Don't Do These 5 Things When Traveling To Japan

Above, Godzilla peers over buildings in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whether or not one has traveled to Japan, there are some etiquette customs that visitors should be mindful of. If one has been there before, it is always to have a refresher.

Fortunately, Times of India has listed them for our perusal.

They begin with:

Japan is one of the most organised and visitor-friendly countries in the world, but daily life here runs on unspoken social rules that tourists are expected to follow. Clean streets, quiet public transport, and orderly public spaces are not accidental, they exist because people are careful about how their actions affect others. Visitors sometimes assume that common tourist habits, such as speaking loudly, eating while walking, or discarding garbage casually, are acceptable, but these behaviours can be seen as inconsiderate in Japan. With international tourism continuing to grow, local authorities and communities have repeatedly reminded travellers to be mindful of etiquette, especially in crowded cities and popular tourist areas.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Travel Tips For First-Time Visitors

Above, a gate at Tokyo's Asakusa Senso-ji temple. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is one of the most popular travel destinations today.

It is easy to see why. It is a first world nation and the current currency exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Japanese yen is a big draw.

Forbes has posted ten must-know Japan travel tips for first-time visitors.

They begin it with:

Japan is one of the most popular international destinations right now.

In April 2025, Japan welcomed a record-breaking 3.9 million international visitors, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). One of the most tourist friendly destinations, there is a learning curve to traveling here, and knowing how to navigate and plan accordingly will ensure a better travel experience.

From basic etiquette and can’t miss public transportation tips to planning the best time of year to visit (and knowing best time of year to avoid), here are ten essential travel tips every first time traveler needs to know to plan the best visit possible to Japan.

 To read more, go here.

Japan: 10 Annoying Foreign Tourist Behaviors On Trains

Above, inside a Shinkansen (bullet train) car. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan seems to have many etiquette rules. Anyone who has been there at least several times gets acclimated with them with no real problem (more or less).

Unbeknownst to some (especially newbies), there are even rules on trains. 

Sora News has posted an article with a list of the top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains.

They begin it with:

Japan is seeing more inbound foreign tourists than ever these days, which also means more inbound foreign tourists than ever on public transportation. But as locals and Japanese residents increasingly rub elbows on trains, that also means more chances for tourist behavior to rub locals the wrong way.

As part of its annual study on train/station etiquette, the Japan Private Railway Association collected responses from 5,314 participants via an online survey. 62.9 percent of the respondents said they’d been bothered by impolite behavior by foreign tourists, and the survey then asked them to designate up to two specific complaints, resulting in the following top 10 list (technically top 11, if you count the entry of “other”).

To see what they are, go here. 

Japan Travel: 15 Unwritten Rules

Above, a food court at the Tokyo Skytree. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is one of the world's most favored places to travel, many people are traveling there for the first time.

As this is the case, they should be mindful of proper etiquette while in Japan. There are 15 unwritten rules that all visitors should be aware of.

Condé Nast Traveller has them listed.

They begin with:

In Japan, the concept of “hairyo” – a profound embodiment of thoughtfulness and consideration – serves as a foundation for public interaction, reflecting a culture deeply rooted in mutual respect. This principle encourages individuals to be aware of their surroundings and anticipate the needs and feelings of others in order to cultivate a harmonious environment. However, navigating the many unwritten rules and social cues can be challenging for foreign travellers. As our readers named Japan the best country in the world in this year's Readers' Choice Awards, resident foodie and travel connoisseur Tokyo Halfie offers a snapshot of essential guidelines for your visit to help you avoid any faux pas. 

 To read more, go here.

Mistakes Tourists Make In Tokyo

Above, the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios in Setagaya. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that foreigners are allowed to vacation in Japan again, locals are noticing mistakes foreign tourists are making when visiting Tokyo.

Some of the mistakes are navigating around the city and not following cultural etiquette while dining and other Japanese ways.

Yahoo! News has posted an article on the 14 most glaring mistakes. 

They begin it with:

Locals have noticed many visitors to Tokyo making the same mistakes.

Since Japan reopened its borders to foreign tourists in October, many travelers have taken advantage of the opportunity to visit this bucket-list destination. Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, is especially popular, and for good reason ― the striking skyline, incredible food scene and treasure trove of unique cultural experiences are unforgettable.

But as tourists pour back into Tokyo, they inevitably make a few common mistakes. We asked locals and other experts to share some of the issues they’ve observed. From dining mishaps to problematic cultural assumptions, here are 14 mistakes tourists often make while visiting Tokyo ― and some advice for avoiding these errors during your travels.

To read more, go here. 

What To Learn Before Traveling To Japan

Above, boarding a Yamanote Line train in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who are contemplating a vacation trip to Japan, you won't find a more friendlier place to visit.

However, there are some "unspoken" rules visitors to be aware of so that the trip goes smoothly. 

Travel Daily News posted an article on some of those "unspoken" rules. 

They begin it with:

If you want to travel to a destination that excellently mixes traditional culture and modern living, Japan would be a great idea. You’ll find cities and neighborhoods retaining rich old cultures dating back to ancient times. At the same time, you’ll find the tallest buildings and state-of-the-art technologies. 

If you’re considering exploring nature, Japan won’t fall short of it as well. It has a fair share of the world's most beautiful sceneries and natural landscapes, from beaches to mountains. However, before booking your accommodations and flights, it’s vital to learn some unspoken rules and must-dos before traveling to Japan. Here are some of them.  

To read more, go here. 

10 Things NOT To Do When Eating Sushi In Japan

Above, a plate of sushi in Asakusa, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whenever Japan opens up its borders to tourists, there's a few things to keep in mind that may have been forgotten during the course of the long pandemic.

That is proper sushi etiquette. In the U.S., sushi etiquette isn't such a big deal, but in Japan, the locals frown upon a few things.

Thankfully, Sugoii Japan has posted ten things NOT to do when eating sushi in Japan. So, consider the following a bit of a refresher.

They begin with:

Sushi Etiquette – Do you remember the first time you were introduced to sushi? Those bright and colourful rice rolls filled with all of your favorited ingredients, made fresh daily and super affordable at that?

By now, almost every country around the world will have a sushi joint selling anything from crunchy rolls of prawn tempura to delectable pieces of salmon nigiri. Most places will offer you a small portion of wasabi and soy sauce to top or dip your sushi in before you take a bite.

The moment we said that, we know you’re imagining that moment of inhaling the smell of sushi before you pop it into your mouth. It’s the small window of anticipation that anyone who’s ever eaten sushi will recognise!

As one of the most popular foods globally, sushi is a staple for anyone’s diet!

However, did you know that there is such a thing as sushi etiquette?

You may have grown up simply picking up your sushi with your chopsticks and dipping it into a small plate of soy sauce mixed with wasabi before taking a bite.

However, when you’re eating it in Japan, there is a list of etiquette norms for consuming this delicate dish that stems from hundreds of years of food culture. Some of them you may be aware of, such as never mixing the pickled ginger and sushi together, but others might be completely unheard of, such as eating the sushi rolls only after sashimi has been consumed.

We’ll take you through 10 things not to do when you eat sushi in Japan. Read this ahead of entering a sushi restaurant before you accidentally commit a faux pas in front of a seasoned Japanese sushi chef and you have no idea why he’s watching you in horror!

To read more, go here.

Do's And Don'ts Of Preparing For A Trip To Japan

Above, at the Toho Studios Godzilla statue in Setagaya.

Eventually, we'll be able to travel to Japan for a vacation again. When that happens all depends upon when the Japanese government gets its act together on dealing with the pandemic and the citizens are vaccinated.

Oddly enough, there are some Godzilla fans who have a Japan vacation on their "bucket list" of things to do but still haven't made the trip. So much of this is targeted to them.

There are some unwritten do's and don'ts of Japan travel and The Travel has posted some basic ones.

They begin with:

A trip to Japan is one of the most thrilling trips a person can take in their lifetime. There's a sense of wonder, fascination, and genuine curiosity when it comes to this country, and it's part of the allure that brings millions of people there year after year. Some parts of Japan, such as Tokyo, will always seem like a futuristic world while others, such as Kyoto, seem to be frozen in time, perfectly quaint and beautiful.

No matter where a traveler chooses to go in Japan, etiquette rules will follow. Each country has its own (somewhat unspoken) rules when it comes to showing respect and Japan has many. With that being said, it's not the end of the world if a traveler accidentally does something impolite - but being aware and conscientious goes a long way in this incredible country. Here are some do's and don'ts to know before even booking a trip to Japan.

To read more, go here.