Hygiene is very important to avoid diseases, contaminations, and other various things. In this article, we will see some acts and hygiene habits practiced by the Japanese in Japan.
Each country has its hygiene habits and customs, and Japan has several customs, and the interesting thing is that they are mostly followed by everyone. Not following these habits can be embarrassing for you!
Table of Contents
Public Hygiene Habits – Blowing Your Nose and Eating
You should not blow your nose in public. Even for us Brazilians, this practice is strange and vulgar; in Japan, it is no different. Furthermore, you should not eat while walking down the street; you might bump into someone and dirty them.
Normally, we always carry a handkerchief or a piece of toilet paper to avoid being in this situation, but there, the Japanese prefer to go to a bathroom to do their proper hygiene. Don’t even think about blowing your nose in front of others.
When you are on the street, don’t think about throwing trash on the ground. It may be difficult to find a trash can, but simply carry your trash home or to a convenience store. If you want to eat, there is usually a space for that in these convenience stores.
Hygiene and Cleanliness in Religion
Religion plays a significant role in the cultural meaning of cleanliness and hygiene in Japan. Shintoism greatly values purity; in fact, you must wash your hands and face before entering a Shinto shrine.
It is said that the Shinto Gods (Kami) hate dirt, and since everything can end up being a God for Shintoists, it makes sense to keep everything clean. Buddhism also teaches that cleanliness is the key to having a peaceful mind and teaches good morals.
Even if you do not believe in any of the religions, cleanliness has become ingrained in Japanese culture, so it is better to follow the “rules.”
Hygiene Customs in the Shower and Bath
The way people bathe in Japan is a bit different from that in Western countries. In Japan, it is common for people to take a shower to clean themselves and then go into a hot bath to relax.
In a typical Japanese apartment, the bathtub, shower, sink, and toilet will all be in the same room. The entire bathroom can get wet, so don’t be afraid to wet everything. It is extremely important that soaps, shampoos, and others are not used inside the bathtub; always do this outside of it.
The showers in Japan are usually detachable from the wall; you can enter the bathtub to take a shower and place the showerhead wherever you want. Everything resembles the hygiene habits in the onsen and bathhouses of Japan.
Generally, the order in which Japanese families use the bathtub follows a family hierarchy, with the father going first. The same bathwater is used by each family member. After everyone has bathed, the bathtub is drained and cleaned.
Hygiene with Chopsticks
The chopsticks are not disposable, so it is important to maintain constant hygiene. Of course, there are disposable chopsticks, especially in restaurants, but it is easy to differentiate one from the other.
It is important to know where you place them and how; always prefer to leave them wrapped in a cloth or napkin. Also, remember not to play with them; this is disrespectful and rude!
Some people make a lot of artwork with used chopsticks, so know that they can be reused in a way that does not harm the environment.
The Habit of Wearing Surgical Masks
The practice was only adopted after 2003, following the SARS outbreak. After a shortage, people began to stock these masks, and over time they became a habit.
They wear them even when they don’t need to; the main reasons are to avoid catching native flu and also to avoid passing it on and to reduce the risk of being contaminated by another person.
In addition, they can be used for fashion, protection against the cold, hiding imperfections on the face, protecting from radiation and pollution, and also to feel more confident.
Removing Shoes Before Entering Any Home
This is one of the most important practices and should be adopted by us Brazilians.
In Japan, it is common for houses to have tatami floors, so shoes and others easily dirty these floors. Furthermore, we do not know where other people have stepped and even less where they have been, so it is good to take precautions.
In Japanese homes, there will always be specific footwear to be used inside the residence. It is also certain that there will be an area to store the shoes. This also applies in Japanese schools.
Cleaning in Schools
This act is more general, but it also counts.
We have said several times that those who clean the schools are the students themselves; this is very important for their growth. Therefore, they are fully aware that if they make a mess, they will have to clean it up themselves.
Moreover, they learn to have responsibilities and also learn household chores, something that is greatly lacking in our Brazilian youth. This involves hygiene in general. In addition to having very well-prepared hygiene materials, another thing that is lacking in our Brazilian schools.
The Habit of Separating Trash
Selective collection starts at home, and organic packaging is taken separately, where each material has a specific day for collection.
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