Im visiting Japan what do I need to know.?

Question

Im visiting Japan soon. What do I need to know about customs, the language, tradition, whats rude?

If there is also a website about this subject that you could direct me to that would be great!!!!!

I dont know alot about there customs and I dont want to be rude while Im over there. Please help!!!

Answer 1

Right now I am currently living in japan. The Japanese are so nice and there is so much to see! Anyway here are some tips that can help you in saying japanese words and phrases. and i suggest you find this book because it has helped me and my husband so much with the language. the book is called "Japanese The Rough Guide Dictionary and Phrasebook" The great thing about this book is it shows you how to pronounce the words, just not the Japanese characters.

Pronouncation:
a as in rAther
e as in bEd; e is always pronounced even at the end of a word
i like the EE in fEEt, but slightly shorter
o as in nOt
u as in pUt
ae seprate A followed by E, pronounced AH-EH
ai as in thai (thAI)
ei as in weight (wEIght)
ie seprate EE followed by E, pronounced EE-EH
ue seprate U followed by E, Pronounced OO-EH
g hard G as in Girl
s always as in maSS (never Z)
y as in Yet

also the ing in japanese is pronounced more strongly that in english

Here are some useful words you might want to know.

bowl: chawan
chopsticks: hashi
dessert: dezato
ketchup: kechapp
fried chicken (not breaded) : kroggy
rice: gohan AND rais
cheesebuger: chizbaga
french fries: potetofrai
water: mizu
Coke: cora or Cola

yes: hai
no: ie
ok: oke
Hello: konnichiwa
hello (on phone): moshi moshi
good morning: ohayo gozaimas
good evening: komban wa
good night : osaki ni
goodbye : sayonara
see you later: ja, mata
please: onegai shimas
thank you: arigato
i dont understand: wakarimasen
do you speak english: eigo o hanasemas ka
i dont speak japanese: nihongo wa hanasemasen

I also suggest when you get to japan go eat at the curry house Coco Ichibanya that stuff is addictive, I just started eating it and I want it ever night almost! I suggest stick to the regular spice, because by the time you get in the middle of it you are going to drink the entire pitcher of water.

Also over here they drive on the other side of the road and they bow to say hello, i'm sorry and goodbye. the deeper the bow the more respect.

OH!!! DO NOT PUT YOUR CHOPSTICKS STANDING UP THE BOWL OF RICE! Huge No-No! The Japanese do that out of mourning and don't use your chopsticks as tools to eat, like draging a bowl of shushi closer to you. also don't be afraid to pick up the bowl with both hands and eat to shovel it in. If you go into a Japanese home, take your shoes off inside and step right up onto the next step.

Here are some websites i found that might help
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e638.html
http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/culture/culture.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e622.html
http://www.geocities.com/japanfaq/FAQ-Manners.html (Very good site)
http://www.japan-zone.com/new/etiquette.shtml

Anyway I hope that was a lot of help, if you want to do some more searching on your own i would suggest searching yahoo with "Japanese Etiquette"

You are going to love Japan, I have only been over here since April and I love it. I can't wait to get out more and see Japan. Oh some places I would suggest going to around Tokyo is Kamakura, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, Roppongi Hills - Mori Tower, and The Tokyo Tower.

Hope you enjoy your trip!

Answer 2

One biggie you absolutely cannot forget- Buy a map, especially if you will visit Tokyo. Do you know Japanese at all? If not maybe buy a quickie course at Barnes and Noble, bring a phrase book, etc. Words of manners( thank you, excuse me, I am sorry) are the best things to learn and use often,
There are alot of etiquette rules and I don't know how much the web link I am going to give you covers. Some basics-Never, ever point chopsticks stick upright in your bowl, don't pass or serve food with chopsticks. Do not eat/drink while walking, only beggars do this. If someone gives you a business card, do not stick it in your back pocket. Look at it, then place it inside your wallet. When dining it may ease your fears to kind of watch people and follow what they do. Never fill your own drink, fill your tablemates and they in turn will fill yours. Take off your shoes before entering a home or a temple. If you visit someone's home, do not go emptyhanded. Toliet shoes are different from house shoes, it is considered dirty to wear house shoes in the bathroom and/ or toliet shoes in the house. As you can see, I have barely just scratched the surface. Surf the web, maybe write things down. Before you go, practice following the etiquette rules in your home so they become familiar.

Answer 3

Here's a good site:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e622.html

In addition:

Most signs are in Japanese and English, so you'll be able to get around OK.

Learn a few basic phrases, like good morning/ afternoon/ evening; thank you; excuse me, do you speak English. (I also learned how to say "do you have this in a larger size?")

Pay attention to how people pass each other on the street. It's usually to the left.

Bring a bunch of small gifts from your home town, like pretty postcards or pins. It's customary to bring a gift when you visit somebody; they won't open it right away. Present it with both hands and a small bow. It's also customary to say something about how it's not really much of a gift.

If you are presented a gift, accept with both hands and a bow. Don't open it right away unless they insist.

Be aware of shoe etiquette. You'll be removing shoes for homes; other public places may or may not want you to. I got chastised for not removing my shoes when going into a dressing room to try on clothes.

However, the Japanese are *very* polite, and won't give you rude responses if you do something "wrong."

A note: If someone says "It will be difficult," it means "no".

Have a great trip. If you need more info, feel free to contact me.

Answer 4

Some biggies:

Eating or drinking while walking is considered rude.(Street food at festivals may be an exception.)

So is talking on a cellphone in a train or in a restaurant. (Step outside or at least into the genkan to take the call.)

Use the back of your chopsticks, not the side you've put in your mouth, if serving/taking food from a dish being shared with others (although many times you may end up being told, "it's okay, we're all friends/family" but don't presume it.

NEVER take or pass food directly from your chopsticks to someone else's and never stick your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice (these are rituals used in funerals).

Otherwise, you'll probably be fine using common sense and consideration. It's an amazing country, and the majority of people are exceedingly friendly and gracious to visitors. You're going to have a great time. (But expect it to be very hot and humid if you're visiting in summer.)

Oh, one last thing, in many restaurants and in many peoples' homes, there will be different slippers to wear into the toilet. Try to remember not to wear regular slippers into the toilet or vice versa.

Answer 5

Yes you would be safe, you're visiting one of the safest countries on earth. Be a little more cautious (like you probably would be in larger cities in Europe) in the Kabukicho, Ikebukuro and Asakusa areas (maybe also Ryogoku/Tokyo Skytree (Sumida) and Northern Taito (Minami Senju) if you visit there) I would recommend learning some basic japanese. Even just asking for help by starting off saying 'Sumimasen' (excuse me) rather then Scottish English would probably be very helpful. If you stay outside ofthe business areas there is very little chance of finding english menu's, so make sure to learn the characters for basic dishes. Have fun over there mate, but please act responsibly. There are too many tourists acting like total ***** here.

Answer 6

Most Japanese that you speak to will know some english and so don't panic about the language barrier. The exchange rate is about 1american dollar to 150 yen. Also they are very big on respect especialy to thier elders. Follow the laws of the country.

Answer 7

You need to know that everyone over there will think that they are more advanced than you. So they will be talking very slowly... LOL Just playing.... Um Well before you enter a house you always have to take off your shoes. You will sleep on a bed that is on the floor and people over there mostly eat rice and seafood. So I suggest you to get used to eating that. Before you get into a tub, you first have to take a shower. People over there belive that you first have to be clean before getting into a tub. Well, I hope I helped and have fun over there!!

Answer 8

You can get a travel book about Japan. We went to Toyko a few years ago and we did fine. Just say Domo Arigato alot.

Answer 9

I'm Japanese!!
Are you just going to Japan for sightseeing??
or going for studying??
If you are coming to Japan just for travel I think you don't have to think about customs so much!
If you are going to large city like Tokyo Osaka you can see
English road sign and even in the station you can see English!!

So what you need is just say "Arigato" that meens thank you!
That's allright!!

If you want to know about Japanese please ask me!!

Goodluck!!!!

Answer 10

karate skillz show your self to eat with sticks 6 inch high heels short skirt and a corner