About Japan
Japan is a country full of rules. Many of them seem burdensome at first but Japan is a collectivist society that is very conscious of others around them. In a metropolis of 35 million in Tokyo you will be very glad people follow the rules as you navigate the crowded subways. Below is a list of tips adapted from 20 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Japan to help you fit in with the crowd.
Table of Contents
Getting Around
Trains
Japan has some of the most extensive train lines in the world. In Tokyo there many subway and train lines which are operated by three different companies. There is an integrated ticket system across most lines and ticket fares are distance based. To make it easier there are transit cards known as IC cards, see the Suica/PASMO section below for details. Trains are the fastest and most economical way of travelling around Tokyo and throughout Japan.
If you wish to travel throughout Japan on your trip it is recommended you get a JR Rail Pass for unlimited train travel.
Taxis
Taxis are abundant in Tokyo and are clean, professional, and reliable. You can pay with cash, IC cards, credit cards, or use the JapanTaxi app. It is rare for taxi drivers to speak English but they will understand if you tell them a major area, attraction, or hotel you are going to. You can also use the JapanTaxi app to arrange a taxi if you need to go a specific location. Taxis in Tokyo are very expensive starting around $20 for a 3km trip and can easily cost up to $100 for longer trips. There is also a surcharge at night after the trains are closed.
Rideshare
Tokyo does have Uber, however, due to regulations it treated like taxi service and is usually more expensive than taxis. There are also very few Uber drivers compared to taxis so it may be harder to find. We do not recommend taking an Uber over public transportation or normal taxis.
Paying
Japan is still a predominately cash based society. Credit cards are usually accepted at most hotels and some restaurants but many other stores are cash only. Whether you’re at a restaurant or in a store or a post office, there will be a small change tray for payment purposes. Instead of handing the money directly to the cashier or the clerk, you want to place your cash or credit card in the tray provided. On a rare occasion, if no tray was provided, hand your credit card or money to the person. For more information please visit Live Japan.
Speaking of cash and credit card, many restaurants and shops still take cash only (More merchants in Tokyo accept credit card over the past few years). Prepare ¥10,000-30,000 ($100-300) in cash to avoid awkward moments. It is not unusual to carry up to ¥100,000 ($1000) in cash; petty crime is basically unheard of and lost wallets are returned to the police, cash included.
Tipping
Tipping is not a favorable practice in Japan. The Japanese have been priding themselves as one of the best services in the world and it is how they demonstrate their hospitality. In many situations, it can be considered rude or even insulting to tip. If you insist to leave a tip behind, someone will likely run after you and politely return the money back.
Suica/PASMO Card
There are two major IC cards in Tokyo and they can be used interchangeably. Suica and PASMO can be purchased at major train stations from special machines and can be reloaded at any station. They are used to pay for train fares and can also be used as cash cards to pay for a variety of services and goods. They are accepted at all convenience stores and help reduce the amount of change you accumulate (tourists often jingle as they walk after collecting a mountain of coins).
Getting an IC card costs a ¥500 deposit and are loaded with cash in ¥500 increments. They are readily available at the airports after going through customs.
Train Etiquette
When you are on-board the subway or any public transport in Japan, you will notice people rarely talk to one another. Sending texts or playing video games are acceptable, but phone calls or talking loudly is strictly not welcomed. There is ‘no sound’ policy display everywhere on carriages on trains, as a reminder to respect the privacy and space of other passengers. That’s how the Japanese like it.
Be careful of large bags. Japanese trains are designed with shorter trips in mind. The racks are big enough for carry-on luggage but you may find it difficult to get around with larger luggage. We recommend you us one of Japan’s baggage shipping services or leave your large luggage at your hotel in Tokyo and travel with a small bag.
There is also no eating on commuter trains/subways. It is not even common to drink on a train. It is however common to eat on bullet trains or larger trains, just remember to take all your garbage with you.
Japan has an extremely low crime rate, however, given how packed the trains are during rush hour many trains have women only cars. They are generally women only in the morning and after work with schedules based on the train company. If you want to be safe, as a guy, avoid the pink train cars!
Trains in Japan carry an incredible amount of people every day are almost always on time. To achieve this there is a system for getting on and off the trains. There are lines painted on the ground to show you where to wait so that there is space for people to get off before getting on. Be careful as there are sometimes multiple colours of waiting areas corresponding to different routes or the order of arrival of the trains!
It is rude to eat or drink while walking on the street
Why is it considered rude to eat and walk in Japan? Well, it has to do with the notion that you should always be considerate with all your actions when you’re in the public. If you are eating while walking on a busy street, you might accidentally spill your food onto someone or create a mess on the ground.
Now there are vending machines, street stalls, and eateries everywhere. You can eat and drink right on the spot. There will be a bin next to the vending machines for you to recycle the can/pet bottle. If you’re buying food from a street stall, there is usually a dedicate area for you to consume the food right away. Since there are very little trash cans in public, it makes sense that one is not encouraged to eat while walking or on a train.
That said, you will still see people, especially the young Japanese, eating foods in public or in a busy touristy area.
Where are the trash cans?
Japan is probably the cleanest country in the world, yet, it may shock you to know that there are very few public trash cans in sight. Since littering is an offense, where do the bins go?
The primary reason for this practice is as a safety measure after the sarin gas attack by a doomsday cult in Tokyo Subway in 1995 that caused many deaths and injuries.
If you do not want to carry a banana peel for miles, we recommend keeping a small paper or plastic trash bag with you when you are out and about. Also, there are always recycling bins right next to the vending machine. Whether you finish drinking the bottle or not, you can always find a vending machine to throw away your finished cans and pet bottles, but do not throw away other trash there.
To bow or not to bow
Offering a bow is a Japanese way of greeting, acknowledgment, respect and more. As a foreigner, it can get a little uncomfortable when you’re greeted with a profusion of bowing. If you’re not comfortable, you’re not expected to bow as a foreigner. However, a slight nod and a simple handshake are totally acceptable.
At shops and restaurants, customers are typically welcomed by the staff with the greeting “Irasshaimase”. Again, a slight nod would be nice for those who want to reciprocate the greeting, but you are not required to respond.
Irasshaimase! How do you respond?
Irasshaimase! The moment you step into a store or a restaurant in Japan, you will find yourself being bombarded by overly enthusiastic and at times dramatized greetings by the shop assistants at every turn. The phrase Irasshaimase (いらっしゃいませ！) means “welcome to the store/restaurant!” It is a standard greeting used at almost every store in Japan.
With so much attention given to you, you may feel like you need to say something back. There’s really no need to respond to the warm welcome. If you insist, you can show some acknowledgment by nodding.
What’s up with the surgical masks?
Walking through the streets of Japan, you may start wondering why are people wearing surgical masks everywhere. Is there a cold going on? Is it for hygiene reason?
To begin, mask-wearing can be traced back to the early years of the 20th century, when a rampant of influenza killed millions of people around the world. The practice was then carried on as global flu epidemics, air pollutions and other environmental occurrences took place. Mask-wearing started off as a prevention measure and became a prevalent habit adopted by the Japanese society.
Today, masks have even evolved into a multifaceted object. A lot of people wear masks to block out the high pollens in spring or as a fashion item.
Nose blowing in public
In a public area in Japan – on the train, in a workplace, around the mall – you may never hear a honk, or even someone lightly blowing their nose. Instead, you will hear the soft sound of sniffling. As in many parts of Asia, sniffling is considered polite, until you find a bathroom to blow your nose.
Sometimes you need to take off your shoes
When you visit someone’s home in Japan, always remove your shoes. It is considered rude to bring dirt into a person’s house. Some restaurants and temples may also require visitors to remove their shoes before entering. Wear guest slippers whenever they are provided. To avoid any moments of embarrassment, be sure to keep your feet hygienic or wear some clean socks during your travel.
The Japanese address system is not as straight-forward
Instead of building or house number on a specific street, the Japanese address system is completely different from the rest of the world. It uses geographic entities and areas. When it’s written in Japanese characters, a typical address starts out with a postal code, followed by a prefecture, a municipality, a city district, numbers of the block and building, and then an apartment number if included.
As if it’s not confusing enough, the address is written in the opposite order when it is in the Roman alphabet. That means, you start from the numbers and goes back to the postal code. For Example:
東京都庁 (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building)
163-8001 日本東京都新宿区西新宿2-8-1 (Japanese)
2-8-1 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 163-8001, Japan (Roman alphabet)
The high tech toilets and the surprise squat toilet
Toilets in Japan are very advanced, known as washlets, these high-tech toilets come with impressive features like built in bidet, air-dryer, seat warmer, power deodorizer, noise maker, water sprays to wash your bottom etc. Not all of them come with English labels, but you can probably figure out the graphics instructions. If you get lost memorize the symbol 大, it means big and will flush the toilet.
Sometimes you might come across traditional squat toilets, especially in the rural areas. If you have to use them, just remember to stand over the basin and squat down facing the hood of the toilet. Make sure both feet are down and don’t tiptoe. You don’t want to lose your balance.
Bear in mind that toilet etiquette is very important in Japan, so make sure you keep it clean and tidy after use.
English isn’t widely spoken (or written) in Japan
Even though millions of tourists visit Japan every year, it may surprise you that English is not widely spoken amongst the locals. Except in major tourist areas, English signage are also not as readily available. This may pose some challenges to communication or for getting around in Japan, but it’s one that the Japanese always handle with patience and good humor. Sometimes the person may understand you, but are a little shy to respond in English. Try not to interrupt when he/ she is thinking about an answer. Of course, it always useful if you could learn a few basic Japanese phrases before you go.
Crossing your legs
You may notice, for example in a formal setting or on a train, that Japanese do not sit with their legs crossed. Not even their ankles. It is considered disrespectful to the people around you. Instead, Japanese sit up straight with their feet planted on the ground, especially when sitting across from someone.
It may not be an easy thing to remember as a tourist when it is so natural to cross your legs or ankles. However, remember not to cross your legs and be mindful of others when you are on crowded subways and trains.
Escalator etiquette
With sprawling high scrappers, subways and shopping malls all over the cities, you will find yourself riding escalators very often in Japan. If you do not wish to get a stern look or get stared down when using the escalators, the simple rule is to leave one side of the escalator open so that those in a hurry can pass.
In Tokyo and other cities in the Kanto region, people stand on the left side, whereas in Osaka and the Kansai region, people stay on the right side, and leave the left side for others to pass. As a visitor, the easiest way is to follow the person in front of you, unless you have got this memorized.
In the recent years, the railway companies and Japanese escalator etiquette have been promoting a ‘do not walk on escalators’ campaign due to the increasing injuries. Despite the effort, this initiative hasn’t been seriously practiced by the public. To be honest, you will be fine as long as you observe the basic etiquette and be careful of the people around you.