The Traveler’s Etiquette
Guide to Hokkaido▼ This pamphlet is available for download in PDF format. ▼http://www.visit-hokkaido.jp/t/company/data/index2.html#etiquette

Understand Japanese custom and etiquette
for an even more enjoyable visit!

The Traveler’sEtiquette
Guide to Hokkaido
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January 2016: Enlarged and Revised Edition PublishedPublished by

Hokkaido Kanko Shinko Kiko Public Interest Inc. AssociationEnquiries

Hokkaido Kanko Shinko Kiko Public Interest Inc. Association
1st Floor Ryokuen Building, 1-1 Kita 3-jo Nishi 7-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Tel.011-231-6736 Fax. 011-232-5064

Planning &Production

Xene, Inc.

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The Moderate and ModestJapanese People

Understand the Japanese mind,
for a pleasant and rewarding visit

Welcome to Hokkaido, a paradise of Japanese hospitality!
Welcome to Hokkaido! The people of Hokkaido offer a warm welcome and heartfelt hospitality
to visitors from around the globe – first-time visitors and repeaters alike. Each and every traveler
enjoys Hokkaido in their own unique way. However, the key to an even more rewarding visit is tounderstand the ways of thinking, customs, and dispositions of Hokkaido’s locals. Through thispamphlet, “The Traveler’s Etiquette Guide to Hokkaido”, we hope to provide insights towards thenature of Japan and the Japanese mind, opening the doors to many joyful and memorable
experiences.

Moderationand Modesty
The Spirit of “Wa”
(Harmony)

The Japanese
Way of Thinking

Appreciation for
Authenticity

Sincerity

Delicacyand Subtlety

Japanese people are often described as having “moderate”,“modest”, or “mild” personalities. At the heart of this disposition
lies the cherished concept of “wa” (harmony). As inhabitants of anisland nation, the Japanese people have long appreciated theimportance of cooperation with family, neighbors, friends, andcolleagues. It is considered a virtue to fit in with others – even to
the point of restraining one’s personal desires. Japanese people
tend to be embarrassed to act differently from others, and havedeveloped a tradition of carefully observing the surroundings
before acting.

Speak in a Whisper?
The Japanese appear particularly polite and quiet
in settings such as restaurants, subways, andpublic spaces. Compared to other groups such as
Americans or Chinese, the Japanese tend tospeak quietly. With little stressed intonation, theJapanese language itself is particularly suited toquiet conversation. As such, the Japanese areeasily surprised by loud or intense conversations
nearby. It may be helpful to lower your voiceslightly when in a Japanese social setting.

quiet...
It's soEverything with Modesty –Even Belching!
Japanese etiquette is based on avoiding causing
discomfort or nuisance to others. Accordingly,
Japanese will avoid bodily functions such as
belching or flatulence in public entirely, orperform bodily functions as discreetly as
possible. Of course, these functions are anecessary part of human life, but please bemodest and discreet when visiting Japan.

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BurThe Spirit of “Wa” (Harmony)
The Japanese have long cherished the spirit of “wa” (harmony) as
an essential part of living together in a small island nation, andJapanese society has come to be oriented towards the group thantowards the individual. Furthermore, the Japanese consider rules
and etiquette to be absolutely essential for group activities. Thus,
there is a strong sense of obedience for rules. A Japanese proverbof Chinese origin states, “When you enter a village, act like its
people do”. This reflects the Japanese concern for learning andfollowing local etiquette when traveling overseas.

The Importance of Punctuality
During group activities, the Japanese areparticularly strict about time. For example,
during a group tour, if one of the tour members
became absorbed in shopping and did not show
up for the appointed time, the tour staff would
go into a panic. It is taken for granted thateveryone will carefully observe scheduled times.
Make sure to be on time in Japan, or you willcertainly upset everyone else.

Disposing of Rubbish
The Japanese people cherish neatness andcleanliness, and there is a strong custom ofcleaning up your own rubbish. As such, when
visiting Japan, please be mindful not to drop
rubbish on the floor or streets, and to carefully
sort your rubbish into the proper bins accordingto category. There are special disposal bins forused paper diapers in public toilets. In places
without rubbish bins, visitors are expected totake their rubbish with them.

Always Orderly,
Even in Long Queues
The Japanese people have a strong
sense of following rules and avoiding
inconvenience to others. This trait canbe seen in the orderly behavior ofJapanese when in long lines orcrowded waiting areas. Cutting ahead
in a queue is an unthinkable breach of
etiquette in Japan.

Be Mindful ofPrivate Property
In Japan, like most other countries,
smoking in public is restricted todesignated areas, and all other public
spaces are considered to be
non-smoking areas. If you smoke,please do so only in designated areas.
Never smoke while walking, as this will
disturb others, such as parents withbabies in strollers and other tourists.

Only Take Home Disposable or Consumable Items
Of the items provided at your accommodation, you may
generally take home disposable or consumable items such assoap, shampoo, and razors. However, please do not remove otheritems such as cutlery, dishes, kettles, hairdryers, or the like fromyour guest room -- taking such items is considered theft.

Japanese Dining Customs
Please Don’t Bring In or Take Out
In traditional Japanese dining custom, instead of being seated at atable, diners sit in seiza style directly on the tatami floor, and dinefrom individual legged trays. This tradition has led to the practiceof holding dishes, such as the rice bowl and soup bowl, while
dining. When using chopsticks, it is considered proper style toelegantly lift items from their dishes, instead of bringing the dishall the way up to the face. Let’s look at a few more Japanese dining
manners.

Bringing your own food or drink into adining establishment is not common
practice in Japan, and is punishable byfine in some cases – when in doubt, don’tbring in. Likewise, during buffet dining,please do not fill personal water bottles
from the buffet or take extra food withyou. Taking home provided cutlery,seasonings, or other amenities is also
highly frowned upon.

A Tranquil and Tidy Table
In traditional Japanese dining custom,
general etiquette dictates to avoid
unnecessary noise or speaking whilechewing. As tables were not used in
traditional Japanese dining, any spilled
foods would soil the tatami mats, so
there is a strong aversion to leavingbones or other litter directly on thetabletop. Please return any such waste
to the corner of a plate.

Waste Not, Want Not“Mottainai” is a Japanese concept ofregret for waste, inspired by Buddhist
philosophy. This idea lives on at themodern dining table, where it is goodetiquette to finish all of your food.
Leaving food behind might imply toyour hosts that you did not enjoy themeal.

No Roomwear in Hotel Common Areas.
Many accommodation facilities in Japan
provide roomwear, yukatas, or slippers foruse inside the guest rooms. Some of theseaccommodation facilities allow guests touse roomwear throughout common areas,
but others do not.
Roomwear may generally be worn outside
your room at Japanese-style ryokans(traditional inns) and some other types offacilities, but please be aware that theterms of accommodation at mostwestern-style hotels request guests to notwear yukata, bathrobes, slippers, or the likein hallways or other common areas.

Public Bath Etiquette
The Tranquil Tradition of Japanese Bathing
Partaking in the Japanese style of public bathing will place you stark
naked, surrounded by many other bathers – perhaps a bit of a shock if
you aren’t expecting it! The Japanese love bathing, and there is evenan expression, “hadaka no tsukiai”, which means “socialization in thenude”, which refers to the heart-to-heart communication possible in apublic bath, where bathers shed their professions and social status tobecome equals. The Japanese love cleanliness in general, and areparticularly obsessed with keeping the bathwater pristine. The saying
goes, “In the west, take a bath to get clean. In Japan, get clean to take abath.

Hadaka no Tsukiai(“Socialization in the Nude”)
First, remove all of your clothes, and bring thesmall washing towel with you into the bathingarea. Most public baths provide soap andshampoo, but you may also bring your own if
you like. Do not wear swimming suits, bathrobes,
or slippers – that would certainly be a shock forthe locals! Please give Japan’s “hadaka no tsukiai”
a try.

Wash Your Body Before Bathing
In a Japanese public bath, bathtubs are shared byeveryone. As such, bathers are fastidious about keeping
the bathwater clean. Before you soak in the tub, carefully
wash your body completely clean, and be sure to rinse off
any soap. Jumping straight in the tub without washing firstis a big “No!”The bath area is meant for tranquil relaxation.
Please do not shout, swim, take pictures, eat, or
drink in the bath area. Also, when washing yourbody at the washing stations, please be mindful
not to spray the shower on others. After washing,please rinse the wash station and chair andreturn everything to its original place.

Dry Off Before Entering the Changeroom
When leaving the bath, it is a common courtesy
to towel off before you enter the changeroom toavoid tracking water inside. This also helps
prevent the risk of slipping and falling in thechangeroom.

About Japan’s Bath Tax
In Japan, a local tax is levied for bathing use of
hot springs or mineral springs. The tax is typically
about 150 yen for guests staying at anaccommodation attached to the hot spring, oraround 50-100 yen for day visitors. If staying at ahot spring accommodation, the tax generally
must be paid even if you don’t use the bath.

Differences inCustoms and Culture

Accident Insurance in Japan
Consider the case where a bus tour participant falls
and is injured while walking at one of theattractions. Unless the tour itself is enrolled in
accident insurance, there would be no insurance
coverage provided for the injury. Bus carriers are notliable for any damage that occurs outside thevehicle, except as a result of embarking or
disembarking. Make sure to carry travel insurance
issued in your country of residence.

Each country has its own unique history, customs, and culture.
Traveling overseas is a great way to expand your horizons, but may
also contain some unwelcome surprises! For example, in Japan,
accommodation prices are typically calculated per person, not per
room. Traditionally, Japanese inns have served both dinner andbreakfast with each stay, so enjoying meals at your accommodation
is a big part of Japanese hospitality. Even today, there are some inns
and hotels which only offer accommodation combined with meals.
Let's take a look at some of these differences in social custom.

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The Japanese pursuit of cleanliness
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Flincludes using the toilet. It’s common

Toilet Etiquette

Accommodation Priced
per Person, not per Room
Most Japanese hotels and inns publish theirprices per person, not per room. If threepeople share a room, you will pay threetimes the “three people occupancy” price.
Meals are also billed per person. Check thetotal price in advance, so you don’t get
surprised by the bill at check out!

Accommodation
Cost

10,000 yen

10,000 yen7,000 yen

courtesy to make sure that you don’t
dirty the toilet or washroom. Japanese
toilet paper is water-soluble anddesigned to be flushed down the toilet.
Please place the paper in the toilet
bowl before you flush. If you’ve soiled
the toilet, please be considerate ofothers and wipe it clean.

Total: 27,000 yen

Reliably Made in Japan
In Japan, it’s forbidden to open the
packaging of a product until you’ve
purchased and paid for it. Japan is a world
leader in production technology andquality control, and it’s common sense that
consumers don’t need to open packages tocheck for defects. As such, opening
packages before purchase could beconsidered damaging the product, or evenprosecuted as shoplifting. If you’d like toknow more about the package contents,
ask the sales staff.

How to use a “Washlet”
One of the first things that visitors to Japan
notice are toilet control panels marked with aplethora of features such as “Bottom Clean”,“Bidet”, “Deodorize”, “Heating”, and more! Youmight be thinking, “But I just want to flush!”
In many cases, the toilet is mechanicallyflushed by a separate lever or button fromthe control panel. Check the side of the tankor the walls around the toilet to find the leveror button.

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