Japanese Etiquette: 10 Essential Tokyo Etiquette Tips for First Time Visitors | First Time in Tokyo

Japanese Etiquette: 10 Essential Tokyo Etiquette Tips for First Time Visitors | First Time in Tokyo

Tokyo is one of the world’s most fascinating 
cities, but there’s one thing that can make or break your trip: etiquette. A wrong move won’t get 
you arrested, but it can leave you embarrassed, stared at, or even quietly resented by the people 
around you. That kind of tension is enough to spoil an otherwise great adventure. The good news? 
A few simple habits can help you blend right in. Welcome to The Itinerant Traveler. Today we’re 
counting down the 10 essential etiquette tips for first-time visitors to Tokyo, while also 
pointing out the little mistakes that quietly scream tourist. If you enjoy this video, be 
sure to share it with your fellow travelers. 10) Photography and privacy Let’s start with one of the most 
overlooked issues: taking photos. Snapping architecture and streets is fine, 
but be cautious with people. Publishing identifiable faces without consent can get you 
into trouble. Shops, markets, and live houses often post “no photo” signs. And absolutely 
avoid photographing children in uniforms. If you’re in nightlife alleys like Golden Gai, buy 
a drink and ask before pointing your camera. A lot of visitors get this wrong by sticking 
cameras in faces or uploading photos of strangers without thinking. A better approach? Ask when 
in doubt, and when sharing online, blur faces. 9) Payments and cards Money etiquette in Tokyo has changed a lot in 
recent years. The best option is the Welcome Suica, available both in physical form and 
as a mobile app for iPhone. Pasmo Passport was discontinued, so if you see it mentioned in 
old blogs, ignore it. Suica works everywhere: trains, convenience stores, even 
vending machines. Credit cards are now widely accepted, yet tiny ramen 
counters or izakayas still prefer cash. Many tourists assume they can tap their 
Visa everywhere or hand bills directly to a cashier. Instead, place cash in the small 
tray provided—it’s a sign of respect and order. 8) Lines and space Tokyo is famous for its orderly queues. From 
ramen shops to elevators, just find the end and wait. Train etiquette is even stricter: 
always let passengers off before boarding. Peak commute hours between 7:30 and 9:30 
am can feel overwhelming, so if you can, avoid them. Look out for women-only train 
cars during rush hour, marked in pink. The classic tourist slip-up? Rushing 
ahead or standing in doorways. Locals notice immediately, even if no one says a word. 7) Homes, ryokan, and small venues Stepping into a Japanese home or ryokan 
means entering a new space with new rules. Shoes always come off at the genkan. 
Slippers are provided for hallways, but never wear them on tatami. Toilet 
slippers are strictly for the bathroom and nowhere else. Because walls are 
thin, late-night noise carries easily. It feels small, but forgetting 
to switch slippers or stomping across tatami with shoes is a mistake 
locals quietly shake their heads at. 6) Streets and neighborhoods On Tokyo’s streets, etiquette keeps 
the city running smoothly. Eating while walking is frowned upon in busy 
areas—finish food where you buy it, or step aside. Trash bins are rare, so 
carry your garbage until you find one. Smoking is heavily regulated with 
fines in many wards, so use designated areas. In nightlife districts, especially 
Golden Gai, photography rules are strict. Visitors often stroll with messy 
food or light up wherever they please. To avoid that tourist label, 
watch what locals do, and copy them. 5) Onsen and sento Public baths are one of Japan’s most relaxing 
traditions, but they come with clear rules. Shower thoroughly before entering, keep towels 
out of the water, and tie up long hair. Swimsuits aren’t allowed. Tattoos used to mean automatic 
refusal, but today many sento and tourist-friendly onsen accept them or allow cover patches. If 
you’re unsure, private baths are always an option. What marks you as an outsider? Skipping 
the pre-bath shower or trying to wear a swimsuit. Locals see that as disrespectful. 4) Dining etiquette Japanese dining culture is built on subtle 
respect. Don’t stick chopsticks upright in rice or pass food directly from chopsticks to 
chopsticks. Say “itadakimasu” before eating and “gochisousama” after. Slurping noodles 
is fine—it shows appreciation. Bills are usually settled at the register, with 
cash placed in the tray. No tipping. A fun nuance: nobody wants to take the last piece 
in a shared dish. It can sit there while people politely offer it back and forth. It’s not just 
about food—it’s about thinking of others first. Tourists often get it wrong by tipping, pouring soy sauce all over rice, or 
waving chopsticks around like props. 3) Shrines and temples Knowing the difference between Shinto shrines 
and Buddhist temples matters. At shrines, bow lightly before entering, cleanse 
your hands and mouth at the basin, then follow the 2–2–1 ritual: two bows, two claps, 
a silent wish, and one final bow. At temples, clapping is never appropriate. A coin 
offering and a simple bow will do. Mistaking one ritual for the other is one of the easiest ways to stand out. Watch what 
others are doing, and follow quietly. 2) Escalators and walking flow Traditionally, Tokyoites stand left and walk 
right. But now there’s a safety campaign urging everyone to stand still on both sides. 
Different stations may enforce this differently, so pay attention to signs. On sidewalks, walk 
with the flow and step aside if you stop. What screams tourist? Blocking both sides 
because you didn’t look at the signs. 1) Trains: the ultimate test Nowhere is etiquette more visible than 
on Tokyo’s trains. Silence is golden: no phone calls, voices stay low, and phones 
set to manner mode. Backpacks should be in front during crowded rides. Eating is 
off-limits on subways and local trains, but fully expected on Shinkansen 
and other long-distance rides. Tourists often slip by blasting music on 
speakerphone, blocking doors, or eating messy food on the Yamanote Line. For locals, it’s the 
fastest way to know you’re not from around here. If you want tickets to sumo 
matches, dinners with geisha, or food tours, check the description. We 
keep links updated so you don’t miss out. And here’s a question for you: which etiquette 
tip do you think would be hardest to remember on your first trip—silent trains, slipper rules, 
or something else? Let us know in the comments. So let’s run through it one more time. Stay 
quiet on trains, keep an eye on escalator signs, and remember that shrines and temples each have 
their own rituals. Be thoughtful with chopsticks, skip the tipping, and clean up before soaking in 
a bath. On the streets, don’t snack on the go, and stick to smoking zones. Take off your shoes 
indoors, respect slippers, and keep voices down at night. Always queue politely, carry some cash, 
and use Suica or Mobile Suica for everything else. And when it comes to photography, 
permission matters more than the shot. At its core, etiquette in Tokyo comes down 
to one rule: think of others before yourself. For flights and hotels that match your trip, 
go to go.itineranttraveler.com. For more Tokyo insights—food, rooftops, shopping, and anime 
districts—check the playlist in the description. Thanks for watching The Itinerant Traveler. 
Until next time, safe and happy travels.

Japanese Etiquette: 10 Essential Tokyo Etiquette Tips for First Time Visitors | First Time in Tokyo

Tokyo is one of the world’s most fascinating cities, but there’s one thing that can make or break your trip: etiquette. A wrong move won’t get you arrested, but it can leave you embarrassed, stared at, or even quietly resented by the people around you. That kind of tension is enough to spoil an otherwise great adventure. The good news? A few simple habits can help you blend right in.

Welcome to The Itinerant Traveler. Today we’re counting down the 10 essential etiquette tips for first-time visitors to Tokyo, while also pointing out the little mistakes that quietly scream tourist. If you enjoy this video, be sure to share it with your fellow travelers.

For Flights and Hotels https://go.itineranttraveler.com

(0:00) Intro
(0:44) Photography and privacy
(1:30) Payments and cards
(2:14) Lines and space
(2:50) Homes, ryokan, and small venues
(3:24) Streets and neighborhoods
(4:02) Onsen and sento
(4:42) Japanese Dining etiquette
(5:30) Etiquette in Tokyo Shrines and temples
(6:05) Escalators and walking flow
(6:32) Trains: the ultimate test

Sumo Match Tickets in Tokyo http://itineranttraveler.com/sumomatch
Dinner with a Geisha in Tokyo http://itineranttraveler.com/geishameal
Tokyo: Akihabara, Anime, Manga and Games Tour http://itineranttraveler.com/akibatour
Tokyo Food Tour http://itineranttraveler.com/tokyofoods
Kabuki Theater in Tokyo http://itineranttraveler.com/seekabuki

The Ultimate Travel Guide for Tokyo, Japan https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8T9prrZtBN_3L0eLxGDrwt9YfU94k7VF

The Ultimate Travel Guide for Bangkok, Thailand https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8T9prrZtBN8JiwN6S6DbPzhnz7Vmrbux

The Ultimate Travel Guide for Dubai & the UAE https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8T9prrZtBN8oj17O-YcGunNBl6P7uqR7

The Ultimate Travel Guide for Orlando, Florida https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8T9prrZtBN8oMLcj5ZOLhYCO2_OFqlb5

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If you are preparing for a Japan trip, having a thoughtful Tokyo travel guide is essential. Tokyo, Japan’s dazzling capital, is a place where modern skyscrapers, neon-lit districts, and ancient temples blend seamlessly with traditions rooted in Japanese culture. For anyone curious about life in Japan, a Japan travel guide will not only show you the best destinations but also introduce you to the delicate art of Japanese etiquette and Japanese manners. These cultural insights are at the heart of both living in Japan and traveling through it.

Tokyo travel offers countless experiences, but to truly enjoy them you must also understand Tokyo etiquette. Knowing what not to do in Tokyo, and more broadly what not to do in Japan, helps travelers avoid unintentional mistakes. A Japan guide often stresses how to behave in Japan in public spaces, whether it is riding trains quietly, removing shoes before entering certain places, or showing respect at shrines. Etiquette in Japan is not just about rules, it reflects the values that shape Japan life, making every interaction more meaningful.

For those abroad in Japan, whether short-term visitors or people considering living in Japan, understanding Japanese culture is crucial. Things to know before going to Japan usually include guidance about bowing, dining customs, queuing politely, and observing silence in certain situations. A detailed Tokyo itinerary should combine both sightseeing and cultural immersion. When you travel Japan, taking the time to learn and respect Japanese etiquette makes the difference between being a tourist and truly experiencing life in Japan.

Japan travel tips highlight that while Tokyo Japan is exciting and dynamic, the calm discipline of Japanese etiquette makes the city flow smoothly. A Japan travel guide or Tokyo travel guide will remind you that observing small courtesies is as important as visiting major attractions. From busy crossings in Shibuya to quiet tea houses in hidden corners of Tokyo, your Japan trip will be more rewarding if you carry awareness of etiquette in Japan. Travel Japan with respect, and the warmth of Japanese culture will open up in ways you could never imagine.

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