Cultural Differences in Japan That Many Visitors May Not Know About

Food and restaurant culture

• Chopstick etiquette matters more than many realize

Even visitors who know basic chopstick etiquette are often surprised by how important certain customs remain in Japan.

One of the most important things to avoid is sticking chopsticks upright into a bowl of rice. This resembles a ritual performed at funerals, where rice is offered to the deceased with chopsticks placed vertically in the bowl.

Passing food directly from one pair of chopsticks to another should also be avoided. This mirrors the funeral custom of passing cremated bones between family members after a cremation ceremony. Instead, place the food onto a plate before another person picks it up.

Using chopsticks to stab or skewer food is also considered poor manners, even in casual restaurants.

Often, restaurants will have a small chopstick holder to place them upon when not in use. However, if there isn’t one, try laying your chopsticks on their side on the plate’s edge.

• Use the wet towel given to you before eating!

At many restaurants in Japan, customers are given an oshibori, a small wet towel used to clean the hands before eating. Depending on the season and the type of restaurant, the towel may be served hot or cold, offering a refreshing touch during summer or warmth in winter. Oshibori are commonly provided at sushi restaurants, izakaya pubs, cafes, and even on long-distance trains, reflecting Japan’s strong emphasis on cleanliness and hospitality.

• Paying the bill often works differently

In many Western countries, paying at the table is standard. In Japan, however, customers often pay at the front register near the exit, especially at more casual restaurants and izakayas. Some restaurants even require customers to pay before eating, such as ramen restaurants that have specialized ticket machines at the front.

Cash is still widely used, although credit cards and digital payments are accepted in many places, especially in large cities. At casual restaurants, asking to split the bill is very common, particularly if everyone ordered separately.

• Restaurants tend to specialize in specific foods more often

In the west, many Japanese restaurants will often serve a large array of Japanese foods, with sushi bars often also selling cooked entrees and even offering ramen or other noodle dishes. In Japan, more often than not, restaurants will specialize in these kinds of cuisine.

Dedicated tonkatsu restaurants will offer specifically tonkatsu and other fried dishes, with options in regard to cut, size, or other accoutrements. Ramen shops may often specialize in one type of ramen, be it miso, shoyu, tonkotsu, toripaitan, etc., and unagi shops will have basically every dish revolve around unagi, just with different preparations.

This is important to note for travelers who may have specific preferences for food. If the people you’re traveling with want to go to a sushi restaurant, but you don’t really enjoy raw fish, your other options for food may be limited!

• The Japanese food in Japan may be different from what you are accustomed to in your home country!

On that note, it’s important to acknowledge that the well-known offerings of Japanese cuisine may be a bit different from what many travelers may be familiar with in their home country. For example, sushi restaurants in the West often boast extravagant, filling-rich rolls on their menus. In Japan, the default form of sushi is nigiri, the more relatively simple form of sliced fish upon a bed of vinegared rice and accented with a dab of wasabi.

Of course, there are roll variants of sushi still found in Japan (known as “makizushi”) but even those offerings are typically more modest than their Western counterparts. However, at the much-beloved conveyor belt sushi restaurant chains like Sushiro, Hamazushi, and Kurazushi, more unorthodox items are often available, such as cheese, avocado, and mayonnaise.

Additionally, a staple of Japanese restaurants in Western countries, teriyaki is actually relatively uncommon at restaurants in Japan and is often more associated with home cooking.

• Ramen is often treated as fast food

Many visitors imagine ramen restaurants as relaxed social spaces, but traditional ramen culture is usually much faster-paced. Counter seating is common, and customers are generally expected to eat and leave relatively quickly so others can sit down.

Also, while slurping your noodles at a ramen shop is more than acceptable, it isn’t a “demonstration of appreciation to the chef.” Typically, people slurp their noodles in Japan because the soup is hot, and there isn’t a stigma against slurping at ramen shops.

• Restaurants fill up quickly

Restaurants in Japan, especially in Tokyo and Osaka, are often much smaller than those in North America or Europe. Combined with the high population density in urban areas, this means popular restaurants can fill up surprisingly fast.

• Restaurants are often closed between lunch and dinner

Another thing that surprises many visitors is that numerous restaurants close between lunch and dinner service. It is common for restaurants to operate from around 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., then reopen around 5:00 or 6:00 p.m.

• Solo dining is very easy to do in Japan

Solo dining is extremely common in Japan, especially at ramen shops, gyudon chains, and curry restaurants. Eating alone carries very little social stigma compared to some Western countries.

• Restaurant requests may be more limited

Japanese restaurants typically do not ask about steak doneness or offer extensive customization options. Dietary accommodations are certainly possible, especially for allergies, but restaurants may not always be as flexible with substitutions or modifications as Western diners expect.

• “Otoshi” charges and tipping

At many izakaya pubs, customers are automatically served a small appetizer called an “otoshi.” This is not complimentary; it functions similarly to a table charge.

Tipping is generally unnecessary throughout Japan. Higher-end restaurants sometimes include a service charge in the bill already, but in most cases, excellent service is simply considered part of the experience.

• Coffee shops often open later

Outside of major chains like Starbucks or Doutor Coffee, many independent coffee shops in Japan do not open especially early. Cafés opening around 10:00 or 11:00 a.m. is fairly common.

The aforementioned chains will be open at around 7 A.M. For an early morning caffeine hit, they’ll be your best options.

Etiquette in public places

• Sitting on the ground

In many indoor public places, such as train stations or shopping centers, sitting directly on the floor is considered inappropriate. However, the context matters.

During festivals, fireworks events, or outdoor gatherings, sitting on the ground is completely normal. In nightlife districts late at night, it is also common to see groups sitting outside on sidewalks or near convenience stores.

• Garbage cans are surprisingly rare

One of the first things many visitors notice is the lack of public trash cans. After the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin gas attack, many public bins were removed for security reasons.

People in Japan often carry their garbage home with them. Convenience stores sometimes provide trash bins, though these are technically intended for store customers.

• Be mindful of public photography and video

In general, personal privacy in public places is highly valued by many people in Japan. Oftentimes, in social media posts, people will even opt to cover the faces of people in the background.

Of course, things like street photography and such have prolific scenes in Japan, but this value of privacy is something important to consider as well as being very context-reliant.

• Cigarettes and smoking

In Japan, you can't smoke in public spaces, but you'll find designated “smoking” areas around large ashtrays in the streets. Please note that you may be fined for smoking outside permitted areas.

Retail and shopping culture

• Cash trays are common

When paying with cash, customers usually place money into a small tray rather than handing it directly to the cashier. This small detail often surprises foreign visitors.

• Plastic bags usually cost extra

Since environmental regulations changed in 2020, stores generally charge for plastic shopping bags, usually around 10 yen. Many people carry reusable eco-bags instead.

• Self-bagging at supermarkets

At grocery stores, customers are often expected to bag their own purchases after checkout in a separate section.

• Seasonal availability is important

Japan places enormous emphasis on seasonality. Certain foods, drinks, and products may only appear for a limited time.

• Returns and exchanges can be stricter

Compared to many Western retailers, Japanese stores often have stricter return policies. Returning items simply because of a change of mind is less common.

• You often need to remove your shoes before entering changing rooms

Many times retail workers will ask you to remove your shoes before entering a changing room. If the changing room typically has a different type of flooring or a step separating it from the other parts of the floor, typically you must remove your shoes. 

• Makeup masks are common when trying on clothes

Often, largely at retailers marketed towards women, retail shops will have a paper mask for customers to wear while trying on clothes that prevents makeup from getting onto the products. 

Accommodation etiquette

• Sorting garbage

Japan’s garbage separation rules can be surprisingly detailed. Trash is often divided into burnable waste, non-burnable waste, plastics, cans, bottles, and paper recyclables.

• Rooms are often smaller

Hotel rooms in Japanese cities are frequently much smaller than visitors from North America or Europe expect. Efficient use of space is prioritized, especially in business hotels.

• Removing shoes indoors

In many traditional accommodations, guests remove their shoes immediately upon entering. Slippers may be provided, and tatami rooms almost always require bare feet or socks only.

Other cultural differences

• Tipping in taxis and hotels

Although tipping is unnecessary in Japan, it is not necessarily considered offensive like what is often believed. Taxi drivers or hotel staff may politely accept tips if offered respectfully, though many will initially decline out of politeness.

• Escalator customs differ by region

Officially, Japanese authorities encourage people not to walk on escalators for safety reasons. In practice, however, one side is usually reserved for standing while the other is used for walking.

In most of Japan, people stand on the left and walk on the right. In much of the Kansai region, including Osaka and Kyoto, the opposite is true.

• Department store elevators can be slow

Department store elevators in Japan often stop on nearly every floor, especially during busy shopping hours. As a result, escalators are sometimes the faster option even when traveling multiple floors.

• Be mindful of strong fragrances and scents

The typical level of everyday usage for colognes and perfumes is generally lower than in many Western countries. Especially in crowded commuter cities, try to avoid overly strong fragrances.

This rule is also quite important in corporate culture, and sometimes restaurants or specialty bars will request that customers refrain from heavy fragrance use to avoid affecting the experience of other guests.

Understanding the small details

Many cultural differences in Japan are not strict rules with harsh consequences if broken. In most cases, locals understand that visitors may not know every custom. However, paying attention to these small details demonstrates respect and can lead to smoother and more enjoyable experiences.

For many travelers, these subtle differences ultimately become one of the most fascinating aspects of visiting Japan.

Want more news on Japan and Japan travel? Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram!