I am a German guy who’s a bit anxious about unknowingly doing impolite stuff when visiting Japan. So are there any things that are normal in Germany that would be considered rude in Japan? Also what are small things you can do to show appreciation?

26 comments

1. I wouldn’t worry about it too much. I’m American and have never once had an issue about breaking social norms in Japan. Most Japanese people realize that foreigners don’t know social norms and therefore cut us a lot of slack. Just don’t be a complete ahole and it’ll be fine.

2. you’ve got all the basics! as for small gestures: learn words and phrases, bow when you say thank you etc and i like to mirror the behaviour of people around me to try to emulate what is polite. i receive items with two hands. place money in the tray instead of directly handing it to the cashier. just in general be aware and you’ll be ok !

3. Don’t overthink it just be polite and respectful and you’ll be fine you don’t have to do anything special in Japan you wouldn’t already do in Germany as a considerate citizen.

4. Just smaller things
   1. In many konbini (more in big cities like tokio) you pay at a machine and don’t give them the money directly
   2. If you buy alcohol in konbinis you don’t need to show your passport, you just need to press a button at the register
   3. If you go to a restaurant you normally pay at the door, not at the table. You get your receipt and go to the register, no tips involved.

5. Moved here almost 2 years ago. UK but lived in US most of adult life. Sounds like you are more ready than I am now.

   Don’t sweat it. All the things you mention are on point. I’d add things like; stand on correct side of escalator, stand in lines for your turn, nodding (not bowing), saying thanks, trying to not take up too much room on subway (don’t cross legs, don’t put bags/luggage on empty seats), judge whether giving up a seat will offend (some Japanese might be offended you think they are old/weak)… shoes, only handful of restaurants require.

   And attempting to speak some Japanese will go along way

6. Don’t use the toilet slippers outside the toilet! That is the one that really, really shocks people to the core in’s experience (not sarcastic!)

   Otherwise just be polite, keep your hands to yourself and use deodorant.

   Edit: ah and don’t expect people to be interested in anime, manga or games. There are lots of them, but many are not interested at all and would rather talk about Germany or other interests.

   If you want to be really polite you might bring some German knick knacks and give them to people as a present.

7. While it’s part of the “don’t cut the line”, which I think is a pretty universal etiquette, one uniquely Japanese part of it is that the platforms at Japanese stations usually has signs indicating the designated points to board the trains. It’s often color/symbol coded and quite elaborate. I understand it’s difficult for tourists to understand them. But living here, I’ve seen far enough tourists unknowingly cut the line when the train arrives, though there’s a neat queue in front of the exact spot the train doors stop at. It’s the biggest pet peeve of mine. Also, when you board a train, it’s always those who get off get off first. Wait until no one’s coming out, then you can get on. 

8. Tbh it’s just don’t be a nuisance to other people. Like you can eat and walk, just don’t make a mess and don’t leave trash behind, you can talk on the subway, just do it at a moderate volume to not annoy other people. Just don’t be a nuisance. For showing appreciation just a simple thanks and maybe a very slight bow it’s more than enough imo.

9. First of all, well done for trying your best and informing yourself beforehand.

   There would be so many things. In my experience living there for a few years, people in Germany often don’t even allow others outside of the underground trains before trying to get in.

   Some ideas:

   * Join the orderly queues to board trains.
   * Pay attention to which carriage door is more convenient to access your seat on the train, so as to minimise disturbing others, and queue to enter through that door.
   * Don’t speak on the trains (even at low volume) unless strictly necessary.
   * Don’t speak loudly in general.
   * As a general rule, don’t run/rush indoors (including on platforms).
   * Stand on the left side of the scalator, so that people can walk on the right side (reversed in Osaka).
   * Avoid physical contact. I know Germany is not like the Mediterranean countries, but even hand shaking is rare in Japan.
   * Be prepared to carry your garbage and take it with you to your hotel. There are no bins and you are expected to take care of your own garbage. Using the hotel’s bin is fine, but don’t throw it on the street, on other people’s bins or in the bins dedicated to just bottles (you can dispose of bottles in those, though).
   * Bear in mind there’s etiquette for everything in Japan, and it’s always around respecting common space and order and being predictable. To the extreme that in places like Tokyo many people won’t even pass others while walking on the street, they walk as if in a queue.
   * When entering a shrine through a torii gate, you are entering sacred space, so people normally bow before entering and when leaving. I don’t think you are expected to do this as a foreginer, but you can, of course.
   * Don’t tip.
   * Don’t cross the road while the light is red.
   * In general, try to avoid being in other people’s way.
   * Learn some even basic Japanese sentences like “Thank you”, “Good morning”, etc.
   * Be aware that if you ask somebody for a favour, especially if you are their “client” (like in a hotel), they will most likely go incredible lengths to fulfill it, which might make the endevour more time consuming than you expected, and perhaps even make you feel bad for putting them in such position.

   Hope this helps, and hope you enjoy both the planning and the trip a lot.

10. I find that people (especially Europeans and North Americans) way overthink etiquette when traveling to Japan, to a much greater extent than when traveling to China or Thailand (whose cultures are also very different from what they’re used to).

    Yes, check out the etiquette (though I find a lot of advice online can veer into orientalist perceptions) and adjust (as hopefully any traveller world do in any country they’re traveling to) as necessary. But the Japanese aren’t a mystical race (and I get that vibe a lot when people are asking for or giving advice). They’re people, most of whom will just be trying to go about their days. They’re too busy to really care what you’re doing as long as you’re not in their way or causing a disturbance.

    If you find yourself in a situation and you’re not sure what to do, look around and see what others are doing, or just ask. Use a translation app if you need to. Be ready to apologize in case you make a mistake (but don’t go overboard with bows) and a little self-deprecation can go a long way to smoothing any ruffled feathers.

    As you say, a little advance knowledge of etiquette and some common sense should help you out in nearly any situation. Leave time for delays that can happen due to mistakes and misunderstanding. And don’t lose your temper when things don’t go your way (the fastest route to getting shut down and not having your problem resolved).

    As for over-tourism, try making an itinerary that skips the sites that have been Instagrammed to death and will be crowded. Maybe pick that *one thing* that you really have to see in person, and otherwise do a deep dive on line to uncover sites and experiences that aren’t so well known. I know it’s harder in a country where you don’t speak the language, but it’s worth the effort. There’s so much information online these days that you never could have found in the days of guide-book travel. And with auto-translate available on many websites, you may even be able to navigate hotel websites that aren’t available on Expedia and the like.

    Relax. Don’t overthink it. And enjoy your trip!

11. There’s no sense in worrying about looking like a tourist when you will without a doubt look like a tourist. I am also fully bearded and clearly non Asian, but I feel like I get by ok in Japan. A few tips are to learn just the basic phrases of greetings (good morning, good evening, etc), excuse me, thank you, etc. Give them a small bow of your head when you say thank you. Keep your tone calm, friendly and polite. Do not intrude on their personal space when speaking to them, keep a comfortable distance. Do not lock a glare directly into their eyes while speaking to them. Do not shove a phone in their face if you’re asking for directions. Do not talk loudly on the phone while directly in front of others.

    Japanese people in general are very friendly and helpful, but they are used to a certain level of politeness but also distance from others.

12. Go with the flow, don’t be loud or obnoxious and act with sincerity… that’s all you need to do. Just be a good human. Japanese people are overall kind.

13. Best advise I can give, as someone who primarily speaks English and spent over a week in Japan recently as a 1st time visitor: learn what **sumimasen** means and when to use it appropriately.

14. Sounds to me like you’ll be okay, you’ve already got the right attitude. Overtourism is a thing for sure and it’s been draining for some of my friends who work in the food industry but if you see a foreigner actually trying and minding himself to be polite you’ll be treated very nicely by a majority of people.

15. If you know the basics then you’re okay.

    There are A LOT of post about this and sincerely, from the bottom of my heart… Are you guys okay? Is it really that difficult to not be an asshole in your daily and normal life?

16. I’m also from Germany and I will also visit Japan in November for about 5 weeks.

    I recommend you to watch this channel https://www.youtube.com/@MrNippon

    It gives you a great insight about the difference between Japanese and German culture.

17. Most etiquette rules people talk about are really just basic social norms around politeness, not deeply cultural Japanese specific things. For instance, is it socially acceptable to cut lines and litter in Europe? You’ll get by just fine by observing others and trying at all times to simply not be a jerk.

    Etiquette rules that are deeply cultural, like the appropriate angle of bows at specific instances or how to not mimic funerary rituals while eating rice, are not things anyone expects you to know. You’re not Commodore Perry coming to Edo Bay, you’re one of millions of tourists in a country where everyone has seen Western movies or TV and many have visited Europe/the US. Their expectations for you are low

18. The etiquette rules aren’t as strict as I expected. There’s only a few really important ones. Don’t talk loudly (this was hard for me) or everyone will stare at you. There are a lot of people, so don’t take up too much space get in people’s way. Don’t jaywalk. Overall, there’s a cultural emphasis on being polite and not making yourself stand out. You can use common sense more that.

    We went to very few places that requested we take off our shoes. It’s generally very obvious if you’re supposed to take off your shoes. Most workers didn’t really care about using the tray for cards or cash. Your chopstick rules are accurate, but I can’t imagine anyone at a different table would notice how you’re using your chopsticks.

    In my experience, everyone was extremely whenever we made an attempt yo be polite and fit in with the culture.

19. Germans love to call people out and tell what they are doing wrong. Japanese won’t do that as long as it is not extreme. Relax and stop projecting. People here don’t give a damn about you

20. Don’t sit on anything that isn’t a chair. Like rock walls, fences, bridge railings, tables, etc.

21. Honestly, the fact that you care enough to make this post and have done your research tells me you’re already good. The truly impolite people are the ones who very obviously did not do the research and do no care to learn about the culture. I think most Japanese people can tell the two apart and will be more forgiving to foreigners who are trying. Mistakes happen, it’s okay.

    One of my Japan regrets is letting the anxiety of proper etiquette take away the joy in trying new things. Despite having talked to Japanese people and reading everything online about onsen etiquette, I could barely relax the first couple times because I was so hyper aware of myself. I was so nervous to sit down and eat at restaurant that I didn’t for the first 5 days. I remember fighting for my life trying to eat everything at a ryokan (this one you didn’t eat in the room) because I read online it could be considered offensive you don’t. I guess the chef sensed it because he literally came to my table and said ‘You don’t have to finish everything, it’s okay, just relax and enjoy it.’ I’m actually so happy he did, because after that something clicked and I realized that I was putting myself under so much unnecessary pressure. At most an etiquette mistake is a little embarrassing, but you learn for next time and life goes on.

22. Japanese here.

    You’ll be fine as you are.
    The fact that you worry about appearing impolite to people tells me that you are a considerate person, and that’s enough.

    Yes overtourism is a hot topic at the moment but doesn’t mean everyone is sick of tourists in general. It’s more for the ones that completely disregard locals or other tourists. Most people appreciate you having an interest in our country and culture. Also they’re too busy to pay much attention to every move you make!

    Just treat it like any other country that you’d visit — try not to be nuisance to others and learn how to say thank you, sorry and please.
    (‘Domo’ is a great word to remember btw, it means thank you, hi and bye)

    Hope this eases your anxiety, and you have a great trip.
    November is a beautiful time to visit.

23. Don’t litter, and put your trash in the right receptacle.

    Don’t take pictures of people without their consent.

    Don’t expect credit card to be taken everywhere.

24. For you as a German — you probably make more intense eye contact than you realize compared to Japanese people, perhaps be mindful about that. Also, when eating or drinking, be mindful about your volume, especially in groups — the loudest foreign people I experienced in Japan were Germans, Australians, and Americans, in that order.

25. Just make sure to read and follow any signs especially if a shop/restaurant etc went out of there way to make an English one.

    Learn to say excuse me/sorry. Shit happens but at least show you care.

26. Don’t swim naked in the emperor’s moat