1 Foreword

In this article we take a look at 5 of the most important aspects of Japanese culture, and the customs and etiquette that you should know before any trip to Japan. Anyone planning to visit the country, be it for the short or long term, should find that following some of the suggestions set out here will encourage the Japanese people to welcome you into their society. This is especially important for first-time business travellers, where ignorance or insensitivity to Japanese etiquette may jeopardize a company's interests in the country.

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2 Top 5 Customs

2.1 Meeting and Greeting

One of the most basic yet important forms of etiquette in Japan is bowing. In Japan you will see this happening all the time, with the bow serving a number of different purposes. They are used as a form of greeting, a sign of respect, to accompany an apology, and in various other situations. The art of bowing is exceedingly complicated, ranging from a short, quick bow at a 15 degree angle for a friend, to a long, deep bend when addressing a superior. The most polite form of bow is performed kneeling on the ground and moving the head down to touch the floor. This is typically used as a display of great sincerity.

Whilst a Japanese person would be expected to display a correct bow, and in fact they are trained to do so from a very young age, in practice a foreigner can get by with a simply dip of the head or an attempt at a bend at the waist. As a rule of thumb, try to stick to the following suggestions and you should be safe in most situations:

• When bowing keep your back straight and your eyes cast down towards the floor. Looking at the other person suggests that you do not trust them, a tradition inherited from the time of the samurai.
• Men should keep their hands by their sides and women have their hands in from of them.
• If someone bows to you, you should return the gesture.
• To prevent any misunderstanding, always bow slightly deeper and for slightly longer that the other person. It's better to show too much respect than too little!

Addressing people with the appropriate title is also important in Japan. When talking to someone you should always attach to their name the suffix -san or, to show even more politeness, -sama. For children you can add -kun to the given name for boys and -chan for girls, though normally the name alone will suffice.

2.2 Visiting a Japanese House

This rule also applies to many other establishments such as businesses and hotels. When you enter a Japanese household, it is of vital importance to remember to take off your shoes. Slippers will be provided for you to wear and shoes are either placed neatly with toes facing the door or in a rack if one is provided. If you have large feet, consider investing in a pair of indoor slippers to keep with you just in case. Some Japanese carry their own slippers. If you are wearing a coat or hat, remember to take them off before the host opens the door, and do not put them back on again until after you leave.

If you are invited as a guest to a Japanese home, try to take along a gift for the hostess. Do not give anything extravagant as this may embarrass them. Something simple such as flowers or a small gift from your home country would be perfect. If the gift is not opened in front of you, do not feel like it is not appreciated; it is considered bad manners to open it in front of you (though some Japanese may do so because they know it is your tradition). Likewise, if you receive a gift, do not open it unless you are encouraged to do so.

When using the toilet you must remove your indoor slippers and replace them with toilet slippers. Do not forget to remove the toilet slippers before entering the main part of the house again. Failure to do so is considered very bad form.

2.3 Eating and Drinking

There are a number of customs to watch out for when eating or drinking. At restaurants you will be given a moist rolled towel before you eat. This is used for washing your hands only, and should not be used to wipe any part of your face. When you are finished with it, fold it and leave it on the table. Before you start eating, it is traditional to use the phrase "itadakimasu", pronounced ee-ta-da-key-mass. This is used as an expression of gratitude, and is used both when eating out and at home.

Clearing ones plate is polite, and it is acceptable to hold a bowl under your mouth to avoid spilling anything. Further, it is permitted to slurp your food, especially when eating noodle dishes like ramen or udon, and in fact can be seen as a sign that you are enjoying the meal. Soy sauce is commonly used as an accompaniment to Japanese food, but it is not polite to pour it over the food on your plate. Instead a small side dish is provided for the soy sauce to be poured into, and the food can be dipped into this.

Tipping for your meal is not a Japanese custom; in fact some consider it impolite. The service is already included in the bill, so there is no need to pay more. While some waiters or waitresses may take your tip, they do not feel comfortable doing so, and are only doing this to prevent the embarrassment of having to explain this. In fact, tipping should not be done for anything, meals, taxis, or otherwise.

2.4 Bathing

If invited into someone's home then, typically before dinner, you will be given the honor of bathing first. Before entering the bathtub you must first wash your body and hair thoroughly. This is normally done at a small shower in the same room as the bath. The same bath water is used by all residents of a home, so take care not to soil it in any way. After use any hair or debris should be removed from the water.

Public baths are also a common sight in Japan. Bathing is typically done in the nude, though a small towel may be used to cover the genitals, with baths in all but a few very rare circumstances separated into male and female sections. Again, care must be taken to wash before entering the bath.

Lastly, onsen are hot springs that are very popular in Japan. Visitors travel to these hot springs to relax in the warm water and relax away from the city. An important point to note is that visitors with tattoos may not be permitted to enter the onsen, so either check to make sure it is allowed or cover it up in advance with a large band-aid.

2.5 Other Things You Should Know

Let's take a look at a few other things you should be aware of before you arrive.

• Sterilized masks are a common sight in Japan. While it may look like the Japanese are afraid of catching germs from others, it is in fact the other way round. Masks are worn by people who are worried about exposing others to their illnesses. If you think that you are coming down with an illness whilst in Japan you might consider reciprocating the courtesy.
• Japanese people, in particular children, are fascinated by foreigners. If you are tall then expect to be stared at. While you may get sick of the celebrity like status, you will grow too used to it after a while.
• Any public displays of affection are considered bad form, and you should avoid kissing or other signs of physical affection whilst in public in Japan.

If you can think of anything else that must be on this list then feel free to contribute!

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3 Summary

Japanese customs may seem unusual to those living in the West. But by following the suggestions laid out in this article you should be able to travel or work your way through Japan avoiding any uncomfortable situations. The most important points are to remember to bow to any acquaintances, take off your shoes when you enter someone's home, refrain from tipping even though it may seem unnatural, wash before entering a bath and act in a dignified manner at all times.

This article, part of ChiHub Japan, was brought to you by The Chishikiyoku Project.