Most Significant Japanese Habits – All Things You Must Know!

Japan, the land of the rising sun, is undoubtedly famous for its breathtaking natural scenes, rich culture and history, and fantastic modern innovations. Besides, it also is one of the safest, cleanest and most disciplined countries in the world. To make Japan become such an amazing nation, generations of Japanese people have continuously practiced and formed unique habits and behaviors. Many foreign people struggle to live here at the beginning since there are so many Japan habits they need to pick up. If you want to know how to live like a Japanese person, let’s check our location guide out! Here are 11 significant Japanese habits – All things you must know!

Most Significant Japanese Habits – All Things You Must Know!

1. Greeting Etiquette

This is probably one of the first Japanese habits that you need to pick up before coming to Japan.

Japanese people greet each other by bowing. Depending on the relationship between two people, a greeting bow can be ranged from a slight nod to a bending waist. The longer and deeper the bow, the higher respect and deeper gratitude are expressed. While Westerners are more familiar with shaking hands, Japanese people learn to bow from a very young age and this habit has become their greeting culture nowadays. If you meet someone who’s older than you, not bending your waist while saying “Hello” could be considered impolite and disrespectful.

Bowing plays a significantly important role in both the Japanese working environment and daily life. In fact, many Japanese companies even have a separate bowing training course for their employees.

2. Workaholic Culture

If Singaporeans have the phrase “Kiasu”, which means “Fears of losing” to highlight their passion to work hard and accomplish any task, Japan is also long known for their workaholic culture. In fact, there is a famous phrase called “Karoshi”, which means working to death, to indicate the working situation in Japan. Yes, they are literally working themselves to death! It is not only a Japan habit but a culture here.

Japanese people believe that working overtime is a sign that you are a hard-working person. No one wants to be the first person to leave the office. They think that only lazy people leave office early. Another reason is the pressure to earn money and make a living, especially in big cities in Japan. If you travel to Japan during the weekdays, you may see a lot of men and women wearing a suit or a blazer and carrying a briefcase, walking on the street at late 12.00 am or even 1 – 2 am. Many of them even not only work extra hours in their office but also have a part-time job afterward or at the weekends.

Though the government and companies are actively making their best effort to reduce the number of extra working hours, the situation seems unchanged.

3. Gift Giving

Japanese gift giving is one of the most prevalent culture in the world and thus, giving gifts is considered a common Japanese habit. In Japan, gifts are given for almost any occasion, from graduation ceremonies to weddings, and even to finalize a business deal. However, unlike some other countries, Japan places a greater emphasis on the ritual of gift-giving than on the gift itself.

Omiyage and Temiyage

Omiyage and Temiyage are Japanese names for two kinds of different gifts. Omiyage are souvenirs you bring home from a trip, whereas Temiyage are thank-you gifts you bring when you visit someone. Japanese people have the habit of buying plenty of gifts for their friends, relatives and co-workers.

It is not necessary for foreign tourists to bring gifts when meeting friends or a host family in Japan, but it is a polite gesture that is appreciated. Food, drinks, and other products from your native country are recommended as gift items. The gifts should be neither too cheap nor too expensive – typically between 1000 and 5000 yen. It’s worth noting that certain types of food and plant items are prohibited from entering Japan.

Ochugen and Oseibo

In Japan, it is also customary for co-workers, friends and relatives to exchange gifts twice a year, in June and December. The gifts given in each month are called Ochugen and Oseibo respectively. They are, on average, 5000 yen in value and may be food, alcohol, household items or something similar.

Birthday and Christmas

Giving gifts on birthday and at Christmas was not traditionally a Japanese habit. However, because of the strong influence of the West, several families and friends exchange gifts on these occasions as well.

Gift Giving Etiquette

When it comes to Japanese gifting etiquette, it’s essential to stick to a few rules:

• It is important to give and receive gifts with both hands to show respect.
• When receiving a gift, one should politely refuse the item up to three times before accepting it.
• When a group of individuals is present, it is considered rude to give a gift to just one person.
• It is also considered impolite to open a gift in front of a large group.
• Giving a gift at the start of a meeting or encounter is thought to be a way of speeding up the process. Ending with a gift is usually a good idea.
• Giving a gift in pairs is considered extremely lucky, however giving four or nine of anything is considered unlucky and should be avoided.
• Giving money as a wedding gift is popular, and it should be given in odd numbers.

4. Waiting In Lines

Japanese people are incredibly good at queuing! They can spend 4-5 hours waiting in line for an event without any problem. Perhaps it is because patience and perseverance are a vital part of Japanese education. Every child here is taught carefully about self-discipline and respect. They soon understand that to get something, you need to quietly and patiently wait for your turn. Come first, serve first. No rude interruption or complaint is allowed.

It is not uncommon to see people here queuing for shopping or for events. Below is one example of how good Japanese people are at waiting in line. This picture is taken in a comic convention called Comiket.

In 2011, the world is once again amazed by how disciplined and well organized Japanese people are after suffering the massive earthquake and tsunami. Even in the darkest time, they still adhere strictly to the queuing to get food, water, and essential equipment. No looting and no stealing. It’s just insanely amazing and out of this world!

To have a closer look at this Japanese habit, please check this link out.

5. Greetings Before Eating

There is some eating etiquette you need to pick up while having dinner with your Japanese friends. The most basic thing is greeting before eating.

Before eating, Japanese people put their hands together and say “Itakimasu”. Foreigners normally misunderstood this phrase as “Please eat” or “Thanks for the meal” but the original meaning of “Itadakimasu” is beyond that. In its simplest way, itadakimasu means “I truly appreciate and humbly accept this meal.” You might wonder why must we show appreciation for the meal we spend time cooking or spend money to buy, right? Well, because for Japanese people, regardless of whether your food is meat or vegetable, it was once a living being (inochi) before being put on plate. To sustain human life, another life must be sacrificed and therefore, must be respected.

6. Taking Off Shoes

From ancient times, houses in Japan were made with tatami mats layered on the floor. Instead of using tables and chairs like Westerners, Japanese people basically do almost everything on the floor. Even nowadays, many families still prefer to have dinner on a low table or sleeping on a futon placed directly on the floor. Therefore, to maintain the cleanliness of the house, Japanese people have developed a custom take off their shoes before entering the house. Not only that, schools in Japan also require students to take off their shoes before entering the lobby or classrooms. So it is not exaggeration to say that taking off shoes is one of the most important Japanese habits that you need to seriously pay attention for.

7. Hygiene Practices

As mentioned above, Japanese take cleanliness very seriously. It is not uncommon to see Japanese soccer fans or players clean trash and changing rooms after the game anymore. Beautiful images of Japanese cleanliness have been shown on TV many times, especially in big events like the 2014 and 2018 World Cup.

Every Japanese learns how to clean since elementary. Instead of hiring clean workers, Japanese schools let their students practice cleaning almost every day. Students not only maintain their own classroom but also take care of common areas like WC or lobby. Japanese people believe that hygiene practices will help kids become responsible citizens in the future.

Daily hygiene practices make Japan one of the cleanest countries in the world.  Below is the picture taken at flood water in Japan and you can see how insanely clean it was!

Reading more:

• Will My Phone Work In Japan? – A Detailed Answer
• How To Clean Tatami Mats Quickly And Properly
• Things To Do in Odaiba – A Comprehensive Guide

8. Garbage Sorting In Japan

Another headache problem when you first come to Japan – Garbage sorting. Japan has a quite strict rules to separate garbage. There are 4 main categories which are Burnable, Non-burnable, Recycle and Large-sized Garbage. The first three types are picked up daily while the last one is picked up by appointment.

Every city has its own regulation for this activity so you should study carefully before moving in.  If all of these things are totally unfamiliar to you, you might want to check the link below to have more understanding about garbage sorting in Japan.

9. Punctuality

Next is also one of the most significant Japanese Habits. As you may know, Japanese people are very punctual. So if you do not want to leave an unpleasant impression for your partner, make sure to be on time. Actually, it is better if you can come to the meeting location before 5-10 minutes.

For example, if you come to work at 8 o’clock and you arrive right at exact 8 o’clock, then you are considered to be late. That’s because, in Japan, people usually arrive about 10 minutes earlier. It will save them 10 minutes to get ready to work. When you are called at 8 o’clock, that means your boss is expecting that you start working at 8 o’clock rather than 8:15.

10. Respect Silence In Public Transportation

One of the most important Japanese habits is keeping silent. Yes, Japanese people are very quiet and they think that keeping silent in public areas, especially in public transportation is a way to respect other people. In public places, people pay attention not to invade the privacy of others under any circumstance. They rarely talk on the phone and chat with other people around them. They normally sit quietly, listening to music over earphones, reading books or even sleeping.  So try to avoid phone calls as much as possible if you do not want to receive judgment looks from other people!

Another thing to note is that every public transport and station has a notification to require you to set your phone  in silent mode. At first, you would think that this rule is so hard. But just imagine how annoying it is to constantly hear other people’s phones ringing.

There are also many other violations such as eating on the train, not giving priority seats, etc. which you should also note to avoid. Eating while walking or eating on the train is something Japanese people often complain about foreigners.

11. Not responding directly with a “Yes” or “No”

Yes/No questions are rarely answered with a “Yes” or a “No” in Japan. They’re usually answered with a throaty grunt, which obscures the affirmation or negation and perplexes the novice questioner. In fact, in Japanese, the direct “No” should be avoided at all costs. The lesson is that everything is possible, and no one can tell what will happen.

12. Instantaneous Reflection

Hansei is a Japanese term that means “reflection”. The hanseikai (assessment meeting) is an important part of the Japanese business practice. Employees are expected to discuss where the project could be improved even after its success. This is part of the kaizen, a philosophy of “continuous improvement”, which became popular in Japan after WWII and has now expanded around the world. Japanese people learn the hanseikai and the kaizen philosophy when they are kids. At the end of an elementary school class, the Japanese kids have the habit of reflecting on what has just happened, what they like or dislike, what was achieved and what they would like to do more.

13. Sleeping Habit

Japanese people have slept on the floor rather than in Western-style beds for many generations. This is an important part of Japanese culture and tradition that has survived into the modern era and is unlikely to change anytime soon. If you’ve ever visited Japan and stayed in a traditional Japanese bedroom, you’ll be familiar with the habit of sleeping on the floor.

When you hear sleeping on the floor, you might imagine Japanese people dropping straight down onto cold tiles and heading off to the land of nod. In fact, it’s not quite like that. Before sleeping, the Japanese take thin sleeping mats called futons out from a closet and lay them on the floor of the living room or the separate place in the house where they sleep. These futons will be returned to the closet in the morning so that the sleeping space can turn back into a functioning living room during the day.

14. Hatsumode – First Shrine Visit Of The Year

Hatsumode is the first shrine visit of the year to thank for what you have received in the old year and wish for the good things in the new year. It is not only a Japanese habit but also a very important Japanese new year tradition. Normally, Japanese people visit Shinto Shrine or Buddhist Temples during the first three days of the year.

How much money you spend is not very important, but people usually avoid using 65 yen, 75 yen, 85 yen, 95 yen and 500 yen. They all have negative meanings, so avoid these numbers.

You should also buy “omamori” and “ofuda” charms which are believed to bring health and love. With Omamori, you have to carry it around and it will protect you. With Ofuda, on the contrary, keep it at home to bring good things to the whole family.

15. Adore The Beauty Of Nature

Japan is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It is no exaggeration to say that you can easily find a romantic dating spot in any corner of Japan. Besides its modern and futuristic cities, Japan attracts million of visitors annually thanks to its picturesque nature scenes.  So there is no surprise that Japanese people also adore the beauty of nature and have a habit of visiting natural wonders.

Japanese people love going out for a picnic and camping. Even in their daily lives, many young people even prefer to enjoy their lunch outside at the park or in the schoolyard.

For Japanese people, camping is a great way to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Japanese mountains and forests. Camping is most common during the summer months, especially during the summer holidays from late July to August.

Japanese Healthy Lifestyle Habits That Help To Live Longer

Below is a list of common Japanese healthy lifestyle habits that can help to live longer. Let’s check it out!

1. Eat Seafood Every day

Eating seafood every day is one of the Japanese healthy lifestyle habits that should be mentioned first. The Japanese diet’s focus on seafood is one of the reasons behind its healthiness. Japan has one of the lowest rates of heart disease in the world, and middle-aged Japanese men have far less cholesterol buildup in their arteries than their white American counterparts owing to their high seafood consumption.

The Japanese consume roughly three ounces of seafood per day, or about 68 pounds per year, whereas Americans consume about 16 pounds of seafood a year on average. Fish and shellfish are high in protein and low in saturated fat, and while the amount of omega-3s found in different forms of seafood varies, all seafood contains this essential nutrient.

Eating seafood is good not only for your heart but also for your brain and mental health and most types of seafood can be baked, broiled or grilled for a fast and healthy main dish. Therefore, including a variety of fish and shellfish on your diet is a wonderful idea.

2. Choose Rice Instead Of Wheat

Japanese choose to consume rice instead of wheat because of two main reasons. Firstly, studies show that rice consumption can help to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, whereas wheat intake increases it. Secondly, rice is also free of irritants, phytic acid, and lectins, which is beneficial considering that most people are gluten-intolerant. However, the Japanese only eat rice in moderation to avoid sugar spikes, which can be harmful, especially for diabetic or pre-diabetic people.

3. Include Seaweed As A Staple In The Diet

Seaweed is a standout among many nutritious plant foods included in the Japanese diet. While the amout of nutrients provided by different types of seaweed varies, most of them are high in minerals including iodine, copper, and iron, as well as antioxidants, protein, fiber, and healthy omega-3 fats.

4. Eat Less Snacks

You should enjoy snacks in moderation like the Japanese do. When it comes to eating unhealthy foods, Japanese people practice what is known as “flexible restraint”, which helps them eat snacks in fewer quantities and at a lower frequency.

5. Use smaller plates to eat food

By using small plates, which are about four to six inches in size, the Japanese can limit their food servings.

6. Eat A Lot Of Fermented Foods

Miso, soy, natto, tempeh, and soy sauce are all fermented foods found in Japanese cuisine. Fermented foods have a number of health benefits, including strengthening your immune system and improving digestion, which may be obtained by eating a few servings per week.

7. Eat Fewer Calories With Every Bite

Japanese people have the habit of combining a decent amount of foods that are lower in caloric density. For example, typical Japanese meals include rice, a modest portion of meat or fish, and a couple of vegetable dishes. In addition, they also avoid processed food with greater “calories per bite”.

8. Drink Green Tea

Green tea is widely regarded as one of the healthiest beverages, and it is a daily habit in Japan. Green tea is high in polyphenol antioxidants, which lower inflammation, protect cells from damage that can lead to chronic disease, and nourish the friendly bacteria in your gut, which produces the majority of your immune cells and mood-boosting neurochemicals.

Green tea, either unsweetened or sweetened, is a delicious drink on its own, but it may also be used as a liquid base in smoothies, oatmeal, or even brown rice or quinoa.

9. Do Physical Activities On A Daily Basis

Since childhood, the Japanese have led a very active lifestyle. More than 98 percent of Japanese children, according to the World Health Organization, walk or bike to school.

10. Practise Forest Bathing

Shinrin-yoku, which translates as “forest bathing” or “taking in the forest atmosphere,” is a form of nature therapy in Japan. Rather than going for a walk or run outside, this practice focuses on mindfulness and tuning into the natural environment. When you’re in nature, you engage all of your senses, such as feeling the breeze or sun on your skin, seeing the various colors of green in the grass and trees, and hearing the rustling of the leaves.

When you use your senses to tune in to nature, your mind and body can relax, much like they do when you meditate. In fact, a study on forest bathing indicated that, as compared to being in a city environment, being in a forest setting was associated with lower blood pressure, reduced cortisol concentrations, and an increase in parasympathetic nervous system activity, all of which are signs of feeling more relaxed.

11. Live In Strong Social Circles

Staying socially connected is also a part of Japanese habits and it’s one of the reasons why Japanese people live longer and have greater physical and emotional health.

In Japan, social integration can appear in a variety of ways. Adults may, for example, live in multi-generational households, and in villages, working past retirement age is not uncommon. A moai — a type of Okinawan social circle that gives not only lifelong companionship but also financial support when needed, so everyone in the circle knows they aren’t alone and can count on one another in good times and bad — is possibly one of the most protective forms of social engagement.

Conclusion

So we have provided insight into some of the most common Japanese habits. After reading, you now know how to live like a Japanese right? Hopefully, you find this blog helpful. If you have any concern or any query, please share with us at the comment section below.