In Japanese culture, caring for others is considered a virtue. Local customs may appear to be difficult, but if you give them a little attention, they are not too hard to follow. Please have a look at the following list of Japanese customs by occasion. We hope you enjoy while minding some our customs in Japan.

Greetings

English	How to read	Japanese
Good morning	o ha yo	おはよう
Hello	ko n ni chi wa	こんにちは
Good evening	ko n ba n wa	こんばんは
Thank you	a ri ga to u	ありがとう
Excuse me	su i ma se n	すいません
Yes	ha i	はい
No	i i e	いいえ
How much is it	i ku ra de su ka	いくらですか
This please	ko re ku da sa i	これください

Traveling

• In Japanese culture, it is important to respect others. Please do not place your belongings on the seats in consideration of other passengers.
• Please make sure that your cell phone or smartphone is on silent mode when using public transportation, such as trains and buses.
  Do not talk on the phone on a train or bus.
• In Japan, while pedestrians keep to the right, cars and bicycles keep to the left.
• Smoking on streets is banned in some areas. Please smoke at designated smoking areas.

Sightseeing

• Please consider others in public facilities and speak at a volume that is not disruptive.
• Taking photos and recording are banned in some facilities. Please check in advance what actions are prohibited or not.

Shopping

• Please ask store clerks before touching or trying on items.
• Credit cards are not accepted in some stores. We recommend having cash (yen) as well.

Dining out

• When you are going to be late for a reservation, please give the restaurant a call.
  If you must cancel a reservation, please let them know as soon as possible.
• When you order at a restaurant, please order food for the number of people in your group.
• At a buffet, you should not serve more than you can eat.
• Please leave waste, such as fruit peel and fish bones, on the plate instead of throwing them on the floor.

Staying

• Please do not make excessive noise in a lobby because it may disturb others. Everyone has to be considerate of others so that the space is comfortable for everyone.
• Some of toiletries and other amenities are not allowed to be taken home . Please check in advance regarding what is prohibited.
• You have to follow rules when you use a bathhouse in Japan. For example, you have to wash your body before soaking in a bath.
  Bringing towels into bath tubs are also prohibited.