Japan etiquette for first-timers: the communal sauce rule and other things I learned

Nobody in Japan expects visitors to get everything right, and people are very forgiving. A few habits will make your trip smoother and show respect. These are the ones that came up in my own reviews and trips.

Don't double-dip the communal sauce

At Hanbei, a retro izakaya behind BicCamera in Ikebukuro, I wrote: "Very tasty. Remember not to double dip the sauce! Its communal! Worth a stop to enjoy a variety of flavors as you can order single bite size items to try out many different things you might not try otherwise."

Shared sauce pots are common at skewer restaurants, especially for kushikatsu (fried skewers) in Osaka. Dip once, before your first bite. If you want more sauce, use the cabbage leaves provided to scoop some onto your plate.

Small-plates restaurants like Hanbei are also great for slow travelers: order a few things, see what you like, order more.

Language: be patient, and a little goes a long way

At a Tokyo craft shop I wrote: "Don't expect an english fluent staff member around every corner, but honestly, expecting that while in another country is kind of crazy anyway." That's still my advice. Learn sumimasen (excuse me), arigatou gozaimasu (thank you) and kore (this one), and use a translation app for the rest.

Money

• Coins go in the tray. Most registers have a small tray. Put your money there; change comes back the same way.
• No tipping. It isn't expected anywhere, and staff may chase you down to return it.
• Carry some cash. Cards are much more widely accepted than they used to be, but small restaurants, shrines and rural buses may still be cash-only.

Out and about

• Carry your trash. Public trash cans are rare. Bring a small bag and throw things away at your hotel or a convenience store.
• Bring a small towel. Many public restrooms have no paper towels or hand dryers, which is why so many people carry a handkerchief.
• Quiet on trains. Phone calls on trains are frowned on; keep conversations low.
• Stand on one side of escalators. Which side depends on the city: usually left in Tokyo, right in Osaka. Follow the people in front of you.
• Priority seats near train doors are for elderly, disabled and pregnant passengers and people with injuries. If you need one, use it.

Shoes off, and baths

• Take shoes off where you see a raised floor, a row of slippers or shoes lined up at an entrance: ryokan, many temples, some restaurants and fitting rooms.
• In an onsen or public bath, wash and rinse thoroughly at the shower stools before getting into the bath, keep your towel out of the water, and don't bring phones or cameras.
• Tattoos are still banned at many baths. Some, like many Dormy Inn hotels, now allow small tattoos to be covered with stickers; others don't. Ask first, or book a private bath. (My Yunomine and Katsuura stays both had private baths, and I loved them.)

The kit for this guide

Also in this guide

• Vegan Leather Zip Coin Purse
• PackTowl Personal Microfiber Towel (Body)

Opening hours, routes and rules change; check before you go.