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Nov 4, 2020 · I've found other ways to say "as you can see" but most of them are the literate verb to see 見てる. I'm trying to explain something in the sentence. It depends on the formality of the audience, but the expected translations in a formal register would be ご覧の通り or ご覧のように, with 見ての通り being a possibility in a more ...
- The 9 Basics of Japanese Culture
- 9 Japanese Customs You Should Be Aware of
- 6 Fascinating Insights Into Japanese Food Culture
- 5 Aspects of Traditional Japanese Culture to Be Aware of
- 4 Facets of Modern Japanese Culture That Everyone Should Know About
- You’Re A Japanese Culture Insider Now!
1. Bowing in Japanese Culture
Bowing is one of the key differences in Japanese etiquette. You don’t shake hands in Japan. Instead, you bow. When bowing, don’t bow from the neck (like the British bow to the Queen), but bow by hinging at your hips. The deeper you bow, the more respect you’re showing.
2. Always Take Off Your Shoes at the Door, and Say “Ojama Shimasu”
In Japan, it’s rude to walk through someone’s home with your shoes on, so don’t commit this faux pas. When you enter someone’s home, in the entryway (call the 玄関, “genkan”) there will be a mat or a shelf to set your shoes on. Take off your shoes and put on a pair of their house slippers. There’s also a specific Japanese greeting for when you enter and leave a home. When you arrive, you say お邪魔します (Ojama shimasu), which means “I’m sorry for intruding” or “I’m sorry for bothering you.” Even if...
3. Don’t Eat or Drink When Walking
In the West, it’s common to walk around carrying your breakfast and coffee on your way to work. But this is considered rude in Japan. If you’re grabbing a bite on the go — even from a vending machine — you’ll stand or sit nearby to consume it.
1. In Japan, They Will Talk While You Talk
You’ll find many people interject or express agreement a lot while you’re talking. This isn’t to be rude — it’s the opposite. You’ll get a lot of うんうんうん (un, un un, “yeah, yeah yeah”) and そう (sou, “I see”) while you’re talking to show they’re paying attention.
2. Riding the Bullet Train in Japan
Any time you hop on the bullet train, subway, or other public transportation, expect to get a gentle shove. The stations are overcrowded, so people will push and shove a bit to get where they need to go. Even the workers may gently push people into the train cars to fit more people.
3. Splitting the Bill — It’s All Equal
Called 割り勘 (warikan), it’s typical to split the bill equally among everyone at the table, no matter where you go or how much you ordered.
1. Pour Drinks for Sempai
It’s very common for the “lowest” member (usually the newest or youngest) of the group to have to serve the drinks to those around them. You’ll be expected to watch for when they need a refill and pour it for them.
2. “A Beer for Now”
It’s common when showing up at dinner or a bar to immediately order a beer with the set phrase とりあえずビール (Toriaizu bi-ru). This means “I’ll take a beer for now.”
3. Sushi has its Own Culture
Sushi has a lot of history and tradition in Japanese culture. There’s makisushi (rolled sushi), nigiri (fish over rice without nori, or seaweed), sashimi (raw fish), temaki (hand rolls)… The menu can be a bit tricky to understanding if you don’t recognize the words. This is a great article for a brief refresher on sushi. We often eat sushi “wrong” in the West. For instance, it’s more common to eat sushi with your fingers than chopsticks. And you shouldn’t put ginger on your roll, or wasabi in...
1. Geisha
Geisha are one of the most beautiful aspects of Japanese culture. But many people have negative impressions about what being a “geisha” entails. Geisha are not prostitutes, but performers and entertainers. They often perform as hosts and guides into the world of traditional Japanese art and music. A geisha will dance, sing, and play the shamisen(the string instrument most people associate with traditional Japanese music). She may also write kanji in traditional calligraphy. They can still be...
2. Samurai, Ninja, Shogun and Emperor
In feudal Japan, samurai were the warriors that rose to power and started the shogunate. Lead by the shogun, they took power away from the emperor until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. The samurai code of honor is called the bushido, “the way of the warrior,” and many samurai were wealthy lords, known as daimyo. A samurai’s honor came from his sword, and even as late as World War II, soldiers would make banzai attacks with samurai swords. Ninja, also called shinobi, were the Japanese assassins...
3. Kimono and Traditional Japanese Clothing
Kimono is an intricate piece of clothing, made up of several layers and an obi, or sash. And yukata, are the light-weight kimono-like garments worn to matsuri or “festivals” during the summer. Hakama is traditional men’s garb, that features a pleated skirt and obi. If you’ve ever seen Ruroni Kenshin, he wears a style of hakama. Zouri are the wooden sandals you often see worn with traditional Japanese clothing. There’s also jinbei, a lightweight summer outfit that you can wear to bed, as house...
1. Capsule Hotels
Also called pod hotels, this style of hotel became popular in Japan as cheap overnight rooms for salarymen (office workers) who work long hours. These capsule rooms usually consist of just a bed, air conditioning, outlets, and a TV. The room is the size of a bed, and only tall enough to sit up in, so you have to crawl inside. They have communal bathrooms and showers, as well as a locker area to store your things.
2. Japanese Bathroom Etiquette
You may expect the bathroom to be the same in Japan, but be warned — it’s a wild ride! In cities, you’ll find a Western-style toilet, but with all kinds of extra features. They often have a bidet, heated seats, and even a wash-and-dry feature. The toilet may even talk to you or make noise! Some toilets have what’s called an Otohime, or “sound princess,” to mask any unpleasant noises. In rural areas, though, they have a traditional Japanese toilet that’s more or less a hole in the ground that...
3. Harajuku and Japanese Street Fashion
Japanese street fashion is a huge topic all on its own. Harajuku is the main fashion hub in Tokyo, where you’ll see all kinds of haute couture. From lolita gothic style to the gyaru-style of overly tan and heavy makeup, you’ll see a lot of amazing outfits like you’re at New York Fashion Week. If you’re into fashion, Harajuku is the place to go. Some styles are a bit softer or more traditional, like mori keior modern kimono style, but many people come to show off their looks.
Japan has such a rich culture and so many intricacies. Each section of this article could be a whole college class of info! But I hope you found some interesting tidbits and helpful knowledge to help you speak Japanese like a localand have a deeper understanding of the customs.
Hatsuhi, literally "first sun", is the Japanese tradition of waking up to see the first sunrise of the year on New Year's Day. In Japan, families have a big traditional breakfast on New Year's Day and usually wake up early anyway. The day is associated with numerous rituals and pastimes. 17. Fundoshi at Festivals.
- Don’t walk around eating or smoking. Eating while walking around between attractions may seem like you’re killing two birds with one stone, however this is considered quite rude in Japan.
- Don’t misuse your chopsticks. Chopsticks have quite a few symbolic meanings that should be observed in Japan. If you have an Asian heritage you may already be familiar with some.
- Don’t approach geisha or maiko for selfies. This is one of the rules in Japan for tourists that is imperative to know beforehand. To some tourists in Gion, Kyoto, it seems like the obvious option prompting geisha for the perfect selfie to showcase across social media.
- Don’t harass the sacred deer at Nara or Miyajima Island. Although these furry friends seem harmless, don’t be fooled into thinking they won’t pack a punch when annoyed.
Travelers should learn about the culture and customs of their destination before visiting to avoid faux pas or missteps that might make undesirable memories during a much-anticipated trip. If you’re traveling to Japan, a country steeped in rich traditions, you’ve got to do your research. You will stick out in Japan, most likely. The country… Continue reading Japanese Culture For Tourists ...
Aug 29, 2022 · Japanese Culture And Traditions You Should Know. The birthplace of manga, sushi, samurai and karate, Japan has captivated the world with its rich cultural heritage. Its multi-faceted culture has helped in shaping the global perception as a country with one of the most unique and interesting. It comes as no surprise that the Land of the Rising ...
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Dec 13, 2009 · Common manners and customs in Japan include: 1. Eating Directly From Common Dishes. It's inappropriate to eat directly from common dishes. Put it on your plate first. It's best to collect a few things on your plate before eating. 2. Paying The Check. In Japan it's quite common to split checks amongst friends or even on a date.
