You’ve read the guidebooks. You’ve watched the YouTube vlogs. You know about Mount Fuji, matcha lattes, and the importance of taking off your shoes indoors. But there’s a whole layer of Japanese daily life that almost nobody talks about — because to the Japanese, it’s simply too obvious to mention.
This is the stuff that catches even seasoned travelers off guard. The moment you sit down at a conveyor belt sushi restaurant and realize there’s no tea, no water, and no obvious way to get either. The awkward pause at the cash register when you’re not sure whether to hand money to the cashier or put it somewhere. The growing panic of trying to open a convenience store rice ball correctly while five people queue behind you.
These aren’t big problems. But knowing the answers in advance transforms them from moments of confusion into moments of “oh, I’ve got this.” And honestly? Learning these small things is one of the most enjoyable parts of getting to know Japan. So here are 10 things that Japanese locals consider completely normal — and that will genuinely level up your trip.
- 01 | At Conveyor Belt Sushi, You Make Your Own Green Tea
- 02 | Tipping Is Not Just Unnecessary — It Can Actually Feel Rude
- 03 | Convenience Store Rice Balls Have a Three-Step Opening System
- 04 | Water at Restaurants Is Usually Free — But You Might Have to Find It Yourself
- 05 | Phone Calls on Trains Are a No-Go (Even When It's Crowded)
- 06 | At Hot Springs and Public Baths, Swimwear Is Usually Forbidden
- 07 | Vending Machines Sell Hot Drinks (Yes, Warm Cans From a Machine)
- 08 | Eating Inside a Convenience Store Changes Your Tax Rate
- 09 | There's a Specific Way to Pray at a Shinto Shrine
- 10 | Don't Hand Money Directly to the Cashier — Use the Tray
- Final Thoughts
This article is especially useful for:
- First-time visitors who want to arrive prepared
- Repeat travelers looking to go deeper than the tourist surface
- Anyone who’s ever wondered “wait, am I doing this wrong?”
01 | At Conveyor Belt Sushi, You Make Your Own Green Tea
Walk into any kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi) restaurant and you’ll find a small device mounted at your table or counter. It has a nozzle and sometimes a button — and it dispenses hot water. That’s your tea station.
You’re expected to make your own green tea using the powdered matcha or sencha provided nearby. Just scoop some powder into a cup, press the lever for hot water, and you’re set. Tea is completely free and unlimited.
Now, the cups: don’t look on the table for them. In most conveyor belt sushi places, cups are placed on the above of conveyor. Just grab one. And if you want water, it’s usually not on the table — look for a self-service water dispenser along the wall or near the entrance. It’s free too. Just help yourself.
02 | Tipping Is Not Just Unnecessary — It Can Actually Feel Rude
This is one of the most discussed aspects of Japanese culture online, and yet many visitors still feel the instinct to leave something. Here’s the clearest way to put it: in Japan, tipping is not part of the culture, at restaurants, hotels, taxis, or anywhere else.
If you try to leave money on the table, staff will often bring it back to you. If you hand extra cash directly to a worker, they may politely decline. This isn’t rudeness — it comes from a professional philosophy that service is already part of the price, and that accepting extra payment would suggest the service was inadequate until that point.
The best way to show appreciation? Say “arigatou gozaimasu” (ありがとうございます) sincerely, and maybe make eye contact. A genuine thank-you means far more than cash ever would.
03 | Convenience Store Rice Balls Have a Three-Step Opening System
Japanese convenience stores — 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson — are a genuine highlight of any trip. The onigiri (rice balls) are fresh, delicious, and cheap. But the packaging? It’s a puzzle the first time.
Look for the numbers ①②③ printed on the wrapper. Pull tab ① first, then ② and ③ on either side. The genius of this system is that the seaweed (nori) is stored separately from the rice and only wraps around it as you open the package — keeping it perfectly crispy rather than soggy.
Once you figure it out, it feels like a small revelation. If you’re still confused, staff at the register are used to demonstrating this for tourists — don’t hesitate to ask.
04 | Water at Restaurants Is Usually Free — But You Might Have to Find It Yourself
Unlike some parts of Europe or Southeast Asia, water in Japanese restaurants is free. It won’t be added to your bill. But depending on the restaurant, it might not automatically appear on your table.
At family restaurants and izakaya (Japanese pub-style dining), water often arrives with the menu. At ramen shops, noodle restaurants, or smaller local spots, there’s usually a self-service pitcher or dispenser near the wall — just get up and help yourself. It’s completely normal to do this, and no one will think twice about it.
If you can’t find it, try asking: “Mizu wo kudasai” (水をください) — “Water, please.” You’ll almost always get a glass promptly.
05 | Phone Calls on Trains Are a No-Go (Even When It’s Crowded)
Japan’s trains are famously quiet. Not just a little quiet — remarkably, almost eerily quiet for a vehicle that can hold hundreds of people. One of the key reasons is that talking on the phone is considered poor etiquette on most train lines.
Announcements in English and Japanese often remind passengers to switch to silent mode near priority seats, and to avoid phone calls altogether. Japanese commuters text, scroll, or simply sit quietly. If you need to take a call, step off at the next station or wait until you’re in the station concourse.
That said, quietly talking with your travel companion is fine — the rule is specifically about phone calls. And despite the packed carriages, almost no one complains audibly. Discomfort is endured in silence. That’s a very Japanese response to a very Japanese situation.
06 | At Hot Springs and Public Baths, Swimwear Is Usually Forbidden
Japanese onsen (hot springs) and sento (public bathhouses) operate on a principle that surprises many Western visitors: you bathe completely naked. Swimwear is typically not allowed, primarily for hygiene reasons — a bathing suit that’s been worn elsewhere is considered to introduce contaminants into the shared water.
The etiquette process goes like this:
- Rinse your body thoroughly at the shower stations before entering the communal bath — this is non-negotiable.
- Use soap and shampoo only at the individual shower stations, never in the shared tub.
- Keep your small modesty towel out of the water — fold it on your head, or leave it at the side.
- If you have visible tattoos, check the facility’s policy in advance. Many traditional onsen still prohibit tattoos, though this is slowly changing at more tourist-friendly facilities.
The experience itself — sitting in mineral-rich, naturally heated water, often with an outdoor view — is deeply relaxing and genuinely one-of-a-kind.
For a more detailed bathing guide, check here!
07 | Vending Machines Sell Hot Drinks (Yes, Warm Cans From a Machine)
Japan has an extraordinarily high density of vending machines — roughly one for every 23 people — and they’re stocked with far more than cold beverages. In colder months, many vending machines sell hot drinks: canned coffee, warm green tea, hot corn soup, even heated sweet potato drinks.
The label color is your guide: blue or white labels mean cold; red labels mean hot. Press the button, hear the clink, and pull out a genuinely warm can. It’s such a simple thing, but standing in the cold and warming your hands on a vending machine can from a street corner in Kyoto is one of those quietly perfect Japan moments.
Many machines now also accept IC cards like Suica or PASMO — the same cards you use on trains — making payment faster and cashless.
08 | Eating Inside a Convenience Store Changes Your Tax Rate
This one is genuinely surprising and a bit absurd — in the best way. Japan has a dual consumption tax rate: 8% for takeaway food and 10% for food consumed on-site. This applies to convenience stores with eat-in seating.
When you pay at the register, the cashier may ask: “Kochira de omeshiagari desuka?” — “Will you be eating here?” Answer “Hai” (yes) if you’re using the seats inside, or “Iie, teiku auto de” (no, takeaway) if you’re heading out.
The price difference is small, but it’s worth knowing so you’re not caught off guard at the register. And if you do use the eat-in area, enjoy it — the seating is free, the WiFi is often available, and it’s a surprisingly comfortable place to rest mid-exploration.
09 | There’s a Specific Way to Pray at a Shinto Shrine
Visiting a jinja (Shinto shrine) is one of the most memorable experiences Japan offers. You don’t need to be religious to participate — most visitors treat it as a cultural ritual. But knowing the proper sequence makes it feel much more meaningful.
The basic steps are:
- Bow once before passing through the torii gate (the distinctive red/orange archway).
- At the temizuya (stone water basin near the entrance), rinse your left hand, then your right hand, then (optionally) rinse your mouth — using the ladle provided.
- Approach the main hall, toss a coin into the offering box (any denomination is fine — there’s no rule).
- Ring the bell if there is one, then: bow twice, clap twice, bow once more. This is the classic “ni-rei, ni-hakushu, ichi-rei” sequence.
You won’t be in trouble if you get it slightly wrong — nobody will correct you. But attempting the ritual respectfully tends to earn warm smiles from elderly worshippers nearby. It’s a small act that signals genuine curiosity about the culture.
10 | Don’t Hand Money Directly to the Cashier — Use the Tray
This one is subtle but worth knowing. In almost every Japanese shop, restaurant, or ticket window, there’s a small tray or dish on the counter near the register. This is where you place your cash when paying — not directly into the cashier’s hand.
The cashier will then pick up your payment from the tray and return your change to the same tray. The whole transaction happens through the tray, with minimal direct hand-to-hand contact. It’s a practice rooted in both hygiene considerations and a particular form of respectful distance in service culture.
If you instinctively hold out your hand with cash, the cashier may simply gesture toward the tray. Just set it there, and everything proceeds perfectly. Once you notice this system, you’ll see it absolutely everywhere — and wonder how you ever didn’t notice before.
Final Thoughts
Japan is a country that rewards curiosity. The more you pay attention to the small things — the tray at the register, the numbers on the rice ball, the quiet discipline of the morning commute — the more the culture reveals itself in a way that no highlight reel can capture.
None of these customs are difficult once you know them. And knowing them doesn’t just save you from awkward moments. It shows the people you encounter that you’re genuinely interested in their world. In Japan, that tends to go a long way.
