Culture Shocks and Tips for Visiting Japan
- Sarah Outside
- Mar 29, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: May 13, 2024
From the crazy hustle and bustle of the megacity Tokyo, stripping off in public baths to overwhelming levels of advertising Japan is a country that appeals to most travellers and is likely to give you a culture shock.
This top tourist destination is rich in culture and is a country where you'll find all sorts of novel, quirkly and unique ways of doing everyday things. In this guide I hope to cover some of the most important culture shocks and how to best prepare for a trip to Japan. It is always helpful to be aware of the culture of where you are visiting so you are not too overwhelmed and can be respectful.
Read on to find out what culture shocks I experienced and my tips; or check out my TikTok on culture shocks in Japan too.
Culture
Jaywalking is Illegal
Everyone is crossing the road when it's still a red man in the UK but in Japan this is a BIG no-no. I found it strange to be stood at a road crossing with no cars anywhere to be seen but everyone still stood patiently on either side of the road.
Make sure to adhere to this rule to avoid any awkward looks from locals and potential run ins with the authorities!
Cash is King
Especially for locations outside of Tokyo I found that cash is still King. Something I was not expecting given the rhetoric that often sees Japan labelled as living in the future. You need to make sure that before you head off to Japan you get yourself a good number of Japanese Yen and always have enough cash on your to cover emergencies.
Crazy Toilet Seats
I'm sure a lot of you have heard about Japanese toilet seats and so had I before I got here, but that still didn't mean that first time I used one it didn't shock me! Be prepared to sit on a warm seat and have water squirted in some intimate areas.
Smoking Areas Everywhere
Smoking is still fairly popular in Japan but they're doing a lot to try and push it out of the public realm. In many cafes, arcades and even in the streets there are specific areas marked for smoking. The first time I saw one of these in the street I was taken back and shocked by the number of people crammed into this small cube smoking.
Strip Down for the Onsen
Onsens are a Japanese cultural tradition and are hot-spring bath-houses dating back to the 7th century. Many tourists (including me) are intimated by the thought of bathing nude with others but the reward for stripping away the fear is totally worth it!
There are another couple of things to note. The onsens are gendered sk if you go with a partner you will be separated. You'll get really hot so take your time when you're leaving if the high temperatures are not something you're used to. Tattoos are associated with the mafia in Japan so many onsens will require you to cover them up or prohibit you from entering; do your research and find one that is tattoo friendly.
Food
Hidden Ingredients
Japanese food is delicious and unique, but I also found that it contained many hidden ingredients from fish and beef stock in crisps and ramens to milk powder in drinks and biscuits. This might make it hard if you're a vegan like me or have an allergy. Just make sure to check the packaging (you can use the Google Lens feature to translate) and ask at restaurants.
Eating Out is CHEAP
Getting your meals out is much cheaper than I expected; especially compared to the UK. We had the most amazing ramen dishes for like £8 each. You don't need to expect to pay more than £10 per person for a tasty, filling meal out!
Convenience Store Snacks Slap
7-11, Lawsons, Natural Lawsons and Family Mart stores are everywhere and they have some of the most delicious snacks and quick lunches on offer. If you're not limited by any dietary restrictions the options might be overwhelming but here's a few of my favourites to get you started:
Inari sushi - these slap every time whether as a snack or part of lunch
Tofu Bars - avoid those labelled as extra protein if you're vegan as they often contain milk
Onigiri - seaweed flavour (double check for fish stock as a veggie or vegan)
Steamed Buns - sweet red bean paste for the vegans
Kikkoman Soy Milk - it is a must try as many flavours as possible
7-11 Smoothies - found in the freezers and made at the special machines; these are tasty and fun! Check out more TikTok for how to make one
Don't Eat on the Streets
But once you've got your snacks remember not to eat them on the streets! In Japan it is culturally frowned up to eat on the streets meaning lots of street stalls and convenience stores will have seating or standing areas for you to eat in.
Make sure you respect this custom and eat your food before moving on from a street stall or convenience store.
Cover Charges over Tips
Tipping is not in the culture but the cover charge can be encountered at a number of bars. A cover charge is a flat rate charged on top of any drinks or food you might order in a barz and is prevalent in many areas of Japan. We managed to choose bars that had very small or no cover charge so it is not something to be put off by just be aware of.
Accommodation
Pod and Capsule Hotels
Pod and capsule hotels are pretty unique to Japan and offer a fun and more private take on the typical hostel. You basically get a wood box with a curtain to sleep in offering you a good level of privacy and an unexpected level of comfort!
I really recommend checking these out as they offer a more affordable choice than a typical hotel but more privacy than a hostel.
Book in Advance
Japan is BUSY! Accommodation can book up well in advance especially during the Cherry Blossom season so make sure you plan well in advance to get good value and good quality accommodations. This is also true for some of the more popular (but also expensive) attractions such as the teamLabs exhibitions, Shibuya Sky and any quirky, viral cafes!
Transport
Public Transport gets BUSY
I knew this but I was not prepared for the reality of this. At peak times, which appeared to be 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. the trains get super crazy! The stewards literally push you in with a long stick to make sure the doors close; not a pleasurable travel experience. I'd like to help you to avoid making the mistake of travelling at these times.
Queuing is Essential
You thought the British were the elite queuers? Think again.
Getting on and off trains in Japan is a well drilled affair. There's specific standing areas designated for different train lines. Each line has its own colour and the outline on the ground in that colour indicates where you need to queue.
I often made the mistake of standing in the wrong coloured area and having to get in the train last - and risking not getting on at all!
Japanese Train Stations are CRAZY
You will get lost, at the very least once, in a Japanese Train station! They are huge nearly everywhere you go. Kyoto's main station was a maze as were a number of stations in Tokyo. Make sure you give yourself enough time before your train to navigate your way to your platform!
A good tip is to work out whether your train is a JR Train, a tram, a Shinkansen or something else, and this will help guide you towards the right area of the station.
Get an IC Card
As I said Cash King but to use cash for public transport you would have to buy a ticket from a machine before entering every station. To avoid this, pick up an IC Card at one of the stations.
An IC card is a prepaid, rechargeable card you can use for public transport and some shops and restaurants. You load your cash onto the card at one of the main vending machines and then just tap as you go through each of the barriers. Look out for the little read out of how much you've got left so you know when to top up again!
IC cards have become notoriously difficult to get hold of due to semi-conductor (the chips needed for contactless use) shortages. If you arrive in Tokyo it might still be possible to collect one at the station and where I landed at Kansai International Airport it was very easy to get hold of one.
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