Tag: Japanese manners

  • Visiting a Japanese Home: Modern Etiquette, Phrases, and Acts of Respect You Should Know

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    Visiting a Japanese home is more than just a social visit — it’s a gentle exchange of trust and kindness. From saying ojamashimasu at the door to offering a small gift and accepting tea politely, every action carries quiet meaning. In this post, I share what I’ve learned — the modern manners, useful Japanese phrases,…

    Historic Japanese tea house with wooden exterior and hanging greenery, representing traditional hospitality culture.
  • Why Tipping Doesn’t Belong in Japan: Culture, Values, and What It Means for the Future

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    In many countries, tipping is polite—even necessary. But in Japan, leaving extra money on the table isn’t just unusual—it can cause confusion. The Japanese approach to service is rooted in pride, fairness, and omotenashi (hospitality without expectation). In this article, I’ll share why tipping isn’t part of Japanese culture, when it might be acceptable, and…

    no tipping sign
  • Masks, Manners, and Everyday Politeness: My Adjustment

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    Moving to Japan meant more than just learning a new language and adapting to a new place—it meant learning a new rhythm of daily life shaped by masks, manners, and small acts of politeness. From quiet trains to the way we hand money at the cashier, every gesture carries meaning. This is the story of…

    Person in a straw hat bowing deeply on the floor in front of a sword, evoking traditional Japanese respect and discipline