Great advice. I forgot to mention when you asked the following. If you would be upset by anyone, especially a foreigner who does not speak your language, doing something outside your home, don’t do it when traveling.
On tats, I didn’t even think of this. My experience is that only those who are long stayers generally venture to a public bath. I did not while in the navy here. My first time was after a kendo practice while I was studying in Niigata after leaving the canoe club.
A few years ago my kid’s swimming school hosted a parent and child swim day. I took the oldest and as we were leaving the changing area a staff member came running up to tell me I had to leave. Either my rash guard sleeve slipped up a bit uncovering my navy tat or someone saw it as I was changing. Meaning either a father of one of my kid’s swim mates or any parent of same saw the bottom if the sleeve rode up a bit. Not a good day.
Given the seeming over sensitivity concerning foreign visitors, I’m betting on stronger enforcement of no tat rules. My wife found an elastic bandage that affixes to itself with Velcro. I just wrap it around my bicep to hide my tat and life has been much better since. Do NOT use the adhesive tat hiding patches. They are hard to remove with bits hanging on for days afterwards.
We are planning to spend 6 months in Japan next year. Having gone there on business twice, I appreciate these reminders.
A question. How do the Japanese feel about foreigners asking for directions? To ask or not to ask? I found addresses confusing, if extant at all, but was embarrassed that nearly every person I would ask would take me blocks out of their way to show me the way to where we were going. I stopped asking for directions.
My only “mistake” in an onsen was to forget to put on my slippers in the changing room. I was walking—naked and barefoot—as I would in an American gym and was quickly scolded by an older Japanese woman! Sumimasen goes a long way when you make an error. I did feel a little like an object of attention as I was the only larger Caucasian in the onsen at the time. I could feel the stares—subtle, but still stares. I’ve never felt more like a fat American!
I am also wondering if there are regional protocols of which to be aware. We’ll be in Tokyo, Kobe and Sapporo for a month each with getaways to smaller towns in each region.
Japanese are generally willing to be asked for directions. Addresses are a huge issue because the numbers are rarely consecutive and they are well aware of the problem.
Often the problem is that they often aren't very good at finding things themselves so I get really nervous about doing so unless I'm pretty sure I'm around the corner from the desired address
That restaurant Nihonshu Ferment and Spice menu looks interesting： sake served with small bites that include various fermented seafood dishes but also tandooori chicken.
You could have added a reverse warning for tourists, that many restaurants that have happy hours, automatically bring out a tiny appetizer (otoshi) that seems free, but is typically a few hundred yen per person added to your bill. I guess the proper etiquette is to not seem surprised by this charge.
Great advice. I forgot to mention when you asked the following. If you would be upset by anyone, especially a foreigner who does not speak your language, doing something outside your home, don’t do it when traveling.
On tats, I didn’t even think of this. My experience is that only those who are long stayers generally venture to a public bath. I did not while in the navy here. My first time was after a kendo practice while I was studying in Niigata after leaving the canoe club.
A few years ago my kid’s swimming school hosted a parent and child swim day. I took the oldest and as we were leaving the changing area a staff member came running up to tell me I had to leave. Either my rash guard sleeve slipped up a bit uncovering my navy tat or someone saw it as I was changing. Meaning either a father of one of my kid’s swim mates or any parent of same saw the bottom if the sleeve rode up a bit. Not a good day.
Given the seeming over sensitivity concerning foreign visitors, I’m betting on stronger enforcement of no tat rules. My wife found an elastic bandage that affixes to itself with Velcro. I just wrap it around my bicep to hide my tat and life has been much better since. Do NOT use the adhesive tat hiding patches. They are hard to remove with bits hanging on for days afterwards.
"If you would be upset..."
I'd hope that was covered by some of the other points. But I'll add it
I would hope so too, but that fact that this article even needs to be written leads me to believe that hope is unfounded.
Thanks for the excellent guidelines.
""Often customers are expected to help clear the dishes when they leave""
There are places in the world, outside of high eateries, were this isn't the case? Learned something new today!
""Hot Spring (Onsen) and Public Baths (Sento)""
* Pay note where and when to take your outdoor shoes off, usually directly in the entryway.
" Pay note where and when to take your outdoor shoes off, usually directly in the entryway."
good point. Adding. Applies to other places too come to think of it
Great advice! Thanks for including a link to Real Gaijin.
We are planning to spend 6 months in Japan next year. Having gone there on business twice, I appreciate these reminders.
A question. How do the Japanese feel about foreigners asking for directions? To ask or not to ask? I found addresses confusing, if extant at all, but was embarrassed that nearly every person I would ask would take me blocks out of their way to show me the way to where we were going. I stopped asking for directions.
My only “mistake” in an onsen was to forget to put on my slippers in the changing room. I was walking—naked and barefoot—as I would in an American gym and was quickly scolded by an older Japanese woman! Sumimasen goes a long way when you make an error. I did feel a little like an object of attention as I was the only larger Caucasian in the onsen at the time. I could feel the stares—subtle, but still stares. I’ve never felt more like a fat American!
I am also wondering if there are regional protocols of which to be aware. We’ll be in Tokyo, Kobe and Sapporo for a month each with getaways to smaller towns in each region.
Japanese are generally willing to be asked for directions. Addresses are a huge issue because the numbers are rarely consecutive and they are well aware of the problem.
Often the problem is that they often aren't very good at finding things themselves so I get really nervous about doing so unless I'm pretty sure I'm around the corner from the desired address
Please consider Hiroshima and points around there as well. Lots to see and I'll be happy to give you much more info that I have yet to substack about
That restaurant Nihonshu Ferment and Spice menu looks interesting： sake served with small bites that include various fermented seafood dishes but also tandooori chicken.
You could have added a reverse warning for tourists, that many restaurants that have happy hours, automatically bring out a tiny appetizer (otoshi) that seems free, but is typically a few hundred yen per person added to your bill. I guess the proper etiquette is to not seem surprised by this charge.
It was a great place. The chef / sake somelier for it is now in Morioka and serves equally interesting mixtures of sake and foods at
ポンコツ珈琲 - https://maps.app.goo.gl/FZP5FHdHwx1MEShz5
(I assume the name was kept when the business changed, because it isn't just a cafe any more)
I'll add a note about otoshi - thanks for pointing it out