Tatami is a type of mat flooring used in traditional Japanese houses. There are some basic manners which you must be aware of when entering a Traditional Japanese Tatami room. Here are 4 of the most important things to remember. 1. Do not step on the doorsill Stepping on the doorsill is seen as disrespecting…

Taking mineral baths or bathing in hot springs is one of the oldest Japanese traditional cultures. In Japanese language, they are called “Onsen (温泉)”.   board.postjung.com/ Onsen can be considered a part of Japanese daily life. The water originally comes from the underground after passing through an impermeable layer of clay and stones which contain…

Have you been eating sushi the correct way? What?! There is etiquette too for eating sushi? Yeah, In the west, we call it table manners, In Japan, we call it SUSHI MANNERS. Sushi, needless to say, only a person who is living under a rock will say he or she has never tried it before.…

Kyoto is a real draw to tourists due to all the landmarks, shrines and temples. There are many ancient buildings in Kyoto as it was the capital of Japan for hundreds of years. Therefore, it is important to be polite and follow the Akimahen rules of Kyoto. Akimahen means “do not” so follow these rules…

Different countries have different customs and manners and Japan is no exception to that. For the foreigners who are living in Japan, some things may be an unusual sight for you or you may not be familiar with certain practices. There are many customs and manners in Japan but in the business world, you need…

Manners and politeness in Japan are a big deal. The Japanese are renowned for their polite and unassuming ways and Kyotoites are no exception. The ancient capital has started to become fed up of the mess tourists are leaving so have devised several illustrations to help travellers behave well on their trip. Akimahen In order…

One of the many downsides of Kyoto being one of the top tourist destinations in Japan is the exponential growth of travellers who do not follow etiquette guidelines. The city of Kyoto is no exception to the struggles of a typical Japanese to express his frustrations against travellers committing a cultural blunder. On July 2015,…

No one can say that smoking is healthy – that’s for sure. But an adult choice is just that, much like drinking whiskey or playing the lotto. For those smokers in Japan, here is a quick guide to cigarettes. Some people would say that Japan is a smoker’s paradise. Cigarettes are fairly cheap, smoking areas…

Sure, a trip to the movies is a universal hobby, an escape from the everyday life. Japan is no different, and theatres can be found aplenty, with the three biggest companies being Toho, Cineplex, and Aeon Cinema (Warner Bros). Here are a few differences in both the theatres and the culture of watching movies in…

Shrines have long been considered sacred places in Japan where Gods are worshipped. Hence, it is crucial to follow a set of rules once you are inside a shrine’s premises. One important indicator of a shrine is the Torii Gate. It is a wooden gate, without a door, often painted in red. This is not…