LIST: 9 Things you need to know before travelling to Japan

The Japanese live by three rules of social etiquette: Honne and Tatemae (having a private face at home and a public face that conforms to social accepted behaviours and norms), Omotenashi (providing top-notch service and hospitality) and Omoiyari (having thoughtful actions).

The team at www.englandrugbytravel.com/rwc2019 have compiled a list of tips that all rugby fans travelling to Rugby World CupTM Japan should be aware of to ensure a fun and memorable experience without causing any offense or finding themselves in a spot of bother.

As well as the below tips. You can find more handy facts, information and translations over on ‘Are You Japan Ready’ - https://japanready.englandrugbytravel.com/

It’s best to use cash in Japan as many people experience difficulties using their debit and credit cards in Japan, whether at ATM’s, banks or to make payments If you do run out of money and can’t find a cashpoint, head to any 7/11 where you’ll find that most of the cashpoints inside accept most international cards and don’t struggle without cards issued outside Japan as much as everywhere else.

Before GPS technology and world map smartphone apps, finding an address in Japan was like a challenge from the Crystal Maze. It will be difficult at first and you’ll likely get lost more than once, but you will get the hang of it eventually. Finding your way around might be easier if you work on moving from landmark to landmark, but a great tip is don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Such is the way with different cultures that the normal practice may be very different to what we are used to here in the UK. For example, some restaurants will request that you take your shoes off upon entering (they offer slippers if you want to make a quick trip to the restrooms). It’s worth knowing the table etiquette too, such as you shouldn’t raise your food above your mouth, shouldn’t rest your chopsticks on the top of your bowl and don’t even think about biting your food in half and placing the half-eaten food back onto your plate.

The price on the bill is the price you pay. In some circumstances if you pay a tip, the server who you tipped will chase you down with the money you left over insisting you take it. In professions like hairdressing, taxi driving and massaging, the workers are generally paid by the hour and don’t depend on tips.

Depending on where you are in the country you’ll find that in many locations buses will stop early in the morning and trains will stop shortly before midnight. If you do miss the final train you will have to catch a taxi, but it comes at a cost; taxis add a late-night surcharge of roughly 20% between the hours of 10pm and 5am. Japanese people usually stay in a capsule hotel when partying, so a word of advice is stay local to your hotel when dining out or going for a late-night explore of the city or town you’re in.

As the saying goes ‘silence is golden’ and this is definitely the case in Japan. Everyone in Japan is always aware of the fact that they are sharing the space with others. It is always a good idea to remember to keep your conversations quiet and avoid having vulgar/crude conversations, and it’s considered polite not to make calls on your mobile phone when using public transport for the sake of those around you.

Your parents always tell you not to point and you definitely shouldn’t in Japan because it is seen as offensive. Japanese people are constantly worried about offending people, so take this into consideration when asking people to do you a favour. More often than not, locals will say “yes” instead of “no” and this will require you to read their body language and see if they actually want to help you out.

Unlike in the UK, you are not allowed to smoke anywhere you wish to outside and must smoke only in designated smoking areas. Nearly every restaurant in Japan will have a designated smoking area, there are even some that will let you smoke anywhere inside – but be sure to check before you assume.

It is always good to learn the odd line or two in the local language, but a lot of the locals will speak a very good level of English. To increase your chance of them understanding what you say, it is important to speak slowly and clearly (although don’t be typically British and attempt an accent or go over the top with hand gestures). Despite their good grasp of the English language, you won’t always see English translations on menus and signs. It’s a good idea to carry a card for your hotel with you too as you may find that not many taxi drivers speak English and if you wish to return to your room then they will know where to go even if you can’t explain it to them.

A few key words and phrases worth learning are as follows:

-       Kon-nichiwa – Hello / Good afternoon