Japan has a reputation for being polite and respectful and it’s well earned. As an Aussie, you might find some of the “unwritten rules” a bit confusing at first — but don’t stress. Japanese people are genuinely patient with tourists and nobody’s going to give you a hard time for the odd mistake. That said, knowing a few basics goes a long way toward showing respect and making your trip a whole lot smoother.
1. The Golden Rule: Quiet on the Trains
Back home, having a loud yarn or taking a phone call on the train is pretty normal. In Japan, the train is essentially a silent zone.
∙ No phone calls: Switch your phone to silent (called “manner mode” locally) and step off the train if you need to make a call
∙ Keep the chat quiet: If you’re travelling with mates, whisper. A good rule of thumb — if you can hear yourself over the noise of the train, you’re probably too loud
2. Eating and Drinking on the Go
You’ll notice pretty quickly that almost nobody eats while walking down the street. It’s not illegal, but it’s generally considered a bit messy and inconsiderate.
∙ The done thing: If you grab a snack from a konbini, eat it near the store or find a bench — most convenience stores actually have a small area out front for exactly this
∙ Exceptions: Festival food stalls (yatai) and theme parks are totally fine — everyone’s doing it and it’s all part of the vibe
3. Chopstick Etiquette — The Two Big No-Nos
Nobody expects you to be a chopstick pro, but there are two things worth avoiding as they carry real cultural weight:
∙ Don’t stand your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice — this is associated with funeral rituals and will make locals visibly uncomfortable
∙ Don’t pass food directly from your chopsticks to someone else’s — same reason, same uncomfortable reaction
Everything else is fair game. Drop something, fumble around, ask for a fork — nobody minds.
4. No Smoking While Walking
In many parts of Tokyo, smoking while walking isn’t just frowned upon — it’s actually illegal and can land you a fine.
∙ Where to smoke: Look for the small glass-walled smoking cubicles near train stations and convenience stores — they’re easy to spot once you know what you’re looking for
5. Don’t Open It Until You’ve Paid
In Australia, cracking open a drink while you’re still wandering the supermarket aisles and paying for it at the end is no big deal. In Japan, this is a hard NO.
∙ The rule: Nothing gets opened until the transaction is complete and the receipt is in your hand — before that beep at the register, it’s technically still shoplifting, and staff take it seriously
6. The Taxi Doors — Hands Off
Tokyo taxis are brilliant, but they’ll catch you off guard the first time. The doors open and close automatically, operated by the driver.
∙ Don’t touch the door: Stand back and let it do its thing — grabbing the door and trying to pull it open yourself can actually damage the mechanism
∙ Where to sit: Hop in the back seat as default. Unlike back home where jumping in the front with the driver is totally normal, in Japan the front seat is generally left empty unless the back is already full
7. The Money Tray — A Small Thing That Makes a Big Difference
When you go to pay anywhere in Tokyo — a restaurant, a konbini, a shop — you’ll notice a small tray sitting on the counter, usually blue or silver. This is how payments are done, and it’s worth knowing about before your first transaction.
∙ Place your cash or card on the tray: Rather than handing it directly to the staff, pop it on the tray and they’ll take it from there
∙ They’ll return everything the same way: Change and receipt come back to you via the tray — just pick it up when they’re done
∙ Why the tray? It’s considered more polite and keeps things neat and organised. It might feel a touch formal compared to what we’re used to back home, but you’ll get used to it after the first couple of times — and the locals will appreciate that you know the drill
Local Tip;
Look, Tokyo can seem a bit overwhelming before you get there – different language and different customs. However, the locals are patient, the city is incredibly well set up for visitors, and a little bit of preparation goes a long way. Know the basics, respect the culture and don’t be afraid to give things a crack!
Tanoshinde! (Enjoy Tokyo!)