Reverence
In Japan, people greet by bowing to each other. A bow can range from a small nod of the head to a deep curve at the waist. A deeper and longer bow indicates sincere respect, while a small nod is more casual and informal. Also, bowing with palms together at chest level is not common in Japan. If the greeting takes place on the tatami floor (a type of mat), people kneel to bow. Bowing down is not only used to say hello, but also to thank, apologize, make a request, or ask someone for a favor. Most Japanese do not expect foreigners to know the proper bowing etiquette. A combination of bow and shaking hands is generally expected from foreigners.
Give presents
Giving gifts is a conventional part of Japanese culture. Different types of gifts are offered depending on the occasion. How the present is wrapped is essential. If it is not well packaged, the present should at least be delivered in a bag, preferably in a bag from the store where the gift was purchased. Gifts in groups of four are generally avoided because it is considered an unfortunate number in Japanese superstition. To clarify, the Japanese word for “four” is pronounced the same as the word “death.” When delivering a gift, both the giver and the recipient use both hands.
Table Manners
The most important table etiquette in Japan is saying common phrases before and after a meal. It is traditional for the Japanese to say “itadaki-masu” (which means “I humbly receive” or “let’s eat”) before a meal and “gochisou-sama” after a meal. These phrases not only mean thank you for the meal, but they also indicate the beginning and end of a meal. If you are eating with Japanese, try saying these phrases as it is impolite if you don’t. One of the fundamental labels of chopsticks is not to pass the food directly from the chopsticks to someone else’s chopsticks or vice versa. It is also important not to stick the chopsticks vertically in food, especially in a bowl of rice. Also, it is not polite to move chopsticks over food plates or use chopsticks to point at someone. Two people should never pick up the same food with their chopsticks (i.e. if someone is struggling to pick something up, they can’t help them). This reminds the Japanese of a funeral ritual in Japan, it is completely morbid.
It is advisable to lift small bowls of rice or soup when eating to prevent food from falling out. If you do not receive a tablespoon, it is acceptable to sip the soup from the bowl and eat the solid food with the chopsticks. It is customary in Japan to make some sucking noises while eating noodles, such as ramen and soba. It is believed that it tastes better when sucking noises are made.
Shoes
The shoes are never worn in someone’s house or on the Japanese tatami floor (mats). You are expected to remove your shoes at a restaurant, hotel, hot spring resort, etc. There will always be a place to put your shoes on. Also, you will be given slippers to wear. There are often different slippers for the bathroom. You should never wear normal slippers in the bathroom (if bath slippers are provided) and vice versa.
Various tips
The Japanese do not have loud public conversations on their mobile phones. People never talk on the phone on the train or in a store. Most people refrain from talking on the phone on the train or in a store, and keep the phone on vibrate. When going out for a drink, it is considered rude to drink before the applause (kampai!). Since Japan is not an English-speaking country, please speak slowly and be patient when speaking English. It is recommended to learn some basic Japanese words.
Names
How do you use “-san,” “-kun” and “-chan” for Japanese names? The suffix “-san” is a title of respect added to a name. It can be used with male and female names, as well as with first or last names. It can also be attached to the name of titles and occupations. “-kun” is used to address men who are younger or of the same age as the speaker. Usually in schools or companies, a man may address inferior women by “-kun”. It can also be attached to the surnames and first names. It is less polite than “-san” and is not used between women or when addressing one’s superiors. “-chan” is often attached to children’s names when calling their names. It can also be used in connection with kinship terms in children’s language.