When traveling freely in Japan, besides booking flights and accommodations, there is one equally important thing—understanding local culture and etiquette.

Did you know that you can slurp when eating ramen, but you shouldn’t eat while walking?

Or that in some places now, eating while walking is actually allowed?

Did you know that you must be fully nude in hot springs? Or that you have to remove your shoes and wear a head cover when trying on clothes?

These “seemingly odd” customs actually reflect the Japanese people’s obsession with detail and order.

Today’s article gives you a light-hearted overview of the 18 most commonly encountered details when traveling in Japan—so you can avoid pitfalls and embarrassment in advance.

I: Cultural Differences – How Many Do You Know?

1.Can You Eat While Walking? It Depends!

Many people have heard:“It’s impolite to eat while walking in Japan.”
Traditionally, that’s true—especially at stations, in residential areas, or on clean streets, walking and eating is seen as inconsiderate to others.
However, in recent years, places like Nakamise Street at Sensoji Temple and Komachi Street in Kamakura have become popular “walk-and-eat” food streets.
Recommendation:
 In tourist areas, feel free to eat—but please stand to the side and finish eating before walking again.
 In quiet neighborhoods or on public transport, it’s still recommended to avoid eating while walking.

2.Do You Really Have to Slurp Your Noodles?

Yes!
In Japan, slurping while eating ramen or soba is considered a way to express how delicious it is.
But when eating sushi, curry, bento, or other foods, please chew quietly.

3. Must You Be Nude in Hot Springs? Can’t Wear Swimsuits?

Bathing in hot springs in Japan is very particular.
You must be fully nude. Swimsuits and towels are not allowed.
Before entering, you must wash your body, towels must not be taken into the water, and long hair should be tied up.
Some hot springs have restrictions on people with tattoos—check in advance or bring a tattoo cover sticker.

4. Can You Open the Taxi Door Yourself?

In Japan, the taxi door is opened and closed automatically by the driver.
Just stand by and wait beside the car.

5.Why remove your shoes and wear head covers in the fitting room?

Fitting rooms in Japanese clothing stores are very clean. 
You need to take off your shoes before entering, and some stores will provide disposable head covers to prevent lipstick or foundation from getting on your clothes. 
Although it may seem a bit "over the top", this is exactly how Japan pays attention to details.

6.Transparent umbrellas are the most popular in rainy days, but do people still need to "shake the umbrella"?

In Japan, transparent umbrellas are almost standard. They can be bought at convenience stores (around 700 yen). The transparent design is convenient and doesn’t block the view. Before entering indoor spaces, people will also habitually shake off the water droplets on the umbrella to avoid getting the floor wet. A small action, but with big consideration.

II: Collection of practical tips｜You may fall into the trap if you don’t read it!

1.Public Transportation Etiquette

Avoid talking on the phone or talking loudly on the train or bus.
When approaching the "priority seat" area, please turn phone to “Silent” mode
There are "women-only cars" during the period, pay attention to the signs
Escalator rules differ by region: 
Tokyo: stand on the left, walk on the right.
Osaka: stand on the right, walk on the left.

2.Please keep your voice down in the elevator

In Japan, people usually keep quiet when riding in the elevator. 
Some tourists chatting loudly may cause discomfort or surprise to others.
Suggestion: Please lower your voice and keep conversations short and polite.

3.Cash is still important

Although many places support electronic payment (Alipay/WeChat/UnionPay), small shops, temples, and local buses still only accept cash.
It is recommended to carry 20,000 to 30,000 yen with you. 
For small payments, use coins more often, and it is more convenient to prepare a coin purse

4.Please bring your own trash bag

There are few trash cans on the streets of Japan. If necessary, please carry a small garbage bag with you. 
Especially after eating while walking, please do not throw garbage on the roadside. 
Please put beverage cans and bottles in the special recycling bin next to the vending machine and be sure to dispose of them according to classification.

5.Don’t forget to look for a smoking area

In Japan, many places have certain regulations on smoking in order to create a clean and comfortable public environment. In the streets of cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, smoking while walking is usually not encouraged, and cigarette butts are not allowed to be discarded at will.
But in fact, there are many special smoking areas in the city, such as near stations, outside shopping malls, or in the corner of parks. As long as you pay a little attention, you can usually find clearly marked smoking areas. If you are not sure whether you can smoke, it is recommended to stop and confirm the on-site signs. In some areas, if you light a cigarette in a non-smoking area, you may be fined.

6.Restroom Tips

Japanese toilets usually provide water-soluble toilet paper, which can be thrown directly into the toilet and flushed away without throwing it into the trash can.
Public toilets in Japan, such as stations, parks, convenience stores, etc., are usually free to use.
Find the flush button or lever, which is usually next to the toilet or in front of/to the side of the tank. "Big" (大) usually means a full flush for solids, and "small" (小) means a light flush for liquids. Some toilets will automatically flush after use.

7.Hot spring bathing tips (again)

Bath naked, wash before entering the pool.
Do not bring a towel into the pool, please tie up long hair.
If you have any tattoos, please confirm the rules in advance or bring a cover-up sticker.

8.Eating habits

Do NOT stick chopsticks into rice.
Do not pass food directly from chopstick-to-chopstick; use a plate.
You can make slurping noises when eating noodles but stay quiet with other meals.

9.IC cards are very useful

SUICA / PASMO cards can be used for trains, buses, shopping, and buying drinks.
It’s used nationwide, but Shinkansen (bullet train) tickets must be purchased separately. 
Recharge requires cash and can be done at stations or convenience stores.

10.    Emergency Response

Police: 110 
Ambulance/fire: 119 
You can seek help at convenience stores or train stations, most of the staff are eager to help.

11.Shrine worship etiquette

Please wash your hands at the hand-washing room before worshiping. 
The steps are as follows: Left hand → right hand → rinse mouth (do not swallow) → rinse the ladle handle 
Worship order: bow twice → clap twice → bow once
※ Each shrine may have its own way of worshipping, so it's recommended that you refer to the sign inside the shrine that explains how to do so.

12.Punctuality matters

Please be on time for reservations for restaurants, hot springs, hired transport, and other services. 
If you are late for more than the specified time, the service may be cancelled. 
If you expect to be late, please contact us in advance.

13.Shopping tips

Shoes must be removed in the fitting room 
Some products, such as sanitary products, will be packaged in black bags for privacy

14.Handy Japanese Phrases for Tourists

基础礼貌类/Basic Courtesy

日语	发音	中文意思	英語
すみません	su·mi·ma·sen	抱歉、打扰一下、劳驾、请问…（万能开头句）	I’m sorry, excuse me
ありがとうございます	a·ri·ga·to·u go·za·i·ma·su	谢谢您（更有礼貌）	Thank you/Thank you very much
はい／いいえ	hai / i·i·e	是 / 不是	Yes/No
お願いします	o·ne·ga·i·shi·ma·su	麻烦您了（请求用语）	Please (use when making a request)
ごめんなさい	go·men·na·sa·i	对不起（较亲切）	I’m sorry (casual use)
だいじょうぶです	dai·jou·bu de·su	没关系、我可以、我没事	It’s OK/ It’s fine/

 

购物/点餐类 / Shopping/Ordering

日语	发音	中文意思	英語
これください	ko·re ku·da·sa·i	我要这个（指物）	I want this please (while pointing at the item)
いくらですか？	i·ku·ra de·su·ka	多少钱？	How much is it?
メニューありますか？	me·nyu·u a·ri·ma·su·ka	有菜单吗？（多数店会有图片）	Do you have a menu?
中国語のメニューありますか？	tyuu·go ku go no me·nyu·u a·ri·ma·su·ka	有中文菜单吗？	Do you have a Chinese menu?
テイクアウトできますか？	te·i·ku a·u·to de·ki·ma·su·ka	可以外带吗？	Can I have it to go?/Can I have it for take out?
クレジットカード使えますか？	ku·re·ji·tto ka·a·do tsu·ka·e·ma·su·ka	可以用信用卡吗？	Can I use a credit card?

 

出行/问路类 / Transportation/Directions

日语	发音	中文意思	英語
○○はどこですか？	___ wa do·ko de·su·ka？	___ 在哪里？（地名/车站名）	Where is ______?
トイレはどこですか？	to·i·re wa do·ko de·su·ka	厕所在哪里？	Where is the toilet?
駅はどこですか？	e·ki wa do·ko de·su·ka	车站在哪？	Where is the station?
この電車は○○へ行きますか？	ko·no den·sha wa ___ e i·ki·ma·su·ka	这班车去 ___ 吗？	Does this train go to ________?

 紧急类/Emergency

日语	发音	中文意思	英語
助けてください！	ta·su·ke·te ku·da·sa·i	请帮我！（紧急求助）	Please help me!
病院はどこですか？	byou·in wa do·ko de·su·ka	医院在哪？	Where is the hospital?
警察を呼んでください	kei·sa·tsu o yo·n·de ku·da·sa·i	请叫警察	Please call the police!
道に迷いました	mi·chi ni ma·yo·i·ma·shi·ta	我迷路了	I’m lost./I got lost.

 

互动类（实用又加分）/ Interaction (Polite & Helpful)

日语	发音	中文意思	英語
写真を撮ってもいいですか？	sha·shin o to·tte mo i·i de·su·ka	可以拍照吗？	Can I take a photo?
おいしいです！	o·i·shi·i de·su	很好吃！	It’s delicious!
また来ます！	ma·ta ki·ma·su	我会再来！	I’ll come again
おすすめはありますか？	o·su·su·me wa a·ri·ma·su·ka	有推荐的吗？	Any recommendations?

 

Let Courtesy Unlock a Deeper Journey
Japan is a country that values rules, order, and kindness.
Many things you might see as “making a fuss over nothing” are really signs of how delicately they care about life.
Traveling abroad isn’t about being burdened by rules — it’s about respecting others and having a richer experience in return.
Understanding these cultural differences in advance isn’t just about doing things “right”—it’s about feeling more at ease while discovering the warmth of the city.

If you find this article useful, please like, save, and forward it to your friends who are about to travel. 
📮What other little-known facts about traveling in Japan do you want to know? Please leave a message and I will continue to organize the next article.
🧳Recommended reading:
《First time taking the bullet train? How to buy a ticket? How to buy a bento? A Full guide》