Japanese Manners and Etiquette

Some Quick Japanese Manners and Etiquette Fact and Fiction!

"It is rude to touch your nose in public"  --  This one comes up a lot on the internet.  It was true in earlier days, but now the only reason for this rule is to refrain from picking ones nose!  

Also a myth is "It is rude to blow your nose in public" it is only rude if you make a loud noise or open the tissue to look at the contents.  Japanese people understand if you're eating a spicy curry!

"It is impossible to use an Onsen with tattoos"  -- This generally doesn't apply to foreigners or those without a large back tattoo.  It is meant to exclude members of the Yakuza.  If you're a gaijin with a tribal armband tattoo (lol) you have little to worry about.  You may be asked to cover it up, but you generally won't be thrown out... unless your tattoo is a gigantic Japanese folklore dragon covering your entire back.

Fact:

It is considered rude to eat while walking or in a train.  You should wait until you are off the train or eat inside the restaurant.  I can't figure out a justification for this one, though it is considered common knowledge etiquette in Japan.

It is considered impolite to put your umbrella up on the luggage rack on a subway train.  There is no reason besides the possibility of rain water falling on people... but it is still rude even if your umbrella is dry.

It is NOT impolite to drink beer on the subway or in public, there are no drinking in public laws.

It is considered rude and actually against the law to smoke cigarettes on crowded streets in Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza etcetera the reason being that the closeness of people can lead to catching somebody aflame!

It is considered quite strange to not use an umbrella during the rain, Japanese believe that the acidity of rainwater in Tokyo may make one bald!

Stay tuned for more intricacies of Japanese Manners and Etiquette coming soon!