Going to Japan? Avoid these 19 Faux Pas

Japan is an incredibly beautiful and exciting place to visit. But you need to be aware of the many differences and sensitivities in Japanese culture. The best way to avoid breaches of etiquette is to study up before you leave home. Here are 19 faux pas to avoid in Japan, as picked by Destination Tips.

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1. Don’t Wear Shoes in the House

Much like Canada, it's bad manners to wear your shoes into the house. In Japan, it's even worse if you track dirt and grime into someone's residence. Slippers will be provided at the door. Wear them!

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2. Don’t Forget Bathroom Slippers

And don't forget to take off your house slippers when you go to the loo. Destination Tips says the toilets in most Japanese homes have special slippers just for the bathroom. Simply switch slippers when you enter the loo. Don't forget to switch them back when you're done.

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3. Don’t Line Up for the Bathroom

You know how we line up in a single line for the next available stall? Not so in Japan. You roll the dice and pick a stall and wait for it to come free. Sometimes you win, sometimes…

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4. Don’t Expect Familiar Toilets

Japanese bathrooms run the range from super high-tech to squat toilets. You'll find 'Canadian' toilets in most places that cater to Westerners. But many public toilets are of the squat variety.

If you're lucky to get a high tech toilet, make sure you play with all the buttons to warm you, clean you and dry you. Destination Tips recommends packing your own toilet paper or tissues.

5. Don’t Forget to Shower Before Bathing

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5. Don’t Forget to Shower Before Bathing

Before bathing, make sure you shower first. Destination Tips says Japanese ofuro tubs are for soaking, not cleaning. The water isn't always drained between bathers, hence the need for cleanliness.

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6. Don’t Walk and Eat

In Japan, food is not meant to be consumed while walking. If you want to drink or eat something make sure you stop, sit down and enjoy.

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7. Don’t Put Soy Sauce on Your Rice

According to Destination Tips, the Japanese don't pour soy sauce on their rice. If you want to avoid shocking your guests, you shouldn't either. Rice is meant to balance out the flavours in the other food items.

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8. Don’t Use Chopsticks Incorrectly

Before travelling to Japan, you should know how to use chopsticks correctly. There are a number of rules, explains Destination Tips:

Don't wave them around or play with them. Don't spear your food with one chopstick. Don't stick them into your rice. Don't pass anything to another person. Don't cross them or lay them across your bowl. Got that?

9. Don’t Be Shy About Enjoying Your Food

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9. Don’t Be Shy About Enjoying Your Food

Enjoying your meal? Let the world know! The sounds of loud eating and even the odd burp are music to the ears of Japanese cooks.

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10. Don’t Serve Yourself

When you're socializing, you'll quickly discover that your glass is never empty. This makes it hard to keep track of your drinks but you won't have to refill your own glass, which is a faux pas. When pouring a drink for someone else, use two hands.

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11. Don’t Tip

Don't worry about tipping in Japan. It's not common, and some may see it as an insult.

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12. Don’t Spread Germs

When you see someone wearing a face mask, they're doing it to protect others because they may be sick. If you've got a cold, put on a mask. Destination tips says you shouldn't blow your nose in public, either.

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13. Don’t Point to Your Chest

When you're talking about yourself, don't point to your chest. When you're referring to 'me', point to your nose.

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14. Avoid the Numbers 4 and 9

Destination Tips says that in Japan, the number 4 is like our 13. When you say 4 in Japanese, it sounds similar to the word for death. Like 13, you'll see it left out in things like floor numbers. 9 is an unlucky number as well.

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15. Don’t Talk on Your Phone in Public

You can chat, play games or do almost anything you want on your smartphone in Japan. But don't use it as a phone (ie. talk to someone) when you're in public. It's considered rude.

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16. No Public Displays of Affection

Hugging, kissing, holding hands are all frowned upon in public. So no hugging or kissing your new Japanese friends.

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17. Don’t Assume Yes Means Yes

Sometimes the Japanese word for 'yes' (hi) means they're paying attention to what you're saying rather than agreeing with you.

You may not get a firm 'no', either. This is so you can save face if you fail to come to an agreement.

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18. Don’t Litter

You shouldn't litter anywhere, but especially not in Japan. There's a lack of garbage bins because most people carry their trash home. However, there are trash depots where you can leave garbage and recyclables.

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19. Don’t Use Drugs

Destination Tips says that Japan has harsh drug laws, even for softer drugs like marijuana. There's zero tolerance and, if you get caught don't expect any favours because you're Canadian.

The best piece of advice: stay away from all illegal substances when in Japan.