Japanese Etiquette: How to Be a Polite House Guest

Every culture has its own set of social graces, and following rules and minding your manners can prevent awkward encounters. So whether you’re taking Japanese lessons or you’re just interested in other cultures, learn essential Japanese etiquette with Montgomery, TX teacher Emily G…

It might be surprising to know, but Japan has a set of etiquette rules that govern how to act while staying as a guest in someone’s home. In fact, there are even specific instructions on how to behave when taking a shower! 

There are other Japanese etiquette tips to know, too, which we’ll cover in this post. 

Here are some tips for following Japanese customs and being the perfect visitor!

What’s Considered Rude in Japan?

One of the most important things to remember when traveling to Japan is to avoid offensive behavior. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Remove your shoes before entering a building or someone’s home.
• Don’t blow your nose in public.
• Be careful not to step on people’s feet.
• Don’t point at people or things.
• Be aware of body language and avoid crossing your arms or legs.

By following these simple guidelines, you can avoid offending locals and make sure everyone has a pleasant experience.

The best way to avoid these common Japanese etiquette mistakes is to ask your Japanese tutor for some pointers. They’ll be able to point you in the right direction!

Of course, there are plenty of other benefits of taking Japanese lessons, too. Just check out this video for proof:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTtW06_si80

There are some specific cultural rules you should keep in mind when you visit a Japanese person’s home. Japanese etiquette is incredibly important, unfortunately it’s not always as intuitive as you might think.

I learned about etiquette from my sensei who taught me Japanese. At the end of each semester, he would host a party and ask us to pretend it was a house visit. We weren’t permitted to enter the room and join the party until we performed every aspect of etiquette.

To help you get your house-call manners just right, here’s a quick run-down of the two most important things you should know when you visit a Japanese home.

Do and Don’ts in Japan? 2 Big Japanese Etiquette Tips

There are some specific cultural rules you should keep in mind when you visit a Japanese person’s home. Japanese etiquette is incredibly important, unfortunately it’s not always as intuitive as you might think.

I learned about etiquette from my sensei who taught me Japanese. At the end of each semester, he would host a party and ask us to pretend it was a house visit. We weren’t permitted to enter the room and join the party until we performed every aspect of etiquette.

To help you get your house-call manners just right, here’s a quick run-down of the two most important things you should know when you visit a Japanese home.

The Way of the Genkan

The genkan is a small area just inside the front door. Sometimes it’s clearly defined because it’s lower than the floor in the rest of the house, which makes a person step to enter the house, but this is not always the case. Assume that the area immediately inside the door is the genkan, even if it doesn’t look different from the rest of the house. Leave all of your outdoor gear like your coat, umbrella, and shoes here. These items do not belong in the house.
Japanese people are very particular about keeping the genkan orderly. When you take off your shoes, keep them together and place them soles down. Remember, outdoor shoes are dirty. The genkan, by extension, is also considered dirty no matter how clean it may look, so face the interior of the house when you remove your shoes. This way, you can step out of your shoes and into the house without your clean feet or socks ever touching the dirty genkan. Your host or hostess may even give you house slippers to wear inside. Don’t worry if they don’t fit, they rarely do, you can simply shuffle around in them.

Finally, place your shoes to the side of the genkan area, to prevent people from tripping. When you move your shoes, only touch the inside and the top (the cleaner parts) and turn them to point toward the door. If you do this right, your host will not have to touch your shoes. When you’re ready to leave, simply step into your shoes.

The Way of the Omiyage

An omiyage is a type of gift or souvenir you bring to friends or family after a trip. When it comes to house visits, however, you should also bring an omiyage because you never want to show up empty handed.

You can bring a small snack or some drinks. Keep in mind that whatever you bring should be easy for people to share. Follow these three steps when you give your omiyage to your host or hostess:

1. Hold your omiyage with both hands. The Japanese consider it lazy and improper to hand someone something with just one hand.
2. Bow as you offer your omiyage to your host or hostess. When you bow, don’t look at the host, turn your face down toward the floor. You will look silly (like a turtle) if you continue to stare at the host as you bow.
3. As you present your omiyage, offer a short, humble phrase. For example, my sensei taught me this phrase: “tsumaranai mono desu ga…” The sentence trails off, as many humble Japanese sentences do, and means something like, “this is just a boring little thing, but…..”. Your host or hostess should take your gift with both hands, bow, thank you for the item, and invite you in to his or her home.

What Are the Manners of Japanese People?

Japanese people are known for their polite and respectful demeanor. Although the country has modernized in recent years, traditional values and etiquette are still highly esteemed. 

For example, Japanese people often bow instead of shaking hands when greeting someone. They also use honorifics when addressing others, which denote respect according to a person’s social status. 

Furthermore, Japanese people are typically very restrained in their emotions and avoid making loud noises in public. In general, they maintain a calm and collected exterior, even in difficult situations. 

These are just a few examples of the manners of Japanese people. By understanding and following these customs, you can show respect for Japanese culture and avoid offending those around you.

Let’s take a closer look at basic Japanese culture and etiquette tips you should know.

Japanese Business Etiquette

Japanese etiquette in business can seem confusing to outsiders, but there are a few key points to keep in mind that will help you make a good impression. 

First, always be punctual for meetings and appointments. Second, avoid speaking too loudly or making big gestures, as this can come across as aggressive. Third, gift-giving is an important part of business in Japan, so it’s a good idea to have some small gifts on hand to give to clients or potential partners. 

Finally, remember to take off your shoes when entering someone’s office or home – this is considered very rude in Japanese culture. By following these simple tips, you’ll be well on your way to doing business successfully in Japan.