Though Japan is a modern and progressive country, many parts of its culture remain very traditional and there is a strict etiquette that the Japanese people live their lives by.
And though most Japanese people will forgive foreign visitors minor transgressions, making sure you’re familiar with the more important aspects of Japanese etiquette will make your stay in Tokyo hotels, and the country itself, a lot easier.
Eating
Whether you’re staying in one of the luxurious Tokyo hotels in the centre of the city or a humble guesthouse in the suburbs, there’s a good chance that a visit to a restaurant will be on your itinerary at some point.
If you’re using chopsticks to eat your meal, never use them to spear your food and never use them to point at someone. This is considered very rude and won’t go down well with your Japanese hosts.
It’s also important to remember that the Japanese don’t tip. If you try to leave money for your waiter it will be refused and could cause offence.
Greetings
When meeting someone in Japan it’s traditional to bow in order to show your respect. The Japanese bow from the waist, keeping their backs straight and their arms by their sides.
The deeper the bow, the more respect it demonstrates and a lot of businesses send employees on training courses to perfect their technique. However Western visitors are unlikely to be held to the same exacting standards so don’t be too worried about getting your bow wrong.
Handling money
When paying for goods in shops or restaurants, the Japanese don’t hand money directly to the cashier. Instead notes and coins are placed in a tray by the register for the cashier to collect.
If you’re paying by card, hold it in both hands when offering it to the cashier. This is the most polite way to hand over your card and is actually the same way that Japanese businessmen exchange cards.
Visiting shrines
Shrines are an important part of Japanese culture and history and a visit to a shrine is a good way to get to know the country and its inhabitants a little better.
A lot of shrines will ask you to remove shoes before entering, so make sure you take a look around to see what everyone else is doing before you go in.
It’s also traditional to cleanse yourself using the purification fountain at the entrance before you enter.
Being aware of cultural sensitivities and etiquette before arriving in Japan will help your stay at a Tokyo hotels go off without a hitch, making the trip more enjoyable for you and opening your eyes to Japanese culture as you go.
