So you wanna travel Japan to see samurai, geishas, and funky style in Tokyo? Maybe you’ve heard about all the advanced technology and want to try authentic sushi? Japan is an awesome country to travel (or live), but you can’t just bust in, guns blaring, and expect Japanese culture to bend to your whim.

You may be surprised and shocked with how different Japan is from what you’re used to back home. The Japanese maintain politeness, manners, and hospitality, so if you go gallivanting around like an asshole, you may leave a sour taste about your country’s citizens. When you travel or live in Japan, here’s how not to put your worst gaijin (foreigner) foot down and leave a tarnished reputation to follow.

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Japan Travel Essentials

1. Don’t get in the way of pictures

The Japanese love their pictures and selfies just as much as the next person. They are super mindful of their surroundings and do their best not to stand in the way of people taking photos. You may think this strange, but they will appreciate you for not being a complete dickhead and ruining their photo! You’ll also find people respect you when taking pictures even though there are loads of people there. They’ll wait their turn.

2. Don’t litter

The Japanese pride themselves on keeping their country clean. If there’s no bin in sight, don’t just throw things wherever. Keep it in a plastic bag in your purse or backpack and wait until you find a convenience store or return back to your accommodation to throw it away. Don’t be an ass and think there’s magic trash gnomes in Japan (hint: there’s not).  

3. Use Your Indoor Voice

If there ever was a time to use your indoor voice, on public transport would be the time. Japanese trains urge you to put your phone on “manner mode” or silent mode as not to disturb others. Don’t be that jerk that talks loudly on the phone or in general then gets upset when people stare. At shrines, temples, and monuments would also be a good time to use your small voice. Even when you’re intoxicated, don’t get loud and unruly. It just gives foreigners a bad name. 

Click here to learn Japanese with JapanesePod101.com

4. Manners Must Always be On Point

The best way I can describe this is to always put your money in the money dish or on the counter. They will not directly take money from you. Give up your seat for the elderly, pregnant, and women with children. Bow at the waist when bowed to. Don’t stick your chopsticks in the rice (these are funeral rites). Don’t eat while walking or on public transport. Don’t be an idiot and disrespect national monuments. Don’t yell at the waiter, waitress, clerk, etc for not being able to speak English. How ignorant could you be to go to a foreign country and demand those people speak English?

Related: My Experience with Sexual Harassment in Japan 

5. Don’t Think Your Way is Better

Time and time again, I’ve seen tourist and expat alike with the attitude, “I am white man. I can do whatever I want.” Hell no you can’t and if you have this mentality, you need to fix your brain and stay in your own country. If you travel, you need to open your mind and accept the Japanese have done things the Japanese way for thousands of years, and they’re still here. 

6. Japanese Girls are NOT Your Docile Sex Kitten

You may think Japan has a place for the perverse, which in some way, is true. They have weird sex shops, maid cafes, host/hostess clubs and brothels. However, this does not mean you can grab any Japanese girl off the street and have her do your freaky bidding. If you wouldn’t do that to a woman in your own country, what makes you think you have any right to do it in Japan? The Japanese hate confrontation and don’t know what to do when approached in such a direct way. Don’t be a dickhead, march into a convenience store, and molest the clerk.

Related: The Ultimate Tokyo Itinerary for Weeaboo Trash 

7. Don’t Take What’s Not Yours

One of my favorite things about Japan is no one will take your things. You can leave whatever on the table and it will be right where you left it or safely in the back of an establishment if someone turned it in. Although, you should still exercise some caution. Don’t be an asshole and think Japan is a free for all and grab things unattended at the table. The Japanese believe in karma and you will get what’s coming to you 20 fold.  

Click here to learn Japanese with JapanesePod101.com

8. Take Your Shoes Off

If you see a bunch of shoes outside an establishment, it most likely means you have to take off your shoes. Don’t be a buffoon and wear your shoes where everyone walks around in feet or socks. The Japanese will politely tell you to take off your shoes, but they will side-eye you so hard for bringing your dirty shoes in. 

9. Don’t point

Using your index finger to point at others is threatening and rude. If you must dictate with whom you are speaking outstretch all of your fingers, palm of your hand up, and point that way. My students used to hate when I did things like that until I realized pointing was very aggressive. 

10. Don’t Gaijin Smash

There’s a time to do it and a time not to do it. Gaijin Smashing is when you impose your will upon the Japanese. Sometimes people think it’s okay not to pay for things and pull the “I don’t speak English card.” Don’t be a dick and keep walking. Just pay the 500 yen entry fee to keep the shrines, parks, and temples maintained. 

Related: Things I Don’t Understand About Japan

11. Learn the Language

If you’re going to be living in the country for an extended period of time, this is a no brainer. In America, we expect people to assimilate and learn our language. Don’t you think it’s the same in Japan? If you’re traveling for a short time, at least learn how to say please and thank you. The Japanese will appreciate you a lot more for trying. You can learn Japanese for free here.

Click here to learn Japanese with JapanesePod101.com

Basic Rules for Not Being a Dickhead

Put yourself in someone else’s shoes. If you wouldn’t do that in your own country, chances are, you’re being a complete dickhead. People love the anonymity of travel or being a foreigner because it makes them feel entitled to act like a bunch of hooligans. Don’t be like that. Do your research, enjoy the country and experience new things. Part of going abroad is putting yourself in uncomfortable situations and feeling accomplished for doing a simple task in another language. Enjoy your time in Japan and try to assimilate as best you can. This isn’t to say assimilate completely. Having lived there myself, there’s just some things I couldn’t do, but one thing I could do was respect… And that’s what it all boils down to.

Related: Cheating in Japan  

How Not To Be a (1)
dickhead in japan

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23 Comments on How Not to Be a Complete Dickhead in Japan

  1. Haha! Love the Gundam Says!
    And yes, these are all on point. I especially love the indoor voice rule. Nothing worse than sitting in a restaurant where everyone is having indoor voice conversations except the one table of foreigners, who sound like loud assholes.

    • Thanks so much! Hahaha. I was trying to think of something less cheesy than “Sailor Moon Says.” Hahaha. I totally agree. Loud people get on everyone’s nerves!

  2. Except for a few of the obviously asian culture things like the chopsticks, where to put the money and bowing.
    Pretty much everything stated should be applied anywhere in the world, whether it be Japan, Korea, China, Russia, America elsewhere..

    • Some cultures are a bit different. I heard the Russians don’t smile at anyone and think you’re suspicious if you do. Interesting thought though!

      • I know all cultures are different, I’m just saying that the majority of things written apply anywhere.
        Give you seat to old people, don’t be too loud, don’t duck out on paying fees, learn the language, don’t assume your way is better, don’t assume you can do as you please and any freaky sexual things you want with all women,, don’t litter, don’t get in the way of pictures.

        The other ones like the chopsticks in the rice are things we usually couldn’t know, but a lot of it should really just be applied everyday, anywhere.
        Simple golden rule really. Do to others as you want them to do to you.

  3. This!

    Since living here I’ve realized my fellow Americans always talk loud enough to be heard across the street(>_<)cracks me up!

  4. Great tips! I knew about the not pointing one – it’s the same in a quite a few countries (and I was taught to always point with two fingers after working at Walt Disney World!) It’s all about respect – and I would hope people would follow these rules – but this is a great reminder for everyone πŸ˜‰

    • Very interesting! I didn’t know Disney had standard protocol for pointing. The next time I’m at a Disney Park, I need to check that out. Respect is super important especially in Japan. πŸ˜€

  5. Actually it would be great if everyone just applied their best manners and best traits wherever they go – including in their home towns. Some great tips here especially for Japan.

    • Totally! But some people definitely need to be reminded and Asia is so different from the west. What we think is polite in America (for example handing change to the person) is kind of rude in Japan. Always put your money on the dish when paying for something.

    • Totally! But I often see this in Japan as Japan is a culture where confrontation is one of the worst things you can possibly do. If you demand things your way, the Japanese will be super uncomfortable!

  6. Ha ha ha this is great! I am a naturally loud person – although I travel a lot, so I am not obnoxiously loud in confined spaces, transport, etc. This is a good guide for me to know to try and use my “inside voice”. I have’t yet made it to Japan but it is definitely on the list!

    • I totally was too! I had to lean how to use my indoor voice so I wouldn’t get the side eye! Hahaha. Let me know when you make it to Japan! Would love to see your take on it!

  7. Wow – what an alternative kind of blog! I love your concept / niche! I have never been to Japan but will keep your pointers in mind when visiting…I knew that pointing with your finger can be seen as rude also in other Asian countries. Is it true that you can slurp your food in Japan and it is seen as a sign that you enjoy your food? I also heard that you MUST burp when you finish eating to signal your satisfaction…Is THAT true also?

    • Tess,
      Thanks so much! It means a lot to me that you like my blog and writing! Yes, it’s true that you can slurp your noodles as a sign of satisfaction. I’m not so sure about the burping. I’ve never seen anyone burp, so I’m going to go with that’s a no-no. πŸ˜€

  8. Some great tips that i wouldn’t really think about but sooo helpful. I love your graphic by the way 😊

  9. These are great tips, but not just for Japan. Okay, well Gaijin Smashing, would not work here in Germany (learned something new!). I especially think, “Using your inside voice, always” is so great. Tourist/Visitors often don’t think about the fact that they are wandering around in the places where others live, and can be so disruptive. Cool list, thanks!

    • Kyoto is amazing! Where in Kyoto did you go? I’ve always wanted to go to the monkey park, but I never made it there. The Japanese are super kind! I totally agree! πŸ˜€

  10. Hahaha – YES to the “use indoor voice”. I really appreciated the silence and manners in Tokyo when I was there in January. It was soooo refreshing. Some things that other commenters pointed out were common sense however in my experience with travelling, you will come across individuals or groups that take the “I’m not from around here” approach to the next level.

  11. I feel like most of these things could apply to almost anywhere, especially in East Asia, but it still had to be said πŸ™‚ Thanks for putting it out there. The fact that most people follow these unspoken rules is what makes this part of the world so comfortable to be in.

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