Japan Etiquette Guide: Onsen, Temples, Dining, and Everyday Manners

Wash and rinse thoroughly at the shower stations before entering the shared bath — the bath itself is for soaking, not washing. Swimsuits are not worn (onsen are bathed in nude, separated by gender in most traditional baths), and the small hand towel provided is for modesty on the walk to the bath and shouldn't touch the bath water itself — most people set it on their head or the bath's edge while soaking. Long hair should be tied up so it doesn't touch the water. Visible tattoos are still refused at some traditional onsen due to historical associations with organized crime, though this has relaxed considerably in tourist areas — checking a specific onsen's policy in advance, or looking for tattoo-friendly listings, avoids an awkward turn-away.

At a shrine's torii gate, a slight bow before passing through is a common courtesy, and walking along the side of the approach path rather than the center (traditionally reserved for the deity) is a small but appreciated habit. At the purification fountain (temizuya), rinse both hands and then your mouth (without swallowing) using the ladle provided, without letting the ladle touch your lips directly. For the standard shrine prayer: bow twice, clap twice, make your wish, then bow once more — signage in English is common at popular shrines if you want to follow along. At temples, a quiet bow is generally sufficient; there's no clapping (that's a shrine, not temple, custom). Photography is usually fine in outdoor areas but often restricted inside main halls — look for signage.

Saying "itadakimasu" before eating and "gochisousama" after are polite but not mandatory for visitors — appreciated if you use them, not expected. Avoid sticking chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice (it echoes a funeral ritual) and avoid passing food directly from your chopsticks to someone else's (also a funeral association). Slurping noodles is genuinely normal and not rude — it's how you eat ramen or soba without it going cold. Pouring your own drink at a shared table is considered slightly awkward; it's customary to pour for others and let them pour for you. Most restaurants bring a hot or cold oshibori (hand towel) at the start of the meal — it's for wiping your hands, not your face.

Phone calls on trains are considered disruptive and are avoided almost universally — phones are kept on silent ("manner mode") and calls are taken off the train if unavoidable. Eating on local commuter trains is generally avoided, though it's normal and expected on long-distance trains and the Shinkansen. Priority seating near train doors is reserved for elderly, pregnant, injured, or disabled passengers — even when empty, many locals avoid sitting there. Queuing at the platform markings (see the Getting Around guide) and letting passengers off before boarding are both closely observed norms.

• Walking and eating at the same time in busy shopping streets, which is generally considered messy/impolite in Japan compared to some other countries
• Tipping at restaurants or taxis (it isn't done — see the Money in Japan guide)
• Speaking loudly on public transport, especially phone calls
• Not removing shoes where clearly expected (many ryokan, some restaurants, all traditional tatami rooms) — look for a shoe rack or a step-up in flooring as the cue
• Ignoring posted no-photography signs inside temple halls or museums