Japanese manners can surprise you in many situations, just ask the boys from Kurupt FM who take on Tokyo in the new film People Just Do Nothing: Big in Japan! Sometimes the best lessons are learned the hard way, but you can also let other people’s mishaps guide you. Read more about how not to do Japan here – some things happened but they had a great time regardless! Don’t be afraid to ask questions and apologise with a swift ‘sumimasen’ if you do need to. To avoid those situations in the future and make the most out of your time in Japan, we’ve asked our fans on social media to share their ‘hazukashii’ embarrassing moments from their past voyages. Read their candid confessions and our cultural take on them to save you from blushing!
Fashion blunders
“I was staying at this really nice hotel in Hakone and me and my family decided to have dinner in the hotel yukatas. The minute we entered the lobby, the concierge ran up to us waving and explained that we can’t wear them there because they are basically like bathrobes.” - J
Yukatas are a light summer kimono which can function as a bathrobe at an onsen hot spring or a light summer outdoor outfit. Visiting an onsen town, you will see people walking around in their yukatas and it’s completely fine. If you stay at a traditional Japanese inn called ryokan, you are encouraged to wear the yukata provided to enjoy the hot spring baths and all meals! However, the situation changes in western style hotels. In that type of accommodation, yukata are only meant to be worn in your hotel room and while heading to the bath facilities! When in doubt, just observe what other guests are doing and ask at the reception. You can read more about onsen hot springs, tattoos, and etiquette in our blog post here.
Toilet trouble
"I was experimenting with the various buttons on the toilet… tunes, temperature etc, when there was a frantic knocking on the door. Yup, I’d pressed the alarm button. Oh the shame!" - D
Japanese high-tech toilets are the highlight of every visit to Japan and they are a lot more common than you might expect! They have an array of useful bidet functions but their control panels can also be used to call for help in an emergency. Most of the functions increasingly have a description in English next to them but when in doubt, don't press the red button or pull the dangling string. This will make one of the members of staff check on you in your cubicle!
Train slip
"The time I got onto a women only carriage. So many sumimasens were said!" - J
Every day during morning and evening rush hours in Japan's major cities, designated carriages turn into women only spaces! They are always marked both on the carriage doors and the platform floor so it's really easy to spot them. Younger boys and people with disabilities are allowed to ride on those carriages too and there is no punishment for riding on them by mistake so don't sweat it!
The clock is ticking
"I was on my first business trip to Japan. We were running late to an important meeting because the previous one overran. I ran like a dog, arrived 15 minutes late and realised I didn't prepare enough business cards. The meeting was a mess and as a result my boss had to apologise for me in a proper 90 degrees bow." - C
Being on time is a big thing in Japan even when meeting in casual situations so make sure to always arrive a few minutes early or exactly on time! If you're travelling for business, you will need plenty of 'meishi' business cards to politely exchange with everyone participating in the meeting. When receiving someone's card, first take it in two hands and inspect it in detail. Then, place it respectfully in front of yourself for the remainder of the meeting. Never write on somone else's business card and don't put them away into your pockets - they are considered to be an extension of the person you're meeting!
Remember, Japan has a wealth of traditions and a rich cultural heritage but no one is going to judge you for making small mistakes! See for yourself how the boys from Kurupt FM go big in People Just Do Nothing: Big in Japan, in cinemas August 18.
