No Eating While Walking Allowed In Japan

Above, some girls in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Generally speaking, it is considered to be bad manners to eat while walking in Japan.

The influx of foreign visitors who are unaware of this are causing municipalities a quandary. How to get them to stop without being impolite?

According to the Japan Times:

KYOTO - Tourist destinations are struggling for ways to ask tourists to stop eating while walking without offending them. 

One such place is Nishiki Market, which for over 400 years has been known as the kitchen of Kyoto. The municipal government estimates that around 30 percent of all foreign tourists in Kyoto in 2017 visited the market and its more than 120 stores selling kyōyasai (heirloom vegetables), fresh fish or pickled vegetables. 

In recent years, many shops have been selling foods that are easy to eat while walking, such as fried food on skewers, in line with the increase in foreign travelers, according to the market association. 

However, litter has now become common on the narrow street. Also, concern has grown that in crowded conditions pedestrians risk getting injured by sharp food sticks carried by others. 

In a bid to address these problems, the association has asked stores since last October to display signs saying “No eating while walking” in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean.

I guess having an ice cream cone while strolling around is okay.

To read more, go here.