Culture shock is a bout of unease that arises when a person comes into contact with unfamiliar behaviors or ways of life in a foreign country. Americans will likely experience this phenomenon in Japan because many things that are normal there, are extremely taboo in the United States.
A few things caught my eye or ear as an American during my travels in Japan and knowing about them beforehand can save you some confusion on your trip.
These are some of the most jarring American taboos I encountered in Japan and explanations about why they’re completely acceptable there.
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Table of Contents
Loud Noodle Slurping at Restaurants is a Sign of Respect
Don’t be perturbed by the slurping sounds that fill Japan’s ramen and soba restaurants. While noisy eating is seen as flat-out rude in the United States, slurping things like noodles is 100% socially acceptable in Japan. It’s even appreciated by the staff and taken as a compliment.
I must admit it took me a second to power through my American urge to be offended by the loud eating sounds, but it’s a reality of eating in Japan and just part of the norm there. Pop in headphones if it bothers you to an intolerable degree.
Reasoning:
- Instead of being seen as bad manners, slurping shows that you’re fully savoring your food and demonstrating appreciation to the chef.
- Hot noodle dishes in Japan are typically served piping hot as well, so slurping is multifunctional as it helps to cool off each bite.
Waiters Often Drop the Check as Soon as Food is Delivered to Your Table
Before I started traveling, I never would’ve guessed how different something like picking up the check at a restaurant could be across cultures.
American restaurants typically offer the check when guests seem to have fully finished their meal. Alternatively in Spain, I’d be left sitting at the table for hours if I didn’t verbally request – sometimes beg – the waiter for the check.
In many Japanese restaurants, getting your check is something else entirely. Usually, the moment your food is placed in front of you in Japan, the check is dropped alongside it and you’re expected to pay the moment you’re finished eating.
Reasoning:
- To Americans, the immediate check drop may seem slightly rude because it feels like you’re being rushed, but it happens a lot in Japan.
- Efficiency is a key part of Japanese culture and it can even be seen as impolite to linger around your table after you’ve finished eating.
- Many popular restaurants in Japan have very long lines, so giving patrons the check immediately helps keep things moving.
It’s Common to Encounter Young Children Walking by Themselves
As an American, alarm bells start going off as soon as I see a young kid walking around by themselves, but I had to switch that warning system off in Japan. I strolled past very young kids heading to school all over the place, even in hectic cities like Tokyo.
Tokyo’s public transportation can be confusing enough for adults to get lost, yet countless self-sufficient children as young as six navigate the trains and crowds solo [ Source]. It’s honestly pretty impressive, but it can be shocking for Americans.
Reasoning:
- Residents feel comfortable with their children walking alone to run errands or go to school because Japan has a huge sense of community. They know that if their child needs help, a stranger will care for them like their own.
- Giving kids the task of finding their own way to school instills them with a sense of independence. Some schools even require that children take on their school commute by themselves [ Source].
- Additionally, Japan is the tenth safest country in the world and has an extraordinarily low crime rate that’s still decreasing every year [ Source,Source].
There is a Big Drinking Culture and Public Intoxication is Prevalent
During my time in Japan, I passed by quite a few stumbling strangers and even witnessed a couple of guys fall down the stairs in the metro station. Even though intoxicated, everyone was very polite and nobody bothered me, but it was still something I noticed.
Although drinking is common in the U.S., public intoxication is still a misdemeanor crime in most states. However, in Japan, it is legal and acceptable to consume alcohol and be fairly drunk out in public as long as you’re not causing problems [ Source,Source].
One study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation found that 73% of men in Japan aged 15 to 39 drank harmful amounts of alcohol, compared to the global average of 39% [ Source]. In another survey, ⅓ of respondents from Japan said they consumed liquor daily [ Source].
Alcohol sales have been declining in Japan in recent years, though [ Source].
Reasoning:
- Enjoying an alcoholic beverage with a friend or colleague in Japan is seen as a way to connect with them. Drinks are usually accompanied by light snacks at places called Izakayas, which are like Japanese pubs.
- Alcohol is a major industry in Japan.
- The government launched a contest urging young people in Japan to develop marketing ideas that would get people to drink more alcohol. The goal was to boost the economy, but it’s been met with mixed reviews for encouraging alcohol consumption [ Source].
Nudity is Normal (or Even Required) in Semi-Public Places Like Onsens
Onsens are little gifts from Mother Nature in the form of naturally heated, mineral-rich springs.
Although many Americans are uncomfortable with public nudity, it’s normal in places like Japanese onsens. Every year over 78 million people book stays at Japanese onsens and it’s easily one of the most popular things to do in the country [ Source].
It may come as quite a surprise to many U.S. visitors that most of these establishments prohibit clothing. Visitors hoping for more modesty can cover themselves with a small towel on their way to the bathing area, however, you cannot wear anything in the water.
Reasoning:
- It’s believed that wearing bathing suits or dipping towels in the geothermal spring water will taint it.
- Tattoos are also banned in most onsens, but you can still participate by wearing tattoo cover-up tape.Tattoos are not allowed inside these establishments because they have a negative social connotation in Japan [ Source].
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Overall, an open-minded attitude is needed as an American traveling in Japan. I stumbled upon plenty of taboos that would raise an eyebrow in my home country, but being accepting of new cultural norms is an essential part of being a mindful traveler in my opinion.
There are a lot of things that Americans do that are considered strange or disrespectful in Japan, too. To learn more, check out my article about Japanese taboos to avoid on your next trip!
