List of Japanese Customs] What are the rules unique to Japan? Some English sentences to teach foreigners

List of typical Japanese customs! Also includes English sentences to teach foreigners

Let us introduce some typical Japanese customs.

Japanese custom	Description.
Take off your shoes in the house ▼ (English) Check the introduction in English	The country’s high humidity led to the custom of removing shoes indoors .
Close the door of the room you don’t use. ▼ Check the introduction in English	Many foreign countries have a culture of “closed door = in use”.
Soak in the bathtub every day ▼ Check out our English introduction Check the introduction in English	The culture of soaking in a bathtub every day is almost never seen in other countries.
Itadakimasu” “Gochisosama” Check out the introduction in English	Traditions that strongly reflect Japanese thought and cannot be directly translated into other languages.
Do not add sugar to tea ▼ Check out the introduction in English	Unlike black tea, Japanese tea is drunk without added sugar or milk
Eat with a bowl ▼ Check out the introduction in English	In many foreign countries, people eat without lifting their bowls or holding their hands over their plates.
There are rules on how to use chopsticks ▼ Check out the introduction in English	Japan’s unique chopstick etiquette exists.
Take a bow. ▼ Check out the introduction in English	Many countries do not have a bowing culture. Even within Asia, no other country bows as often as Japan.
Humility is a Virtue ▼ Check out the introduction in English	Traditions that are considered “virtues” in Japan but require some caution when communicating with foreigners
Unique in its religious views ▼Check out the introduction in English	Many people are “Shinto” believing in 8 million gods.

Many of the customs are particularly associated with food, clothing, and shelter.

We will also introduce some English sentences that can be used when teaching such Japanese customs to foreigners.

take off one’s shoes at the entrance

The first thing to mention is the Japanese custom, Take off your shoes at the front door. shoes at the entrance.

The reason for this custom is believed to be related to the Japanese climate.*There are various theories.

In Japan, where humidity is high, the culture of “taking off shoes at the entrance” seems to have emerged, partly to prevent feet from steaming in shoes.

It is also believed that people began to take off their shoes after walking in the outside world because they saw the “kagari-stile” (stile and rail), which is the difference between the entrance and the interior, as a boundary, or because the Japanese culture of sitting and lying on the floor on cushions and futons led to the removal of soiled footwear.
（Reference：Is it only in Japan that people take off their shoes? )

Example of English text

• Take off your shoes at the entrance. We do not wear shoes inside the house.
• Shoes that have been taken off should be lined up.
• Japanese people take off their shoes at home because they don’t want to make the floor dirty with dirt, sand, or dust from their shoes.
• Instead of just taking off their shoes at the entrance, people sometimes change into slippers.

Close doors to rooms not in use.

In Japan, when you leave a room, Many people close the door of the room when they leave. In Japan, many people close the door of a room when they leave it.

Especially in restrooms, many people close the door after use.

Overseas, however, the opposite is true. In many countries, doors are left open in rooms that are not in use. In many countries, the door is left open when the room is not in use. Therefore, it is a cultural difference if a foreigner does not close the door after leaving the room .

Example of English text

• In Japan, many people keep the doors to unused rooms closed.
• In particular, people keep the bathroom door closed when it’s not in use.

Soak in the bathtub every day

Japanese bath culture actually has many unique traditions that cannot be found in other countries.

In particular, there are almost no countries that have the custom of soaking in a bathtub every day, which can be said to be a culture unique to Japan.

Many foreigners are also confused about the etiquette of onsen and sento (public bathhouses). They will be pleased if you can explain in English.

Example of English text

• First of all, you take off all your clothes. the body must be cleaned and washed before entering the baths.
• Baths are for relaxing, not cleaning the body.
• Sometime there are open-air baths that you are free to use as well.
• You can go naked in the open-air bath.

Itadakimasu” and “Gochisosama” before and after meals

Itadakimasu” and ‘Gochisosama’ express gratitude to the living creatures who share their lives with us and to all the people involved in the meal that lies before us.

Although there are cultures in other countries where people greet and pray before and after meals, There are no words that can directly translate “Itadakimasu” and “Gochisosama” in Japan. Itadakimasu” and “Gochisosama” are the most common words in Japanese culture. It would be nice to be able to explain them in English, as they are traditions that strongly reflect the Japanese way of thinking.

Example of English text

• Meals in Japan traditionally begin with the word “Itadakimasu.
• “Itadakimasu” expresses gratitude for all who played a role in providing the food and acknowledges that living organisms have given their lives to human beings living organisms have given their lives to human beings.
• Upon finishing a meal, Japanese people use the polite phrase “Gochisōsama-deshita.”

Drink tea without added sugar.

Green tea is becoming increasingly popular overseas.

Among green teas, “matcha” is well known, and it is not unusual to find matcha-flavored sweets sold in supermarkets and cafes overseas. (Reference: Exports have reached a record high! Green tea is now being reevaluated overseas and will be in the future | Through the LENS by TOPCON)

However, the major difference between what Japanese people think of as “tea” and what foreigners think of as “tea” is whether sugar or milk is added.

Tea and other teas are also available in other countries, but they are generally drunk with sugar or milk added. Japanese teas such as matcha are often sold with sugar added for a sweeter taste, so many foreigners are not accustomed to drinking tea straight.

Therefore, when recommending tea to a foreigner, it is a good idea to offer a word of explanation.

Example of English text

• The Japanese “Green tea” is meant to be enjoyed as it is offered to you. Therefore, you don’t have to add sugar or cream.
• The teas that are consumed daily in Japan include Green tea, Black tea, Oolong tea, Barley tea, Hojicha, Herbal tea, and many others.
• Tea in Japan is often associated with the tea ceremony, but Japanese people also drink tea frequently in their daily lives.

eat with a bowl in one’s hand

In Japan, There is a tradition of eating with a bowl at mealtime There is a tradition of eating with a bowl at mealtime.

It is good manners to put one hand on a platter or a flat plate, even if it is a large plate or a flat plate. Many of you may have experienced being scolded for holding out your hand while eating as a child.

However In many foreign countries, lifting a bowl or putting one’s hand on a dish is not considered and “hand-holding” is not allowed in many foreign countries.

Even within the same Asian country, dining etiquette may differ, so on the occasion of dining with a foreigner, research the dining etiquette of the country you are dining with.

Example of English text

• In Japan, people hold their bowls in their hands while eating.
• When drinking miso soup, people don’t use a spoon; instead, they lift the bowl and drink directly from it.

There are rules about how to use chopsticks.

The use of chopsticks is filled with a uniquely Japanese culture.

This is because there are many Japanese etiquette rules for chopsticks that do not exist in other countries.

For example, “pick-up chopsticks” and “freshly picked chopsticks” are easy to understand. These These two manners are not acceptable in Japan because they are associated with funerals and memorial services. These are not good manners in Japan because they are associated with funerals and offerings.

The NG Manners of Chopsticks, Japanese religious beliefs and customs are involved Japanese religious beliefs and customs.

Example of English text

• There are various manners related to the use of chopsticks, known as “KIRAI BASHI/ bad chopsticks “.
• Do not pass food from chopstick to chopstick.
• Do not stick chopsticks into food.

Reference: Special Feature 2: Chopsticks (2): Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

bow

Actually Bowing is a difficult Japanese manner for foreigners. Bowing is a very difficult manner for foreigners to learn.

This is because many countries in the West do not have a bowing culture, and even in Asia, no country bows as frequently as Japan.

On the other hand, it is strange that many foreigners who have lived in Japan for a long time tend to bow unintentionally. In particular, many people unintentionally bail when greeting people they meet for the first time.（Reference：We asked foreigners about the Japanese custom of bowing …… that has become ingrained in them! )

It is clear that bowing is an indispensable manner and custom for living in Japan.

In addition, Japanese bowing culture is often positively evaluated by foreigners as “polite” and “elegant”. For foreigners who are interested in Japanese culture, it may be interesting to explain even how to bow.

Example of English text

• Bowing is probably the feature of Japanese etiquette that is best known outside Japan.
• Basic bowing is performed by bending from the waist with the back and neck straight, and the eyes looking down.
• The etiquette surrounding bowing, including the length, depth, and appropriate response, is exceedingly complex.
• Nodding is a 15-degree angle
  Use it when passing someone you know. slow your pace, make eye contact, straighten your back, smile lightly, and bow lightly.
• Salute is a 30-degree angle
  It is performed when greeting or seeing off someone at the first meeting. Generally, when we say “bow”, we are referring to this ” salute”.
• A respectful bow is from 45 to 90-degree angle
  It is used for apologies and when responding to complaints. The angle at which the upper body is bowed ranges from 45 to 90-degree, but it can be adjusted according to the situation, such as bowing deeply to 90-degree to show sincere apology.

Humility

In Japan There is a tradition in Japan There is a tradition that modesty is a virtue in Japan.

Society as a whole expects us to lower ourselves and our people, to express ourselves, and to respond to everything with humility, don’t we?

Humility is a Japanese tradition full of profundity, but foreigners sometimes wonder, “Why do we underestimate ourselves and our loved ones?” Foreigners may wonder, “Why do we underestimate ourselves and our loved ones?

Therefore, when speaking with foreigners, know what kind of modesty is likely to cause misunderstandings. If you can explain that “modesty is a Japanese virtue,” it will be easier to avoid misunderstanding. If you can explain that “modesty is a Japanese virtue,” it will be easier to avoid misunderstandings and deepen their understanding of Japanese culture.

For example, when giving a gift, we tend to add the words, “It’s just a little something,” or “It’s a trivial thing. Some foreigners may wonder why you chose something trivial.

In this situation, let us try to explain the following.

Example of English text

• It is a small thing, but please take it as a sign of how well we get along.
• In Japan, it is customary to give gifts with humility.

• Japanese people have a habit of speaking about themselves and their relatives in an underestimated way, but they do not always mean what they really think.
• This is because the Japanese think of humility as a virtue.
• Japanese people’s modesty is to respect others and to be modest about oneself.
• Humility in Japan means to behave modestly and not to boast about one’s abilities.

Religious views differ greatly from those overseas.

When talking with foreigners, the topic of religious beliefs sometimes comes up.

Of course, even among Japanese people, religious beliefs differ from person to person, but most Japanese people believe that there is no religion that they follow. On the other hand, it is said that more than 60% of the Japanese perform religious rituals such as visiting shrines. (Reference: Japanese religious beliefs differ from those of other countries, but isn’t that strange? The Japanese mindset is explored by the U.S. media – NewSphere)

In other words, Japanese people have a deep-rooted “Shinto” belief in 8 million gods. The best way to convey this is to say that the Japanese are rooted in Shintoism, the belief in eight million gods. Japanese customs and thought are strongly influenced by Shinto. (Reference: What is Shinto | Shrines and Shinto | Official website of the Agency of Shinto Shrines )

Many foreign countries are strongly influenced by religion or have a high level of religious awareness. If you are asked about religion, you can have a deeper conversation with a foreigner if you can explain Shintoism rather than saying “I don’t have a religion.

• It is said that there are 8 million gods in Japan. In Japan, gods dwell in all things in the forest and are revered.
• Shinto is as old as the Japanese culture, while Buddhism was imported from the mainland in the 6th century.
• Ancestral worship is also important, and most Japanese cherish their ancestors.

What is Shikitari｜Unique rules unique to Japan

Now that you know about Japanese customs, let’s see what kind of things a custom refers to.

Shikitari is a Japanese customs that are historically and culturally rooted and culture in Japan.

Many of these customs have been accepted naturally by the Japanese people since birth. For this reason, there is almost no need for Japanese people to explain to each other “this is a Japanese custom”.

For example, there are not many opportunities to go to the trouble of explaining to Japanese people the purpose and origin of Japanese customs such as “taking off your shoes at home” and “taking a bath in the bathtub every day,” are there?

For foreigners, however, many Japanese customs may be new to them. Of course, foreigners also have their own customs in their own countries, and it is important to respect each other’s culture and customs.

The difference between “custom” and “manners

We mentioned earlier that customs are historically and culturally rooted practices, but some of you may be wondering, “How are they different from manners?” Some of you may wonder, “How is it different from manners?

There is a difference between “custom” and “manners” as follows.

In other words, customs refer to the rules of each country, while manners refer to the rules common to the whole world.

Manners also include common-sense human behavior and morals, such as “do not cause trouble for others” and “show respect to others,” which can be observed in many cases. For example, “Do not litter cigarettes” and “Put garbage in the trash.

On the other hand, in “customs”, history and culture of a country, it is often difficult to imagine Therefore, it is necessary to explain them to foreign guests who have grown up in countries with different histories and cultures. Therefore, it is necessary to explain them to foreign guests who have grown up in countries with different histories and cultures.

Why did the Japanese custom come into being?

The background of the birth of Japanese customs differs depending on the type of custom.

However, as a characteristic, Japan is an island nation, so many of its traditions have developed independently. Japan is an island nation, so it is not overly influenced by other countries.

For this reason, there are many unique rituals that cannot be found overseas and that reflect a strong sense of beauty and thought peculiar to Japan.

Surprising to Foreigners? A Slightly Unusual Japanese Etiquette

Finally, I would like to introduce a slightly different Japanese custom as an extra.

Customs and events that are commonplace to Japanese people may surprise you when you talk about them with a foreigner. It is interesting to know about them as topics for conversation.

receive a New Year’s gift at New Year’s

An essential part of the Japanese New Year is the tradition of receiving New Year’s money. For Japanese children, it is the main event of the New Year.

Originally, the New Year’s gift was a “rice cake” offered as a prayer to the gods at the end of the year, Originally, the New Year’s gift was a rice cake It is said that the New Year’s gift was

The rice cakes offered at the end of the year were given to the gods on New Year’s when they were about to return home. It is said that the word “toshitama” was derived from “toshitama,” meaning “a gift given at the beginning of the year”.

Also, the modern “New Year’s gift” culture of handing out money was born during the high economic growth of the Showa period. Until before World War II, rice cakes were distributed instead of money.

Thus, the New Year’s gift is a culture that does not exist overseas, as it is a tradition that reflects the ancient Japanese religious beliefs.

(Reference: What is the origin of New Year’s gift? Let’s know the origin, history and manners before New Year’s Day｜Tokiwa Sogo Service Co.)

Crane = good luck

In Japan, cranes = a bird of good luck.

Sometimes, senbazuru (one thousand folded paper cranes) are folded to pray for the recovery of those hospitalized or to pray for peace.

This is, the fact that the crane is considered a symbol of longevity This is believed to be due to the fact that the crane is considered a symbol of longevity. The life span of a crane is 20 to 80 years. Although the average life expectancy of Japanese people has increased in modern times, the average life expectancy of Japanese people in the Muromachi period (1336-1573), when paper cranes are said to have been born, was 16 years old. (Reference: “Japan, a country of longevity,” The true meaning of average life expectancy, which has increased again this year: Nikkei Business E-edition )

It is a culture that reflects the ancient Japanese feeling of folding cranes as a prayer for longevity and health.

However, it should be noted that cranes are considered “unlucky birds” in some foreign countries, especially in Northern Europe. cranes are considered “unlucky birds” in some countries, especially in Northern Europe, so care must be taken. This is because cranes are depicted in Celtic mythology as a god who likes to kill. This is believed to be due to the strong influence of the depiction of both the “god of carnage” and the “crane” in Celtic mythology. (Reference: Good-luck charms from around the world on Respect-for-Senior-Citizens Day｜HibiyaKadan )

The crane is a bird that gives Japanese people a positive impression, but it is surprising that in some countries it has the exact opposite image.

There’s the coming-of-age ceremony.

The Japanese coming-of-age ceremony is another tradition that is not often seen overseas.

While there are customs of celebrating adulthood in other countries as well, most countries celebrate “the birthday on which one becomes an adult. In other words. In other words, although there are individual celebrations, there is almost no culture of celebrating all newcomers at the same time as in Japan. in Japan.

The first coming-of-age ceremony in Japan was held in 1946, just after the end of World War II. It is said to have originated from the “Youth Festival” (held on November 22, 1946), which was held to celebrate the new adults in an effort to enliven the post-war world. (Reference: Is the Coming-of-Age Ceremony only in Japan? What are the roots of the Coming-of-Age Ceremony?)

Although it is a tradition with a surprisingly short history, it is a rare culture in the world in which a ceremony is held for all adults.

There is a vinyl cover service on rainy days.

In Japan, when you shop on a rainy day In Japan, when you shop on a rainy day, you are given a rain cover over your shopping bag on a rainy day. Of course, this is a free service.

This is a typical Japanese scene that reflects the care and hospitality of the store owners, who want to “keep the rain from soiling the items” and “keep the shopping bags from getting soggy.

Overseas, you will almost never find stores that offer this type of service on rainy days. This is because not many people in other countries care about the condition of their shopping bags.

For example, if you buy a gift at a Japanese store, there is a strong tendency to consider the store’s paper bag as “part of the wrapping”. The recipient opens the paper bag carefully and treats the gift as a “gift,” including the wrapping. The recipient also carefully opens the paper bag and treats it and the wrapping as a gift.

Overseas, it is common to see gift recipients vigorously ripping open the wrapping, as if to say, “I can’t wait to see what’s inside! I can’t wait to see what’s inside!” and they rip the wrapping open vigorously. Many people wrap gifts themselves, so the stores do not have to worry about the condition of the shopping bag as much as they should.

It is interesting to think that the scene of “shopping on a rainy day” is actually filled with the culture and customs of the Japanese people.

Free hand towels and water at restaurants

The quality of Japanese customer service is world-renowned, and foreigners are also surprised that free hand towels and water are offered at restaurants.

Overseas, In many countries, hand towel service itself is almost unheard of except in upscale restaurants, and water is often ordered for a fee. In many countries, you have to order water for a fee.

For this reason, they are surprised to find that hand towels and water are brought to them as soon as they take their seats at a Japanese restaurant. And since it is free of charge, you must be very impressed by the generosity of Japanese service.

It is a uniquely Japanese culture born of the spirit of hospitality.

Japanese customs reflect modesty

There are many unique Japanese customs and traditions that are different from those of other countries.

There are many customs that reflect the modesty of the Japanese people, such as “Itadakimasu” and “Gochisosama” before meals, bowing, and the culture of modesty.

If you understand Japanese customs and can explain them in English, you can deepen foreigners interest in and understanding of Japanese culture. Above all, you will be able to communicate with foreigners with peace of mind because you will reduce the risk of unintentional misunderstandings.

It is also recommended to offer traditional Japanese cultural experiences for a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.

Motenas Japan can also organize traditional culture experiences with interpreters So please feel free to contact us if you are interested.