Japan is one of the most popular destinations for international travel. As many Asian destination, there are some code or etiquettes that should be known if you’re on travel to Japan. Japan is well-known as a disciplined and clean country. There are some rules and habits that must be obeyed even for visitors or tourists. These points summarise some of the etiquettes that tourists need to pay attention on when visiting Japan.
1. Etiquettes on Trashing
The Japanese people concern about what they throw away. Actually, there are several categories of waste in Japan, such as plastic waste, paper waste, glass waste, and so on. Therefore, beside you have to throw garbage in a trash can, you have to throw it into the trash according to the category of garbage you will waste. There will be information about categories in each trash can.
Japan has different waste disposal schedules in each region. Therefore, every homeowner must dispose of waste with certain categories on certain days, such as paper waste will be picked up by officers only on Wednesday and so on. The Japanese are also used to carry their own garbage bags in case they’re on trip and cannot find any dustbin they can put the garbage into those bags first.
2. Etiquette on Stairs or Escalator
Furthermore, Japan also applies the rules for using stairs or escalator. Specifically, when you are in the Kanto (Tokyo), you should stand on the left side. It’s different when you’re in Osaka. In Osaka, you have to stand to the right while on the escalator, while the left is used to overtake for those who are in a hurry.
3. Public transport Etiquette
When you’re riding a public transport, being quiet and silent isn’t optional in Japan. There are official rules that forbid you to make noises in public transport. So, it’s a good idea to activate silent mode on your mobile phone and do not pick up the phone while riding public transport. It is believed that this rule is made to honour the old citizens who need a calm atmosphere.
4. Touching Sakura’s Flowers isn’t Allowed
Sakura flower is the most famous flower in Japan. The Sakura flower only blooms for two weeks in each year. Therefore, the Japanese highly appreciate and admire Sakura’s flowers. One of the Japanese ways to appreciate Sakura blossoms is by not touching them or breaking the stems of the Sakura tree. Indeed, it’s a big temptation for touching this very beautiful flower, but as mentioned you shouldn’t.
5. Tidying cutlery in a Public Dining Area
When you visit Japan, you’ll rarely watch restaurant’s employees that will tidy and clean up your cutleries after eating, especially in Ramen and Udon food stalls, canteen, or fast food restaurant. So, customers have to tidy up their own meal leftovers and cutleries.
