ENTERING A BUILDING:
Inside the entrances of most homes and many other buildings is an area call a "genkan".
It is to provide a "cleanliness buffer" between the outside and inside of the building.
Shoes should be removed in this space and should never touch the clean surface beyond the genkan.
Bare or socked feet should never touch the surface of the genkan.
Wear shoes that are easy to put on and take off as it will save considerable embarrassment.
Slippers are often provided to wear inside but should never be worn on tatami floors.

GIFTS:
When visiting someone or if someone does you a favour you should give them a gift.
Tea, calenders or key rings from your country are examples of gifts that are appropriate and are easy to carry when travelling.
Fruit, chocolate and other foods you can buy in Japan are also often appropriate.
Most supermarkets have a section with gift wrapped foods.

BLOWING YOUR NOSE:
Blowing your nose is seen as the equivelent of farting in public.
Only do it in bathrooms or other places where people cant see or hear you.
Sniffing is considered acceptable and will not bother anyone.

CLEANLINESS AND PERSONAL HYGIENE:
Be clean, well groomed and wear presentable clothes because everyone around you will be too!!

BOWING:
Bowing is an extremely complex subject and when and how you bow depends upon the situation and the "status" of the people concerned.
It is not usually expected of foreigners who are only visiting or holidaying.. so safer not to do it.

SMILING:
As an alternative to bowing or speaking good Japanese smiling nicely all the time is a great strategy.
Japanese are always concerned that others are happy so if you do it they will feel more relaxed.
Smile and thank people in your own language - they will understand the meaning if not the words.

BE AWARE OF OTHER PEOPLE'S COMFORT:
Japanese are masters of this.
The attitude is that other people are more important than us.
They will be very aware of how you are feeling and how you are reacting.
Don't show ANY negative emotion as it will make them very uncomfortable.
(Everything is great and all food is very tasty!!!)
Being aware of the comfort of the people around you will also help you learn about the culture more quickly and help you learn the polite behaviors.
Talk quietly.. loud voices are considered obnoxious in Japan.
Try to be aware of other people and don't sit or stand where you will inconvenience anyone else.

SUNGLASSES:
When inside or talking to people remove sunglasses.
They often make people in Japan uncomfortable.

TOUCHING OR KISSING:
Don't do it.
It is true that young people do sometimes do it in public but it is best not to.
Don't touch any Japanese person even if you think they are your friend - it is likely to make them uncomfortable.

SHAKING HANDS:
Occasionally someone will offer you a hand to shake (probably because you are a foreigner), if they do - shake it.
But if they don't, don't do it either as they may have no experience of it.

STARING:
While Japanese will sometimes stare at foreigners it is not cool for anyone in Japan to stare at anyone.
Men watching girls walk by or staring at them on trains or other places is also considered very impolite and very uncool.

SEIZA:
(Sitting on the knees)
It is not uncommon in Japan to sit in seiza on all sorts of floors for hours on end.
If you cant it is ok for men to sit crosslegged but women should sit with both legs to one side.

EATING:
When eating with other people wait for them to all start before you do.

If you have any comments or any questions about etiquette in Japan please post them here...