Japanese habits and customs

The Japanese have an extensive collection of interesting habits and customs to learn. And in this article we'll look at some of those customs. We'll mention customs, manners, rules and random habits. Unfortunately there's no way to categorize them in this article, we'll just mention the most common ones, and important facts you should know.

We also recommend reading:

• What Does Maji Mean in Japanese?
• Watashi, boku, ore - How to say "I" in Japanese?
• List of Japanese male names with meanings

It might be rude to put your own drink

Instead of you pouring your drink or someone pouring the drink for everyone, eventually someone will notice and fill your glass. Just remember it is a bit rude to fill your own glass of drink.

When drinking with friends, expect Kanpai

Drinking before they say Kanpai, a type of toasting among friends. It is considered rude and undisciplined. This usually happens when drinking Sake and Beer at a gathering, celebration among friends or colleagues.

Holding hands when doing business

It can be common to hold hands, when closing deals, it is not necessary to bow if you have held someone's hand;

Yukata

This garment, besides being popular at summer festivals, is often used as pajamas, especially in hotels and onsen. In some cases you can have breakfast wearing the yukata. Also, the female yukata should be securely fastened, what if you're not wearing underwear and it opens..;

Flip flops

Some bathrooms or other places offer their own slippers to access certain areas, just remember not to leave with them from the premises.

Usually slippers should not be used on tatami floors. In a ryokan, slippers are often only worn in the hallways.

Read also: Zori - Hawaiian or Japanese Sandals?

Garbage and Recycling

There are many rules on how to pack garbage and collection for recycling that varies by municipality. So you must pay close attention to details so as not to do it wrong;

Play with the Hashi

Use chopsticks only for eating, that's how the Japanese do it, besides involving hygiene chopsticks represent many traditions and cultures, playing with them can be disrespectful;

Read also: Hashi – Tips and Rules on how to use and hold chopsticks

Point the finger

It is considered threatening in Japan, instead of pointing fingers, the Japanese tend to point in a direction with an open hand. Verbal instructions without gestures are also very common.

take a dirty bath

Both in public baths, hotels and at home you will come across a bathtub. In Japan, bathing is seen as a relaxing leisure activity rather than an act of cleansing the body. The Japanese usually wash themselves in the shower before getting into the bathtub, and avoid any soap residue in the bathtub. (or ofuro).

Towels in the thermal baths

People bring small towels with them to the bathing areas. These are used to clean the body before entering the bath. They are also a tool of modesty to hide small parts of their body when standing. The towels cannot get wet. So it is common to use them on the head.

We recommend reading: Onsen - Natural Hot Springs of Japan

Oshibori

Many restaurants offer a moist towel called Oshibori, which is used to lightly clean hands before meals, so it should be avoided to use on the face or as a napkin, as it is considered rude.

Blow your nose

Blowing your nose in public is considered rude. People usually go to the bathroom to blow their nose. Sniffling is generally acceptable;

Touches and Hugs

We know that hugs, pats on the back are not common among the Japanese. Even lovers tend to avoid physical intimacy in public places. Therefore, avoid hugging or holding hands with strangers, unless they are holding a sign saying Free Hugs.

smoking

Walking and smoking is seen as dangerous and reckless for a variety of reasons, with the biggest being the idea that you could accidentally burn someone on a crowded street.

Itadakimasu and Gochisosama deshita

At every meal you must say Itadakimasu before eating and Gochisosama at the end of the meal, they are important customs that involve several things and meanings.

Both words have several translations such as thank you for the food, I humbly accept the food, thank God for the food, it was a good meal.

This custom, despite having a little spirituality involved, it is a cultural thing performed by everyone regardless of having a belief or not.

Read also: Itadakimasu and Gochisousama - What is the real meaning?

names

You should call the person by their last name and use the more common respect suffix “-san”. Unless you are very close friends with a person, you can call him by his first name;

We recommend reading: List of Japanese surnames 200+ Origin and Meanings

soups

Soups are eaten with a spoon, of course. But there's no problem in taking a bowl of soup to drink directly from it. This is quite common.

Well, these are just some of the customs and habits that surrounds Japan, in fact, there are thousands of rules and customs related to each item mentioned in this article, such as eating with chopsticks, or in the bathroom. This is just another explanatory article, because there are thousands of cultural differences and customs that can be found in various articles on this site.