Japan is a wonderful country to visit, their food and culture is a delight to unravel, and it's home to thousands of inventions and futuristic technology. But however advanced Japan looks like, they still adhere to their age-old traditions.
That's why it is important to take note and be aware of some of the Japanese local customs before scheduling a trip. Not only will you have a fantastic time, but you will save yourself from social embarrassment once you follow some of their local laws. Here are some of them.
Basic table manners. Japanese cuisine is famous all over the world, and if you get the chance to eat some of their delectable dishes in the country itself, make sure to follow some of their basic table manners. For example, slurping your bowl of soup noisily is encouraged, and so is raising your bowl of rice nearer to your mouth when eating.
Bowing as a greeting. Bowing is a common way of greeting in Japan. For locals, the extent of the bow is based on how respectable the person they're addressing to. If you are meeting Japanese locals for the first time, just bow slightly to show respect, and make sure to use proper name connotations.
Absolutely no tipping. In the west, tipping someone is a gesture that shows you're really glad of the service you have received, but this is a big no in Japan. They will think that you're insulting them when you tip them, because however pleasant the service you received, it's already covered by the price. This is a common mistake that you must avoid when in the country.
No first names. Again, this is a difference the Japanese have with the West. In Japan, it's terribly rude to call someone by their first name if you're not especially close like a family member or a valued friend. Always call them by their last name with the honorific -san in the end. For elders, use -sama.
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