What Not To Do When You Visit Japan?

For the average westerner, arriving in Japan is a shock to the system. The bright lights of Tokyo, storied temples of Kyoto, and high-fashion in Fukuoka barely scratch the surface of what you can expect in The Land of the Rising Sun.

Japanese culture is rooted in norms, tradition, and etiquette, and adherence to the unspoken rules is paramount for visitors to feel accepted. Before taking a public bath, visiting a shrine, or even stepping off your plane, here are a few things to avoid doing in Japan to help you and the locals around you save face.

Don't put business cards in your back pocket or accept them one-handed
Japanese take great pride in their jobs, and the business card is a symbol of that pride, and their status. Accept a business card with both hands, fingers placed on the edges of the card. Put it carefully in your wallet or a safe place to show respect.

Don't shake hands when you meet someone
While most Japanese, even in rural areas, know that westerners shake hands and may accommodate you, they will find it surprising and silly. Bow from the waist when meeting someone new. If you meet someone with high political or social standing, or who is significantly older than you, a deeper bow is appropriate.

Don't wear shoes inside houses or most office spaces
Tatami – a traditional mat that covers most floors in Japanese homes – is harmed and disrespected when in contact with shoes. You will often be offered slippers; if not, socks of bare feet are appropriate options.

Don't address a new Japanese friend by his or her first name
The proper way to address a friend, colleague, or acquaintance is by his/her last name, followed by "san." This shows respect for the family name. School-aged boys can be called by their last name followed by "kun," and girls "chan." A teacher or mentor should be called "Sensei." If you are speaking with someone of great status or import, you can use the suffix "sama" to show added deference.

Don't be afraid to slurp your noodles!
In the West, noisy eating is viewed as impolite; in Japan, slurping shows the chef that you enjoy his dish. The louder you slurp, the more you appreciate the ramen, soba, or udon noodles you are eating.

Don't drink from a water fountain near a shrine
These fountains are meant to purify the visitor’s hands and mouth. Before approaching the sacred ground, you should rinse your hands with the water. Next, cup your hands under the water and swish it in your mouth, using a designated area to spit it out.

Don't expose tattoos when entering a public bath or hot springs
A trip to Japan isn't complete without visiting the famed onsens, or hot springs. Your first visit to a public bath or onsen may surprise you. It's customary to strip down, clean yourself in a designated area, and then enter the sex-segregated hot water nude. In rural areas in particular, tattoos can be seen as irreverent, or even as associated with a gang (yakuza). This stigma is slowly changing in larger cities. To be safe, think about covering them.

Don't tip. Good service is standard and expected
The mindset in Japan is, "Why would you pay more for someone to do their job correctly?" Japanese culture values diligence, and being tipped is often seen as a slight. This is true for restaurants and taxis. The exception to this is called "kokorodzuke" – money given before a service is received. It is appropriate at a ryokan, or traditional Japanese inn, for newlyweds as a gift, or at a funeral. As a visitor, you're unlikely to need to know the ins-and-outs of the tradition.

Japan's rules – spoken and cultural – can be challenging. I once met the mayor of the small town in which I lived, and I was so nervous I forgot to bow and offered my hand to shake instead. He laughed, and said in broken English, "Like a movie!" The good news is that you will quickly learn the customs, and when you stumble along the way, the Japanese are quick to forgive and eager to help you learn.

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