Basic etiquette and tips when visiting Japan

Source

I did some reading on basic Japanese etiquette before our trip since I am not that familiar with the Japanese culture. Here are the top 10 most useful tips I learned:

1. It is respectful to bow when thanking, greeting, congratulating or apologizing.   There are different types of bows with varying degrees but I think the simplest way to understand the bow is - the lower bow, the more intense is  your intention e.g. more respect, more thankful, more sorry, etc.  

2. When riding an escalator, always stay on the left side.  Those who wish to overtake walk on the right side.   Even when walking along a passageway, always stay on the left side.   Japanese vehicles are right-handed so the orientation is opposite to ours.

3. Keep your phone on silent mode when you are on a train or a bus.  

4.  When sitting on the floor for women, place your hands on your lap and your legs tucked under you or sit with both legs to one side.   For men, they can sit with their legs crossed.

5.  When eating a bowl of rice, hold the bowl in one hand (instead of setting it down on the table) and use your other hand to hold the chopsticks.

6.  When having miso soup, drink from the bowl.

7. Slurping noodles is ok. It is not considered bad manner.

8.  After using chopsticks, put them in front of you facing left.

9. When paying at a cashier, don't give the money straight to the cashier by hand. Place your payment on a small tray (small trays are usually placed on the counter).  When the cashier gives your change, use both of your hands to receive the change.  The same applies when handing out and receiving your credit card, calling card, gift, package or items you purchased.  As a rule of thumb, always hand out and receive with your both hands to show respect.

10.  There's no tipping but don't forget to say thank you or arigato. :)