Japanese Etiquette: How to Behave at Temples, on Trains and at the Table

Foreign visitors to Japan are not expected to have flawless manners, but following a few basic rules lets both you and the people around you enjoy the trip. The most important are: being quiet and orderly, queuing, taking your shoes off where indicated, using chopsticks correctly and not tipping. Below we have arranged these rules by the places where you will come across them.

On the street and on public transport

Quiet is key. People do not talk loudly or take phone calls on trains and the metro. You are expected to put your phone on silent; announcements in the carriages remind you of this too. Talking quietly with your friends is fine.

People queue. Markings on the platform floor show where the train doors will open. People line up neatly on either side of these markings; you wait for passengers to get off first, then board.

One side of the escalator is left free. In Tokyo people usually stand on the left and leave the right for those in a hurry; in Osaka it is mostly the other way round. The easiest thing is to follow the people in front of you.

Eating while walking is frowned upon. If you have bought something, it is better to eat or drink it in front of the shop or somewhere you can sit. A drink from a vending machine is also usually drunk next to the machine.

There are few bins. Although the streets are spotless, bins are hard to find. You are expected to carry a small bag and take your rubbish back to the hotel or to the bins outside convenience stores. Rubbish is also sorted by type.

At temples and shrines

Japan has two main types of sacred building: Shinto shrines (jinja, with a torii gate at the entrance) and Buddhist temples (tera, or names ending in -ji). The etiquette for visiting is similar:

• When passing through a torii, it is preferable to walk at the side rather than in the middle; the central path is believed to belong to the gods.
• At the purification fountain (temizu), use the ladle to wash first your left hand, then your right; then rinse your mouth with water poured into your palm and spill it on the ground. Never put your mouth directly to the ladle.
• When praying at Shinto shrines, the usual order is: toss a coin, bow twice, clap twice, bow once. At Buddhist temples, you do not clap.
• Before taking photos, check the signs. Photography is not allowed inside some halls.
• Shoes: Shoes are taken off when entering wooden halls. A shoe rack or bag is provided.

The shoe rule: where do you take them off?

Places where you need to take off your shoes are usually marked by a step or a change in floor level (genkan). These include homes, ryokans (traditional inns), some temples, some restaurants and rooms with tatami (straw mat) floors. You may be given slippers inside; but you do not step on tatami in slippers, only in socks. Toilets also have separate "toilet slippers"; take care not to walk out in them. That is why shoes that are easy to take off and clean socks without holes come in handy; you can find the details in our what to pack for Japan article.

At the table

• Do not stick your chopsticks upright in your rice bowl; this image is associated with funerals. Passing food from chopstick to chopstick is also inappropriate for the same reason. When you are not using them, lay the chopsticks flat on their rest or on the edge of your plate.
• "Itadakimasu" is said before starting a meal and "gochisousama deshita" when you finish, as expressions of thanks. Saying them is appreciated.
• Slurping noodle soup (ramen, soba) is not considered rude; in fact it is common.
• The wet towel (oshibori) is for wiping your hands, not your face.
• When taking food from a shared plate, using the other end of your chopsticks or separate serving chopsticks is considered polite.

We describe the food itself in our Japanese food culture article.

Tipping and handling money

There is no habit of tipping in Japan. Money left for restaurant staff or a taxi driver is often brought back to you. The way to thank someone for good service is with a spoken thank you and a slight bow.

When paying, rather than handing the money directly to the cashier, you place it on the small tray on the counter; change is usually given back on the same tray.

At a hot spring (onsen)

The onsen experience is one of the best-loved parts of Japanese culture. Before getting into the bath, you shower and soap yourself while seated; you do not go into the bath in a swimsuit. Keep the small towel out of the water and place it on your head or at the side. Many onsen do not admit guests with tattoos or ask for tattoos to be covered; if you have a tattoo, ask in advance. The women's and men's sections are usually separate.

Greetings and communication

In Japan, people greet each other with a bow rather than a handshake. As a visitor, a slight bow is enough. If you are given a business card, take it with both hands and do not put it straight into your pocket. Keeping your voice low when talking to people and avoiding open criticism and loud arguments are signs of respect. "Arigatou gozaimasu" (thank you very much) and "sumimasen" (excuse me) are the two phrases you will find most useful.

Travelling as a group

If you are travelling with a school, company or group of friends, these rules matter even more, because the noise and space taken up by large groups attract more attention. TatiliYakala's Japan tour covers Tokyo, the Fuji area, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka, and the programme includes temple and shrine visits such as Senso-ji, Meiji Jingu, Fushimi Inari Taisha and Todai-ji. We clarify the details for your group together at the quote stage.

Frequently asked questions

Do you tip in Japan?

Generally, no. There is no tipping culture, and money left behind is often brought back. Saying thank you and being polite is enough.

Is it forbidden to talk on the phone on trains in Japan?

It is not a legal ban, but it is an established rule of etiquette. Phones are put on silent and calls are made after getting off the train.

Do you need to take off your shoes when entering temples?

Not in gardens and courtyards. Shoes are usually removed when entering wooden halls or areas with tatami floors; there are signs and shoe racks at the entry point to show this.

Can someone with a tattoo go into an onsen?

It depends on the establishment. Many onsen do not admit guests with tattoos or ask for the tattoo to be covered with a plaster. The safest thing is to ask the establishment before you go.