Japan has long fascinated travelers.
But many of its most famous qualities – from the cuisine to the country’s national culture of politeness – can be confusing at first to outsiders as well.
To help travelers bridge the cultural gap, CNBC Travel asked frequent visitors for their best advice when visiting Japan.
1. Speak softly and carry your trash
“Japanese culture is about respecting your surroundings and the people around you. Don’t talk on your phone on public transport and in confined spaces around other people.
Also, enjoying your food is an important sign of respect, so don’t eat while walking. Instead, sit back and enjoy every bite.
And be prepared to keep your trash in town while traveling and sightseeing — the chances of finding a trash can are slim to none! Locals generally bring a small bag to carry the day’s trash until they get home. Japan is very clean and you will find public bathrooms to be spotless compared to other countries. Basically, try to leave no trace.”
— Tyler Monahan, assistant golf manager based in New Jersey, married to a Japanese national. He has made three trips to Japan totaling 155 days.
2. Accuracy is key (just like jazz clubs)
“Trains are extremely expensive, so two minutes is a big deal – if it doesn’t arrive on time, it’s a different train! If you miss a train in a big city like Osaka or Tokyo, another one will be there within minutes , so Don’t sweat it. But in the countryside, it could be hours, or tomorrow!
Unlike trains in many cities that board and allow plenty of time for boarding, trains in Japan arrive and depart quickly. “Two minutes is a big deal,” said architect Henry Rose.
Source: Oliver Horovitz
Also, you know the meaning of “last train”. the whole The train scene, public and private, closes from about midnight to 5am, which can seem a little early in the big cities, so be warned. In rural areas, it may be much earlier. Get ready to take a taxi or, if you’re into it, explore this nightlife – perhaps at a jazz club that stays open until the first train leaves – which in big cities is a whole economy in itself.”
— Henry Rose, a Seattle-based architect who has made more than 10 trips to Japan.
3. To meet people, get Japanese business cards
“Interchange” it is a glorious and solemn tradition in Japan. The cards are presented with both hands and a deep bow. It’s also one of the most unexpected and fun icebreakers you can use to meet new people.
The author, Oliver Horovitz (right), stands next to a man inspecting Horovitz’s meishi, or business card.
Source: Oliver Horovitz
Get cards printed entirely in Japanese — you can use Google Translate to translate. Kinkos staff — located in all major cities in Japan — will guide you through the entire process. After that, the locals will be shocked and absolutely delighted that you meishi them. During my last trip to Japan, I had printed 100 cards in Kyoto. I distributed them for the rest of the trip, always for smiles.”
— Oliver Horowitz, New York-based travel writer who has visited Japan three times.
4. Bring fun socks
“Bare feet in Japan is a big no-no. Travelers should expect to take off their shoes often in Japan and should always wear socks when they do. Shoe removal can happen even in places that are unexpectedly, like a restaurant.
Travelers might consider tabi socks, a split-toe Japanese sock dating back to the 1400s, worn with thong shoes.
Tina Horne | Istock | Getty Images
Also, it is common to have slippers at the entrance to public bathrooms, with the expectation that visitors to the restroom use these slippers and return them immediately. Be sure to pack and wear only the best (clean and hole-free) socks when in Japan. If you have a collection of fun or interesting socks, wear them to Japan where you can actually see and admire them!”
— Jolaine Pfeifer, Aspen, Colorado-based school principal. He has made nine trips to Japan beyond his middle and high school years in Yokosuka.
5. Don’t hit convenience stores
“Rest assured, the only similarity these little oases have with their US counterparts is in the name! Stores like 7-Eleven and Lawson are impeccably clean and have just about anything you need, including a few items I look for every time:
- A wide variety of onigiri, which are sandwich-sized triangles of rice wrapped in seaweed and filled with things like salmon, tuna, eggs and pickled plums.
Participants taste onigiri at a product meeting for 7-Eleven Japan in Tokyo on January 23, 2024. Staff and suppliers gathered to discuss flavors, textures and fillings for the Japanese rice balls, one of its most important products 7-Eleven, with more than 2 billion sold each year.
Noriko Hayashi | Bloomberg | Getty Images
- The coffee — especially at 7-Eleven. State-of-the-art automated machines grind the beans and make some of the best coffee I’ve ever had, with many preferences such as temperature, brew strength, milk, sweeteners and flavours.
- These little bottles of scented vitamin C shots called You-C1000 that I really appreciated in the winter on my Hokkaido skiing adventures. They come in delicious flavors like apple, orange or lemon and are a handy way to get your daily vitamin C.”
— Jeffrey Cole, a Colorado-based leadership coach who has made four trips to Japan, spanning from the northern island of Hokkaido to the southern island of Miyakojima.
6. Hire a driver – even if you don’t think you need one
“The language and culture barrier is real and a local will show you things in places you could never see on your own.
I did this at Tsukiji Fish Market. I had been there maybe five times before, but finally got a guide with my grandpa and it was a whole new world. I have also done this in Akihabara Electric Town and for many culinary excursions.”
— Miles Ashton, one based in Chicago businessman who has made more than 10 trips to Japan, including a nine-month stay in Tokyo.
7. Shop at Tokyu Hands
“Not only is the layout amazing, with a different section on each level — but the merchandise is extensive and unique. There are 60 stores across the country and they focus on hobby, home improvement and lifestyle products.
It’s a great place to find affordable, non-touristy gifts. They have the best pens, papers and organizers, as well as camping supplies — if it’s small, efficient and practical, they’ve got it!
Tokyu Hands, which has been renamed Hands, is famous for selling novelty themed home and beauty items.
Source: Oliver Horovitz
Two of the coolest things I’ve bought are a collapsible Shoji lamp and a circular cooler carrying case that holds a flower-shaped ice pack for under your hat and a U-shaped ice ring.
— Kris Beyer, owner of New York-based Destroyer Park Golf Course. He has made over 20 trips to Japan and lived there as a child and teenager. Chris’s father, Dick “The Destroyer” Beyerhe was a famous wrestler in Japan.
Editor’s Note: Answers have been edited for length and clarity.