13 Things Tourists Should Never Do When Visiting Japan

Whenever you travel to a new destination, it's important to be aware of the local customs. Japanese culture, in particular, is known for its heavy focus on etiquette. Social harmony is hugely important in Japan, and there is an intricate code of conduct centered around this concept. Many of the social norms in Japan can be quite different from those in the West, which can be intimidating for tourists visiting for the first time. However, with a little bit of knowledge, you can avoid making a social faux pas.

One of the first things you might notice when you visit Japan is how polite most people are. Courtesy and consideration towards others are highly valued in Japanese culture. In fact, there is even a term for it. The word "teinei" can translate to politeness, reverence, respect, and conscientiousness. You'll probably find that this extends to you as a tourist, even to the point where Japanese people will avoid telling you if you're doing something wrong to spare your feelings.

While Japanese people don't expect foreigners to know all of their customs, a little bit of cultural understanding goes a long way. In other words, small actions can make a big difference in showing respect and knowing the major taboos can prevent you from offending the locals. If you want to be a considerate tourist in Japan, these are some things you should avoid doing.

In general, Japanese people don't shake hands. In fact, purposely touching other people in public is not common practice. Bowing is the common way to greet someone and express respect. That being said, it's not necessarily rude to shake someone's hand. After all, many Japanese are aware that it's a common Western practice. However, you may find that your handshake is met with some awkwardness. You'll likely get a very soft handshake accompanied by a small bow.

Some Japanese people may initiate a handshake out of respect for your culture. If this happens, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, don't grip their hand too hard. While this might be a sign of confidence and strength in other cultures, it could be taken as a sign of aggression in Japan. Second, don't hold on to their hand for too long. And definitely don't pull them in for a hug as an add-on to the handshake. Japanese people don't typically hug either, so you'll probably be making the recipient doubly uneasy.

If you've ever been on a train or bus and had to suffer through someone else jabbering away on their phone at high volume, you know how annoying it can be. You probably don't want to be that person anywhere, but particularly in Japan. Japanese culture is all about social harmony, and one way to achieve this is by not disturbing the people around you unnecessarily. Speaking loudly in public places is considered incredibly disrespectful.

While you might not get dirty looks for speaking somewhat loudly in public places like restaurants or parks, the train is one place where you have to be conscious of your noise levels. You may feel the urge to crank up your music on that long commute or narrate the Instagram reel or TikTok you're making of that scenic train ride, but your fellow commuters won't be very impressed. If you're traveling with someone else and want to chat, try to keep your volume to a minimum. You should also set your phone to "manner mode" (on silent or vibrate) and refrain from taking calls until you're off the train.

Onsen are hot springs or baths, and soaking in them is a quintessential Japanese pastime. However, be aware that many onsens do not allow guests with tattoos to enter. This is because tattoos have traditionally been associated with gangsters and outlaws in Japan. During the Edo period (1603 to 1868), tattoos were a form of punishment for criminals. In the Meiji period, the government banned tattoos outright, causing many yakuza members to don ink as a form of rebellion. Although the ban on tattoos was lifted in 1948, the stigma still remains to this day.

Times are changing though, so there are some onsens and ryokans with hot springs that allow people with tattoos to soak in the pools. Some ryokans will also allow you to book the baths for a private session so that you don't risk offending anyone. If you are allowed to soak in the pools, be sure to follow the onsen rules. Strip down to your birthday suit, wash off before entering the pools, and don't dip the towel they provide you in the pool.

Pointing directly at people is considered bad form in Japan because it has connotations of anger and aggression. Much like in Western culture, pointing also functions as a way of singling someone out or emphasizing something they've done wrong. This goes against Japan's typically conformist, non-confrontational societal norms. It's fine to point at an inanimate object or in the general direction of something, but try not to point directly at people if you can avoid it.

If you want to gesture at someone or indicate that you want someone to come over to you, use your whole hand with your fingers pointed down. A good way to remember this is to think of the waving cats you see in Asian restaurants and businesses. Those cats actually originated in Japan, and they're called "maneki-neko," which means "beckoning cat." They're not actually meant to be waving; they're beckoning people and good luck into the business.

In general, Japanese people are not touchy-feely — at least not in public. You won't see many people hugging or kissing on the streets. Public displays of affection are considered taboo, so anything more than holding hands is likely to raise eyebrows. This is because romance, passion, and physical affection are private affairs in Japan and are not meant to be on display for everyone to see.

The Japanese term "icha icha" loosely translates to lovey-dovey behavior in public and it can refer to anything from flirting to making out and talking explicitly about sexual topics. According to Sora News 24, many Japanese people are uncomfortable seeing people acting this way, especially in confined spaces where it's right in front of their faces. Some people find PDAs irritating, while others find it downright repugnant.

For LGBTQI+ couples, Japan is relatively safe in that you're unlikely to experience outright harassment or discrimination. Same-sex marriages are not legal in Japan yet, but many prefectures have recognized same-sex partnerships. However, just as with hetero couples, overt displays of affection might invite some dirty looks. No matter what your sexual orientation, if you want to avoid offending anyone, it's best to tone down the PDAs until you're behind closed doors.

Japanese shrines are some of the most unmissable tourist destinations in Japan, so you'll probably want to visit at least one while in the country. Being the holy places they are, shrines come with their own set of rules. One of the first rules you should be aware of is to stay to the sides when entering a torii gate. The middle of the path is reserved for the gods. If you want to be extra respectful, you can make a small bow before passing under the gate.

Once you've stepped through the torii onto the sacred grounds, you'll see a basin with water. This is for purifying yourself before entering the main area of the shrine. Use the ladle to wash the left hand first, then the right. Then, pour some water onto your left hand and use it to rinse your mouth. Now you're ready to enter the shrine. Remember that shrines are sanctuaries for the gods, so dress respectfully and speak softly. In some shrines, there may be rules against taking photos in the main areas. That said, keep an eye out for signs displaying the rules.