KNOWING HOW THINGS ARE DONE IN JAPAN WILL MAKE YOUR VISIT MUCH MORE ENJOYABLE.

Japanese often gets a bad rap for being expensive, awkward for foreign travellers and populated by inscrutable people who speak an incomprehensible language. The reality is that it is one of the friendliest and easiest countries to travel around. Even Japanese culture doesn’t have to be a problem as long as you remember two things. First: relax. Most Japanese don’t expect foreigners to know all the ins and outs of their customs and they tend to be extraordinarily patient when we slip up. Second: respect. This is the essence of all things Japanese and enables 127 million people to live together in country of New Zealand. The following are a few tips to ease the culture shock.

Shoe-ing off

Most shops and hotels don’t require you to take off your shoes; most temples, homes and traditional restaurants do. If in doubt, look for the telltale rows of shoes out the front and the slippers you’re supposed to wear instead.

Toilets

Japanese toilets are one of the wonders of the manmade world. Even public conveniences in airports have buttons for flushing sounds, music or birdsong(to reduce embarrassment), bidet functions, hair dryers and inseat heating with instruction usually in Japanese only, so be careful what you press.

Bathing rules

Whatever you do, don’t wash yourself in a public bath (onsen). Japanese baths are for soaking after you have showered (while sitting down on a small wooden or plastic stool). Many hotels in tourist and mountain areas have in-house hot-spring baths and cotton robe, slippers are supplied. Many guests even dine at the hotel restaurant, go gift shopping in the lobby and wander outside the hotel in their bathwear.

No tipping

It’s not usual to tip in Japan and people can feel offended if you offer them money for something they may have intended as a friendly gesture such as helping with your bags of hailing a taxi for you. Instead of tipping at the restaurant, say “gochisosama desita”  (thank you for a lovely meal) when leaving.

Bow, don’t blow

If you have to point at something or someone, use your whole hand (finger point is considered offensive). Bowing is generally preferred over shaking hands as a greeting. And if you have a cold, niff, don’t blow, blowing your nose in public is regarded as the height of bad manners.

Beer Behaviour

Beer (biru) I the most popular drink in Japan. If you find yourself drinking with the locals, wait until everyone has a full glass before saying “kampa”(cheers). It’s not the done thing to fill your own glass – let your companions do it for you, as you fill their glasses in return. And when you had enough, leave your glass full. Keep drinking and your Japanese hosts will just keep topping it up.

You talkin’ to me?

Harmony is everything in Japan and, as a result, the Japanese seem to genuinely appreciate the slightest effort foreigners make to communicate in their language. Even if you get it horribly wrong, a few words or phrases will go a long way towards making your trip to Japan a happy one.

Arigato (thank you)

Hai (yes, though technically “that’s right”)

Iie (no)

Oishii (delicious)

Sumimasen (excuse me)

Onegai shimasu (please)

Sayonara (goodbye)

Gomen nasai (sorry).