Expert Article - First Draft

You'll Never be Japanese, but you can be Respectful

How to enjoy a vacation to Japan to the fullest while respecting the culture and people

So you’re thinking about traveling to Japan. It’s a popular destination for anyone looking for a vacation. Chances are you ask someone places on their bucket list to travel to one day and Japan is likely going to be one of them. Specifically Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka. That being said, there are many struggles people will have when planning a trip to Japan, let alone how to go about things while they are already there. How much Japanese do I need to know? Where should I go? What are the rules unique to Japanese society? That last question is an especially hot topic given recent news of influencers like Logan Paul being utterly disrespectful for internet content. No one wants to be disrespectful to the people living there and (I would hope) you might feel the same way.

In this article, I will be giving you some ways to enjoy your trip to Japan as much as possible without worrying about breaking rules, what spots are worth checking out, and possible spots outside of Tokyo you can venture to see more than its city life!

I am both someone who grew up in Yokohama, a city just south of Tokyo, and someone who lived much of my life in America that traveled to Tokyo and many other prefectures from a tourist’s perspective who can also speak and understand Japan’s language and culture. Through my experiences and what I know, I will do my best to inform you with what I know and what I hear from travelers.


How Much Japanese Do I Need to know?

This is probably the most common thing I am asked when people want to travel to Japan and the answer is: it depends. The places you plan on traveling and how much time you have before your trip and many other things are factors to consider.

Worst case scenario though you have no idea how to speak and do not have time to learn? No worries. Tokyo and Osaka, the most popular cities people travel to, have plenty of systems in place to make exploring the cities with only English feasible. Translators have also gotten much better too so you can get by just fine using one or hoping to run across someone who does speak English. 

Now with that concern out of the way, you might be also asking: is it better to know at least some Japanese? Absolutely. While it is possible to enjoy a trip to Japan without knowing any Japanese and never interacting with a single person living in Japan, you would be missing out some of the most enjoyable things about traveling. This is something that applies to any country you travel to where English is not a language commonly spoken in the country you are in. The reason for this is because talking to locals there and really experiencing a new culture is at the heart of why traveling is so important and want to emphasize this right away. It is encouraged to spend time learning very basic phrases at the very least.

Here are a list of phrases I think are worth learning (aside from Konichiwa which everyone knows):

  • Sumimasen - Excuse me / I’m sorry / Calling someone over like a waiter or staff

  • Hajimemashite - Saying Hello when meeting someone for the first time

  • Arigatou-Gozaimasu! - Thank you!

  • Nihongo wa shaberenai - I do not speak Japanese

  • Boku wa ‘Ah-meh-ri-ka’ jin desu - I am American (American can be whatever country you are from too)

  • Kampai! - Cheers! (when drinking alcohol)

  • Kore Onegaishimasu - I want this (pointing to something on the menu)

  • Osusume wa nan desu ka? - What is your recommendation? (easiest thing to ask if you aren’t picky, can read the menu, and want to know what’s most popular!)

  • Doko desu ka? - Where is it? (pointing to a place on your phone or saying the name of a place with this works if you need help getting around)

  • Shitsureshimasu - Something you say when entering someone’s home

  • Gochisousama deshita! - Thank you for the meal! (say this to the restaurant or chef when leaving a restaurant or when having someone’s cooking instead of thank you!)


This list might seem daunting, and there are so many other phrases that can be good to know. If you are looking for a comprehensive list that has the bare minimum for what you need to get around and still interact with locals respectfully, this will serve you well! Anything beyond this list is completely up to you to study if you would like to learn more. My suggestion is to even learn while you are there in your free time and try speaking as much as you can when you have opportunities with locals.

The reason I start the article with this section is because of how important I believe it is, not only for respecting the locals but also for your fulfillment, to make the most of your trip. Japanese people LOVE when you attempt to learn and speak their language, no matter what your level is. They can always tell when you are earnest with your efforts and it makes them happy to have you around. If respect is the #1 thing you are most concerned about, then I’d say this is also a big thing to take away. Speaking of respect…

What are the Do’s and Don'ts in Japan?


Now that we got the most complicated thing out of the way regarding language and what you should know, this is where unspoken societal rules come into play. This might seem like an extremely daunting thing to some people but at the end of the day, if your intention is to be kind and considerate there is no harm in making a few mistakes. Chances are you will look like a foreigner and people will be understanding of your mistakes so long as you have the intention of being respectful (I’m looking at you, Logan Paul). 


With that said, it’s still good to be aware of some of the rules that might not be commonly known by those traveling to Japan. Here are some listed below:


  • Avoid taking photos/videos in public spaces in excess 

    • (unless its a tourist attraction that doesn't specify the rule)

  • Try not to eat while walking 

    • stand in place or sit somewhere while eating food outside

  • Hold onto your trash, dont litter

    • throw trash away at trash cans in front of convenience stores

  • Be mindful on transit

    • Avoid being loud when talking, do not talk on the phone, give up your seat for the disabled, pregnant women, or the elderly, etc

  • Pay attention to the direction people walk

    • Typically, there a flow of “traffic” where people on one side are moving one way and on the other side, they are moving another way. Try to follow that!

    • Another note: Escalators are typically divided into two lines where one line is for people standing while the other line is for people running up, follow along with others!

  • Do not blow ur nose in public spaces

    • Find somewhere as secluded as possible to do it if you need to!


These are a handful of rules but following just these will do wonders! At the end of the day, as long as the intention is to be considerate, adapt, and learn, there will not be an issue! These are little things that I think can be adjusted easily, especially when you’re mindful of the space you’re taking up. When in doubt, follow what the crowd is doing!

Where to go

Now that we got all the fun rules and language “requirements” out of the way, let’s talk about actual spots to hang out at! Now this will depend heavily whether you want to explore city life or be immersed in the countryside. To help with that decision, the countryside is an untraditionally enjoyable way to visit Japan if you enjoy nature BUT it will be much more difficult to get around if your Japanese isn’t the best. On the other hand, the city is great for that concrete jungle vibe where you get to visit spots mixed with modern amenities and tradition. The only downside to the city is that it’s overrun with tourists and people in general so if you aren’t a fan of dealing with that, it could get overwhelming when around it too long.

With all that said, what is my suggestion? Well if you can, I’d say try exploring both! It’s worth trying to go to both types of areas in Japan if possible but no pressure if you can only commit to one. 


Cities worth visiting aside from Tokyo would be:

  • Sapporo

    • Great food, great sights to visit, snow in the city could be fun close to winter time

  • Osaka

    • Great food, friendly locals, a more relaxed version of Tokyo while still bustling, close to Kyoto

  • Yokohama

    • Great food (bet you didn’t see this one coming), china town, fun sights to visit near ocean/bay


Countryside areas worth visiting are:

  • Kyoto

    • A traditional place to visit with many wonderful sights to see, nature is abundant

  • Tokushima

    • Great scenery, mountains, farms, traditional architecture

  • Hiroshima

    • Full of history, great sights to visit, close to the ocean


These are just a few spots that I suggest, but I’d say this is where you do the most research yourself to get an idea of what you can expect and plan around your preferences! Sometimes some cities will have amazing food that is your exact favorite! Definitely visit those cities if you can and you’ll surely find something nearby that is worth checking out.


Takeaways

wip…

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