Entering Japan

Below is a basic introduction to the Japanese immigration system. Please contact your closest
Japanese embassy or consulate outside Japan or an immigration bureau inside Japan for official
advice.

All foreigners, including foreign residents, get fingerprinted and photographed upon entering Japan
as a measure aimed at preventing terrorism. Excluded from this procedure are persons under the
age of 16 and a few special groups, such as diplomats and visiting dignitaries.

All foreigners receive a status of residence when entering Japan. There are more than twenty
statuses of residence, including "temporary visitor" for tourists, and a range of statuses for students,
workers and relatives of Japanese nationals and residents.
 Tourists and Business Travelers (Temporary Visitors)

If you are a citizen of one of the over 50 countries with which Japan has a "general visa exemption
arrangement", you need only a valid passport to enter Japan as a "temporary visitor". Otherwise,
you need to obtain a visa before entering the country. Temporary visitors from most countries are
allowed to stay for up to 90 days.
If you are a citizen of Austria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Switzerland or the United
Kingdom, you have the possibility to extend your stay to a total of up to six months. You still
initially enter Japan on a 90 day permit, but can then apply for an extension at an immigration
bureau in Japan.
Temporary visitors are not allowed to engage in any paid activities. However, short term studies at
Japanese language schools are permitted.
All foreign tourists in Japan are required to carry their passports with them at all times.

Longer Stays for the Wealthy

If you are a citizen of one of the over 50 – 70 countries with which Japan has a "general visa
exemption arrangement" and have savings of over 30 million yen, you and your spouse are
eligible to stay in Japan for up to one year for the purpose of sightseeing or recreation. You may
not engage in paid activities. A visa has to be obtained before traveling to Japan.
 Working in Japan
Foreigners, who wish to work in Japan, need to get a work visa from a Japanese embassy or consulate
outside of Japan in order to enter the country on a status of residence permitting work.
There are over a dozen such statuses of residence, each allowing the holder to work only in a specific
professional field, for example, journalism, arts, research, education, engineering, entertainment,
business management, international services, etc. If you change jobs while you are in Japan and your
new job falls into a different professional field (e.g. from education to engineering), you will need to
change your status of residence.
A university degree or considerable professional experience in the applicable field is required to qualify
for most working visa types. Many also require you to have a prospective employer as a sponsor.
Residence permission is granted in periods between 4 months and 5 years and is extendable.
Studying in Japan

Foreigners, who wish to study in Japan (except for short term studies at language schools), need to get
a student visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate outside of Japan in order to enter the country on a
status of residence that permits long term studies.
Sponsorship from an educational institution in Japan and proof of sufficient funds to cover all your
expenses during your stay are required to qualify for a student visa. Residence permission is granted in
periods of between 3 months and 4 years and 3 months and is extendable.
Students are not allowed to engage in any paid activities, unless they get permission from the
immigration office. Even then, students may work only a set maximum number of hours per week.
Spouses and Dependents
Foreigners, who are married to a Japanese national or to a permanent resident of Japan (see below),
can obtain a spouse visa, which allows them to engage in any paid activity in Japan. Residence
permission is granted in periods of 6 months or 1, 3 or 5 years and is extendable.
Foreigners, who are residing in Japan but are not permanent residents, can apply for a dependent visa
for their spouse and children. Residence permission is granted in periods of between 3 months and 5
years and is extendable. Dependents are not allowed to engage in any paid activities, unless they get
permission from the immigration office. Even then, dependents may work only a set maximum number of
hours per week.
 Working Holidays

This is a special visa type that allows some paid activity for citizens of Australia, Canada, Denmark,
Germany, France, Ireland, Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and a few other countries
between the ages of 18 and 30. Consult the working holiday visa page for more details.

Residence Card
Staying in Japan
Inside Japan, most immigration related matters, such as extending residence permission, changing
status of residence or obtaining a re-entry permit, are handled by the Immigration Bureau (Nyukoku
Kanrikyoku), which has branches across the country.
Residence Card
All new foreign residents are issued a residence card upon initially entering Japan at Narita, Haneda,
Kansai or Chubu Airport. New residents arriving through different ports can get their cards at their
municipal offices.
The residence card is an important document required for opening a bank account, obtaining a cell
phone, converting a drivers license and similar activities. It stores the holder's personal information,
including the current address, the status of residence and period of stay. Foreign residents are required
to carry their residence card with them at all times.
 Extending residence permission
Most statuses of residence allow you to stay in Japan for a period between three months and five
years. If you wish to stay longer, you must apply for an extension at an immigration bureau inside
Japan before the expiry date of your current residence permission.
The application process is relatively simple, provided that you still fulfill the conditions for the
specific status of residence. It typically takes a couple of days or weeks for the application to be
processed, and you are allowed to remain in Japan during that time even if your previous
residence permission expires in the meantime.
Changing status of residence
It is possible to change your status of residence (e.g. from temporary visitor to instructor or from
student to engineer) at an immigration bureau inside Japan. You will have to provide similar
documentation as you would have to when applying at an embassy or consulate outside of Japan.
Re-entry permits
Foreign residents, who wish to temporarily leave Japan for longer than a year, need to get a re-
entry permit, otherwise, they lose their status of residence. Re-entry permits can be obtained at
immigration offices in Japan. For absences of less than one year, re-entry permits are not
required.
Permanent residence
Foreign residents who have shown good conduct and have sufficient assets or ability to make an
independent living, can be granted permanent residence if they reside in Japan for a certain
number of consecutive years. For highly-skilled professionals and spouses of Japanese nationals,
the minimum amount of years is typically one to five years, while for others it is typically ten years.
Permanent residence status is indefinite and allows for any paid activity.
Naturalization
Foreigners, who have resided in Japan for at least five consecutive years (less if married to a
Japanese national), have shown good conduct, have never plotted against the Japanese
government, have sufficient assets or ability to make an independent living and are willing to
renounce any other citizenship held, can be granted Japanese citizenship.
 Working in Japan
Many foreign residents from English speaking countries, work in Japan as language
instructors. The demand for native language instructors remains relatively high, with
some major language schools even operating recruitment offices overseas.
Other professional fields, in which qualified foreign residents have a good chance to
find work, include translation, IT, modeling, gastronomy and entertainment. Being in
Japan while job hunting and Japanese language ability are two keys to increase your
chances of finding a job in Japan.
Foreign nationals, who wish to engage in paid activities in Japan, require a visa that
allows them to work in Japan. It is not permitted to engage in any paid activities on a
tourist visa.
There are about a dozen types of working visas, each allowing the holder to engage
in paid activities only within a defined professional field, e.g. as an engineer, instructor
or entertainer. A job offer in Japan is required to successfully apply for most types of
working visas.
Permanent residents of Japan and spouse visa holders (i.e. those married to a
Japanese national or permanent resident of Japan) are allowed to engage in any paid
activity regardless of the professional field.
Student visa holders are not allowed to engage in paid activities, unless they attain
the permission of the immigration office. Even then, students are only allowed to work
a set maximum hours per week.
Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Korea, France, Germany, the United
Kingdom and Ireland, who are 18 to 30 years old, can also consider a working holiday
visa for working in Japan for up to one year.
 Utilities
Utilities for Japanese apartments include water, electricity and gas, each being supplied by different
companies.
Moving in
Before moving into a new apartment, contact the utility companies' nearest offices in order to get the
supply started on the day you move in.
Water
The water company is responsible for water supply and sewerage. Tap water is safe for drinking. A
water main valve can usually be found outside the apartment.
Electricity
A circuit breaker switch is located inside the apartment. If you use too much electricity at once, the
circuit breaker switch will automatically turn off. In that case, turn off some electric appliances and turn
the circuit breaker switch back on. Read more about Japanese voltage and plugs.
Gas
Gas is used for cooking, hot water and gas heaters. There are various types of gas depending on the
region and supplier. If you acquire a gas appliance, make sure that it is compatible with the type of gas
in your apartment.
Gas is dangerous. In case you smell gas, turn off the gas valve, extinguish open fires, open all windows
and doors, and do not turn on any electrical appliances until you find the cause of the problem. If you
cannot find the cause, inform the gas company. It is recommended to use gas leak detectors.
In case of an earthquake, switch off the main gas valve.
Bill Payment
Utility bills can be paid at the utility companies' offices, banks, postal offices, convenience stores and
through automatic transfer from bank accounts.
Moving out
Before moving out, inform the utility companies to stop the supply on the day you move out.
Electricity
Electricity

The voltage in Japan is 100 Volt, which is different from North America (120V), Central Europe
(230V) and most other regions of the world. Japanese electrical plugs have two, non-polarized
pins, as shown above. They fit into North American outlets.
Japanese power outlets are identical to ungrounded (2-pin) North American outlets. While most
Japanese outlets these days are polarized (one slot is slightly wider than the other), it is possible
to encounter non-polarized outlets in some places.
Some North American equipment will work fine in Japan without an adapter and vice versa,
however, certain equipment, especially equipment involving heating (e.g. hair dryers), may not
work properly or even get damaged. If you intend to purchase electronic appliances in Japan for
use outside of Japan, you are advised to look for equipment specifically made for oversea tourists.
The frequency of electric current is 50 Hertz in Eastern Japan (including Tokyo, Yokohama,
Tohoku, Hokkaido) and 60 Hertz in Western Japan (including Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima,
Shikoku, Kyushu); however, most equipment is not affected by this frequency difference. A
possible exception are timing devices such as clocks.
 Japanese style rooms
A Japanese style room: (clockwise from front) tatami, fusuma and ranma, chigaidana, tokonoma,
shoji and tsukeshoin
Traditional Japanese style rooms (和室, washitsu) come with a unique interior design that includes
tatami mats as flooring. Consequently, they are also known as tatami rooms. Their style dates
back to the Muromachi Period when they originally served as study rooms for the wealthy before
gradually becoming more commonplace as reception and living quarters. Washitsu are still very
prevalent around Japan. Tourists have the opportunity to overnight in one by staying at a rvokan,
minshuku or temple lodging. Alternatively, you can view a variety of beautifully preserved historic
tatami rooms at sites such as temples, villas and tea houses.
 Common Elements
Tatami
Tatami mats are thick, woven straw mats that measure about one by two meters in size. Originally a
luxury that only the wealthy could afford, tatami gradually became more common and can now be found
in virtually all traditional Japanese homes. Tatami mats have been so integral to Japanese homes, that
the size of rooms in Japan is commonly measured by the number of mats that would fit it, e.g. an 8-mat
room. Note that footwear – even slippers - should be removed before stepping onto tatami.

Sliding Doors (fusuma)

Fusuma are sliding doors made up of wooden frames covered in thick, opaque paper. The doors are
typically used between adjoining rooms akin to large removable walls, allowing one to partition off areas
or open up space as needed. Historically, fusuma have been the canvases of famous painters, and some
elaborately painted examples can be seen at temples and palaces. Fusuma in regular homes and
rvokan tend to be more simply adorned.
Sliding Doors (fusuma)

Translucent sliding doors (shoji)

Another type of sliding door or partition are shoji, which are made up of wooden lattices covered in
translucent paper. Shoji are typically found along the perimeter of the building, allowing light to
filter in. Some shoji doors incorporate sliding panels that move up and down like small windows to
allow more light or air to enter the room. Occasionally shoji may have a sheet of glass covering
one side of the door.
Transom (ranma)
Ranma are wooden transoms that are typically found above fusuma in traditional Japanese style
rooms. They may be intricately designed and carved, and serve to allow air and light to move
between rooms.

Alcove (tokonoma)
Tokonoma are recessed alcoves and are typically decorated by a hanging scroll in addition to a
vase or flower arrangement. The decorations are typically changed to reflect the season.
Traditionally, the most important guest is seated in front of the tokonoma.
Ceiling (tenjo)
There are a variety of ceiling types in traditional Japanese style rooms. In regular rooms the
ceiling tends to be flat and simple. But in rooms of importance, such as a lord's grand reception
hall or a temple's worship hall, the ceilings may be raised, coffered and decorated with paintings,
as shown on the image.

Built-in Shelves (chigaidana)

Chigaidana are built-in, staggered wall shelving typically found beside the alcove and used for
displaying decorations like vases and incense burners.
Built-in Desk (tsukeshoin)
Tsukeshoin are study desks that are typically built into one side of the room below a window. The
amount of light filtering in is usually adjusted with the use of shoji.

Common Furniture
Partitions (byobu/tsuitate)
Byobu (shown on the image) are portable folding partitions that are arranged in a zigzag fashion
for the panels to stand without extra support. Another type of free-standing partition, called
tsuitate, are single panels supported by legs. Both types of partitions are available in varying sizes
to divide up a room, enhance privacy or block drafts of wind. Partitions come in various designs
from simple ones to highly priced collector items that adorn celebrated paintings.
Low Tables
Low tables are used in traditional Japanese rooms, as sitting on the floor is common practice
there. During the colder months of the year, heatable low tables (kotatsu) are popular. They are
covered by a blanket and heated underneath.

Cushions (zabuton)
Large, flat cushions are used for sitting on the floor in tatami rooms. In some cases, the cushions
are put onto low chairs without legs (zaisu, see photo) that provide some support for the back.
Note that it is considered impolite to step on cushions other than your own.
Futon
Futon are traditional Japanese mattresses that are laid directly on the tatami flooring. They are
kept folded in the closet during the day and set out in the evening after dinner. Visitors can
experience sleeping on a futon at accommodations like rvokan and minshuku.

History
In the early days, tatami was only used by the nobility who would sit on a single, stand-alone mat
placed on the floor. Tatami became more widespread during the Muromachi Period; however, it
was still common to use stand-alone mats as only the wealthy could afford to cover entire rooms
by tatami. In the following centuries, tatami mats became increasingly more common, and they
were found at virtually all Japanese homes until modern, wooden and carpeted floors started to
replace them in recent decades.
 A shoin style room with the built-in desk in the left background
The traditional Japanese rooms that can be seen today mostly come in two basic styles: shoin
and sukiya. Shoin style rooms originally served as study rooms in temples and typically
incorporated a built-in-desk, an alcove and built-in-shelves. Shoin style rooms became popular in
Muromachi Period residences where their function was extended to receiving and entertaining
guests. Additional characteristics that developed in shoin rooms of the time included floors
covered entirely with tatami mats, fusuma sliding doors and shoji doors.
The sukiya style is a variation of the shoin style with subtle artistic differences. The sukiya style
was heavily influenced by the tea ceremony and is commonly seen in tea rooms. Sukiya style
rooms tend to be more rustic and understated compared to the formal shoin rooms to better reflect
the way of tea. Characteristics elements include unadorned clay walls, woven straw or bamboo
ceilings, undecorated fusuma and unfinished wood.
 Waste disposal
Garbage collection sign
In Japan, garbage is basically separated into burnable, non burnable and recyclable
items. At least two kinds of litter boxes can, therefore, be found in most households
and in public places. The exact definition of what is burnable, non burnable and
recyclable depends on the municipality. Garbage collection days and hours depend
on the area you live in. Signs in the neighborhood inform residents about the weekdays
on which what type of garbage is collected. Burnable garbage is usually collected on two
or three days during the week, while non burnable garbage is usually collected once a week.
The disposal of large sized garbage such as furniture, bicycles and electric appliances is handled by a special
collection service against a pick-up fee, usually on an appointment basis. Toxic and hazardous items should also
be handled separately.
Calendar
With the year 1873, the Gregorian calendar was introduced to Japan. While the Christian way of
numbering years is commonly used in Japan today, a parallel numbering system for years based on the
reigns of emperors is also frequently applied (see year converter above).
The year 2000, for example, which happened to be the 12th year of the reign of the current emperor,
whose posthumous name will be Heisei, is called "Heisei 12".
Before 1873, lunar calendars, which were originally imported from China, were used in Japan for many
centuries. The lunar calendars were based on the cycle of the moon, resulting in years of twelve months of
29 or 30 days (the moon takes about 29 1/2 days to circle the earth), and an occasional 13th month to
even out the discrepancy to the solar cycle of 365 1/4 days, i.e. the discrepancy to the seasons.
Various features of the lunar calendar remain intact in today's Japan. For example, years are still
commonly associated with the twelve animals: mouse, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep,
monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
Another aspect of the lunar calendar, that survives into modern Japan, is the subdivision of the calendar
into six days (rokuyo), similar to the subdivision of the modern calendar into seven weekdays. The six
days are called taian, butsumetsu, senpu, tomobiki, shakko and sensho, and they are associated with
good and bad fortune.
Taian, for example, is considered the most auspicious of the six days and ideal for holding business or
personal events such aswedding ceremonies, while butsumetsu is considered the least auspicious day,
and holding funerals is avoided on tomobiki.
 Religion
Shinto and Buddhism are Japan's two major religions. Shinto is as old as the Japanese culture,
while Buddhism was imported from the mainland in the 6th century. Since then, the two religions
have been co-existing relatively harmoniously and have even complemented each other to a
certain degree. Most Japanese consider themselves Buddhist, Shintoist or both.
Religion does not play a big role in the everyday life of most Japanese people today. The average
person typically follows the religious rituals at ceremonies like birth, weddings and funerals, may
visit a shrine or temple on New Year and participates at local festivals (matsuri), most of which
have a religious background.

Emergencies
The nationwide emergency phone numbers are:
Police: 110
Ambulance/Fire: 119
 Japanese Greeting
In Japan, people greet each other by bowing.
A bow can ranges from a small nod of the head to a deep bend
at the waist. A deeper, longer bow indicates respect and conversely
a small nod with the head is casual and informal. Bowing with your
palms together at chest level is not customary in Japan. If the greeting
takes place on tatami floor, people get on their knees to bow. Bowing is
also used to thank, apologize, make a request or ask someone a favor.
Most Japanese do not expect foreigners to know proper bowing rules,
and a nod of the head is usually sufficient. Shaking hands is uncommon,
but exceptions are made.
At formal meetings, business cards are exchanged during the introductions.
At shops and restaurants, customers are typically welcomed by the staff
with the greeting "Irasshaimase". No response from the customer is required,
although a small nod with the head would suffice for those who want to reciprocate the greeting.
 Indoor Manners

Slippers lined up at the entrance of a ryokan

A lot of rules regarding indoor manners in Japan are related to footwear. A clear line is traditionally
drawn between inside and outside, and outdoor shoes and indoor slippers are handled
accordingly. These rules not only apply to most Japanese homes, but also to many traditional
ryokan, some restaurants and the indoor sections of many temples, castles and other historic
buildings.
 The Genkan
For footwear purposes, the border between inside and outside is not the door itself, but the
entrance area, called genkan. Although located indoors, the genkan is still considered outside and
is the place for people to take off and put their shoes. In contrast, the indoor space is typically
elevated and covered by a different type of flooring than the genkan. Make sure not to step onto
the genkan after taking off your shoes. It is considered good manner to turn your shoes to point
towards the door after you have removed them.
When visiting a lot of historic buildings, it may be prudent for tourists to wear shoes that can be
easily removed as you may be forced to take off and put on your shoes multiple times per day.
Furthermore, make sure your socks are neat and free of any holes. During rainy weather, wet
umbrellas and raincoats are supposed to be left outside or at the entrance or put into plastic bags
to prevent them from dripping water everywhere.
 Slipper Etiquette
Slippers are provided by the host. If you are not wearing socks, it is considered polite to bring a
fresh pair of socks to wear after removing your outdoor footwear. Slippers can generally be worn
anywhere indoors except when entering rooms with tatami floor. Tatami should only be stepped on
with socks or in bare feet. Remove your slippers before stepping onto tatami and place them
neatly outside the tatami room.
Furthermore, separate toilet slippers are often provided for use inside washrooms. The regular
slippers are left outside the door when using the washroom. Don't forget to remove your toilet
slippers after usage, a common faux pas among foreign travelers. See our toilet page for more
details about how to use Japanese toilets.
Indoor Photography
The policy on indoor photography at tourist spots differs from place to place. Most temples and
shrines prohibit taking pictures inside worship halls. As for museums and historic buildings, the
policy differs widely. Some allow photography, but others prohibit flash photography or any type of
photography, altogether. Some tourist spots also prohibit the use of tripods and monopods. Look
for signs and ask the staff if in doubt.
 Visiting temples and shrines
How to visit a temple
Behave calmly and respectfully. Show your respect by making a short prayer in front of the sacred
object. Do so by throwing a coin into the offering box, followed by a short prayer.
At some temples, visitors burn incense (osenko) in large incense burners. Purchase a bundle,
light them, let them burn for a few seconds and then extinguish the flame by waving your hand
rather than by blowing it out. Finally, put the incense into the incense burner and fan some smoke
towards yourself as the smoke is believed to have healing power. For example, fan some smoke
towards your shoulder if you have an injured shoulder.
When entering temple buildings, you may be required to take off your shoes. Leave your shoes on
the shelves at the entrance or take them with you in plastic bags provided at some temples. Wear
nice socks.
Photography is usually permitted on the temple grounds. It is forbidden indoors at some temples.
Watch for signs.

Incense burner at a temple Purification fountain at a shrine

 How to visit a shrine
Behave calmly and respectfully. Traditionally, you are not supposed to visit a shrine if you are sick, have
an open wound or are mourning because these are considered causes of impurity.
At the purification fountain near the shrine's entrance, take one of the ladles provided, fill it with fresh
water and rinse both hands. Then transfer some water into your cupped hand, rinse your mouth and spit
the water beside the fountain. You are not supposed to transfer the water directly from the ladle into your
mouth or swallow the water. You will notice that quite a few visitors skip the mouth rinsing part or the
purification ritual altogether.
At the offering hall, throw a coin into the offering box, bow deeply twice, clap your hands twice, bow
deeply once more and pray for a few seconds. If there is some type of gong, use it before praying in
order to get the kami’s attention.
Photography is usually permitted at shrines. Watch for signs.

Japanese Bathrooms

The main purpose of taking a bath, besides cleaning your body, is relaxation at the end of the day.
The bathroom in a typical Japanese home consists of two rooms, an entrance room where you
undress and which is equipped with a sink, and the actual bathroom which is equipped with a
shower and a deep bath tub. The toilet is usually located in an entirely separate room.
Taking a bath at a Japanese home is very similar to taking a bath at an onsen (hot spring) or a
sento(public bath). When bathing Japanese style, you are supposed to first rinse your body
outside the bath tub with the shower or a washbowl. Afterwards, you enter the tub, which is used
for soaking only. The bath water tends to be relatively hot, typically between 40 and 43 degrees.
After soaking, leave the tub and clean your body with soap. Make sure that no soap gets into the
bathing water. Once you finished cleaning and have rinsed all the soap off your body, enter the
bath tub once more for a final soaking. After leaving the tub, the water is usually left for the next
member of the house. It is to keep the bath water clean for all members of the house that washing
and rinsing is done outside of the actual bathtub.
Modern bath tubs can be programmed to be automatically filled with water of a given temperature
at a given time, or to heat up the water to a preferred temperature.
 Japanese Bathrooms & Toilets
There are two types of toilets in Japan: Japanese style and Western style.
Public washrooms are often equipped with both toilet styles, although some older facilities might have
only Japanese style toilets, while some newer facilities might have only Western style toilets. The toilets
in almost all modern homes and hotels are Western style.
Many Western style toilets in Japan feature options such as a heated seat, a built-in shower and dryer
for your behind and an automatic lid opener. Both Western and Japanese style toilets usually have two
flush modes: "small" (小) and "large" (大), differing in the amount of water used.
Although the situation has improved dramatically in recent decades, toilet paper is not always provided
in public washrooms, in which case it can be useful to carry a small package of tissues with you.
Similarly, because paper towels or dryers are not always provided, it is recommended to carry a
handkerchief.
When using the washroom in a private home, minshuku or ryokan, you will often find toilet slipper for
exclusive use inside the washroom. Leave your usual slippers outside the washroom, and do not forget
to change back into them, afterwards, to avoid an often committed cultural faux pas.

Bathroom inside a Japanese home Toilet

 How to use Japanese style toilets

Face the front of the toilet (see picture below).

Pull down your pants and underpants or lift up your skirt.
Squat down close to the front of the toilet. In case of elevated toilets (see picture below), you need
to stand on the raised platform while squatting

Regular (left) and elevated (right) Japanese style toilets

 Japanese Table Manners

Tables and Seating

Some restaurants in Japan have low tables and cushions on tatami floor instead of (or in addition to)
Western style chairs and tables. Shoes and slippers have to be removed before stepping on tatami.
Also, avoid stepping onto cushions other than your own.
Eating
Wet towels (oshibori) are provided at most restaurant to clean your hands before eating. After ordering,
it is common to wait for everyone's order and then to start the meal with the phrase "itadakimasu"
("I gratefully receive"). If a dish is better eaten right away but others at the table have not been served
yet, the phrases "osaki ni dōzo" ("please go ahead") or "osaki ni itadakimasu" ("allow me to start before
you") can be useful.
When eating from small bowls, it is correct manner to pick up the bowl with your hand and lead it close to
your mouth when eating from it; however, larger types of dishes should generally not be picked up. When
eating from shared dishes (as it is commonly done at some restaurants such as izakaya), it is polite to use
the opposite end of your chopsticks or dedicated serving chopsticks for moving food.
Blowing your nose at the table, burping and audible munching are considered bad manners in Japan. On
the other hand, it is considered good style to empty your dishes to the last grain of rice. If there are food
items that you do not like or cannot eat, replacements may be available at restaurants or ryokan if you tell
them in advance. Otherwise, it is advisable to leave the items on the dish.
After finishing your meal, it is generally good manner to return all your dishes to how they were at the start
of the meal. This includes replacing the lids on dishes and putting your chopsticks back on the chopstick rest
or in its paper holder. Conclude the meal with the phrase "gochisōsama deshita" ("thank you for the feast")
which includes gratitude not only towards the cook but also the ingredients consumed.
 Drinking
Do not start drinking until everybody at the table has a drink and the glasses are raised for a
drinking salute, which usually is "kampai".
When drinking alchoholic beverages, it is customary to serve each other, rather than pour your
own drink. Periodically check your friends' cups and refill their drinks if their cups are getting
empty. Likewise, if someone wants to serve you more alcohol, you should drink some from your
glass before holding it towards that person.
While it is considered bad manners to become obviously drunk in some formal restaurants, for
example high-end restaurants that serve kaiseki ryori (Japanese haute cuisine), the same is not
true for other types of restaurants such as izakaya, as long as you do not bother other guests.
If you do not drink alcohol, it is not impolite to say so and request for other beverages instead.
Non-alcoholic beverages that are usually available include alcohol-free beer, tea, juices and
carbonated drinks.

Rule of thumb: at the end of the meal, return all your dishes
to how they were at the start of the meal (minus the food)
 How to eat...

... rice
Hold the rice bowl in one hand and the chopsticks in the other.
Lift the bowl towards your mouth while eating. Do not pour soy sauce
over white, cooked rice.
... sushi
Pour some soy sauce into the small dish provided. It is considered bad
manners to waste soy sauce, so try not to pour more sauce than you
will be using.
You do not need to add wasabi into the soy sauce, assushi pieces that go
well with wasabi will contain it already. However, if you choose to add wasabi, use only a small
amount so as not to offend the sushi chef. If you do not like wasabi, you can request that none is
added into your sushi.
In general, you are supposed to eat a sushi piece in one bite. Attempts to separate a piece into
two generally end in the destruction of the beautifully prepared sushi. Hands or chopsticks can be
used to eat sushi.
In case of nigiri-zushi, dip the piece into the soy sauce upside-down so that the fish enters the
sauce. A few kinds of nigiri-zushi, for example, marinated pieces, should not be dipped into soy
sauce.
In case of gunkan-zushi, pour a small amount of soy sauce over the sushi piece rather than
dipping it into the
 How to eat
... sashimi
Pour some soy sauce into the small dish provided. Put some wasabi on the sashimi
piece, but be careful not to use too much as this will overpower the taste of the fish.
Dip the sashimi pieces into the soy sauce. Some types of sashimi are enjoyed with
ground ginger rather than wasabi.
... miso soup
Drink the miso soup out of the bowl as if it were a cup, and fish out the solid food
pieces with your chopsticks.
... noodles
Using your chopsticks, lead the noodles into your mouth. You may want to try to
copy the slurping sound of people around you if you are dining in a noodle shop.
Rather than being bad manner, slurping noodles is considered evidence of
enjoying the meal and enhances the flavor. In case of noodle soups, be careful of
splashing the noodles back into the liquid. If a ceramic spoon is provided, use it to drink the soup;
otherwise, lift the bowl to your mouth and drink from it directly.
... curry rice (and other rice dishes with a sauce)
Japanese curry rice and other rice dishes, in which the rice is mixed with a sauce
(for example, some domburi dishes) can be difficult to eat with chopsticks. Large
spoons are often provided for these dishes, instead.
 Chopsticks
Chopsticks are used to eat most kinds of Japanese foods, with some exceptions. Some of the most
important rules to remember when dining with chopsticks are as follows:
Hold your chopsticks towards their end, not in the middle or the front third.
When you are not using your chopsticks, or have finished eating, lay them down in front of you with
the tips to left.
Do not stick chopsticks into your food, especially not into rice. This is only done at funerals with rice
that is put onto the altar.
Do not pass food directly from your set of chopsticks to another's. Again, this is a funeral tradition
that involves the bones of a cremated body.
Do not spear food with your chopsticks.
Do not point with your chopsticks.
Do not wave your chopsticks around in the air or play with them.
Do not move plates or bowls around with your chopsticks.
To separate a piece of food in two, exert controlled pressure on the chopsticks while moving them
apart from each other in order to tear the food. This takes some practice. With larger pieces of food
such as tempura, it is also acceptable to pick up the entire piece with your chopsticks, and take a bite.
If you have already eaten with your chopsticks, use the opposite end to take food from a shared plate.
Knives and forks are used for Western food only. Spoons however, may be used with certain Japanese
dishes such as donburi or Japanese style curry rice. A Chinese style ceramic spoon is sometimes used
to eat soups.
 Dining Out
Entering the Restaurant
Many restaurants in Japan display plastic or wax replicas of their dishes in a window near their
entrance. These replicas serve both to entice and inform patrons of the restaurant's menu and
tend to offer an accurate, visual description of the style and price of meals found inside. The
displays are especially helpful for foreign tourists who do not read and speak Japanese. For if all
other forms of communication fail, you can go outside and point to what you want to order.
Upon entering a restaurant, customers are greeted with the expression "irasshaimase" meaning
"welcome, please come in". The waiter or waitress will ask you how many people are in your party
and then lead you to your table. Only in rare cases are customers expected to seat themselves.
While a majority of restaurants in Japan provide Western style tables and chairs, low traditional
tables where you sit on pillows on the floor are also common and referred to as zashiki. Many
restaurants feature both, and you may be asked which you prefer. In case of zashiki style seating,
you should remove your shoes at the entrance to the restaurant or before stepping onto the sitting
area.
Smoking is permitted in many restaurants in Japan. Some restaurants provide both smoking
(kitsuen) and non-smoking (kinen) sections, while others are fully smoking or non-smoking. If
there is a choice, the waitress will ask you about your preference before seating you.

Show window displaying food replicas

 Dining Out

Traditional style zashiki seating on the floor Low table with a sunken floor for your legs

Modern style restaurant with Western style tables and chairs

 Ordering and Eating
After you are seated, each diner is usually served with a free glass of water or tea. If it is not
served, free water or tea is usually available for self service somewhere in the restaurant.
Everyone will also receive a wet towel (oshibori) which is used to clean your hands before eating.
If chopsticks are not already set, you can usually find some in a box on the table. Most often, they
are disposable wooden chopsticks that need to be separated into two before use.
While many restaurants provide illustrated menus, other restaurants may only have Japanese text
based menus, or the restaurant's offerings may instead be posted on the walls. If you are ever in
doubt on what to order or find that you cannot read the menu, try asking for the recommendations
(osusume) or the chef's choice (omakase). The latter will often get you some surprisingly good,
prix fix style meals, but be prepared to be adventurous and do not expect it to be cheap.
Once you are ready to order, you can signal the restaurant staff by saying "sumimasen" (excuse
me), or if available, press the call button at the table. Once you have finished ordering, the
waitress will often repeat your order back to you for confirmation.
At some restaurants, such as izakaya, it is common for everyone in the party to order dishes
together and share them. At other establishments, however, each diner is expected to order
individually.
Paying
The bill will be presented face down either as you receive the meal or after you have finished eating. In
most restaurants you are supposed to bring your bill to the cashier near the exit when leaving, as it is not
common to pay at the table. Paying in cash is most common, although more and more restaurants also
accept credit cards or IC cards such as Suica.
Some restaurants, especially cheaper ones, have slightly different systems for ordering and paying. For
example, in many ramen and gyudon restaurants, "meal tickets" are bought at a vending machine near the
store's entrance and handed over to the staff who then prepare and serve the meal.
It is not customary to tip in Japan, and if you do, you will probably find the restaurant staff chasing you
down in order to give back any money left behind. Instead, it is polite to say "gochisosama deshita"
("thank you for the meal") when leaving.
 Ordering and Eating

Ordering and Eating Menu displayed on the wall

Chopsticks box Meal ticket machine outside of a restaurant

 Sitting techniques and rules

Sitting techniques
Most Westerners are not used to sitting on the floor, however, in Japan sitting upright on the floor
is common in many situations. For example, meals are traditionally held on a tatami floor around a
low table. Sitting on the floor is also customary during the tea ceremony and other traditional
events.
The formal way of sitting for both genders is kneeling (seiza) as shown on the picture below.
People who are not used to sit in seiza style may become uncomfortable after a few minutes.
Foreigners are not usually expected to be able to sit in seiza style for a long time, and an
increasing number of Japanese people themselves are not able to do so either.
In casual situations, men usually sit cross-legged, while women with both legs to one side. The
former sitting style is considered exclusively male, while the latter is considered exclusively
female.

women only (left) seiza (center) men only (right)

The most important guest sits on the honored seat (kamiza) which is located farthest from the
entrance. If there is a tokonoma in the room, the guest should be seated in front of it. The host or
least important person is supposed to sit next to the entrance (shimoza).
 Giving Gifts

Souvenir shop inside a ryokan

Gift giving is a common part of Japanese culture. Different types of gifts are given on different
occasions as outlined below. Much attention is given to the wrapping of presents. If not nicely
packed, the present should at least be handed over in a bag, preferably a bag by the shop the
present was purchased at. Gifts in sets of four are usually avoided because it is considered an
unlucky number (the Japanese word for four is pronounced the same as the word for "death").
When handing over a present, both the gift giver and recipient use both hands.
 Omiyage and Temiyage

Omiyage are souvenirs brought home from a trip while temiyage are thank-you gifts you bring
when you visit someone. Japanese tourists tend to buy lots of souvenirs for their friends, relatives
and co-workers. Consequently, tourist spots and airports feature many souvenir shops
specializing in local foods and products.
When foreign visitors meet friends or a host family in Japan, it is not imperative for them to bring
gifts, but it is a nice gesture that is appreciated. Recommended gifts items include food, drinks or
other products from your home country. In general, they should be neither to cheap nor too
expensive - typically between 1000 and 5000 yen. Note that there are restrictions on bringing
certain types of food and plant products into Japan.

Ochugen and Oseibo

Twice a year, in June and December, it is common for co-workers, friends and relatives to
exchange gifts. The gifts are called Ochugen and Oseibo respectively. On average, they are worth
about 5000 yen and may be food, alcohol, household items or something similar. The gift giving
seasons coincide with company employees receiving a special bonus in addition to their monthly
salaries.
Birthday and Christmas
Gift giving on birthdays and Christmas is not originally a Japanese tradition. Due to the strong
influence from the West, however, some families and friends exchange gifts also on these
occasions.
 Japanese names
Name order

In Japan, like in China and Korea, the first name follows the family name. A person with the first
name "Ichiro" and the family name "Suzuki" is, therefore, called "Suzuki Ichiro" rather than "Ichiro
Suzuki".

Family names

Most Japanese family names consist of two Kanji (Chinese characters). The meanings of many of
the kanji used in family names are related to nature, geographical features or locations, for
example, mountain (yama), tree (ki), rice field (ta), island (shima), village (mura), bridge (hashi),
between (naka), below (shita) etc. Some of the most common Japanese family names are Sato,
Suzuki, Takahashi, Tanaka and Watanabe.

First names
Japanese first names also commonly consist of two Kanji. The meanings of those kanji are often
positive characteristics such as intelligence, beauty, love or light, names for flowers, the four
seasons and other natural phenomena, or the order of birth (first son, second son, etc.).
Since quite a few Kanji have identical pronunciations, first names that are pronounced the same,
are not necessarily written with the same kanji. For example, there are about five common
versions for the popular female first name Yoko, depending on the kanji for "Yo".
Not seldomly, the gender of a person can be guessed by the ending of his/her first name. First
names ending with -ro, -shi, -ya, or -o are typically male first names, while names ending in -ko, -
mi, -e and -yo are typically female first names.
The names of foreigners are usually written in katakana.
 Japanese names
Titles
The Japanese commonly address each other by last name. Only close friends and children are usually
addressed by first name. In addition, people rarely address each other just by name, but usually attach an
appropriate title to the name. There is a large number of such titles depending on the gender and social
position of the person you are addressing. Some of the most frequently used titles are:
san: (for example Sato-san)
This is the most neutral and famous title, and can be used in most situations. Only in formal situations, san
may not be polite enough.
sama: (for example Sato-sama)
This is a more polite form of san, commonly used in formal situations and letters, but too polite in a casual
context.
kun: (for example Yusuke-kun)
This is an informal title used for boys and men that are younger than yourself.
chan: (for example Megumi-chan)
This is an informal title used for young children and very close friends or family members.
sensei: (for example Sato-sensei)
This is a title used for teachers, doctors and other people with a higher education and from whom you
receive a service or instructions.

Seimei Handan

Seimei handan or name diagnosis is a type of fortune telling concerning names. Its theories center around
the number of strokes that are required to write the characters of a name. (Note that there is a defined
number of strokes for every Japanese character).
Depending on the total number of strokes, and the sums of strokes for different parts of a name in relation
to each other, a name is considered more or less auspicious. Some people consult seimei handan when
selecting their child's name or their own artist name.