10 Japanese Secret Customs & Unspoken Rules that most foreigners don't know about.

Today, I'm very excited to spill the beans on the top 10 that I bet you will find super interesting.

Trust me, knowing these will make your trip to Japan.

So please watch the video and enjoy it until the end!

0:00 Opening
0:30 1. The Mystery of the Last Bite on the Plate
1:27 2. Are there people in Japan who secretly clean public toilets?
3:06 3. Interesting Rule for Preparing Beer in Japan
4:01 4. Why are Japanese people so uncomfortable with making eye contact?
5:26 5. The Mystery of Shifting Glasses Downward During Cheers
6:44 6. Why Do Japanese People Watch Movie Credits Until the End?
7:35 7. The Magic Clap to End the Party
8:51 8. Why Are Japanese Roads So Quiet?
9:49 9. The Evolution of Bowing in Three Stages
10:45 10. The Escalator Rules in Japan are Chaos
11:55 Ending

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MUSIC:
・Epidemic Sound

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REFERENCES:
・North America Journey: 5 Ways to Make Miracles Happen！

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GET IN TOUCH:

[andyleighton]

“An introverted #Finn looks at his shoes when talking to you; an extroverted Finn looks at your shoes”.
I love the way they picked the Finns, a notoriously reserved nation as control for their "look me in the eye" comparison.

[parttimesaint]

In older Norse tradition, we cheered heartily with our cups/mugs/bowls to splash some of the contents into each other's drink. It was a sign of trust and confidence that no one would be poisoned.
When I heard about keeping your glass lower in Japanese customs, I figured it would be a sign that the lower glass symbolize trust that they won't be poisoned by the higher glass if it would spill over somehow.
I really like hearing about your customs and unspoken rules.

[practicalpen]

In Mexico it used to be customary to leave some morsels or a last bite on your own plate to signal you were full, if you ate everything your host would assume you're starving and serve you seconds. And I say "used to be" because that's what my Mom taught me as good manners as a kid, but I haven't seen it used anywhere nowadays. My Canadian Dad taught me to stay through the credits as a sign of respect for moviemakers. Interesting cultural comparisons!

[lili]

I was in Japan with my students in 1999. I stayed with two English language teachers. Next to Kobayashi sensei’s home there was a Shinto temple. Old people were on their knees picking fallen leaves off of the moss in the garden. Apparently this happens after each rainy season. The high school students as well as my students pitch in at school to clean the school classrooms, halls and toilets everyday; no such thing as janitors! The same thing happened around the Atom Bomb Memorial Site in Peace Park, Hiroshima. Elderly women were picking leaves off of the rubble that surrounded the site. Let’s not forget the Japanese attendants to the World Cup who cleaned up trash in the stadium seats and the team locker room. So impressive!

[krayaex]

As for credits at the end of movies: my friend who studied cinematography mentioned that during classes when they were watching something, she would always stick until the end out of respect for people involved during the making of the movie. That is why I do the same – some people get their 5 sec only then, during the credit roll.

[Samouraimoh]

Great video. I lived for nine years in Japan (Sendai and Tokyo) and Japanese people do not blame foreigners when they do not follow the formal behaviours. They understand. However, if you live longer in Japan, you have to make efforts and learn about the rule and follow them. You will find that Japanese people will be more open to you and they will enjoy your company.

[donnaboshaw]

I work for Yamaha in the US and have worked with gentleman from Japan as a liaison when they come to our plant. Of course there is a language barrier but we get through it. This most recent time they were here, I couldn't talk because of laryngitis so another person took my spot. They did however make sure to track me down to give me gifts that they brought from Japan. Wonderful, wonderful people. Thank you for another great video.

[michelleelle]

5:19 I had a wonderful Japanese friend that explained eye contact to me. As a female, she she said if she was to make direct eye contact with a male, she may be looked upon as “flirting”. She also said it was a sign of respect. She was married to a US Military man and that’s how I was fortunate enough to meet her. Extremely kind and considerate person. ❤

[nicolelaura]

Our public bathrooms are primarily disgusting where I live! I wish people would, at the very least, clean up after themselves!

[thebearcouncil]

We have a similar custom in Sweden where no one wants to eat the last piece of cake if there is an uneven number. Everyone will just let the last piece sit until someone runs out of self control and starts asking everyone at the table if they want the last piece while secretly wanting it. Everyone politely declines even though everyone secretly wants it as well, so in the end, after everyone is done preteng they don't want it, the asker usually offers to split it, that one everyone gets a piece.
I think this might be even nore hars core because it is considered bold to ask if you can have the last piece since it would force everyone else to pretend they had not been eyeing it for the past 15 minutes.

[LCD_scream_]

I'm American and already do, or would naturally be fine with doing all of these things. Others think I'm weird or too considerate, but it makes me happy to know there's a whole country that's so much like me. Now I really want to visit!!!

[babeena_gt_]

I love when i find actual Japanese people explaining japanese culture. I grew tired of watching europeans and aficqns trying to explain it just because they visited for a month or 2 . Im supposed to be going to japan soon on vacation and im so happy i found this video. Thank you 🙏😔

[jimistarbuck]

Very good. Thank you. I’m an old man now but I’ve always appreciated the respect Japanese people showed to others especially towards the elderly people.

[LaundryFaerie]

I love the concepts of Yotoku and Intoku. Setting aside the belief about gaining brownie points in an unseen world, these acts tend to improve public life, so they are worth performing for no other reason.

[barbarakamiyama]

Very nice explanations. I enjoyed watching you until the end. Please make more videos.
A funny story: a recent arrival to Japan in summer loved getting the “Oshibori ” at restaurants. He rented a car and drove up to a gas station to fill up. The attendant gave him a wet towel. He thought it was “Oshibori ” and used it to wipe his face. The attendant was horrified and in broken English told him, “No! No! for car!” And showed him how to wipe his steering wheel, etc. The foreigner told me about his experience afterwards. We had a good laugh!

[bethredmondwalsh]

The clapping to end a party is the biggest surprise. I like that one. I visited Tokyo over 20 years ago and witnessed the very low bowing by employees when I was entering or leaving a large store. What a shock.

[LarryLMelton]

I lived in Japan for 2 ½ years, 1958-1961. I loved the country, the people, and the customs. Because of the Japanese people’s natural proclivity for politeness, I usually had no problem interacting with Japanese people. I knew and understood their customs and adopted their level of respect. I was even invited to participate in a Judo tournament at the Kodokan Judo Institute, which was considered an honor for a foreign-born person.

Yet, for all of my presumed “fitting” in with Japanese culture, I was and still am a Gaijin. Due to my interpersonal skills, I was given a certain level of respect, but as a Gaijin, there was definitely a limit to my acceptance. Most Japanese people (not all) would never intentionally disrespect me, but my acceptance into Japanese culture was limited.

There is a series on Max that illustrates this perfectly: “Tokyo Vice.” A Gaijin who speaks fluent Japanese and knows the proper customs and levels of respect is accepted as a reporter for the largest newspaper in the country. He is accomplished in all things Japanese, yet he is still a Gaijin and is referred to by certain high people as such.

Larry from Texas

[optimusmaximus]

The best definition I have come across for the word "integrity" is "doing the right thing even when no one is looking".

[jldisme]

30 years before end credit scenes became a thing, my friends and I always watched the credits until the end. It's just a way of showing respect for all of the people who work so hard on the movie. I'm American.

[alienonion]

Signaling the end of a party... I love it. I've always hated guessing when is a good time to thank the host and leave... leaving too early is rude, , , leaving at the very end is rude. Party invites often only have vague begin and end times.
I visited Japan a few times and absolutely loved it. I was very young and was awed by Tokyo. Even such a huge busy city people were easy to meet and gladly took the time to tell us the best places to go, the fun places to go and where not to go. There were small groups of people close to our ages that made our visit the best.... going from place to place for food, drink and entertainment we all went together and often there were other foreigners that were amongst us so not only did we have the opportunity to converse with people our ages from all over Japan but some from all over the world. It was wonderful to see many of the same people through out the night as small groups split into smaller groups which added more members and on and on it went. One night we counted 15 groups that contained at least 2 of the group we started with. I would go again if I could.