A Good Manners Guide for Travelers to Japan

Going to Japan?

Learn the etiquette! A guide to good manners in Japan comes in handy for travelers, and the City of Kyoto has just released the ‘Akimahen of Kyoto,’ using smart graphics and an emoji scale to show the severity of misbehavior.

“In Japan, I was immensely impressed by the politeness, industrious nature and conscientiousness of the Japanese people.” – J. Paul Getty

Did you know taxi doors in Japan are opened and closed remotely by the drivers?

Do you know how to use Japanese-style toilets?

Don’t ride a bicycle while drunk — you could face a fine of up to US $8,000 or 5 years in prison!

“The Japanese have perfected good manners and made them indistinguishable from rudeness.” – Paul Theroux

Akimahen (Don’ts) of Kyoto

The City of Kyoto issued a good manners guide for travelers.

Kyoto Etiquette Guide (City of Kyoto)

Japan Good Manners Guide: How to Use This Toilet

How to use the toilet (City of Kyoto)

• Continue reading: Japan good manners guide: how to use the toilet (City of Kyoto), PDF

“There are some ghost stories in Japan where – when you are sitting in the bathroom in the traditional style of the Japanese toilet – a hand is actually starting to grab you from beneath. It’s a very scary story.” – Shigeru Miyamoto

Related

• Avoid common etiquette missteps in Japan with these 38 tips (Lonely Planet)
• Travel stories from Japan