Japan's etiquette sensitivity is high — etiquette missteps are commonly noticed and can genuinely offend, so it's worth learning the basics before you go. Most important: Don't stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice — it resembles a funeral ritual — and bow rather than shake hands.
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Don't stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice — it resembles a funeral ritual — and bow rather than shake hands.
Japan's etiquette sensitivity is high — etiquette missteps are commonly noticed and can genuinely offend, so it's worth learning the basics before you go
Remove shoes before entering homes and some restaurants. Business cards should be given and received with both hands and studied briefly, not pocketed immediately. Tipping is not customary and can even cause confusion or be declined.
A genuine misstep is more likely to be noticed here than in more relaxed destinations, but a good-faith effort and a quick apology go a long way.