Are there any laws or customs I should know about before going to Japan?
I'm going to Japan for a school trip but I do not want to break or law or offend their culture without knowing. I live in Australia so is there any laws or customs that is different from the ones I follow that I should know about?
Japan - 9 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
No!
2 :
Full nudity in public and uncensored pornography are strictly illegal. Drinking and smoking are to be allowed after 20 y.o. Carrying firearms without official license is illegal. Driving license will be approved after 18 y.o. Drugs including marijuana even just possession is sort of felony. Sexual relationship with under 18 y.o. is illegal except female over 16 y.o. got married and her spouse. There's no particular special laws. Just use your brain and read commonsense global wide.
3 :
Get onto Subway train by backing onto it.
4 :
Don't talk on your cellphone in the train. Don't eat while standing. Don't expect to start conversations with complete strangers in public. Be prepared to take off your shoes. Be prepared to bow. Try not to open your mouth while laughing (or at least cover yourself with your hand)
5 :
Yes. Try not to talk on the phone when riding a train. Dont read newspapers while on the train(its impossible anyways) Dont eat while walking on the street Dont shake hands, Bow instead. Dont be rude , or ignorant, Dont use sarcastic or rude jokes. Be prepared for nervous , and possibly rude strangers. Your new nickname will be "Gaijin" << get used to it
6 :
Hmm, the rules given by bluemoon are ok, the others are most of it stupid.
7 :
There have already been some good answers, but here are a couple more. When standing on an escalator, stand to the right. The left side is reserved for moving traffic. Be careful before you hand cashiers (like at 7Eleven) money...there is usually a tray you are supposed to set it in. Try not to shout or raise a ruckus--you'd be supposed at how quiet a train or restaurant full of people can be! Research the Good Samaritan laws--they are very very strict. I try to avoid eating and drinking in public. If you are walking leisurely don't be surprised if you get shoved aside by an elderly Japanese person. That is their cultural right and you sholdn't take it personally if you get in their way. Use the word Arigatou (thank you) freely--they will appreciate your kindness, especially if you bow. And I never sit on the trains if there is a feeble or elderly person standing. This one is very important--*do not tip!* Your gratuties are included in your food bills and it is generally considered very demeaning to tip (taxi drivers are the exception, they love tips and those that don't will gently wave your offering away). Have an enjoyable trip--Japan is a lovely country and its people have always made me feel welcome!
8 :
There aren't really any unusual laws in Japan that aren't typical of any other modern country. Obviously things like drunken driving will get you into trouble with the police. Japanese are quite easy going, so even if you break cultural rules, people will not get upset. Entering a house while wearing shoes, is pretty much the only thing that you could do wrong that would cause someone to say something. One other thing is it's VERY rare for Japanese people to show anger and public displays of anger may make people uncomfortable.
9 :
just pretend everything is fine all the time and youll be fine
