Invisible Rules: How to Behave Correctly in Japan

Traveling to Japan is not just about strolling through Tokyo, getting lost among the temples of Kyoto or enjoying a good plate of sushi. It also means stepping into a culture with a strong sense of etiquette and respect. There are invisible rules that do not always appear in travel guides, but that the Japanese naturally comply with.

If you want to make the most of your stay and avoid making mistakes that give you a hard time, here is a practical guide on how to behave in Japan. Trust me, knowing these details will make your experience much more authentic and enjoyable.

In Japan, greetings are not a mere formality: they are the first sign of respect for the other person.

Reverence (ojigi) is a key gesture. There are several degrees:

• 15th (eshaku): informal greeting between friends or when thanking something simple.
• 30° (keirei): standard greeting in everyday contexts, such as when entering a store.
• 45° (saikeirei): the most formal, used in ceremonies or important business.

The Japanese see it as something natural, almost like breathing. If you don’t do it perfectly, that’s okay, but trying to imitate it already conveys respect.

• こんにちは (Konnichiwa): hello / good afternoon.
• ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu): Thank you.
• すみません (Sumimasen): apology / sorry / thank you.
• よろしくお願いします (Yoroshiku onegaishimasu): much pleasure / delighted.

Mastering these phrases shows interest in the culture of Japan and opens many doors.

One of the first rules you’ll learn is to remove your shoes before entering a Japanese home, ryokan (traditional accommodation), or sacred space. This comes from respect for the home and cleanliness.

Instead, indoor slippers are used, and if you go to a bathroom you will find special footwear just for that area.

Never walk into a tatami (intertwined thatched floor) with shoes. If you wear socks, make sure they are clean and free of holes. A small detail, but very important!

Japan is a very orderly country, and that is reflected in the way people behave in shared spaces.

Talking loudly on the train, bus, or any public space is considered rude. The Japanese value harmony and tranquility.

No phone calls on the Shinkansen or the subway. Use your phone silently or with headphones, and if you have to talk, do so in designated areas.

In a country with crowded railway stations, respect for personal space is sacred. Don’t push in the queues, wait your turn and follow the established order.

Chopsticks (hashi) are more than just a tool: misusing them can be an insult. Some basic rules:

• Do not stick your chopsticks in the rice (reminiscent of funeral rituals).
• Don’t pass food from stick to stick (another funereal gesture).
• Always rest them on the holder (hashioki) when not in use.

• Before eating, say いただきます (Itadakimasu).
• When finished, thank with ごちそうさまでした (Gochisousama deshita).
• If you share dishes, use your chopsticks on the opposite side from the side you use to eat.

In Japan, tipping does not exist. Leaving extra money can even be uncomfortable. Good service is included in the price.

Before entering the water in an onsen or sentō, you need to wash and rinse thoroughly. Bathrooms are for relaxing, not cleaning.

• Do not enter with a bathing suit, it is enjoyed naked.
• Bring a small towel to cover yourself, but never submerge it in water.
• Speak quietly and relax, it is a space of tranquility.

The Japanese subway is an example of social discipline. Everyone waits in line, enters and leaves in an orderly manner and no reserved seats are occupied.

At railway stations you will see automatic machines and turnstiles. Use your prepaid card (Suica, Pasmo, Icoca) correctly: tap them on the reader when entering and leaving.

In Tokyo, stay on the left if you don’t walk; in Osaka, on the right. And always queue on the platforms. It doesn’t matter if it’s in a hurry, order is part of Japanese etikette.

When entering a Shinto shrine, you should wash your hands and mouth at the purification fountain (temizuya).

• Bow before entering.
• Offer a coin in the offering box.
• Clap your hands twice, bow your head, and say your prayer silently.

In Buddhist temples, the atmosphere is more solemn: walk slowly and avoid talking loudly.

Japan is famous for its business etiquette:

• Exchange of cards (meishi): always with both hands and a bow.
• Punctuality: being late is disrespectful.
• Formal language and deeper bows.

In a ryokan, in addition to taking off your shoes, you will respect the use of the tatami and the futon. Many times you will be served kaiseki ryori, a traditional multi-course menu. Let yourself be carried away by the experience.

Japanese society is governed by principles that come from the time of the samurai and Buddhism:

• Honesty (being clear and trustworthy).
• Respect for others, even in small gestures.
• Harmony (wa), avoiding conflict.
• Gratitude, expressed at every meal, greeting and farewell.

These values permeate every interaction: from silence on a train to how to deliver trash in the right bin. And while they may seem like strict rules at first, you’ll soon discover that they’re part of a code of coexistence that makes Japan so special.

Understanding how to behave in Japan is much more than learning rules: it is understanding the soul of a culture that values harmony, respect, and detail in every interaction.