9 Japanese Manners You Should Know and Understand

Understanding Japanese manners is not just about being polite. Japan is known to have many unique social and cultural customs as a way to show respect. That's because Japan is a country that places a high value on manners and ethics.

Especially if you plan to work there, understanding the work culture in Japan can be the main key so that your adaptation runs smoothly. Well, of the many rules, there are 9 most basic manners that you really need to know and understand. What are the nine manners? Let's discuss them thoroughly in this article!

1. Bow and Greet

Quoting from the Japan Travel page, one of the most iconic manners in Japan that you will immediately notice is the culture of bowing or ojigi. In Japanese culture, bowing is a very common gesture of greeting and respect. You'll see it everywhere, from businessmen and train conductors bowing deeply, to people talking on the phone sometimes spontaneously nodding along.

2. Punctual Culture

If there's one thing that's synonymous with Japanese culture, it's time discipline. Being on time is not just a good habit, but a very basic form of respect for others.

Uniquely, 'being on time' for the Japanese often means arriving 5-10 minutes before the appointed time. Arriving early to prepare yourself has become an unwritten standard. If you have an appointment, meeting, or job interview, make sure to practice this to give a professional and serious first impression.

3. Take Off Shoes in the Room

Don't be surprised, taking off your shoes before entering the room is one of the most entrenched Japanese cultures that you must follow. This custom developed from the Japanese history of sitting or sleeping on the floor with tatami mats.

This custom has a simple rule: you must take off your shoes at the entrance area, precisely at the doorway, then use the indoor slippers provided. Afterward, place your shoes neatly in the shoe box or next to it.

4. Pointing is Prohibited

Quoting from the Ryusei website, it may sound trivial to us, but in Japanese culture, pointing directly at someone or an object using the index finger is highly avoided. This gesture is considered rude and can even feel threatening to locals. Therefore, Japanese manners teach a much more subtle way of giving hints or gestures.

5. Apologizing and Saying Thank You

In Japanese culture, saying thank you and apologizing are two very fundamental pillars of communication. It is not just a formality, but an important part of Japanese etiquette to maintain harmony in social interactions. Especially for apologies, there are different vocabularies used depending on the situation, so you need to be careful in choosing the most appropriate words to use.

6. Do not cut off the conversation

Self-control is key in Japanese etiquette, especially during conversations. When you're talking to someone new or not too familiar, Japanese manners teach you not to monopolize the conversation. Instead, it is highly recommended to be a good listener and always give the other person a chance to respond or express their opinion. It is considered extremely rude to interrupt someone else's conversation.

7. Taking Other People's Property is Prohibited

Japan is well known for its high level of honesty and public safety. As discussed earlier, interrupting a conversation could be considered 'stealing' someone else's right to be heard. Now, this principle of respecting rights applies much more seriously in its physical form, which brings us to the most universal and basic manners of strictly not taking anything that doesn't belong to you.

Unfortunately, this high trust is sometimes tarnished by the actions of irresponsible people. As a concrete example, a news reported by the NHK website on September 26, 2025 reported that a 22-year-old Indonesian man was arrested in Shibuya, Tokyo. He was arrested on suspicion of trespassing into a building and is being investigated for the theft of 18 luxury items worth a total of about 9 million yen. The man, who had only arrived in Japan a few days earlier, admitted to police that he entered the store with the intention of stealing.

Incidents like this are certainly unfortunate. Such actions have a great risk of tarnishing Indonesia's good name in the eyes of the Japanese people. Therefore, upholding honesty is non-negotiable etiquette in Japan. Maintaining integrity is key, both in social life and in Japanese work culture.

8. Smoking in Free Places

Contrary to the notion of being 'free', Japanese manners are actually very strict when it comes to smoking. You can't smoke while walking on the sidewalk or throw butts on the ground, both of these actions are prohibited and subject to fines. It's an important part of Japanese etiquette to keep public spaces clean and comfortable.

So, where can you smoke? The Japanese government has provided designated spaces for smoking in many public places. If you want to smoke, the easiest way to find the nearest area is to search for it through an app on your phone.

9. Keeping Quiet on Public Transportation

One of the core tenets of Japanese culture is a high sense of consideration and tolerance for others. This principle is especially true when you're in a crowded public place.

Japanese manners teach you to always avoid talking too loudly in a crowd. Joking and laughing with friends is fine, but try not to raise your voice or shout, as it can be perceived as a nuisance and attract negative attention.

Knowing your manners is an important foundation, but the process of getting an official job in Japan can be complicated and challenging. You don't have to go through it all alone.

GSC SEA Indonesia is here to be your best partner in your career journey. We will not only help you find job opportunities that match your skills, but will also prepare you thoroughly. From paperwork, job placement, language training, to cultural immersion, we'll have you ready and confident from the first day you arrive in Japan.