Japan Etiquette Cheat Sheet: Do's and Don'ts for Travelers
Published: 2026-10-07
Nobody in Japan expects visitors to be perfect. Still, knowing a few key points makes your trip much smoother. Here are the do's and don'ts, scene by scene.
The short answer: a quick cheat sheet
| Where | ⭕ Do | ❌ Don't |
|---|---|---|
| On the train | Phone on silent, line up to board | Phone calls, loud conversations |
| On the street | Carry your trash, smoke in designated areas | Smoking while walking, littering |
| At restaurants | Say "itadakimasu" and "gochisosama" | Leave a tip |
| In shops | Put money on the tray | Take photos without permission |
| Homes and ryokan | Take off shoes at the raised entrance | Wear slippers on tatami mats |
| Shrines and temples | Bow lightly at the torii gate | Walk boldly down the center of the path |
| Hot springs | Wash before getting in | Put your towel in the bath |
When in doubt, "Sumimasen" is the magic word. Use it to get attention, to apologize and even to say thanks.
Table manners
Slurping is fineSlurping ramen or soba noisily isn't rude at all.- Saying "itadakimasu" before eating and "gochisosama (deshita)" afterward is always appreciated.
- At many ramen shops you buy a meal ticket from a ticket machine at the entrance before you sit down.
- The wet towel (oshibori) is for your hands. Avoid wiping the table or your face with it.
Where to take off your shoes
Slippers are usually provided, but take them off too before stepping onto tatami. Toilets have their own slippers, so remember to switch back when you leave.
Shrines and temples
Visiting a shrineBow lightly at the torii gate, and rinse your hands and mouth at the water basin before you pray.- At shrines the basic prayer is "two bows, two claps, one bow".
- At temples, don't clap: just put your hands together quietly.
Some halls don't allow photos inside. Look for signs.
Hot springs and public baths
Keep your towel out of the water. Put it on your head or leave it outside the bath.
Some baths refuse guests with tattoos. Others allow them or let you use cover stickers, so check before you go.
Finding a trash bin
"Where are all the bins?!" is a classic visitor complaint. For reasons including security and upkeep, Japan has few bins on streets and in stations.
| Where | What you can throw away |
|---|---|
| Convenience stores | Bins in front of or inside the store, mainly for trash from things you bought there. No household trash |
| Next to vending machines | Recycling boxes for plastic bottles, cans and glass bottles only. Nothing else |
| Stations | Some have sorted bins, often inside the ticket gates |
Carry a small plastic bag for your trash and empty it where you're staying. It's the easiest way.
- Bins are split into burnable trash, plastic bottles, and cans and bottles. Follow the pictures on the labels.
Good to know
- Many Tokyo wards ban smoking on the street. Smoke only in designated smoking areas.
- Small shops, and charms at shrines, can be cash only.
See our manners page for more tips on trains and streets.
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