There are moments in Tokyo where you really feel like you’re so close yet so far away.
It seems similar to us, but there’s a subtle line that needs to be maintained.
I’ve compiled some of the moments that caught me off guard while traveling.
“Think of the subway as a study room!”
I was shocked when I rode the Tokyo subway recently.
It was rush hour, so it was packed, but it was absolutely silent!
Everyone was just looking at their phones or reading, but my friend and I were excitedly saying, “Hey, should we have sushi tonight?” Even a little loudly and everyone around us would stare at us like lasers. 😂
Of course, talking on the phone is a no-no,
and when watching YouTube, be careful not to let any sound leak out of your earphones.
Tokyo people really dislike bothering others (they call it “meiwaku”), so keeping quiet is the best etiquette.
“Stop arguing over which side of the escalator to stand on!”
This varies from region to region, but in Tokyo, the rule is to always stand on the left!
The right side is left empty for busy people.
I remember unconsciously standing on the right side, following a Korean habit, until I made eye contact with someone walking busily behind me, repeatedly shouting “Sumimasen!” to get out of the way.
Everyone, please stand on the left and follow the Tokyo speed limit!
“If you smoke on the street, you might get your wallet ripped off!”
Tokyo is very strict about street smoking.
If you’re caught smoking anywhere other than a designated area, the fines are steep.
Even if you think, “Oh, no one will see me,” and smoke in an alley, be careful.
Ward officials patrol the area frequently.
Don’t forget to find a smoking area in front of a convenience store or a designated smoking area to smoke in!
“If you shout ‘Excuse me!’ loudly in a restaurant, everyone will be startled.”
In Korea, we’re used to calling out loud or ringing a bell, right?
However, in Japan (especially in quiet, long-established restaurants), it’s polite to raise your hand slightly when making eye contact with the waiter or say “sumimasen” softly. Calling too loudly can startle other customers.
Also, pushing your plate to the edge of the table can feel like pressure, like, “I’m going to clean up quickly, so please clear it away!” So, if you just sit back and wait, they’ll take care of it.
“Always ask permission before taking pictures!”
In Japan, privacy is incredibly important.
If you want to take a picture inside a nice cafe or souvenir shop, always ask first, “Shashin otottemo iidesu ka?” (May I take a picture?).
Surprisingly, many places prohibit taking pictures inside.
You should also be careful not to take photos that show the faces of people on the street too clearly. You know how to blur out the faces of people you’re posting on social media?
Finally, Tokyoites have the phrase “sumimasen” (excuse me/excuse me) constantly on their lips. Whether you bump into someone or ask for directions, just saying this first will make everything go much more smoothly.
How about this? Tokyo etiquette isn’t that hard, right? Just follow these steps and you’ll already be a well-mannered traveler! 😊
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