Category: Good To Know For Japan

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If you’re in Japan and there’s an emergency, don’t panic! Dial 1-1-9. Pretty easy to remember, right, being that in the U.S., our emergency number is 9-1-1. But know, this is only for fires or when an ambulance is needed. When you need to contact the police, dial 1-1-0. These numbers are good to know in case you are in need of emergency assistance while in Japan. On older pay phones, there may be a button that is just for emergencies where if you push it, it will connect you directly to a 1-1-9 operator. But with pay phones slowly disappearing, you may need to memorize these numbers. Another great thing to know is that the dispatch operators can speak English and other foreign languages so make sure you explain fully the emergency in your native language!  

We all LOVE free things! Why is that? Getting something for nothing seems wrong but society has sort of changed that image. But get this! It’s all over the world! When you visit Japan, they too give out free things…best of all TISSUE! Walk around town and guaranteed you will see a representative of a organization or store passing out free tissue. The pack only comes with about 10 sheets but still, how cool is that! I love useful, free things! The key reason for this is ADVERTISING! Most of the time, on the back of the free tissue is some sort of advertisement flyer for a nearby restaurant, club, bar or retail store. Businesses know that people will use these free tissues and keep them until of course it’s all gone. How smart is that! I love it. If you walk around long enough in one day, you may collect about 7-8 free tissues (that would be my grandma)! So next time you walk the streets of Japan, make sure you bring a bag big enough to take home those free tissues!

Here you can learn some handy everyday Japanese etiquette’s that will help you while in Japan or when you visit a Japanese person’s household. Some of these etiquettes may seem extreme but it is because the Japanese are sensitive people and very conscious about hygiene. Everyday… Always take off your shoes when entering a home. When entering a bathhouse or some temples, this rule may apply as well. When in doubt, ASK! Never be late to appointments. It is very insulting. There is no such thing as “Ladies First” in Japan. Avoid excessive physical and eye contact. The Japanese are very private and conservative. Japanese often use silence for communication as much as speaking. Do not chew gum when in formal situations. White-collar workers will typically leave work only after their superiors have left. Do not expect someone to be off of work according to the time clock. Exchanging business cards is used as a form of introduction. Hand your card to the other person with both hands, right side up to them (upside down to you). When accepting a business card, use both hands as well. Be sure to look at the card and not just pocket it. Never put it in your pants pocket and sit on it in front of them. It is polite to put “-san” after another person’s name or “-chan” after a young girls name,. “-kun” should be used after a boy’s name. Don’t use these after your own name. Avoid shouting loudly at Read More

Here you can learn some handy Japanese eating etiquette’s that will help you while in Japan or when you visit a Japanese person’s household. Some of these etiquette’s may seem extreme but it is because the Japanese are sensitive people and very conscious about hygiene. When Eating: Try not to eat or drink while walking down the street. It is considered impolite. Do not bite or clean your fingernails, gnaw on pencils, or lick your fingers in front of others. Many times right before a meal you may receive a small, moist towel (usually cold in summer, hot in winter) to wipe your hand. It is not proper use this towel for your face or neck. It is impolite to pour yourself your own drink when eating with others. In this scenario, you should pour your companion a drink and they will pour yours. If you do not want any more to drink, leave your glass full. Otherwise, your companion will keep pouring you a drink! It’s customary to say “Itadakimasu” before eating and “Gochisosama deshita” after eating, especially if you’re being treated, as well as “Kanpai” for a toast. When sharing a dish, take what you are going to eat and put it on your plate first, then eat off your own plate. Do not make excessive special requests when ordering food. If you don’t like something, just get it and leave it on the side. NEVER use chopsticks to skewer food, move dishes around NEVER give/pass food to Read More