The bow is Japan’s most visible ritual. You don’t need to nail it perfectly — the attempt matters most.

Three bow levels:

• Eshaku (15°) — casual: hello, thank you.
• Keirei (30°) — respectful: shops, hotels.
• Saikeirei (45°) — formal: apologies, temples, VIPs.

Rules: Bow slightly deeper than the other person. Never bow while talking. Back straight, bend from the hips.

For Indians: A namaste is understood and appreciated. A small bow works too. Don’t offer a handshake unless the Japanese person does first.

Trains are famously punctual, quiet, orderly. Follow the flow.

Platform: Queue in the marked lines. Let passengers exit first. Escalators — Tokyo: stand LEFT, walk right. Osaka: opposite.

Also: Backpacks off in crowded cars — hold in front. Give up priority seats (yellow) to elderly, pregnant, kids. Sleeping on trains is fine.

Shinkansen: reserve seats free with JR Pass, eat ekiben quietly, take rubbish with you.

Entering: Wait to be seated. "Irasshaimase!" is the greeting — nod or smile back.

At the table: Oshibori (wet towel) is hands only. Say itadakimasu before, gochisousama after. Slurping noodles is a compliment. Never season before tasting. Don’t pour your own drink at group meals — pour for others, they’ll pour for you.

Paying: Bill goes to the counter, not the table. Cash goes in the small tray, not the cashier’s hand.

Chopsticks have deep meaning in Japan — some moves mimic funeral rituals.

Also avoid: pointing with chopsticks, waving them while talking, stabbing food, rubbing disposable chopsticks together.

Shinto shrine: Bow before the torii gate. Walk to the side of the main path (centre is for the deity). Purify at the water pavilion — rinse hands, then mouth from cupped hand (never drink from the ladle).

At the offering: ¥5 coin (lucky), ring bell, bow twice, clap twice, pray, bow once.

Buddhist temple: Similar purification but no clapping — bow, offer coin, pray silently, bow. Waft incense smoke over yourself if there’s a burner.

One of Japan’s greatest pleasures — done right, it’s magical.

Non-negotiable:

• Fully nude. No swimwear. Ever.
• Wash thoroughly BEFORE entering the pool — every onsen has washing stations with stools.
• Tie long hair up. Hair never touches the water.
• Small towel on your head or beside the pool, never in the water.
• No swimming, no splashing. It’s meditation, not a pool.

For Indians new to nude bathing: feels alarming for 10 minutes, then normal. Everyone minds their own business — no one stares. Same-gender only. If shy, book a ryokan with a private in-room onsen.

• Shoes off at the entrance (genkan). Step up onto the wooden floor.
• Slippers for corridors. Remove them on tatami (rice-straw mats) — barefoot or socks.
• Toilet slippers exist. Change into them, then OUT of them when leaving. Don’t walk around still wearing toilet slippers.
• Yukata (cotton robe): left side over right (right over left is only for the dead).
• Futons are laid out by staff while you’re at dinner. Don’t rearrange.
• Meals at set times — be punctual.
• Still no tipping.

At the register: place cash in the tray (kaikei-zara), not the cashier’s hand. For tax-free, show passport before paying, not after.

Try-ons: Staff may hand you a face cover to protect items from makeup — wear it, no fuss.

A small "arigatou gozaimasu" at the end is genuinely appreciated.

• Cash still dominates outside cities. Carry ¥10,000–20,000 minimum.
• 7-Eleven ATMs accept most Indian cards — reliable and everywhere.
• Get an IC card (Suica/PASMO) on day 1 — trains, buses, konbini, vending.
• Cards accepted in hotels, chains, department stores. Small restaurants often cash-only.

To show appreciation: sincere thanks, small bow, or a small gift from home.

• Ask before photographing people — a camera gesture + smile works.
• Gion (Kyoto): photographing geiko/maiko is BANNED on private lanes. Fines apply.
• Inside temples/shrines: check for "No Photography" signs. Assume no photos of altars.
• Selfie sticks banned on many platforms and shrines.
• Never photograph other people’s children at parks/schools — parents are wary.

Gift-giving is huge. Bring something if you’re meeting someone, staying with friends, or being hosted.

• From India: mild sweets, tea, handicrafts, a wrapped scarf.
• Present with BOTH hands. Small bow. "Tsumaranai mono desu ga" (it’s a small thing).
• Avoid sets of 4 (shi = death) or 9 (ku = suffering). Skip white flowers (funeral).
• Recipient may not open it in front of you — that’s polite, not rude.
• Bring omiyage home from Japan for coworkers/family — it’s tradition.

• Business cards (meishi): give and receive with BOTH hands, facing the recipient. Read the card carefully. Place on the table during meeting — never in a back pocket.
• Arrive early. 5 minutes early is on time.
• Dress conservatively. Dark suit, minimal jewellery.
• Guest sits farthest from the door (place of honour). Follow your host.
• Silence is OK — don’t rush to fill it.
• "Hai" often means "I hear you," not "I agree." Watch for hesitation.

• Walk on the left (matches driving side).
• Don’t eat while walking — sit at a café or bench.
• Blowing nose in public: rude. Sniff quietly or wear a mask if unwell.
• Trash cans are rare — carry your rubbish. Konbini bins are your friend.
• Smoking is banned on most streets. Look for kitsuen areas.
• Point with whole hand, never one finger.
• Don’t jaywalk. Locals wait for the signal even on an empty street at midnight — crossing early marks you out immediately.

Vegetarian & Jain travellers:

• Dashi (fish stock) hides in almost everything — miso, salad dressings, "vegetable" broths.
• "Vegetable tempura" is often fried in the same oil as fish/meat.
• Best options: Indian restaurants (Tokyo, Osaka have good ones), shojin ryori (Buddhist temple food — 100% vegan), specific vegan cafés, konbini ume/konbu onigiri (check labels).
• Learn: "watashi wa bejitarian desu" (I am vegetarian). "Niku, sakana, dashi wa taberaremasen" (I cannot eat meat, fish, or dashi).

Religious wear: Turbans, hijabs, tilaks, bindis all accepted without comment. Japan is respectful of religious dress. Kirpans can be an airport security issue — check ahead. Mosques exist in Tokyo (Tokyo Camii is beautiful) and major cities.

Alcohol at business meetings: Nomikai (drinking parties) are central to business relationships. If you don’t drink — completely OK. Accept a soft drink and clink glasses. Being present matters, not the drinking.

Emergency numbers:

• 🚔 110 — Police
• 🚑 119 — Ambulance / Fire
• ☎️ 050-3816-2787 — Japan Visitor Hotline (24/7, English)

Lost? Look for a koban (small police box) — on almost every major street, polite and used to helping tourists. Konbini staff will also help if you show them the address.

If you make a mistake: You will. Everyone does. A sincere "sumimasen" and a small bow fixes 95% of small faux pas. Japanese people understand foreigners are learning — the effort matters. Apologise, learn, move on.