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1. Learn some Japanese before your trip!
Many online articles and blogposts say that people in Japan can speak English well because English is compulsory to learn in schools. However, speaking from experience, fluent English speakers are very hard to come across. English speakers may be more common in Tokyo in specific places like information booths and train stations, but it is useful to pick up a phrasebook! If you live in Australia, there is a very good pocket phrasebook that you can pick up at any Australian Post office. It is good to understand how to ask if someone if they can speak English. It is easy to remember a few Japanese phrases so you can be more respectful to the country you are in.
For example "すみません、英語が話せますか?"
This is more polite instead of walking up to a stranger and speaking a foreign language straight up.
2. Bring cash instead of using cards.
Although Visa and MasterCard are accepted in major chain stores, cash is most commonly used in Japan. You wouldn't want to go to a cafe, unable to pay for the bill because it is cash only. There are also major transaction fees for some cards while overseas. If you are afraid of carrying a lot of cash on you while travelling, I normally transfer all of my money I want to take onto a travel card and withdraw it all once I arrive. Travel cards are very useful because there is no transaction fee and you can load money into the country's currency before travelling so there is no exchange fee.
3. Finishing your meal.
It is quite rude to leave food on your plate when you are in Japan. It is disrespectful to the person who has cooked the meal. If you have a small appetite, try dishing out smaller portions or ask for a smaller meal.
4. You can never be too polite!
Master these key phrases before going to Japan and people will think you are a local! Being polite is a must in Japan.
- すみません - Can be used for many occasions, basically means 'excuse me.'
- ありがとうございます - 'Thank you.'
- いただきます - say this before eating your meals, it is paying respect to the cook.
- ごちそうさまでした - say this after eating meals, basically means 'Thank you for the meal' you can also say this after having a bath!
- おじゃまします/おじゃましました - when entering and exiting someone's house it is polite to use these phrases. It basically means 'Sorry to intrude.'
5. Take your shoes off when going inside.
Whenever you see an entrance way or '玄関' (Genkan) please remove your shoes before entering. Nearly every Japanese house or apartment has a 玄関 and even some shops, shrines and hotels also. When I visited the cat cafe in Shinjuku they also had a 玄関! Take your shoes off and place them in the provided box or shoe area and slip into some slippers if they are provided!
6. Use silent mode while on the train!
This is to be courteous to the people around you. When I was living in Japan, my phone was permanently set to silent because I would be constantly catching trains! Near priority seating (for elderly, pregnant etc.) there may even be signs to switch your mobile off! Please remember to be respectful!
7. Bathing in Japan.
If you decide to do home-stay or visit an 温泉 (Onsen - public bath), there are strict ways of taking a bath! Normally the guest of the house (when doing homestay) is asked to have the first bath. Before taking a bath please wash your hair and body on a small stool which is normally on the ground. I thought it was so weird at first to have water on the ground but it's totally normal! Once you are clean you may enter the bath to relax. When you are finished, please leave the water in the bath and let the next person know the bath is free! ごちそうさまでした！
8. Smoking areas
If you are a smoker please be careful when you are smoking in public. Especially places like Kyoto, there are specific smoking areas labeled '喫煙所' (Smoking area). Smoking while walking is forbidden and you may get fined. The fine is around 1,000円, (Australia's smoking fine is 30,000円w).
When going to a cafe, restaurant or bar you may be able to choose smoking and non-smoking seats called 喫煙席(Kitsuenseki - Smoking seat) and 禁煙席 (Kinenseki - Nonsmoking seat) you will be asked which seat you would like, please tell them which you prefer.
9. Know when the last train is!
If you spend a night partying or late night karaoke please be sure to know when the last train home is. Japanese trains stop around midnight for maintenance and taxis could be expensive! If you find yourself stuck after midnight consider visiting a netcafe, karaoke or capsule hotel for somewhere to spend the night!
10. Questions Japanese people WILL ask you!
If you strike up a conversation with a local here are some things they are bound to ask you!
- どこから来ましたか？どこの出身ですか？ Where did you come from? Where are you from?
- 日本語が上手ですね！Wow, your Japanese is good!!
- お箸の使い方を知ってますか？Do you know how to use chopsticks?
- 学生ですか？Are you a student?
- 英語の教師ですか？ Are you an English teacher?
- 生魚を食べますか？ Can you eat raw fish?
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