When we arrive at their house, we'll be taking off our shoes.Will we be taking off my socks as well and walk barefoot? We'll be staying for a couple of days. We'll be bringing slippers with us, can we wear them walking around the house? We don't want to offend our hosts. By the way, I will be travelling first week of August. What's the weather like? Is it in bad taste to be walking around Tokyo and the neighborhood in my sandals? My wife is also confused whether to wear slip on sandals with open toes or is closed toe shoes a must? When is the right time to give presents to our hosts? Right when we arrive or after settling down like during dinner? We're going to Disneyland as well. We'd like to be comfortable, can we wear short pants?
2006-07-02 23:53:35 · 8 answers · asked by The Blaze 1 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Japan
♡You've already got lots of great info so I'll just add my 'two yen' as well.
*You can bring your own slippers if you like, although your hosts will provide them for you. Japanese slippers tend to be on the small side though, so if your feet are larger, you may feel more comfortable with your own. (My hubby is Japanese and 182cm tall and says they're small.)
*Leave your socks on, it's polite. If I wear sandals out and go to a friends house I carry those tiny socks that just cover the feet and put them on at the entrance. But you don't have to do this. Just personal choice here.
*I wore sandals and shorts today, I'm American, so you can feel free to dress comfy as well. Open toe or closed is OK. It's HOT & HUMID already, so bring comfy, light weight, easy to dry clothes. I would bring sandals AND shoes in case you go someplace 'nature like'. Bring a handkerchief or two and mini towel for your bag if you have them too, they'll come in handy. You can get them here as well. Bring your sunglasses and sunscreen, you'll need them waiting in line at the Disney resorts.
*Be sure to leave your house slippers outside of the bathroom door, it's also a sign that the 'toilet' is in use. *Don't wear the house slippers out on the veranda either, they'll have outside slippers for that too.
*You'll be too busy during dinner eating, so after dinner or when you've settled in and had time to get your gifts out of your bags is a good time to present them. Do it with both hands, it's polite. During dinner, if the hosts insist you have 'seconds', don't feel obligated if you're full, it's just their way of being polite. They may do so a few times.
If you compliment and get very humble answers, it's in general, don't worry, they're glad to be complimented.
*If you're staying a few days, don't forget Japanese bath etiquette. Wash the body and your hair outside of the bathtub before you take/get into the bathtub. No soap in the tub. If in doubt, just take a shower or ask your hosts.
Hope this helps! Have a great time here in Japan! Don't forget to get your yukata and go to the neighborhood summer festivals!♡
2006-07-03 02:42:47 · answer #1 · answered by C 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
For inside the house. You will take your shoes (leave your socks on) off when you enter the house and put on slippers (probably dont need to bring your own as the japanese family probably has them avaliable). When you go to the toliet, you will change into toliet slippers. Wear these only in the bathroom and do not wear them in the house. There may also be a tatami room (a room with straw mats on the floor) you should not wear slippers at all in this room but socks are ok.
Choose whatever kind of footwear you would like for travelling. Comfortable is best as you will probably walk around a lot. Shoes that are easy to get on and off are convenient to have in Japan.
In August in Tokyo, it will be hot. Feel free to wear shorts.... but I dont suggest super short ones.
For gift giving, I often would get gifts at the end of being with someone. When you do give the gift, it is very important to wrap it and also dont be offended if they dont open it right when you give it to them. The Japanese way is to open the gift when the giver is not around to prevent embarassment. The host may also refuse the gift several times. This is a way of showing modesty, and you should just keep offering the gift until the person finally takes it.
Enjoy your visit with a Japanese family.
2006-07-03 00:08:10 · answer #2 · answered by sakeslug 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That is really great that you are concerned for your host's feelings. My experience has been that most Japanese people expect you to be a bit confused as to what to do. They will guide you through everything and make sure that you are comfortable in their home. Bringing your own slippers is good. Be sure to wear them around the house, EXCEPT FOR the bathroom (where they should have a different set of slippers). If the host says you can just walk around in your sock feet, that's cool too. Sandals are fine for walking the city. There will be a lot of walking and you want to wear something comfortable. About the gift giving, dinner is a good time. Just go with the flow and you will be fine.
2006-07-03 20:08:55 · answer #3 · answered by tankgirl190 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you'll probably be offered slippers by your hosts, or if not your own will do nicely! But you MUST take off slippers when entering a tatami room or you'll damage the tatami! Keep your socks on by all means!
It will be HOT! Your wife will be glad of open toed sandals if they're comfy! Men and women walk around in sandals here, don't worry about it! Shorts (short pants) are normal wear too - especially for us foreigners who aren't too used to the heat...!
Not sure about the 'right' time to present gifts though ... I'd say during the introductions would be best, but AFTER everyone present has been introduced. Don't forget to say that it's not much of a gift, but please take it, and I hope you like it..!
; )
Oh, and when your hosts say that their home is nothing, or their food is pathetic or awful - don't worry! That's just the Japanese being humble! Of course you'll tell them that you just LOVE the house, and the food, even if you hate it..!
2006-07-03 01:28:25 · answer #4 · answered by _ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have lived in Japan for 11 years.
First, no shoes in the house. Probably your host will have bought new slippers for you to wear in the house. Socks are okay, they just don't want dirt from outdoors brought into the house.
The first week of August will be very hot and humid. You can expect it to get into the upper 30s on the Celcius scale or around 100 on the Farenheit scale.
If you have outdoor sandals it is no problem wearing them outdoors. I wear sandals everywhere in the summer. Open toes are fine.
It is best to give your hosts a gift after settling down. I would recommend something consumable such as a nice bottle of wine or liquor. Japanese dwellings are quite small.
Yes, you can wear shorts to TokyoDisneyland, but you will probably stand out. Although things are changing it is still unusual for Japanese to wear shorts. Women often wear dresses and skirts. If you can visit DisneySea, which is unique to Japan.
Keep in mind that as foreigners the Japanese will expect you to have "strange foreign ways," so you can get away with a lot that Japanese themselves wouldn't be able to.
When eating rice don't stick your chopstick in the rice and leave them or move bowls and plates around with your chopsticks. Use the back end of your chopsticks to remove food from a serving tray and put it onto your plate if no special chopsticks are provided. Pick up your rice bowl when you eat rice. It is normal to pick up your soup bowl when drinking your soup. Don't pour your own drink when you need a refill and pour others drinks when you see their glass is empty.
Enjoy your trip.
2006-07-03 03:19:43 · answer #5 · answered by Edward J Wolf 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No sense in me answering I guess.
The previous people have answered perfectly.
As for the gift giving I guess it varies.
I usually give gifts after introductions have been made and everyone's had time to settle down.
But I don't think it makes a big difference.
Enjoy your stay! Don't forget to visit Disney Sea as well!
2006-07-03 05:30:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
take of your shoes but dont take off your socks... wearing socks might even be more respectful because of your (who knows) smelly foot... dont wear slippers in the house because it feels like shoes are walking in the homes...
2006-07-04 23:14:42 · answer #7 · answered by gogogo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try www.customs.go
& enjoy your trip
2006-07-02 23:57:28 · answer #8 · answered by start 6-22-06 summer time Mom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋