Japan etiquette for tourists: 10 tips for your trip

Are you planning on travelling from the UK to Japan? Maybe you’ll be exploring the towering streets of Tokyo, or using a Japan Rail Pass to pay a visit to the ancient temples and traditional tea houses throughout the country.

Wherever (and however) you plan to spend your time in Japan, there are some cultural etiquette rules to keep in mind - from the polite way to use public transportation to the best bath house behaviour. In this article, we explore 10 of the top travel etiquette rules you need to know to not just observe the culture, but also take part in it as a respectful visitor.

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1) Take your rubbish along

You might find it a bit peculiar that large Japanese cities like Tokyo appear nearly spotless and there are no rubbish bins around. How can that be? In Japan, it’s expected that you hold on to your own rubbish until you find a proper bin to dispose of it in.

They’re often inside convenience stores (konbinis), at train stations, or back at your hotel or holiday home, where you’ll be able to meticulously sort it into bins for plastic, paper and other waste. Don’t fancy holding on to a sticky wrapper all day? It’s also the norm to bring a small extra bag for bottles and packaging.¹

2) Don’t eat and walk

Ready to go on a sightseeing stroll with that big ice cream cone you just bought? It’s better to stay put and enjoy it right where you purchased it - just like with any street food or snack. *Konbinis *will even have special stands to consume the coffee or packaged product at hand.

As the rule around rubbish shows, the Japanese place a high value on cleanliness and don’t want others to be disturbed by potential waste or even unpleasant smells. It’s also considered disrespectful to the food itself to simply chow down on the go without being mindful of what you’re eating.²

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3) Remove your shoes indoors

Before entering a home, it’s customary to remove your shoes at the threshold, a practice deeply rooted in cultural values of cleanliness and respect for shared spaces. This custom extends beyond private homes: many public places, including temples, tea houses, and some restaurants, also require visitors to take off their footwear.

Guests are often provided with indoor slippers, though in rooms with traditional (and delicate) tatami mats, it’s customary to walk in socks or barefoot to avoid damaging the surface. In both homes and private establishments, you’ll usually find a separate pair of slippers reserved exclusively for the bathroom, helping to prevent impurities from spreading elsewhere.³

4) Stay quiet and considerate on public transport

Even if you’re on a packed subway train, you might only be able to hear the shuffling of feet — or a whisper here or there. In order to stay considerate to others, Japanese commuters will only take part in hushed conversations, read or simply close their eyes and rest.

Any louder voice tone is usually only coming from an announcement reminding passengers to keep their phones on silent mode. Most of the time you won’t even hear (or see) a sneeze: since long before the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s been a cultural norm to wear a face mask if you’re feeling sniffly so as not to disturb — or infect — other passengers.⁴

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5) Observe Onsen etiquette

Onsen (traditional hot springs) and bath houses are a wonderful cultural experience not to be missed. But before you take a rejuvenating soak in the flesh, you’re meant to get as clean as possible with soap and warm water at the sit-down showers provided.

The kakeyu (water for pouring over yourself at the entrance) is also a custom that’s not meant to replace a thorough shower. Many onsen don’t allow tattoos, but if you have them and are still keen on a dip, ryokan (traditional Japanese inns) often have private baths without this policy.⁵

6) Be on time

Whether you’re going to a business meeting or a restaurant reservation, it’s the norm to be on time -- which in Japan means 5 to 10 minutes earlier than the scheduled time. If you’re running late, don’t rely on excuses like your train being delayed, as public transport in Japan is famously punctual.

In fact, a common expression if you don’t make it by the agreed upon time is Moushi wake gozaimasen (I have no excuse), which conveys regret and focuses on the apology rather than trying to justify your tardiness.⁶

7) Learn proper chopstick use

First of all, kudos to you for making an effort to use chopsticks, by far the default cutlery in Japan. You don’t need to master them, but there are a few *faux pas *to avoid. The biggest among them is avoiding sticking your chopsticks upright in a rice bowl, as this practice is only reserved for funeral rituals.

On the same token, you won’t want to directly pass food from your set of chopsticks to another’s, which mimics a well known custom at Buddhist burials. You also shouldn’t stab food or use them as tongs, even if you might get a slight pass if travelling with kids.⁷

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8) Learn a few basics of Japanese

You don’t have to string full sentences together, but learning a few common words and phrases in the language will go a long way in showing locals you’re making an effort to adapt to their culture.

Plus, outside of bigger cities and towns you’ll be more hard pressed to find English speakers. Wherever you are, useful vocabulary include: arigatō gozaimasu (a formal thank you), konnichiwa (a formal hello), sumimasen (sorry/excuse me), hai (yes), iie (no) and - one practical question all travellers will need at some point - Toire wa arimas ka? (Do you have a toilet?)⁸.

9) Give (and accept) money with both hands:

You’ll likely be handling a lot of cash in Japan, considering that it’s still the country’s most popular payment method. So it’s important to know the correct way to give and receive it: when you get cash back following a transaction, it’s considered polite and respectful to accept it with both hands.

On the contrary, this is also how you give it to others, even if you’re just setting the money on a tray at a convenience store. This practice, which extends to receiving business cards and gifts, acknowledges the other person’s status and demonstrates humility.³

10) Don’t (usually) give tips

If you’ve just enjoyed a fabulous meal at a restaurant in the UK, it’s a no-brainer to leave a little tip behind as a sign of appreciation. But doing so in Japan is taboo and even considered rude, as excellent service is meant to be included in the price and part of a strong hospitality culture.

You can instead express your gratitude with an *arigatō gozaimasu *and a slight bow before you leave. In certain cases, like when you’ve hired a private guide or interpreter used to international practices, it’s acceptable to hand over a tip in a small white envelope. Then it’s considered a gesture of kokorozuke, or giving straight from the heart.⁹

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Sources used for this article:

Sources checked on 14-December-2025