A Few Etiquette Tips for Getting Around Japan

travel Tips Heading to Tokyo for the 2020 Summer Olympics? Here are some lesser-known tips on avoiding faux pas and other cultural missteps while there. Japanese society, known for its polite orderliness, is heavily dependent on unspoken understandings and behavior aimed at maintaining the “wa” — the idea of social harmony. With Tokyo bracing for an influx of tourists for the 2020 Summer Olympics, here are some lesser-known tips for first-timers on avoiding faux pas and other cultural missteps while in Japan.

Attending the Summer Olympics in Tokyo will be an expensive undertaking for visitors, so it should be some relief to know that tipping is not customary in Japan’s service industry. While not necessarily seen as rude — there is some argument that tipping is a slight against the proprietor — tipping is not standard practice in the country, given that worker salaries come entirely from wages and the value placed on consistent, excellent customer service. A common sight in Japanese stores is a small plastic tray next to the cash register. If paying with cash, the common courtesy is to place one’s money in the tray, rather than hand it to the cashier directly, with any change to be returned to the customer in the same manner.

For shops without a tray, it is acceptable to hand your cash directly to the cashier. In fast-paced Tokyo, one might expect eating-and-walking to be a common occurrence. In reality, however, it is something of a faux pas thanks to the concept of “Ikkai ichi dousa,” or doing one thing at a time. While it is recommended to make use of Tokyo’s extensive public transit network during the Olympics, at times it might be necessary to take a cab.

But be aware if you do hail a taxi: The doors are operated by the driver and open automatically for passengers. It is seen a bit gauche to open the door yourself. Upon arriving to your destination and paying the fare, the driver will again activate the doors for passengers to exit. For trains that frequently run at as much as 200-percent capacity during peak operating times, commuting can nonetheless be an unsettlingly quiet experience.

While texting or gaming is permitted, talking on one’s cellphone is a strict no-no, and even conversation among passengers is discouraged. It is also worth noting that, while taking photos through the window is acceptable, it is inadvisable to take photographs of busy train car interiors, especially during times when children or students are present. Part of what keeps even the most heavily-trafficked rail cars in immaculate condition is the general aversion to eating while on trains. While drinking is generally acceptable, even on relatively empty cars it is considered poor form to eat aboard trains and snacking is best confined to station platforms.