16 Japanese Etiquettes and Customs Every Tourist Should Know : Part 2 of 2
This post is Part 2 of a 2-part topic about Japanese etiquette tips – the Do’s and Don’ts for travelers and first-time visitors to Japan. Below, I will walk you through etiquettes tips and customs for when you visit shrines, temples, hot springs (onsen), and basic eating manners in Japan.
The prior post (Part 1) covered etiquettes tips, customs and manners for when you are in public or when using public transport, such as trains, subways, or buses. You can find that post at “18 Japanese Etiquettes and Customs Every Tourist Should Know (Part 1 of 2)”.
Custom and Etiquette Tips When Visiting Temples and Shrines
If you’re planning to explore the sacred grounds of Japanese shrines and temples on your trip, here are some basic customs and etiquettes to follow :
1. Bowing
When you enter and leave temples or shrines, show your respect to the hallowed grounds by giving a nice, deep bow. It’s like a little nod to the deities residing there.
2. Purifying Ritual
Get your cleanse on! At the entrance of temple or shrine, you will see a temizu-ya (a fancy word for water pavilion), provided for worshippers for the purpose of purifying their bodies and souls before conversing with the deities.
Make sure to head over to the temizu-ya, scoop some water from the large water basin into a ladle, and cleanse your hands and mouth with it. Gotta start with a clean slate, right?
3. Dressing Modestly is Key
Now, let’s talk fashion, folks! Fashion forward, but modestly. When you go to temples or shrines, keep it classy!
Cover your shoulders and chest, opt for sleeved shirts and pants, or midi or maxi skirts. Leave the short shorts and mini skirts at the hotel; they’re a bit too revealing and disrespectful for these sacred places.
4. Taking Photos or Not Taking Photos?
Keep an eye out for any signs or restrictions about photography at certain areas of worship. Respect the signs and the rules. Don’t be that rebel!
There were many times I saw tourists keep on snapping photos and laughing at the rules, even after being asked to stop by the Japanese staff at temples or shrines. It was very disrespectful and ruined the sacred and serene atmosphere and for everyone around.
Custom and Etiquette Tips When Visiting a Hot Spring (Onsen)
No vacation to Japan is complete without a visit to a traditional Japanese onsen (hot springs) or sento (public baths). These onsen and sento offer wonderful relaxation for your tired aching body after a long day walking and exploring.
But before you take the plunge, there are a few rules to follow :
1. Use Your Towels Correctly
Upon arriving at the onsen and paying the fees for using the facilities, you will be asked to put your shoes away in a shoe locker, and walk barefoot inside.
You will also be given 2 towels : one large, one small. The large towel is for drying your body later, after the hot spring, and before putting your street clothes back on.
The small towel is to carry with you into the onsen area and use as a cover for your nude body when walking around, or to put on your head. This towel is not allowed to touch the hot spring water.
2. Shower or Wash Fully Before Entering Onsen
There is a designated washing and rinsing area at the entrance of the onsen. Here, make sure to wash your hair and body thoroughly with shampoo and soap before entering the hot spring.
By the time you enter the hot spring, you should be 100% clean—as it’s not a bath, but a clean place to soak and relax only.
3. Bare It All with Confidence
Most onsens are gender-separated, and bathing suits are a no-no. Nude only!
Women and men onsen facilities are in different areas, and couples who go to the onsen together will be separated at the entrance.
However, there are many hot spring hotels offering private onsen experience, where you can reserve specific time slots (45-minute, 1-hour, or 2-hour slots) ahead of time. This is the only available option for you if you and your loved one would like to spend time in the onsen together, as a couple, and not be surrounded by other same-gender guests, which is the case with using a public onsen.
4. Keep Your Head Above Water
It is not allowed to dunk your head below the onsen water, as it is considered unclean to submerge your hair, nose and mouth in the clean water.
So sit upright with your head above water level, enjoy the steam, and let the hot mineral-rich water work on your skin and the aches in your tired muscles.
5. Tattoos Are Prohibited
Be aware that many traditional onsen (and non-onsen) establishments still enforce a no-tattoo policy, due to their association with the Japanese yakuza (Japanese mafia) and organized crime.
If you have a tattoo, check beforehand with the onsen staff to ensure you won’t be turned away, or seek out places that allow guests with tattoos.
Some hot spring facilities do allow tattooed people entrance if the tattoo is very minimal or unnoticeable.
6. No Phone or Photography Allowed
Lastly, but obviously, phones and all other electronic devices are prohibited inside the onsen. You know, because of the nudes.
The only thing you can take with you into the hot spring is the small towel mentioned above, nothing else. Even if you just want to bring your phone in to watch videos while sitting in the water, it’s still not allowed.
Again, don’t be a rebel, otherwise you might cause panic and grief for other people around you, and risk being thrown out of the facilities. It won’t make for an enjoyable experience, for sure.
Custom and Etiquette Tips When Eating
1. Chopstick Manners
Ah, chopsticks, those sleek little utensils that can be both your best friend and your worst enemy. When you’re dining in Japan, it’s important to keep a few chopstick etiquettes in mind :
- First off, never stick those bad boys upright in your rice bowl – it’s a big no-no, as this resembles a funeral ritual.
- Also, don’t go passing food from one set of chopsticks to another. It’s also another funeral rite.
- Don’t use your chopsticks to spear food like a shish kebab. Instead, use them to gracefully pick up your morsels.
- When you take a breather from your feast, be mindful of where you put those chopsticks down. Placing them across your bowl or plate is considered impolite, and only seen at funerals. Instead, use the handy-dandy chopstick rest provided to you, or just lay them neatly on the side of your plate.
- Sharing is caring, but using the same ends of your chopsticks to transfer food from a communal plate to your mouth? Yikes! Flip them around, and use the chopstick ends you are not eating from to grab food from the communal plate.
2. No Walking and Eating at the Same Time
Eating while strolling down the street is a major no-no in Japan! Instead, be a considerate snacker and find a spot to chow down on the side of the road.
Or if you buy snacks or food at convenience stores, stand at the small designated section inside the store and eat.
Trust me, you don’t want to be the person who bumps into passers-by and spills food or drinks on them while strutting around. Talk about a cringe-worthy moment!
3. Ordering at least One Dish per Person
When you’re dining out in Japan, it’s a common knowledge that everyone in the group must order their own dish. Or at least one dish per customer.
Sharing is totally cool, ’cause Japan loves their family-style meals, however each person’s gotta at least order one item for themselves.
Don’t stress about finishing it all, though, ’cause Japanese portions are much smaller and way more manageable than those supersized American meals.
4. No To-Go Bag for Leftovers
You won’t find any doggy bags for your leftovers here. To-go bag for leftovers is just not a thing in Japan, and they have a point.
Why, you ask? Well, the food in Japanese restaurants is meticulously prepared to be enjoyed right then and there, not to be carried around town or left sitting for a long time.
Plus, their portions are way smaller than what you’d see in places like the USA. So, no need to fret about not finishing your meal. Just enjoy every last delightful bite!
5. Slurping is Encouraged
When enjoying a piping hot bowl of ramen, soba, or udon noodles, don’t be afraid to slurp! In Japan, interesting enough, it’s actually a compliment and appreciation to the chef when you slurp your noodles—it shows you’re thoroughly enjoying the dish.
So, set aside your table manners for a moment and let those noodles sing as they slide into your happy tummy. Slurp with gusto!
6. Saying Thanks
Dig into a tasty meal in Japan like a pro by remembering two key phrases – “itadakimasu” before you chow down and “gochisousama” after you’ve cleaned your plate.
Itadakimasu is like a thank-you note to the food gods, while gochisousama is a big shout-out to the chef for their culinary magic and hard work.
These little phrases not only show your gratitude for the food, but also give props to those who make it all possible. So, next time you’re devouring a scrumptious Japanese meal, don’t forget to sprinkle in some good manners with a side of appreciation!
Conclusion
Now that you’ve got these extra Japanese etiquettes and customs up your sleeve, you’re all set to navigate the intricacies of Japan with grace. Remember, following these Japanese customs and etiquettes not only shows respect but also adds a whole new level of awesomeness to your adventures, enriching your travel experience.
So, go forth, soak up the awesomeness of Japan, and spread some cultural enlightenment wherever you go. Have a blast and sayonara!
If you have any questions or just want to share your own travel stories, I’d love to hear from you! Please feel free to reach out to me at evelyn@japanoncloudnine.com, and let’s chat. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post, and happy travels in Japan!
Post You Might be Interested In
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And much more – Check out all of my posts here on the Main page.
