100 Things to not do in Japan

100 Things to not do in Japan

1. Don’t wear shoes inside homes or traditional establishments like ryokan or temples.
2. Don’t tip servers or staff; it’s not customary and can be seen as rude.
3. Don’t talk loudly on public transportation like trains or buses.
4. Don’t eat or drink while walking in public.
5. Don’t blow your nose in public; use a private space instead.
6. Don’t point at people or things with chopsticks.
7. Don’t stick chopsticks upright in rice; it resembles a funeral ritual.
8. Don’t pour soy sauce directly over rice; use a small dish instead.
9. Don’t take food from someone else’s plate without permission.
10. Don’t slurp food other than noodles or soup; it’s considered impolite.
11. Don’t leave a mess at your table in restaurants.
12. Don’t smoke on the street; use designated smoking areas.
13. Don’t litter; always carry trash until you find a bin.
14. Don’t jaywalk; always use crosswalks and follow signals.
15. Don’t be late for appointments or meetings; punctuality is highly valued.
16. Don’t speak loudly on your phone in public spaces.
17. Don’t ignore queue lines; always wait your turn.
18. Don’t touch or hug people without consent; personal space is respected.
19. Don’t interrupt someone while they’re speaking.
20. Don’t refuse a bow when greeted; return it appropriately.
21. Don’t wear revealing clothing in temples or shrines.
22. Don’t take photos in areas where photography is prohibited, like sacred sites.
23. Don’t enter a bathhouse or onsen without washing thoroughly first.
24. Don’t wear swimwear in an onsen; bathe naked unless otherwise specified.
25. Don’t bring outside food or drinks into restaurants.
26. Don’t handle items in stores excessively without intent to buy.
27. Don’t point with your finger; use your whole hand to gesture.
28. Don’t give or receive items with one hand; use both hands.
29. Don’t write on or deface public property, including temple walls.
30. Don’t wear perfume in traditional settings like tea ceremonies.
31. Don’t sit cross-legged in formal settings like tatami rooms.
32. Don’t step on tatami mat edges; it’s considered disrespectful.
33. Don’t refuse food offered by a host; at least try a small portion.
34. Don’t talk during performances like kabuki or noh theater.
35. Don’t block pathways or escalators; keep to the left or right as locals do.
36. Don’t use someone else’s reserved seat on trains.
37. Don’t bring large bags onto crowded public transport.
38. Don’t ignore “no shoes” signs at restaurants or establishments.
39. Don’t misuse umbrellas by shaking them in crowded areas.
40. Don’t leave wet umbrellas open in public spaces; use covers or stands.
41. Don’t take calls in quiet places like museums or temples.
42. Don’t chew gum loudly in formal settings.
43. Don’t touch sacred objects or statues at shrines or temples.
44. Don’t walk on the wrong side of the sidewalk; follow local flow.
45. Don’t cut in line at ticket counters or shops.
46. Don’t use flash photography in museums or galleries.
47. Don’t leave chopsticks in your mouth while speaking.
48. Don’t pour your own drink at a group meal; let others pour for you.
49. Don’t refuse a drink offered in a social setting; accept politely.
50. Don’t show public displays of affection like kissing in public.
51. Don’t wear sunglasses indoors unless medically necessary.
52. Don’t talk about sensitive historical topics casually, like WWII.
53. Don’t ignore “no smoking” signs in public areas.
54. Don’t use hand gestures that might be offensive, like thumbs down.
55. Don’t leave your belongings unattended in public.
56. Don’t haggle prices in stores; fixed prices are the norm.
57. Don’t wear casual clothing to formal events or upscale restaurants.
58. Don’t enter private property or restricted areas without permission.
59. Don’t overstay at a restaurant table after finishing your meal.
60. Don’t make direct eye contact for too long; it can be seen as aggressive.
61. Don’t criticize or speak negatively about Japan in public.
62. Don’t speak negatively about Japan or its culture in public.
63. Don’t use your phone while walking; stop to avoid bumping into others.
64. Don’t ignore “women-only” train cars during designated hours.
65. Don’t bring pets into restaurants or public indoor spaces.
66. Don’t touch someone’s head, especially children’s; it’s considered rude.
67. Don’t give white flowers as gifts; they’re associated with funerals.
68. Don’t give gifts in sets of four; the number is linked to death.
69. Don’t open gifts in front of the giver unless prompted.
70. Don’t wear socks with holes or sandals in formal settings.
71. Don’t lean against walls or structures in temples or shrines.
72. Don’t eat strong-smelling food on public transport.
73. Don’t use loud or flashy phone ringtones in public.
74. Don’t ignore signs for silence in designated quiet zones.
75. Don’t walk barefoot in public spaces outside of homes or onsen.
76. Don’t shake hands aggressively; a light handshake or bow is better.
77. Don’t use someone’s first name unless invited to do so.
78. Don’t leave doors open in homes or traditional settings.
79. Don’t step over someone’s legs in a seated group setting.
80. Don’t point your feet at someone while sitting on the floor.
81. Don’t use excessive makeup or loud accessories in conservative settings.
82. Don’t ignore hand-washing rituals at shrines before praying.
83. Don’t throw coins into shrine offering boxes; place them gently.
84. Don’t clap incorrectly at shrines; follow the two-bow, two-clap ritual.
85. Don’t wear hats inside temples or shrines.
86. Don’t use public baths if you have visible tattoos; some places prohibit them.
87. Don’t monopolize shared spaces like benches or tables.
88. Don’t leave napkins or tissues on tables after eating.
89. Don’t speak loudly in residential areas, especially at night.
90. Don’t ignore recycling rules; sort trash carefully.
91. Don’t use escalators or stairs side-by-side; keep single file.
92. Don’t take up multiple seats on public transport with bags.
93. Don’t make sudden movements in crowded areas.
94. Don’t use strong fragrances in close quarters like elevators.
95. Don’t ignore “no parking” signs for bicycles or cars.
96. Don’t touch food displays in restaurants; they’re often plastic models.
97. Don’t rush through meals at someone’s home; pace with the host.
98. Don’t leave events early without a polite excuse.
99. Don’t use someone else’s umbrella without asking.
100. Don’t interrupt a tea ceremony or similar traditional event.
101. Don’t ignore cultural cues or instructions from locals.