When you visit Japan, there are several things you should know about its culture so that you do not shock or offend the people.
Language:
-If you are in Tokyo, it is acceptable to use "baka" (pronounced bah-kah) as a term to say our version of "idiot". However if you say the word "aho" (pronounced ah-hoe) in Tokyo, you will most likely get wide eyes and possibly a slap in the face. "Aho" is a severe swear word/insult in Tokyo.
However, if you are in Osaka, say the opposite. There, "aho" is a more throw-around word, and "baka" is the severe one.
Table Manners:
-never, ever, ever, put your chopsticks in a bowl of food. Always rest them on top of the bowl so that they are horizantal. The only time to put your chopsticks sticking up in the bowl is at a funeral.
- it is considered polite to slurp noodles or burp after a meal as it shows that you liked the food.
- try really hard not to put soy sauce on white rice, as it is considered immense disrepect to the chef. however, if you really like seasoning on your rice, you may dip some sashimi (raw fish) in soy sauce, then lightly tap it on your rice, and then bring it to your mouth.
Gestures:
-Japanese people are not exactly big on hugs and do not understand many American gestures (but they of course understand basic nods, shakes of the head, handshakes and highfives).
Also, don't be afraid to ask for help in Japan as Japanese people are mostly very friendly and eager to give. Most, if not all, Japanese in big cities (and many younger Japanese elsewhere) speak enough English to give directions or offer simple advice. Policemen are especially helpful in giving directions - many stand on street corners mainly to do this.
Don't worry too much - Japan is very welcoming to foreigners and I'm sure you'll have a great time!
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Bhutan Travel at 6:40am on Apr. 10, 2008
9 months ago
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SquarePants at 8:35am on Jan. 20, 2008
11 months ago
- The thing with chopsticks vertical in a rice bowl. It's extremely bad manners because it resembles incense sticks at funerals.
- On slurping noodles. I've had fun with that one in my debate with Japanese friends. They laugh because I eat my noodles quiet. They said slurping brings out the flavor of the noodles/soup. I jokingly said you lose flavor by making too much noise.
- Putting soy sauce on rice in Japan is like putting catsup on your steak at a fancy steak restaurant in the US. If you want to see a comparable reaction in San Francisco, go to the California Culinary Academy and ask for catsup with your entree or Cool Whip for your dessert and watch the look on the chef's face.
- On hugs, it depends on the person and how close you are to them though it's definitely not common. I've had Japanese colleagues (at work) and friends in Japan, and we hug at my last meeting before heading back.
Some tips I'd give if you are visiting Japan:
- Talk slow, not a mile a minute. Don't slur. Don't use slang and idioms. Anunciate clearly.
- Keep pen/pencil and paper around. Ever play Pictionary? Pictures can be universal. Though, if you're like me and can't draw, it can be painful. My sketches typically don't result in recognition but laughter.
For best advice in my profile, I wrote "Don't dwell on it". That actually came from an art teacher in college (an easy pass/not pass class unrelated to my major) when I was working on a still life drawing and trying to get everything perfect. My lesson in life & work from that is sometimes you don't need or have time for perfection, just something "good enough" that you can keep tweaking along the way. Reply...
aaron at 1:57am on Aug. 13, 2007
about 1 year ago
You know I have an Indian friend who claims that he has been to Japan and know their culture very well but some of the things that he said does not make any sense like for e.g he says that he looks Japanese because of the atmosphere over there . I know one thing that Japanese People are fair looking but he is complete opposite. Reply...
Nora at 4:47pm on Aug. 13, 2007
Hmmmm....I think Indian and Japanese people definitely look different. Japanese can be pale or somewhat dark, however. Their skin tones vary a lot. But I think Indian people tend to have more round eyes and less yellow in their skin tone. Reply...
aaron at 10:41pm on Aug. 13, 2007
Yeah!! thats true. Indian and Japanese people have different cultures and traditions and its really fascinating to know different things that we have never experienced before. I know quite a lot about Indian culture since I've been there.. Reply...
Nora at 8:00pm on Aug. 14, 2007
Yeah, I agree! :) Reply...
aaron at 11:16pm on Aug. 15, 2007
Have you ever been to any other Asian or European countries except Japan? Reply...
Nora at 1:53pm on Aug. 16, 2007
Yep! I've visited China, Switzerland, France, Germany (my dad lived in Germany for two years), Sweden, and England. Reply...
aaron at 12:21am on Aug. 17, 2007
Wow thats gr8!! Now I am jealous of you. I always wanted to travel around and learn about their culture and especially their native dialect. So tell me did you get a chance to learn their language..? Reply...
Nora at 5:34pm on Aug. 19, 2007
I'm learning French. At this point I could get around okay and have a small conversation. But I can't say I know Chinese, Swedish, German, or Italian (they speak French, German, and Italian in Switzerland). Reply...
aaron at 11:18pm on Aug. 20, 2007
I'm Planning to learn French too after couple of months. At the same time I'll be learning Spanish as well since I am planning to go to Valencia in Feb' 08 and it will be difficult learning two languages at the same time. Reply...
Nora at 8:35pm on Aug. 21, 2007
Mmmm good luck with that :) Reply...
aaron at 2:45am on Aug. 22, 2007
Thanks :) Reply...
Rowena Wood at 4:51am on Aug. 21, 2007
about 1 year ago
Thats something i didn't knew about Japan......Thanks for the information! Reply...
Kathryn at 1:34pm on Aug. 2, 2007
about 1 year ago
Cool! How do you know so much about Japanese culture? Did you live in Japan for awhile or take a trip there? Reply...
Nora at 9:05am on Aug. 3, 2007
My mom grew up in Japan and my family on her side owns a cabin there, so we visit almost yearly for up to a month at a time. I also briefly went to preschool in Tokyo. Reply...
Adam Durfee at 2:55pm on Jun. 18, 2007
about 1 year ago
Nice, good advice. Any recommendations for places to visit in Japan? Reply...
Nora at 5:00am on Jul. 17, 2007
Places to Visit:
-Nagano
-Tokyo (Shinjuku (good clubbing, famous bookstore, famous hotel), Harajuku (for strange fashion), Azabujuban (has a great Obon festival in August))
-Nara (place with the bowing deer)
um...i'll have to think of a lot of other places. But that's my reply for now.:) Reply...
Graham at 11:16am on Jul. 16, 2007
about 1 year ago
thats good t know!
a lot of the table manners is the same in China Reply...