Japan, land of Sakura, anime, sushi and martial arts. The paradise for otakus and sushi lovers. With its rich history filled with emperors and castles, Japan happens to be a real wonderland for adventurous travelers.
Its animated streets, cafes, busy malls and restaurants will definitely make your journey there a memorable one. But before you get all prepped up and enthusiastic about speaking Japanese and eating with chopsticks, you'll have to consider a few things that you should not do while being there.
Well, since it's your first trip there, you don't want to make it your last one . There are a number of ethical codes to follow when having a meal at a restaurant or with a Japanese family. If you think that France had an exhaustive set of rules to follow while eating, well, Japan has got something more impressive to share.
First thing first, you need to know how to hold your chopsticks. It is actually seen as rude to point your chopsticks towards someone or even objects, or even move them around while talking.
As food is greatly respected in Japan, you're expected to show some respect to your meal, and this means that you can't stab your meal with your chopsticks.
And since it's your first time using chopsticks, you should know that sharing food with chopsticks isn't appreciated.
At the end of your meal, put them down in front of you while pointing them to them left.
Though tipping is very common in western countries and some other parts of the world, it certainly doesn't have its place in the Japanese culture. Giving tips might be a way to show that we really loved the service and want to show our appreciation, but in Japan, it is not very well seen by the Japanese. If there's anything you want, you just have to ask for it and it will be added to your bill.
Like many Asian countries, Japan doesn't accept shoes inside the house (sorry guys). But once you remove your shoes outside, you'll be given a pair of slippers to be worn exclusively inside the house. Now, bear in mind that you'll be having to change slippers if ever you need to go to the washroom. Yep! You read that right. For hygienic reasons, the Japanese keep a pair of slippers outside the washroom which is used specifically for this part of the house. When you're done, just don't forget to change back to the house slippers.
If you're planning to take a tour in the Japanese sacred places and temples, make sure you take off your shoes as wearing them while being in sacred places is regarded as being disrespectful towards the Japanese culture.
As mentioned a few lines before, Japanese culture has a deep respect for food. So, eating or drinking while walking isn't something you want to do during your stay there. If you want to have some snacks or a bite, just find a nearby restaurant, eatery or any place where you can sit and eat peacefully.
Sushi lovers, take heed! While having your appetizing plate of sushi in front of you, don't pour the soy sauce directly over the sushi. Rather, put the sauce in a small bowl, then dip your sushi or sashimi in it. Psst! Don't forget your chopsticks rules.
Just like any other country, Japan has got its own set of rules when it comes to public transportation. If you're used to noise or loud chitchats in public transports, well, Japan will certainly overwhelm you with .....silence.
Silence is very much valued in Japan. After long and exhaustive hours of work, people often looking forward to a silent trip back home. Making noise, talking loudly or playing music are viewed as impolite. So, if you're traveling by train, just make sure not to disturb other passengers.
Also, it is important not to block the entries of the train, since people keep on getting on board. In order to avoid any kind of overcrowding, just keep on moving until you reach somewhere in the middle. Blocking entries will only make you frustrated or feel out of place.
Since it is a country with a lot of discipline, don't expect people to be pushing in order to get inside the train. Stay in line and wait for your turn.
Lastly, don't even think about sitting down on the train floor. Be patient and stand if there are no empty seats during your commute to your destination.
Japan definitely has a number of rules to follow. It does display a lot of discipline in its daily routines and invites its visitors to do the same so that they don't feel out of place while visiting. However, let's not forget that the country is very respectful towards its guests and shows willingness to accommodate its visitors with the best service they can get. It simply requires a little bit of patience and cooperation.
