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Despite being relatively widely travelled, Japan was more culturally different than we’d anticipated and there’s a significant amount of etiquette involved. If you’re travelling to Japan, hopefully the following may help.
People constantly bow. Do not attempt to shake hands, bow back. The more senior the person, the lower you need to go.
Japan is a nation of mask wearers – the surgical masks protect them from germs in winter and pollen in summer. Taxi drivers even wear them in the cars.
It is a male dominated society. Whilst men work longer hours and go drinking afterwards, women tend to stay at home.
The Japanese all want their photographs taken individually in front of iconic sites and sometimes with you, especially if your hair is blonde or red.
You will eat a lot of miso soup, tofu and raw fish (sushi and sashimi).
Tokyo, has a diverse range of quirky restaurants e.g. Maid Cafes. We tried the Robot Restaurant.
Credit cards are not as widely accepted as they are in the UK. When they are taken, processing can be basic and require a signature. At the opposite end of the scale, others are taken via a gizmo attached to an i-pad and require a ‘finger signature (it’s also said to record your e-mail address).
Tipping is not required at all – in fact it’s said to cause confusion and embarrassment.
The luggage forwarding system is excellent so you can just carry hand baggage. It can take either 12 or 24 hours to arrive and costs around £12 to £20 per bag depending on distance and time.
The Japanese drive on the left. Standing on escalators depends on which city you’re in as in some expect you to be stationary on the right, others on the left.
J walking is frowned up.
Cyclists often use pavements which usually have yellow raised and dotted line for visually impaired.
Children are either carried or walk: you hardly ever see a buggy.
Toilets vary between squat and western style. They often have heated seats and a range of bottom washing and drying options which can be regulated in terms of water temperature and pressure. Some have sounds, either music or running water, to disguise the noise of your ablutions. In better hotels, seats and lids may open and close automatically. Ironically hand dryers are few and far between as the Japanese all appear to carry small flannels for drying their hands
It’s hard to find a litter bin in public places as everyone’s encouraged to take rubbish home.  Children are responsible for cleaning their school from an early age.
Vending machines are ubiquitous and on every street corner and railway station. They sell a huge range of both cold and hot drinks (which are shaken to heat).
It’s acceptable to sniff and the Japanese find handkerchiefs abhorrent.  If a tissue is used, the rule is one blow and throw.
Electric sockets vary enormously and we found our English three pin plug could be used in some places.
Helen has written many reviews about her travels around Japan for Silver Travel Advisor. Simply type ‘Japan’ into the search box at the top of this page to find them.
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