While Japan warmly welcomes visitors, there are some key cultural differences around public behaviour that can lead to frustrations if not understood. As a traveller, keeping a few local traditions in mind will not only enhance your experience but ensure you leave a positive impact.
The Quiet Dignity of Shared Spaces
One defining aspect of Japanese culture is the emphasis on avoiding actions that could disturb or inconvenience others in shared public spaces. Maintaining hushed voices, steering clear of drunken rambunctiousness, keeping loud gatherings off trains and buses - these societal norms may contrast with more casual Australian attitudes.
... emphasis on avoiding actions that could disturb or inconvenience others...
But there are valid reasons this code of public conduct is so deeply ingrained. With Japan's densely populated cities, crammed public transit, and compact living conditions, excessive noise or unruly behaviour exponentially impacts those around you. This cultural virtue of preserving quiet dignity helps maintain a sense of harmonious order.
These sensibilities also stem from traditional practices like removing outdoor shoes inside to protect clean spaces. Even normal conversational volumes back home could be perceived as impolite in settings where subdued tones are expected, like certain shrines, temples or ryokans.
Don't Be an Accidental Nuisance
We've all encountered those scenes - small laneways or squares overwhelmed by selfie-stick wielding tourists jostling for the same Instagram shot that hundreds have already posted. In photogenic Japan, these clogs risk spilling over into obstructed footpaths and pedestrian disruptions, with overzealous photographers climbing onto cars or private property for that perfect frame.
One notorious example was the Kyoto neighbourhood overrun by visitors trying to capture photos of geisha, until local authorities ultimately felt compelled to ban access to the area as a last resort.
At Tokyo's Senso-ji temple, the #1 ranked attraction on TripAdvisor, crowds fixated on capturing the iconic pagoda leave the experience feeling like being herded through cattle chutes rather than appreciating the atmosphere.
With so many visitors getting trapped in an influencer's checklist mentality, they miss opportunities to experience the living, breathing culture surrounding these hotspots.
Embracing the Road Less 'Grammed
While Japan certainly has its share of justifiably famous sights, the obsession with only hitting the top 10 landmarks is misguided. This vast island nation offers a practically endless array of culturally immersive experiences away from the overtrodden highlights.
With around 160,000 temples and shrines found everywhere from mountaintop perches to quiet neighbourhood corners, chances are any off-the-beaten-track gem you uncover will have far fewer crowds disrupting the ambiance. Discovering these intimate cultural treasures rewards going your own way.
Modern problems need modern solutions: Instead of refering to TripAdvisor or Instagram, consider asking your AI assistant (ChatGPT, Google Gemini) for temple, shrine, garden, or historic neighbourhood recommendations that nobody else knows about. Moulding your itinerary around these kinds of lived cultural traditions over the biggest Instagram backdrops unlocks a completely different, richer level of appreciation.
Look out for final blog post of this series, where I leave you with tips to ensure your visit to Japan results in the best experience for you, and leaves a positive impact on the lives of those you are there to see.
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