Respect Your Neighbors

One of the challenges, even for bilingual foreign residents, is that so many of the rules in Japan are not written anywhere, they are just part of the culture. So raise your antenna, and see if you can spot some of these unspoken customs.  

Whether going to an onsen (use a modesty towel, but don’t dip it in the water, don’t spray other people by mistake), arriving on time for a restaurant reservation, or cleaning up the litter after an event, a common thread is the desire to not inconvenience others. Have a soft footprint and tread lightly.

Other “soft rules” include not talking on the phone in the train, loud voices or yelling in residential areas, parking in front of someone’s house or business without permission, and eating and walking at the same time.