadly a rule / way of life that is lost in a lot of places in the west.
I will be in Japan in a weeks time with my wife for our 30th wedding anniversary, it will be my third visit but my wife's first time visiting the country and I am looking forward to showing her the sights.
Love the videos Allison, you are a great source of Japanese information and you are highly entertaining.
Oh…nothing surprises me anymore in Japan.
Come move to Australia! Would love your take ๐