What Not to Do in Japan: 20+ Mistakes Tourists Make (and How to Avoid Them)

Heading to Japan? Are you wondering about things that you should and shouldn’t do?

Then you have come to the right place! Our family just returned from a month-long trip to this amazing country. And we learned A LOT!

While Japan is an incredible country to visit, it’s easy to make mistakes as a first-time visitor.

Some habits that are normal at home can come across as rude or thoughtless in Japan.

And seeing as how the Japanese take rules and good behaviour quite seriously, it’s not a bad idea to learn some basic etiquette.

This guide covers the most common cultural slip-ups—and how to avoid them.

Don’t Ignore the Rules of Etiquette

Common sense will go a long way in helping you to avoid being seen as a rude foreigner.

However, some things you need to know are a little more subtle or less obvious.

Below, we will cover some of the biggest things that you should not do while in Japan.

Mt. Tenjo - Posing with Mt. Fuji in the background

Talking Loudly in Public

We used public transit A LOT while we were in Japan. And for the most part, I was quite surprised at just how quiet it really was!

With the exception of rush hour, when people were literally being packed into trains, it was actually quiet enough that you could easily have a conversation with the person next to you in a low voice.

In fact, I found that you could barely hear the locals speaking to one another.

Train ride from one hotel to another in Tokyo

Unfortunately, the only loud voices I heard were those of non-Japanese tourists carrying on conversations in their “outside” voices.

Another no-no is carrying on a conversation on your phone while riding on transit.

This is seen as rude, especially if you are doing so in a loud voice.

And while no one will say anything, expect to get some side-eyes and unappreciative looks if you behave in this manner.

Wearing Shoes Indoors

To me, this is common sense! We do not wear shoes in our home, except for slippers or other indoor footwear.

This is also the case in Japan. If you are invited into someone’s home, you need to remove your shoes just after the threshold.

You will also come across many businesses, temples, restaurants, traditional ryokans, and even attractions that will require you to remove your shoes.

And you will find that Japanese people are very particular about this practice!

Nomura House Kanazawa - Music performance during visit to Samurai House

During a visit to a temple, we were scolded because we took our shoes off and stepped on the wrong part of the floor with our socks!

This was because one part of the floor is considered to be the “dirty” area where street shoes are removed.

You shouldn’t then step on this part of the floor with your clean socks! Instead, we were told to step over the threshold to the “clean” area of the floor!

Kotohira - Toilet slippers provided for us in our Ryokan

We quickly learned that the best way to determine when and where to remove your shoes is to look for either a step up, a shoe shelf, or even just a partition from tile to carpet/grass mat.

Many places, like people’s homes or ryokan hotels, will provide slippers to wear indoors once your shoes are removed.

🥿 Expert Tip – Do not wear your slippers into the toilet area! Our ryokan hotel provided a separate pair of slippers for the toilet room (which was separate from the rest of the bathroom).

Mishandling Chopsticks

Learning to use chopsticks may be a challenge in itself, but also be sure to learn chopstick etiquette before heading to Japan.

Some of the biggest mistakes you can make when eating with chopsticks include:

🥢 Don’t point, play with, or stab your food with chopsticks. This is just plain rude.

🍚 Never stick your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice. Doing this is actually linked to funeral rituals and will make the locals feel very uneasy.

Daughter holding chopsticks correctly during Kaiseki lunch

🍜 When sharing food, use the clean end to serve yourself. Never use the end that you are eating from to take food from a common bowl. This is seen as unhygienic.

🍣 Passing food from one pair of chopsticks to another is a big no-no in Japan. It is considered bad manners.

Wearing Inappropriate Clothing at Shrines

While Japan is certainly not as strict as Greece when it comes to what you wear when visiting religious sites, you still should be respectful.

And this comes down to common sense.

Even if you’re just sightseeing, shrines and temples are active places of worship, not tourist attractions.

You should avoid wearing clothing that is too revealing or has offensive graphics or slogans. Not really rocket science here!

Sensō-ji Temple Asakusa - Me wearing a shawl over my shoulders while visiting inside the temple

You should also cover your shoulders and wear something modest. This shows respect and really isn’t hard to do.

I know that when we were visiting Japan, it was during the summer, and it was really hot.

So a lot of the time, I wasn’t really dressed appropriately to visit a shrine (I wore a ton of dri-fit dresses with straps instead of sleeves).

As a result, I always carried a thin shawl in my purse, which I would then drape over my shoulders when entering the shrines. Easy peasy!

⛩️ Expert Tip – If you are unsure how to dress when visiting a Temple or Shrine, just ask yourself if what you are wearing would be appropriate to wear to your own church. If the answer is ‘no’, then it’s not ok to wear to a temple or shrine either.

Pointing at People or Objects

Pointing is seen as rude in Japan. But isn’t this the case anywhere you go?

In any case, if you need to gesture, use your whole hand (palm facing up) or nod in the direction.

This is seen as a more polite alternative to pointing.

Most importantly, try to avoid pointing directly at people, especially in public.

This is considered extremely rude.

Handing Things to Someone

This was something that took me a few days to get in the habit of doing correctly.

When in Japan, it is customary to use both hands when giving or receiving items like gifts, documents, or even a business card.

Traditional Tea Ceremony - Tea Master handing guest sweets before serving tea

It’s a small gesture, but it shows politeness and attention.

Using the Tray to Pay

Again, I found myself making this mistake often.

When paying for items in stores, restaurants, or even at small vendor booths, you will find a small tray at the register for money.

You put your money or credit card in the tray, the cashier will take it from there, and then they will put your change or credit card back in the tray for you to pick up.

Money tray sitting on the counter of an ice cream shop

Don’t hand your cash or card directly to the cashier.

Some people will hand you your change directly, but I found that they were few and far between.

Don’t Turn Every Spot Into a Photoshoot

Unfortunately, this is something that we came across a lot during our travels in Japan.

The truth is, Japan is filled with incredible spots to fill your Instagram feed with.

That said, the locals get tired of influencers and amateur photographers running rampant in the cities and at the temples.

If you want to take some pictures, use common sense and be respectful.

Don’t Take Photos Without Permission

This is a big one. Be sure to ask permission before photographing people, especially in rural areas, temples, or small shops.

I was scolded by a store owner in Gion when she thought I was taking a picture of her (I actually had the camera set to selfie mode, and was taking a photo of myself next to something in the shop).

Which brings me to my next point – Don’t take photos of geisha without consent. I have seen several videos of tourists chasing down Geishas and Maikos who are just trying to go about their business.

Not cool!

Several attractions that we visited, like inside Osaka Castle or Sanjūsangen-dō Temple, had areas where photography was strictly forbidden.

Be respectful and abide by the rules.

Kyoto Japan - Sanjūsangen-dō — Outside Sanjūsangen-dō Temple

Another big no-no when it comes to getting that perfect shot for the “Gram is to never climb or sit on monuments, statues, or temple structures for a photo.

This is just plain disrespectful and will not be tolerated by many of the locals.

Lastly, be mindful not to block pathways or disturb others while taking pictures.

Kotohira - Making our way up the stairs from the initial Torii gate

I can’t tell you how many times we saw people standing in the middle of a roadway to get that perfect photo, oblivious to the fact that they were blocking traffic, or just being a hindrance to people trying to go about their day.

Don’t do this!

Blocking Paths and Shrines for a Shot

And this leads me to my next point – Don’t hog space at torii gates or scenic spots.

While the torii gates are gorgeous, a ton of people visit the most popular ones.

It becomes really irritating to others who are also trying to enjoy the sights if you decide to do a solo photoshoot right in the middle of the walkway.

Kotohira - Kotohira-gu Shrine at top of the 1368 steps with no one else around

That’s not to say that you can’t stop for a quick photo. Just don’t take over and set up shop!

Lastly, keep in mind that places like torii gates and shrines are religious sites. So many locals will visit to pray.

They should not have to be inconvenienced because you want the perfect shot for the ‘gram.

Don’t Be Careless with Trash

One of the first things that you will notice when visiting Japan is how clean the public spaces are.

The streets are absolutely spotless! And considering how populated many of the cities are, this was totally mind-blowing to me.

That said, it’s almost ironic that finding a trash can in a Japanese city is like finding a unicorn or a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow!

(In fact, I have seen many memes about this floating around in Japan travel groups!)

Littering

Littering is frowned upon, no matter what country you are in. But Japanese people will take extra offence to it if they see you littering.

Don’t do it!

While most food vendors and convenience stores have trash bins, you should really only use these if you have purchased something from that store.

🚮 Expert Tip – Carry Ziploc bags around in your purse or backpack for carrying trash until you find a trash bin or get to your hotel.

Eating While Walking

This rule of etiquette is a little more subtle.

In Japan, it is not okay to walk around while eating. In fact, you will actually find signs reminding you of this rule in popular tourist areas.

This means that if you purchase a snack from a vendor, you are expected to either sit or stand nearby to eat it.

Trust me when I say, this gets a little tricky when you are at a popular attraction!

Nakamise Shopping Street Asakusa - Daughter trying melon pan while standing off to the side

We stopped for treats a few times while visiting Nakamise Shopping Street by Senso-ji Temple.

The place was jam-packed, and trying to find a space to stand and eat was next to impossible.

The only time when this rule does not apply is when you are at a festival or in a designated food zone.

Don’t Forget to Be Polite

We found Japan to be one of the politest places that we have ever visited.

This means that you truly need to be on your best behaviour when visiting this amazing country.

Don’t Skip the Bow

Bowing in Japan is common in greetings, thanks, and apologies.

I found it funny how we automatically and subconsciously started bowing almost immediately.

Kyoto - Traditional Tea Ceremony - Guest and Tea Master bow to one another — Traditional Tea Ceremony

Now, I am not talking deep bows. A slight bow or a small nod is perfectly acceptable when speaking to a stranger.

Deep bows are reserved for friends and colleagues or during formal ceremonies.

Try to learn a Few Japanese Words

While no one is expecting foreigners to be fluent in Japanese, the locals do appreciate it when people learn a few words and try to speak Japanese.

Knowing words like “Arigatou” (thank you) and “Sumimasen” (excuse me) can come in handy.

Common Japanese Phrases that I put on my phones home screen

In fact, I was complimented several times when attempting short phrases in Japanese. I definitely got plenty of smiles!

🇯🇵 Expert Tip – Be sure to download our Japanese Phrases for Travel cheat sheet to help you learn some important words and phrases.

Don’t Assume Everyone Speaks English

So I think that this tip goes hand in hand with the tip about learning a few words in Japanese.

You are in Japan. Don’t assume or expect that everyone knows English!

While we noticed that many signs, menus, and even messages on the train are in English, not everyone speaks it.

Kachikachiyama Ropeway - Sign in both English and Japanese

Be patient and respectful when asking for help.

We found that Google Translate was a huge help when trying to speak to people for any reason.

Our cab driver even used Google Translate to have a full conversation with us!

Understand What’s Expected at an Onsen

Visiting an onsen in Japan is something that everyone should try at least once.

John and I quite enjoyed the few opportunities that we had to go for a nice soak.

Kotohira - Rose filled onsen in ladies section

The kids? They just laughed and said “No way”!!

But just be aware, there are rules that need to be followed when visiting an onsen.

Entering Without Washing First

First and most importantly, you MUST shower before entering the bath.

And I’m not talking a quick rinse either. You actually need to fully soap up and rinse before entering the onsen.

In the hotels that we stayed at, the facilities were awesome.

When you entered the onsen area, you first came across a locker room to store your clothing and grab a towel.

Next, you head to the shower area where you fully clean yourself.

You then are able to enter the onsen from the shower area.

Wearing a Swimsuit or Bringing a Towel Into the Water

Onsens in Japan are normally done in the nude. They are also not co-ed.

You are not allowed to wear a bathing suit or enter the onsen wearing a towel.

And from our experience, the men’s and women’s onsens were usually on different floors of the hotel, or in separate wings.

But if you are shy, this may not be the experience for you!

There are some public onsens that are family-friendly and allow bathing suits to be worn.

They are just not as popular, and you won’t get the true onsen experience!

Not Covering Tattoos

One important thing that you should make note of is that most onsens do not allow people with tattoos to enter.

I have three tattoos, so I always needed to cover them up with waterproof patches.

Covering up my shoulder tattoo at hotel swimming pool — Most public pools also require you to cover tattoos

Most of the hotels that we stayed at provided patches for a small fee, which made it quite convenient.

There are some tattoo-friendly public onsens, but they are pretty few and far between.

Your best bet is to always ask about their tattoo policy before you enter the onsen.

Don’t Tip at Restaurants

Coming from North America, which has an over-the-top tipping culture, it was interesting to see the difference in Japan.

Not only is tipping in most situations not the norm, but it is also seen as unwarranted.

Saying “thank you” and enjoying your meal is what restaurant staff want to see from you.

Kyoto Japan - kaiseki lunch at a traditional Japanese Restaurant

Japanese employees consider it their job to provide the best service, so further compensation for this is unnecessary.

Of course, if you are taking part in a free walking tour with a local, then a tip is definitely appreciated.

Don’t Walk and Use Your Phone

This really should be considered common sense.

But it was pretty common to see both tourists AND locals walking around with their heads buried in their phones.

Nakamise Shopping Street Asakusa - Walking down the crowded streets

Considering how busy the streets in the larger cities can get, this was not good.

If you need to check a map or send a message, just step to the side.

Don’t Assume Public Drinking is Always Allowed

While drinking in public is allowed in most places in Japan, there are some exceptions in certain cities and at some attractions.

For example, Shibuya has put rules in place banning the public consumption of alcohol, particularly around the station, during Halloween and New Years.

The new rule was made to prevent tourist-related chaos during busy holidays.

And while it is generally allowed for people to drink on the trains, it is frowned upon.

In fact, the consumption of any food or drink (water aside) on the train is not really done.

Don’t Overpack

One of the biggest recurring themes that I came across when researching Japan was the advice to not overpack.

This, of course, was quite difficult, as we are a family of chronic overpackers!

Mt Fuji - Starting our climb from the 5th station — Carrying a small backpack for our trek up Mt. Fuji

But I did my very best for this particular trip, and couldn’t have been more thankful that I did!

Besides, many hotels had really great laundry rooms, so we had no problem throwing a load in after we arrived back at our hotel in the evening.

Large Luggage Can Be a Problem

We each took a mid-sized hard-body suitcase and a backpack with about 10 days of clothing for an entire month in Japan.

The suitcase was easy to manage for each of us, which was a blessing when travelling from one city to another on public transportation.

We did not need to book special seats on the Shinkansen (bullet train) as our luggage easily fit in the overhead tray.

Luggage rack above the seats on the shinkansen

We also had an easier time carrying our suitcase up and down long flights of stairs when the train stations did not have easily accessible elevators or escalators.

And let’s not forget easily managing our suitcases in busy train stations, on roadways, or on packed-like-sardines trains!

And lastly, for the few times that we needed to store our luggage in coin lockers at the train station, they easily fit into the largest lockers.

Capsule Hotel Shinjuku - Suitcase fit perfectly inside the provided locker

Another point in favour of packing small and light is the space in your hotel room.

Unless you are staying at a Western hotel chain (like Hilton or Marriott), the rooms are quite small.

With four of us packed into one room at our Disney hotel, four open suitcases basically ate away what was left of the floor and tabletop space that we had in the room.

Family in the lobby of our USJ hotel holding luggage

Worst-case scenario, you can always use a luggage forwarding service to get your large luggage to and from the airport or from one hotel to the next.

We used this service only once, but it was awesome!

Final Thoughts

We had an absolutely fantastic time in Japan.

We found the country to be very welcoming, and locals are usually understanding of tourists.

That said, you really should read up on cultural norms and differences before heading to Japan.

Hopefully, these tips can help you avoid awkward situations and show respect for local customs.