Unspoken RULES of Japan - What I wish I Knew Before Coming

Summary

This video script offers essential tips for travelers visiting Japan, highlighting the importance of carrying cash due to limited ATM availability and the prevalence of cash-only establishments. It advises on local customs, such as not handing money directly to people and not opening taxi doors. The script also covers language barriers, travel timing to avoid peak seasons, and cultural etiquette, including not tipping, which is considered rude in Japan. It provides insights into navigating public transport, understanding food culture, and respecting quiet public spaces, ensuring a respectful and enjoyable travel experience.

Takeaways

• 💼 Always carry cash in Japan, with 30,000 yen or more recommended for convenience and safety.
• 👛 Money should not be handed directly; use a tray when available, or place it on the counter if no tray is present.
• 🚖 Do not open or close taxi doors in Japan; automatic doors are standard, and doing so might interfere with the door's function.
• 🚶 Language barriers can be overcome with modern apps and signs in English, but learning basic phrases like 'Sumimasen' can be very helpful.
• 🌞 Avoid traveling during Golden Week and Obon season due to crowds and high prices, but these times offer unique cultural experiences.
• 👕 Bring a small towel or tissue, as many public restrooms do not provide paper towels for drying hands.
• 🤫 Maintain quiet in public spaces, including on trains, and be mindful of your belongings to avoid disturbing others.
• 🍽 Do not expect to tip in Japan; it is not part of the culture and can cause confusion or stress for service staff.
• 🚫 Be aware of Japan's strict medication regulations, and ensure any over-the-counter painkillers or personal medications are allowed.
• 👟 Be prepared to remove shoes in various settings, and wear easy-to-remove shoes to accommodate this cultural norm.
• 🍴 Japan offers diverse cuisine beyond fish and rice, but be cautious if you have dietary restrictions or allergies, as menu flexibility is limited.

Q & A

Why is it important to carry cash in Japan?

Many establishments in Japan, especially outside of major cities, only accept cash. Carrying at least 30,000 to 50,000 yen ensures you won't waste valuable travel time searching for an ATM.

What is the proper way to pay with cash in Japan?

When paying with cash, place your money on the small tray provided at the counter. You should receive your change and receipt on the same tray.

Why should you avoid opening or closing taxi doors in Japan?

Japanese taxis often have automatic doors that the driver controls. Manually opening or closing the door could prevent it from functioning properly, so it's best to let the driver handle it.

How prevalent is the language barrier in Japan for travelers?

While not everyone in Japan speaks English, most directional signs are in both English and Japanese. Learning a few key phrases, like 'sumimasen' (excuse me) and 'arigato gozaimasu' (thank you), can be very helpful.

What are the least recommended times of year to visit Japan, and why?

Golden Week (late April to early May) and the Obon season (mid-August) are the busiest times in Japan, with crowded roads, packed trains, and high hotel prices. Additionally, the summer heat during Obon can be oppressive, making travel uncomfortable.

Why is it recommended to bring a small towel or tissue when traveling in Japan?

Many Japanese bathrooms do not provide paper towels to dry your hands, as most people carry a small handheld towel with them. A small towel can also be used to reserve tables in public places.

What is the cultural significance of eating and walking in Japan?

Eating while walking is generally considered rude in Japan because it can lead to littering and is seen as careless behavior. However, during street festivals, this rule is more relaxed, and temporary trash cans are provided.

What should vegetarians and vegans be aware of when dining in Japan?

Japan is not very flexible with dietary restrictions, and many dishes contain animal products. It's essential to research and use apps that show restaurants catering to vegetarian or vegan diets before traveling.

What is important to know about bringing medication into Japan?

Japan has strict regulations on medications, including over-the-counter painkillers. It's crucial to check if your medication is allowed before traveling, and always carry a prescription if bringing less than a month's supply.

Why is tipping not customary in Japan, and what should travelers do instead?

Tipping is not part of Japanese culture and can cause stress for service staff, as they may feel obligated to return the money. The only exception is if you see a tip jar, in which case tipping is optional.

Outlines

00:00

🗿 Cultural Etiquette and Cash Usage in Japan

This paragraph emphasizes the importance of understanding Japanese culture and unwritten rules for travelers. It advises carrying a significant amount of cash due to limited ATM availability and a preference for cash transactions. The script also covers the unique practice of not handing money directly to people, using trays instead, and the automatic doors in taxis, which should not be manually operated by passengers. It touches on the high cost of taxi services and the convenience of trains and buses as alternatives. Additionally, it briefly mentions the language barrier and the usefulness of learning a few key Japanese phrases for effective communication.

05:01

🌸 Best and Worst Times to Visit Japan

The second paragraph discusses the best and worst times to travel to Japan, highlighting the crowded conditions during Golden Week and Obon Season due to national holidays and the associated increase in travel costs. It also mentions the extreme heat and humidity of Japanese summers, which can pose health risks to travelers not accustomed to such climates. The speaker advises carrying cash due to potential bank and ATM closures during these holidays. The paragraph also covers cultural experiences unique to these times, such as seeing koi nobori streamers and summer lanterns, and provides tips on carrying a small towel due to the lack of paper towels in many public restrooms. It concludes with advice on public etiquette, such as being quiet in public spaces and yielding seats to the elderly or pregnant individuals.

10:01

🍣 Dietary Considerations and Social Norms in Japan

This paragraph addresses misconceptions about Japanese cuisine, noting that while fish is a staple, there is a variety of food available to suit different dietary preferences. It warns travelers with allergies or those who are vegetarian or vegan about the inflexibility of Japanese restaurants and the difficulty in finding allergen-free or vegan options. The speaker also advises checking medication allowances and the strict regulations on over-the-counter painkillers and recreational drugs. Additionally, it covers the requirement for tourists to carry passports at all times and the cultural norm of removing shoes in certain establishments. The paragraph concludes with a reminder not to tip in Japan, as it is not part of the culture and can cause confusion or stress for service providers.

Keywords

💡Cash

Cash is a form of money in the form of bills and coins. In the context of the video, it's emphasized that visitors to Japan should carry a significant amount of cash due to the prevalence of cash-only establishments and the infrequency of ATMs in some areas. The script mentions carrying '30,000 yen' as a minimum, highlighting the importance of cash for both safety and convenience.

💡Unspoken rules

Unspoken rules refer to the implicit social norms or etiquette that are not formally taught but are widely understood and followed in a culture. The video discusses several such rules in Japan, like not passing money directly hand-to-hand and using a tray when making payments, which are central to navigating social interactions smoothly in the country.

💡Taxis

Taxis are a mode of transportation provided by professional drivers. The script points out that in Japan, it's customary not to open or close the doors of a taxi due to automatic doors, a practice that stems from a historical respect for passengers. This is a specific cultural practice that travelers should be aware of to avoid inconveniencing the driver.

💡Language barrier

The language barrier refers to the difficulty in communication due to a lack of fluency in the local language. The video acknowledges this concern but reassures viewers that Japan has made efforts to include English on directional signs and that certain Japanese phrases can be very helpful for travelers, such as 'Sumimasen' for getting attention.

💡National holidays

National holidays are days designated by a country to commemorate significant cultural or historical events. The script warns against traveling to Japan during 'Golden Week' and the 'Obon season' due to crowded conditions and increased prices, illustrating the impact of these holidays on travel logistics.

💡Towel

In the context of the video, a towel refers to a small towel or tissue that Japanese people carry to dry their hands, as many public restrooms do not provide paper towels. The script suggests that travelers consider this practice, as it's a cultural norm that can also be used to reserve tables in public spaces.

💡Etiquette

Etiquette refers to the customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession or group. The video mentions several examples of Japanese etiquette, such as not talking loudly in public spaces and yielding seats to the elderly or pregnant individuals, which are integral to respecting the social norms of the country.

💡Trash cans

The scarcity of trash cans on Japanese streets is highlighted in the script as a cultural peculiarity. It's explained that eating while walking is discouraged because it can lead to littering, and people are expected to carry their trash until they find an appropriate place to dispose of it, such as inside a convenience store after eating.

💡Medication

Medication refers to drugs or other substances used to treat or prevent disease. The video script strongly advises travelers to check the regulations regarding the import of medications into Japan, as some common over-the-counter drugs in other countries may be banned or restricted in Japan, which is crucial for travelers' health and legal compliance.

💡Passports

Passports are official documents issued by a government that certifies the identity and nationality of its holder for international travel. The script mentions that tourists in Japan are required by law to carry their passports at all times, which is essential for identification and can also be used for tax-free shopping.

💡Tipping

Tipping is the practice of giving a gratuity or extra payment in addition to the bill for a service provided. The video clarifies that Japan does not have a tipping culture, and leaving a tip can cause confusion or stress for the service provider, which is an important cultural difference for travelers to understand.

Highlights

Carry cash at all times in Japan as many establishments only accept cash and ATMs can be scarce.

Avoid direct hand-to-hand money transactions; use trays provided for payments.

Do not open or close taxi doors in Japan as they are automatic; only the front seat may require manual operation.

Taxis in Japan are expensive; consider trains and buses as more affordable alternatives.

Learn basic Japanese phrases like 'Sumimasen' for getting attention and 'Arigato gozaimasu' for a more polite 'thank you'.

Avoid traveling during Golden Week and Obon season due to crowded conditions and high prices.

Carry a small towel or tissue as many Japanese bathrooms lack paper towels.

Be mindful of noise levels in public spaces as Japanese society values quietness and avoiding disturbances.

Do not wear complicated laces on shoes as easy removal is necessary in places where shoe removal is customary.

Be aware of the lack of trash cans on streets and the cultural expectation not to eat and walk.

Japanese cuisine is diverse beyond fish and rice; consider dietary needs and restrictions when eating out.

Check medication allowances and restrictions before traveling to Japan, especially for over-the-counter painkillers.

Carry your passport at all times as it may be required by law enforcement.

Remove shoes when appropriate in Japan; look for signs or follow local customs.

Do not tip in Japan as it is not part of the culture and can cause confusion or stress.

Be aware of the cultural nuances of invitations and offers in Japan, which may not always be literal.

Utilize tax-free shopping opportunities for tourists by presenting your passport at certain stores.

Transcripts

Japan is a unique country with a

distinct culture climate and a rich

tapestry of Unwritten rules and

traditions and while many of these will

be foreign to Travelers visiting for a

short time there are some clues that you

need to know so you don't get into a

sticky situation while having the trip

of a lifetime after living in Japan for

many years here is what I wish that I

knew before coming to Japan number one

carry cash at all times this felt very

strange to me at first coming from a

country where I wouldn't feel

comfortable carrying more than one

hundred dollars for fear of losing it or

getting mugged I now feel uncomfortable

going anywhere in Japan with less than

30 000 yen in fact Most Japanese will

carry 50 to 100 000 Yen or 372 to 745 US

dollars at any given time Japan is a

safe country and while that doesn't mean

you shouldn't be careful carrying any

less than 30 to 50 000 Yen could result

in you wasting your valuable travel time

searching for an ATM as many as

establishments will only accept cash

Japan is adopting more credit card and

smart pay options but outside of major

cities these are few and far between and

while talking about cash that brings us

to unspoken rule number two don't hand

money to people money is rarely passed

directly from hand to hand in Japan when

paying you will often see a small tray

unless you are paying by an automated

machine so place your money on that tray

and you should receive your change and

receipt on the same trade there will be

some situations where this is not the

case however if you cannot see this tray

then handing money to the cashier or

putting it on the counter is fine also I

have noticed that in some more friendly

regions of Japan such as kansai's Osaka

that cashiers will often hand you your

change to you personally provided you're

a foreigner or it is somewhere more

convenient to do so like in a taxi and

speaking of taxis number three don't

open or close doors when using taxis in

Japan in the past Japan's taxis were

smaller and the the drivers would open

the door for passengers as a sign of

respect but as cars became larger and

streets busier our solution was needed

for the rapidly developing country in

1964 when Tokyo was hosting the Olympic

Games a solution was found the automatic

car door it might feel strange for you

to not close the door after you but if

you do so then the door may not close

correctly and the driver may be unsure

if it's safe to proceed to enjoy this

feature and not inconvenience your

driver just don't open and close the

doors the only exception to this is the

front seat which might not always be

automatic because it's typical for

Japanese to only sit in the back seat of

a taxi unless traveling with a large

party however I also don't actually

recommend that you use the taxis in

Japan unless you have no other option

taxi services in Japan is by far the

most expensive form of travel a trip

from Nadi to airport to Shinjuku in the

heart of Tokyo will cost upwards of 28

500 yen or two hundred and twelve

dollars and now you might see why my

first tip was to carry cash on you at at

all times in Japan for just such an

emergency trains and buses are a

fraction of the price and unfortunately

Japan has no real form of ride sharing

due to taxi lobbyists using Uber in

Japan will just summon a normal taxi to

your location with the normal price

number four the language barrier a

common concern for any traveler is will

you be able to communicate and find your

way while traveling in Japan and

fortunately you don't really need to

worry here in an effort to increase

International tourism Japan has updated

nearly every directional sign with both

English and Japanese combined with

modern apps for navigation and

translation it is quite possible to

travel and even live in Japan without

knowing the language that said there are

a few phrases that are incredibly

helpful and only take a few minutes to

learn Sumi Masen will be the most useful

word you'll ever learn you can use it to

say sorry excuse me or get someone's

attention for example if you are at a

restaurant and want to order something

stick your hand up and say sumima San to

get the waiter's attention this might

feel a little awkward it first depending

on your culture but this is how the

locals do it almost everyone will have

heard the phrase Arigato which means

thank you but you can make this more

polite by saying Arigato gozaimasu means

yes in Japan and while ye is taught as

no it can sound a little harsh instead

you can say day jobu which means it's

okay and can also be used for no instead

such as if someone handed you something

you could say means it's okay I don't

want it a couple phrases that are useful

are Egor or karimaska do you speak

English

where is for example

where is the toilet is one of Japan's

many lone words and that is a secret tip

to communicating in Japan if you find

yourself in a tricky situation you can

attempt to elongate a word to see if it

makes sense in Japanese for example

credit card becomes

is credit card okay Starbucks would

become Starbucks

[Music]

where is the Starbucks number five when

not to travel Japan has four beautifully

distinct Seasons each with unique

experiences for anyone's travels but

there are two times in the year that I

just don't recommend visiting Japan and

that's golden week and the abon season

golden week happens in spring from April

29th to May 5th and is made up of four

national holidays shawar day

Constitution Day Green Day

but not that one and Children's Day

depending on how these fall during the

year they can be anywhere from a couple

days off to a full week or even a

nine-day vacation for workers taking two

paid days off making it the busiest time

in the year for people getting away from

work roads are crowded trains are packed

and hotel prices Skyrocket as the nation

collectively lets off steam from the

year the Summer Festival a Bonn is a

similar situation although people will

typically visit their relatives during

this time its exact dates change every

year with the lunar calendar but it is

roughly around mid-august summer is also

my least recommended season as much as I

love the hot weather temperatures

routinely exceed over 36 degrees or

around 97 degrees Fahrenheit with 100

humidity this oppressive heat carries a

real risk of heat stroke if you're

carrying bags around or visiting many

tourist destinations while traveling and

anyone that is not used to this type of

climate should rethink travel during

this time this isn't the only

inconvenience to traveling during

Japan's national holidays as depending

on your location Bank ATMs can even shut

down during the holidays as well because

they need a vacation too apparently my

own bank actually does this but it

shouldn't be a problem at convenience

stores it's worth keeping in mind

however and another reason why carrying

cash with you in Japan is so important

with that all said there are a couple

benefits to traveling during golden week

and the a bond season as this is the

time of year you can see carb streamers

called koi nobody flying for children's

day or the beautiful summer lanterns

honoring ancestors during a bond number

six don't forget a towel well at least

consider bringing a small towel or

tissue many Japanese bathrooms across

the country won't have paper towels to

dry your hands because most Japanese

people carry a small handheld with them

much has been written on the subject of

towels and they are about the most

massively useful thing an Interstellar

hitchhiker can have you can even use

them to reserve tables of course you

don't exclusively need a towel to take

advantage of this Unwritten rule but any

item you place on a table be it a bag

phone laptop hat or just about anything

in your pocket signals that the table

has been taken personally I wouldn't

recommend leaving any valuables lying

around like this but every day people in

Japan do this confident that their

property will be there when they return

now even if you don't take advantage of

this rule it's good to know because if

you see a lone table with no one in

sight with a bag or a phone resting on

it you don't need to assume that it's

lost property and try to return it to

the shop or police station just leave it

be etiquette in public one thing you

will notice in Japan to other Asian

countries is that it's very quiet people

won't talk loud on trains or even on the

street provided they aren't coming out

of a bar Japanese Society is focused on

not making a scene and avoiding

confrontation so be mindful of your

surroundings as people likely won't tell

you if you're being a disturbance for

trains which get very busy make sure

that your backpack isn't hitting anyone

Japanese people will take off their

backpacks or wear them on their front

just to make sure that it's not

interfering with anyone you should also

yield your seat for the elderly or the

pregnant but this is true in every

country for taking photos in public try

not to focus on any one person in

particular and watch out for no photo

signs that appear on private streets

when receiving an invitation in Japan

you should take it with a grain of salt

and offer to go somewhere like a

barbecue or hiking next week is really

about a 50 chance of being a real offer

if the offer isn't presented with doing

it immediately or an exact future date

and time is provided then it really

isn't an invitation at all just a nice

thought that they had likewise if you

offered to do something in Japan with a

local and they say maybe they really

aren't interested in it at all if they

are they'll either say yes or they'll

ask when and where but rarely if ever

will they give a flat out no don't be

offended by this it's just a cultural

thing you'll definitely notice how clean

Japanese streets are but at the same

time and somewhat perplexingly is the

lack of trash cans on the street the

only place you ever really see trash

cans is at train stations or places

where food is sold such as festivals or

convenience stores and this leads to why

people say it's rude to eat and walk

while in Japan eating while walking

means that you'll drop things like

crumbs or wrappers as you walk or be

forced to keep your trash with you in

your pockets or bag this is why you'll

often see Japanese people eating outside

of a convenience store and then run back

inside to dispose of their trash before

moving on this doesn't always hold true

however and it is common to see people

eating and walking during street

festivals which are common throughout

the year if you see many of these stores

while exploring Japan you won't need to

worry and there will be temporary trash

cans out for the occasion so you won't

have to to carry a trash too far it's

worth mentioning here that Japan isn't

Just Fish and Rice some people assume

that Japanese people eat fish every day

and because of that people who don't

like fish are adverse to traveling in

Japan this really isn't the case though

of course Sushi is a popular and famous

dish in Japan but there are all kinds of

food to suit almost every diet Fried

Chicken soups noodles like ramens are

among the most popular it is however

important to be aware of what you eat if

you have any allergies or are vegetarian

or vegan in Japan Japanese restaurants

are not very flexible and they usually

won't substitute items on the menu or

make altercations if they contain an

allergen in most cases they will

recommend you to try eating something

else and waiters will usually not

understand exactly what is in the food

being served and list of allergens will

not be displayed on small store menus so

be careful about this many Japanese also

do not quite understand the concepts of

vegetarianism or veganism as well and

recommend fish if you tell them that you

don't eat meat also many sources used in

Japanese cooking contain animal products

which makes it very difficult to find

vegan options in Japan if this is a

concern for you then I recommend getting

an app that shows restaurants that cater

to your diet before coming to Japan

this might be one of the most important

tips before coming to Japan it is

imperative to check if your medication

will be allowed for most Travelers this

won't be a concern provided you're only

bringing less than one month's Supply

and you have a prescription on you

however Japan is very very strict when

it comes to over-the-counter painkillers

that might be fine in your country and

certain medications are outright banned

you can check online for a list of these

Before you depart but under no

circumstances bring any recreational

drugs into Japan the penalties for doing

so are incredibly steep to the extent

that hard drugs can land you in jail for

upwards of three weeks without allowing

you contact to the outside world don't

mess around here

tourists must carry passports with them

at all times in Japan you might be

worried about losing it but if you are

stopped by a policeman while in Japan

you are acquired by law to show them

your passport and while I've never

actually seen this happen before it's

better to be safe than sorry and on a

positive note you can actually take

advantage of tax-free shopping outside

of the airport at certain stores which

will give you a flat 10 discount when

presenting your passport a simple saving

that you should not deprive yourself of

when traveling in Japan

make sure you remove your shoes when

appropriate Japanese people usually do

not wear shoes in sight and having

comfortable easy to remove shoes is

important so you can quickly slip on and

off your shoes without slowing down

people behind you so don't wear any

complicated laces it's very easy to tell

which places require you to move your

shoes because they will often be marked

with a step and there will be slippers

for guests when in doubt just look at

what the other people around you are

doing and there will also be a sign or a

shoe box to show you the way don't worry

you don't need to take off your shoes

when you go to McDonald's or anything

last tip is simply do not tip Japan is

not a tipping culture and it's seen as

rude I know some people will think that

it might be nice to leave a tip even

though it's not the culture but leaving

a tip of the restaurant will actually

cause them stress as they will seek to

return your money the only situation you

will ever tip in Japan is if you see a

tip jar and then it's purely optional

ultimately you don't need to be too

worried when coming to Japan people here

are very considerate and understand that

you are from a different culture

everybody makes mistakes when traveling

and it's really part of the experience

but if you do your best to be consider

implied to others they'll notice and any

of the small mistakes that you make

won't matter that much at all if you

found this helpful then leave me a like

comment with any of your tips below and

if you're planning a trip to Japan and

don't know where to start then you need

to check out my guide of how I would

spend my first trip in Japan here