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Aug 28, 2013 · The results on a thread on Madame Riri asking for the “perfect words to describe Japanese people” were surprisingly positive. Here are the most common adjectives that Westerners chose when characterizing the people of Japan. #1. Polite. Weighing in at number one was polite, or in Japanese “reigi tadashii.”. Everyone has heard of the ...
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Popular - The top 10 words to describe Japanese people ... -...
- Onsen
1) It is written in Japanese, so it is intended to be read...
- Felix88
JapanToday Sotokanda S Bldg. 4F 5-2-1 Sotokanda Chiyoda-ku...
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Jstokyo - The top 10 words to describe Japanese people ... -...
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DNALeri - The top 10 words to describe Japanese people ... -...
- Mitch Cohen
In general many Japanese people don't seem to care too much...
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- 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.
Jul 14, 2014 · The Chinese and South Koreans hold a particularly negative opinion of the Japanese leader. Both publics say Japan has not apologized enough for World War II, according to the 2013 Pew Research Center survey. Moreover, Abe and members of his cabinet have on several occasions visited the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, which commemorates Japanese war ...
Sep 22, 2020 · Last year, the country registered a record 2.93 million people as residents, according to Japan’s Immigration Services Agency. That’s still only around 2.3% of a population of 126 million ...
Jun 18, 2013 · June 18, 2013. JNTO - Japan National Tourism Organization. The events of the past few weeks have brought into focus the best of the Japanese people. Fortitude, compassion, kindness and civility are but a few words that come to mind. Like most people living in Japan, I have been following news of the ongoing relief efforts with great interest ...
May 19, 2022 · These 100 Japanese phrases are a great starting point for communicating with people from Japan. Knowing these common phrases can help you while traveling, working, or even making friends in Japan. Even advanced students of Japanese may pick up a thing or two from this list! Self-Introduction Key Phrases If you work or go to
Jun 29, 2020 · An interesting element of this discussion, which has come up repeatedly over the years, involves non-Japanese people’s experiences of living in Japan. You’ll often hear white people say on ...
