Japanese are very courteous and considerate people. They do not like to inconvenience and disrespect anyone. That’s why Japan is one of the most livable and pleasant countries to live in. The greatest way of adapting one’s etiquettes and manners is to live like a local. What is more conducive in getting to experience the life of a Japanese person is to find a furnished apartment in Tokyo or in any parts of Japan. Securing a furnished apartment before entering Japan could be quite hard, especially since there are still landlords that prefer the conventional rental process. To be able to get around the tedious rental procedures, we introduce KaguAruoo. A rental website that lets you search for furnished apartments, send inquiries to the listings you are interested in, communicate with the landlord before signing the lease contract, sign the lease contract online and most importantly, pay the rent online via credit card.

In the following paragraphs, I will be discussing the Japanese etiquette for each scenario and explain the importance of why such behaviors have remained through time.

Indoor manners

Japanese value their home very much. Therefore, people are bound to show respect every time they are invited to one’s home. You are required to take off your shoes before entering the house. Most houses in Japan have a genkan – a space that acts as a borderline between the outdoor and the entrance. This is the proper place to take off your shoes before entering the house.

Aside from leaving your shoes at Japanese homes, some establishments such as museums and historical buildings would require you to do the same. It will be convenient for tourists to wear shoes that can easily be removed and put on clean socks as they will be obliged to remove and wear them a couple of times in a day.

Outdoor manners

Japanese’ good manners are also practiced in the outside world. When on the streets, they do not block roads or passages and most of them always walk on the left as Japanese drive their cars always on the left side of the street. Even local Japanese tourists unconsciously do not sit anywhere and they are very mindful of where they place their luggage to avoid blocking the way.

A habit to some tourists, eating while strolling down the street is discouraged in Japan. For them, such behavior is ill mannered as it can be bothersome to passers by especially when you accidentally bump into them and possibly stain their clothing. You must find a place where you can sit and finish the food before walking towards your destination. Same goes with smoking in public. There are designated places in Japan where a person will be allowed to smoke.

Taking a cab is another option to get where you want to go if you want to avoid the crowded train stations. Please be aware that slamming doors of taxis is also considered inappropriate in Japan. Most taxis have automatic doors that will close by themselves once you get out of the car. 

Dining in public places

With the tides of time, Japan has gracefully adapted to the influences of other countries, most especially the Westerners. There are some restaurants that already have Western style amenities such as tables and chairs while there are still traditional restaurants that still have zashiki style dining. In these traditional restaurants, removing your shoes at the entrance is an essential part of the dining experience. 

Tipping is also not encouraged in Japan. If you have enjoyed your meal, a simple “thanks” is proper before leaving the restaurant. 

Using the bathroom

Japanese people are very concerned with hygiene. A typical Japanese home has a powder room, normally situated near the entrance of the bathroom, and a bathroom which has a shower and a bathtub. 

In the normal way, Japanese would rinse their body outside of the bathtub using the shower or a wash basin. After rinsing their body, they dip into the tub and soak their bodies for a few minutes. After that, they come out of the bathtub to clean their bodies with soap and other products they use. Once they have thoroughly cleaned their bodies, they rinse the soap off and dip into the bathtub for the final soaking.

Using the toilet

Japan has two types of toilet; the Japanese-style and the Western-style toilets. In the modern days, the Japanese-style toilet is becoming scarce. More and more Japanese are innovating and have conformed to the Western-style lifestyle.

In a typical Japanese home, the toilet is often in a separate room with the bathroom. In the toilet, you will see an exclusive slipper inside. You must leave your slippers outside and use the slipper inside, make sure to leave the slippers inside the toilet afterward.

Toilet paper is also not provided in public toilets, therefore, it is convenient to carry a tissue in handy in case you need to use the public toilet. 

Greetings

Japanese bow when they greet another person. Tourists are exempted to have knowledge on the different bowing variations but a hint on how to perform it properly in certain situations won’t be so bad.

A long and lowered bow signifies great respect to the person you are giving it to. A small nod usually means a casual and sometimes an informal greeting. Bowing is not only used in greeting but also a way of saying thank you, asking for a request from another person or as a way of apologizing.

Another way of formally greeting a person in Japan, most especially in business meetings is through exchanging business cards. You should hand out your business card with your two hands and a slight bow to show respect. 

Offering gifts

Giving of gifts is a common custom in Japan. There are different types of gifts that should be given on different occasions. For instance, when you go on a trip, you buy souvenir items from the place you have visited and give them to your friends and families, such gifts are called an omiyage. While gifts given to people when you visit their homes are called temiyage. That could explain why airports and train stations in Japan are full packed with stores and souvenir shops. 

Tourists also have adapted the custom of offering gifts to their friends or host in Japan. Although it is not required, it would be a lovely gesture to give something from your country of origin. 

Showing respect and adapting to the customs of other countries is one way in getting to know more of their people. It is an easy way to gain friends and create good relationships.

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In KaguAruoo, you can easily browse all the furnished apartments all over Japan, view each room, estimate total reservation amounts and even communicate with the landlord themselves before finalizing your booking.  Rent a fully furnished apartment through KaguAruoo. Say goodbye to the hassle of paperwork and complete the transaction online.  The website is also very foreigner-friendly as most of the landlords can also speak English and KaguAruoo itself has their own English Support Team. So if you are looking for a furnished apartment to stay in Tokyo or wherever in Japan, KaguAruoo is your place to go.