I did a lot of research before travelling to Japan. I mean A LOT. Being my number one bucket list destination of all time, I probably spent a good 6 months googling everything I possibly could about Japan.

In saying that, there are some things that the internet doesn’t tell you (I know right? I am as shocked as you are). Travelling in Japan for the first time taught me some really valuable lessons, and most of them were quite surprising.

Always stand to the left of the escalator, except for in Osaka

As a general rule, you should stand to the left when using the escalators. This allows people to pass on the right. However, if you’re travelling in the Kansai region (Kyoto and Osaka), you should stand to the right and allow people to pass on the left.

This really confused me after spending a week in Tokyo. If in doubt, just copy what everyone else does.

You won’t find any rubbish bins

If you have been to Japan before, you’ll know what I mean when I say this. Public rubbish bins are impossible to find (and this is for a good reason).

In 1995, most trash cans were removed after a terrorist attack where cult members released deadly Sarin gas into a number of trains in Tokyo. The gas, that was hidden in plastic bags covered in newspaper, killed a dozen people and harmed thousands of others. After the attack, one of the security measures was the remove the rubbish bins in Tokyo as it was a potential place where terrorists could hide weapons.

If you do need to dispose of your rubbish, just take it back to the place where you bought it. They always have rubbish bins and are more than happy to take it off your hands.

Never leave a tip

I mentioned this in my recent blog about what you need to know before travelling to Japan. Tipping in Japan is not recommended. By leaving a tip, you’re implying that the recipient doesn’t earn enough money from their job. It is seen as very offensive and is often refused.

The language barrier was not an issue

Despite what I had read online, communicating with locals was not difficult at all. After doing some research, I was under the assumption that most people don’t speak English and that I’d have a very difficult time making conversation. This was not true at all.

If you’re travelling in popular tourist areas like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, you will find that most people speak English. However, in the less-travelled regions that aren’t so well-known to Western tourists, the level of English literacy is lower. Most locals solved this issue by simply using a translation app on their phone.

The biggest struggle my partner and I had was ordering food from a menu printed entirely in Hirgana symbols from non-English speaking staff. The good thing is, the majority of Japanese restaurants include photos of the food. We simply pointed at what we wanted and the waiters brought it out to our table.

Make an effort to earn a little bit of Japanese before you head overseas. I learnt only the basics and found it was really appreciated by the locals.

Blowing your nose in public is unacceptable

Blowing your nose is considered quite rude by the Japanese. Using tissues in public is just a big no no. In contrast, sniffling is completely acceptable. If you really need to blow your nose. just wait until you’re in private.

The gold coin with a hole in it, is actually 5 yen

If you’ve travelled to Japan before, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. Everything from 500 yen and below in the Japanese currency comes in the form of a coin. Most coins have the amount written on them, except one. A small coin with a hole in the centre.

I just assumed these coins were useless. In fact my partner and I left an entire pile of them in one of our hotel rooms before leaving. We honestly assumed they were worth nothing. Until, on our very last day in Japan (of course) a young girl at a coffee shop handed me a coin and said “here’s your 5 yen change”.

I was honestly so mad at myself.

The toilets come with instructions

I’m not going to lie, I genuinely had to use google translate the first time I used a toilet in Japan. There were SO many buttons and switches I didn’t know what to do. To make it even more difficult, every restroom in completely different. Some even play music that starts as soon as you sit down and stops as soon as you stand up again.

Don’t walk and eat

Eating whilst you’re walking is actually considered quite rude in Japan. Rather than eating on the go, find a seat and enjoy your food before setting off to your next destination.

People get paid to push commuters into overcrowded train carriages

I honestly thought this was a myth until I travelled to Japan. I was wrong. Oshiya, which in Japanese means “pushers”, are employed to literally shove passengers into overcrowded subway cars.

This generally happens during rush hour where the Oshiya’s job is to fit as many commuters as possible into each train carriage (as well as making sure people don’t get trapped in the doors).

Until the next adventure,
Jetsetter Soph