Showing Gratitude When Visiting Japan

Japan has over 30 million international visitors per year. More than 2.2 million people visited the country in September 2019 alone. Japan's allure attracts visitors with ancient lore, temples, shrines and a unique culture.

The country is one of the safest in the world to visit, and traveling around the country is easy thanks to fast and efficient trains.

When you visit Japan, you want to know how to show gratitude to residents and friends you meet along the way.

Showing gratitude in Japan is a little different than in other countries, but there are multiple ways that you can show your appreciation.

Learn the Word Arigato

You don't need to spend months learning Japanese to say "thank you." All you need to say is "arigato." What's nice about this word is that it can be used when you want to say thank you for anything.

You can use the word when going to eat.

A casual expression, you can also say "arigato-gozaimasu" to say thank you very much. This phrase is more powerful in Japanese culture, but it's also a little harder to pronounce for travelers visiting the country for the first time.

When you say arigato, it shows a sign of respect for Japan and the Japanese culture. Locals will appreciate the gesture, and it's a great way to start talking to others and meet some new friends.

Bowing is Acceptable, But You Need to Do It Right

Someone hands you a red flower, and instead of saying "arigato," you can choose to bow. Bowing is one of the key ways to show gratitude, but it's also very difficult to do properly. You need to do a few things:

• Keep your back straight when bowing (straight bow)

• Keep hips and legs in the same position throughout the bow

• Bow to a 45-degree angle

You may want to watch a few videos on how to bow properly. The right bow is called "saikeirei." If you bow with an angle that is too much or too little, your bow may have a completely different meaning.

If you're uncomfortable with bowing, you can opt to use words (explained above) instead.

Gifts When the Occasion is Appropriate

Japan's gift-giving culture is a little different than in other countries. The sentiment is more about giving than it is what the gift actually is. The Japanese will pay closer attention to the thoughtfulness and presentation than anything else.

Gifts are not given on birthdays or Christmas, but they are given for graduations, births, housewarmings and other occasions.

If someone you met has a sick family member, you'll want to learn how to send flowers to Japan because it's the customary gift.

Be careful when choosing the flowers to send because some flowers, like Chrysanthemums, are considered bad luck in certain quantities.

Weddings are easier because money is customary. Chocolate is customary on Valentine's Day, and men are expected to return the gift on March 14 by buying women that gave them a gift on Valentine's Day expensive chocolates or sweets.

A small souvenir from your country or hometown is appreciated. Do not present a gift that was made in China. Also avoid red cards, which have been associated with funeral notices.