How to mind your manners the Japanese way!
Have you ever accidentally strolled onto the wrong side of a country’s social etiquette on your travels?
Oh, we feel you!
We’re all guilty of having committed a cultural faux pas or two in our time – whether we know it or not! All the Googling in the world before you go sometimes still isn’t enough to save you from being faced with a nerve wracking, ‘Do I? Don’t I?’ situation in a strange land.
But that won’t happen on our Japan – Between the Lights adventure!
Our Trip Leader and chef, Lauren, is a walking Wikipedia of insider knowledge when it comes to what-not-to-do in the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’.
Lauren said ‘Sayonara’ to her hometown, Philadelphia, almost three decades ago and has been living and breathing all things Japanese ever since.
For the past six years, guests on our women's only cultural tours with our sister brand Patch Adventures, have enjoyed Lauren’s company and now, she’s unlocked some of the most enviable dining experiences and workshops in the country for Salt Caravan’s debut culinary adventure. But guiding isn’t the only thing Lauren does masterfully.
From train travel to chopstick etiquette, she’s a cultural Sensei when it comes to helping you mind your P’s and Q’s the Japanese way...
Train Travel
Before you even step foot inside a restaurant on our 10-day culinary adventure, you’ll inevitably step onto a train first.
Did you know that a whopping 20 million people are estimated to travel on the Greater Tokyo train system?
Every. Day!
“Navigating Japan’s trains is super easy once you get the rhythm.” Lauren shares.
Get onboard with her tips for a smooth ride...
If you’re buying tickets, be sure to move to the side afterward so others can use the machine.
When you’re heading to the platform on the escalator in Tokyo, you’ll want to stand to the left and let walkers pass on the right – but flip this rule for Osaka!
People line up neatly at the platform markers, so just join the queue and let passengers off first, before you step on.
Once you’re inside the train, bags go on your lap or above your head, so everyone has space.
Keep your voice low, avoid eating and drinking (unless you’re on the Shinkansen where enjoying a lunch set box is totally acceptable) and try not to block the doors.
Follow the flow, be considerate and you’ll glide through the system like a local!
As one of the most efficient train systems in the world, Japan has a deep respect for time-keeping, which means punctuality is ‘non-negotiable’!
“If you’re not 15-minutes early, you’re already late!” says Lauren. And being late is unacceptable. Japan is the OG of mindfulness! There’s a very communal mindset, so you should always be thinking about what you’re doing and how it affects the people around you.”
Being considerate transcends any language barrier you’ll face in a country with one of the least English speaking populations in the world, so come with your best intentions and follow Lauren's recommendations for practicising the art of…
Mindfulness
The Japanese language is very low context and a lot of things go unspoken. It’s really important to ‘read the room’ and get the feel for the atmosphere of what’s being said, which is just as important as the words that are being said.
Japan excels in the small details – rush and you’ll miss them. This includes conversation. In the West, we have a bad habit of asking questions and whilst the person is answering, we’re already preparing our next question to ask without considering the answer. Take time to listen.
You’ll also want to speak more softly than you would do at home and certainly don’t take phone calls in public places.
You’re responsible for your space so bring along a little bag with you each day for your rubbish as there aren’t bins everywhere.
Japan has a lot of history right there on display in the open that’s not behind glass in museums. It could be hundreds of years old or have great spiritual significance, so it’s especially important not to go around touching a lot of things.
You’ll find life moves more slowly here, so come prepared to just be in the moment.
Being in the moment requires comfortable shoes to happily enjoy all the incredible experiences and hands-on workshops Lauren has in store for you. Only Ramen chefs are allowed to be surly on this adventure!
Slurping your noodles however... totally acceptable!
“It helps cool the noodles and shows you’re really enjoying them.” Lauren tells us. “Soup is also fine to sip straight from the bowl too, so don’t stress about being super quiet, just dig in and enjoy the flavours.”
Here are six more tips from our ‘Queen of Cuisine’ to help you steer you towards proper...
Dining and Table Etiquette
Chopsticks are all about respect and intention. Try not to stick them upright in a bowl of rice (it resembles a funeral ritual!) and avoid passing food from chopstick to chopstick. When in doubt, just place them gently on the little rest — it shows care, curiosity, and lovely mindful dining! In more casual places, you can even use the little paper wrapper that covers your chopsticks to make your own chopstick stand.
Passing bowls of food or condiments at the table should be done with both hands. Take your time, no rushing or stretching across people and when sharing dishes, use the serving spoon or the opposite end of your chopsticks. It’s all about keeping things smooth and polite for everyone.
Drinking together in Japan is a little more low-key than in other parts of the world. The correct way to ‘Cheers!’ a drink, is to raise your glass with a smile and give a light tap. Once everyone has a drink you say ‘Kanpai!’ and if there are elders in your group, you should let them lift their drink first as a sign of respect. It’s a simple, warm moment that brings everyone together.
Despite there being a huge vending machine culture, eating and walking is not really the ‘done’ thing in Japan, like in Western cultures. There are certain street food areas where it’s accepted, but it’s generally considered not something you should do.
Dining at low tables might be a new experience for you, but it’s all part of the fun and has a really cozy vibe! Most places offer cushions and you can sit however makes you feel comfy, so long as you’re not stretching your legs into a walkway. Shoes are always off whenever there’s tatami mat seating and it’s important to move slowly and gently to avoid stepping on the fabric edges.
Tea ceremonies are the perfect example of when to move slowly and gently. Stay calm, curious and follow your hosts’ lead. Take a moment to admire the bowl when it’s handed to you and give it two turns before drinking – so you’re not sipping from the ‘front’, the most beautiful side. Take a few sips, wipe the rim lightly with your fingers if guided, then turn the bowl carefully back before returning it. A small bow is the perfect way to thank your host and show your appreciation.
And on that note, I think it’s the perfect place for me to offer you a little bow of appreciation for staying with me until the end of this blog!
If you’re still hungry for more insights into Japanese culture, check out one of Lauren’s favorite books on Japanese cuisine called, Rice, Noodle, Fish by Roads and Kingdoms. Between chapters, you can binge watch Shogun on Netflix (soo good!) and check out one of Lauren’s favorite documentaries ‘Jiro Dreams of Sushi’ to see just what it means in Japan to, ‘do the best that you can’.
Jaa mata!