In this post, I’ll cover the main Dos and Don’ts that a basic Google search will give you. I’ll also share the reality of the advice and whether it’s something you actually need to follow (or if it’s even a thing here).

TL;DR: Most of these “rules” boil down to one thing—just be mindful of others. Pay attention, follow the flow, and you’ll be fine.

✅ The Dos

This one is essential. You’re visiting a country where English is not an official language. At least learn a few words out of respect for the country you’re visiting. A simple konichiwa (hello) and thank you (arigato) go a long way.

• Line up neatly when boarding.
  
• Keep your voice down (phones should be on silent; calls are frowned upon).
  
• Offer seats to elderly, pregnant, or disabled passengers.

For this one, I’d say people set some strict expectations for foreigners that aren’t always followed by locals. You should definitely queue properly. There are markers on the floor at some stations, and in general, when you enter a line, you join from the back. When waiting to board, stand to the side so you’re not in the way of passengers getting off. You might make a mistake once, but if you pay attention, it’s easy to just follow what everyone else is doing.

Keeping your voice down doesn’t mean you can’t talk. You can—just use your “indoor” voice. Don’t talk on your phone or play music without headphones. On the Shinkansen, some cars are “quiet cars,” which means you shouldn’t have conversations at all.

Now, for offering seats: in Canada, this is expected, and I think it should be everywhere. But in Japan, many people don’t follow this rule, which is a bit shameful. Some who need the seats won’t even accept them if you offer. Priority seats are clearly marked, usually at the ends of cars. Anyone can sit there, but you’re expected to move if someone in need gets on. People sometimes wear badges to indicate this. If you want to give up your seat, just stand and walk away—you don’t need to announce it, which can make things awkward.

When entering homes, ryokan, temples, and even some restaurants or fitting rooms, expect to remove your shoes. You’ll usually see slippers provided.

We do this in Canada too, but here you’ll sometimes be surprised by where it’s expected—like in certain restaurants. If you see an entrance with shoe cubbies or lockers with keys, take off your shoes.

In fitting rooms, remove your shoes outside. For women, you’ll often be asked to put a protective bag over your face when trying on clothes that go over your head. These are either provided outside the change room or handed to you by staff.

Japan is still very cash-friendly, especially in rural areas. Convenience stores have ATMs that work with foreign cards. I’d say “expect to use cash” rather than “do.” You’ll almost certainly end up at cash-only places. Oddly enough, some spots are card-only. So be prepared for both. Bring a coin purse (you can buy cute ones here) because you’ll collect a lot of coins.

Recycling rules can be confusing, but at least try to separate bottles, cans, and burnables if bins are labeled.

At fast food places, it can feel overwhelming. Sometimes staff will take your tray, or you’ll leave it on a tray rack. Other times, you’ll be expected to separate liquids, plastics, and paper yourself.

For PET bottles, remove the cap, peel off the label, and empty it. Vending machines sometimes have bottle collectors, and many grocery stores accept recyclables. Trash cans are hard to find, especially in tourist areas.

A common tip is to “dump trash at a konbini,” but many in busy areas (like Shinjuku) now cover their bins or restrict them to store-bought items. Better to carry a small plastic bag with you and empty it later, like at your hotel.

It’s normal (and sometimes polite) to slurp ramen or soba—it shows you’re enjoying the meal.

This one is more of a “you can do this” than a rule. I don’t slurp and haven’t been arrested (yet). There are even silly gadgets that make slurping sounds for you.

Trains, tours, and restaurants value strict timing. Being late is considered inconsiderate.

Here, “on time” often means “late.” I’ve seen trains leave a few seconds before the scheduled departure. Reservation windows are strict, and excuses won’t get you far. Always plan for potential delays, and leave early.

Public bathrooms often don’t have paper towels or dryers.

This is a good recommendation. You might even want to carry soap if you’re heading to rural areas. Japan sells nice handkerchiefs that make great souvenirs, and you can even get holders that clip to your bag or belt.

Sometimes you’ll find dryers or paper towels, but don’t count on it.

You can wear what you want (just don’t walk around in your underwear—unless you want to meet the police). Swimwear here tends to be more modest than in Canada, but bikinis are worn (just not the skimpier Brazilian styles).

At shrines and temples, cover your shoulders and chest out of respect.

On escalators and while driving, yes. When walking, just follow the flow of traffic. In Osaka, stand on the right side of escalators instead of the left.

🚫 The Don’ts

It can be seen as confusing or rude. Good service is standard and included in the price.

You’ll hear this everywhere, and it’s true—people don’t tip. If the payment machine has the option, you can, but it’s rare. At bars, especially smaller ones, it’s more common to “tip” by buying the bartender a drink.

Especially on trains or buses, quiet is expected. That said, you can talk loudly at times. Think of how people in Canada feel when others speak loudly in a foreign language—it comes off rude. On transportation or in waiting areas, keep your voice down. But at parks, festivals, or drinking spots, people are loud all the time. Kids especially yell everywhere—even in family restaurants.

Instead, gesture with your whole hand.

It’s considered rude here, but also back home in Canada. The main thing: be mindful of your surroundings. I once had someone point right across my face on a train without caring about my personal space—that’s the real issue. No one will arrest you for pointing.

Eating on the go is uncommon (except for ice cream at festivals).

This is more of a recommendation than a rule. Busy streets often have designated eating spots to keep traffic moving. Eating while walking is frowned upon mostly because of the risk of spilling.

Sniffling is more acceptable than loudly blowing into a tissue.

If you need to blow your nose, step into a bathroom or somewhere away from others. People here usually sniffle until they get the chance.

That resembles funeral rituals. Also, avoid passing food from chopstick to chopstick—it’s another funeral image.

Just rest them on the side of your bowl or on a chopstick rest. Passing food is hard anyway—people usually just put food directly on the other person’s plate.

Always check for a genkan (entryway) or slippers.

Honestly, you won’t have to take your shoes off that often. For me, it’s just at work and at home. Occasionally, at restaurants with tatami rooms, and at some temples or museums.

Wash thoroughly before entering the communal bath, and never put your towel in the water.

I’ll make a full onsen guide later. The rules aren’t scary, but they trip people up. One note: you can’t use your phone to translate signs in the baths, so if there’s no English, it can feel stressful.

Bonus

• Carry cash, but also get an IC card (Suica/Pasmo) for trains, buses, and even convenience stores. You can pick up a free Welcome IC card at the airport (highly recommended). If you have an iPhone, you can even set up Suica in advance and just tap your phone—even when it’s off. You can’t use a credit card directly at the gates.
  
• Convenience stores are lifesavers: cheap, clean, and everywhere. Clean by Western standards. Some products are pricier than at grocery stores, but still cheap compared to Western convenience stores. I’ll share guides to the main chains and examples of the scripts workers use at checkout.
  
• Be mindful of tattoos in the onsen. Many still ban them, though some are becoming more flexible. Private onsens often allow them (and honestly, how would they know?).

Overall, just mind your manners, follow the flow, and you’ll fit right in.