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what to avoid in japan

Avoid using them! Japanese unlucky numbers

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There are superstitions in almost everywhere in the world and Japan is no exception. Many Japanese superstitions have been imported from different countries especially from China and they are meant to teach or advise people. Most of them are related to language or based on the animistic beliefs from Shinto. Let’s take a look at some of the most common unlucky numbers that you should avoid in Japan or when you communicate with Japanese people.

Unlucky numbers

Number 4

It is unlucky because the pronunciation of it is “Shi”, which is the same for the word for death (死). 4th floor or rooms with the number don’t exist in most hotels and hospitals to avoid bringing in bad luck to the area, and most companies avoid using consecutive number of 4 for their phone numbers. 42 and 49 are usually not used for cars and racing because they sound Shi-ni:To death (死に) and Shi-ku:To run over/To suffer death(轢く,死苦). In order to avoid the “Shi” pronunciation, the number is often read as “Yon”.

Number 6

A homophone of this number, “Mu” means Nothing/Empty. The number 6 is not popular for number plates for cars and railway platform. Number 6 is often read as “Roku” in order not to let the energy around disappear in emptiness.

Number 9

It is read as “Ku”, which means “Torture/Agony/Suffer in pain”. In order to avoid the “Ku” pronunciation, people often change the pronunciation of it to “Kyu”, which is the same sound as 休/救:Relief/Save.

It is the best not to use these numbers in Japan or when you are talking to a Japanese. In addition to 4,6,and 9 numbers, even numbers are considered bad for weddings because they can be divided in half. To wish the couple won’t be divorced and separated, odd numbers are preferred at the occasion. For the same kind of reason, people use odd numbers at a funeral to wish the relationship between the deceased and the rest of the family will not be cut.

Lucky numbers are 7, 8, and 10. 7 is pronounced “Shichi” ,and it is traditionally believed as a lucky number. 8 is read as “Hachi”, which sounds similar to the word Han-ei(繁栄):Prosperity. The sound for 10 is “Ju”, which is a homophone for the word Enough/Replete/Ample.

Thank you for reading today’s post. 
See you next time!
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me: [email protected]

3 things you should avoid when meeting a Japanese (for the first time)

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Hi, how’s everything? 
This time I wrote about 3 things you should avoid when meeting a Japanese person for the first time. If you don’t know these 3 things, making a Japanese friend could be difficult, so it’s important that you know them!

1.Physical contact (kissing or hugging)

We don’t usually have physical contact with friends or family. Japanese don’t have the custom of kissing on your cheek or hugging as a greeting and keep some distance to respect other people’s personal space (this maybe why the coronavirus does not spread much in Japan despite the large population). Because of globalization, we do have some people who doesn’t mind such physical contact nowadays, but it’s better to avoid doing that at first and get to know each other little by little.

2.Call someone without 〜さん (-san)

It is rude to call someone without -san if the person is the one you meet for the first time. -san is an honorific title that can be used for both male and female. We call each other using nicknames or without -san once we get closer but until then it’s better to use this when you call the person to show respect. (More about Japanese honorifics, check the link here: https://hidanotaka.com/japanese-honorifics/ )

3.Ask some opinions

In many Western countries, it is pretty normal to talk about things like politics and lifestyles, etc and ask some opinions to someone, but if you do that to a Japanese you meet for the first time, there will be an awkward moment. People in Japan generally don’t give opinions clearly by saying what is Good or Bad. Instead, we often consider the situation and the relationship with the person talking with and give some vague opinions. This is to respect different values and also to avoid conflict. Until you get to know each other well, it’s better not to ask some opinions or he/she will only get confused what to say.

People become friends gradually and it takes a while to be trusted as a friend in Japan. But as long as you respect others and keep on communicating, you will be able to build good relationships!

Thank you for reading and enjoy making Japanese friends!
Oh, and you can always be friends with me.
If there’s anything you want to know about Japan, just send me a message to [email protected] 

See you next time, 
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.
Multicolors
Free Somebody
Skyhigh

13 things you should avoid doing in Japan

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Planning to visit Japan? That’s great! You are always welcome!!
But if you don’t want to be an annoying tourist, you should check these things that visitors should be aware.
Japanese culture is quite different and there are certain manners and don’ts.

I have worked with foreigners for 3 years ,and I have 2 years of experience working at guesthouses in Japan.
I have met over 4,000 visitors all over the world so far, and I sometimes find that some people make the same mistake without knowing that they are bothering others…
So, here are the things to avoid when visiting Japan to make your stay comfortable (for others as well!) and enjoyable.
It’s not so complicated to follow the rules and behave well once you know the things below!

1.Don’t take pictures at cemeteries

Tombstones in Japan are well made and they look very interesting to foreigners.
But please do not take pictures of them unless you were allowed to.
Cemeteries are where the spirits of people passed out are resting.
Please do not disturb them!

2.Don’t be late

Be on time when you are meeting someone or joining an event.
When Japanese people say it starts at 7:00, it starts at 7:00.
Most people even come 5 to 10 min earlier so that the plan goes smoothly for everyone.
This is particularly important at work.
At worst case, you might be considered as inefficient and lose your position if you show up late without any reason.

3.Don’t block the way on escalators

As a lot of people use escalators, you need to stay on the same side as others to make some space.
Don’t stand randomly and block the way for those who want to walk up.
The side you keep varies depending on the area.
In Tokyo, you need to stand on the left. In Osaka, you stand on the right.
(In some places like Kyoto, it’s kind of mixed. Just follow what others are doing!)

4.Don’t forget to take off your shoes when going into a house

In order to keep the place clean, you need to take off your shoes when going into houses in Japan.
This rule applies to other places like temples, shrines, or Japanese style restaurants as well.
At some places, you can find slippers for indoor. If you do, you need to use them!
If you are not sure what to do, just see what others are doing and do the same.

5.Don’t keep wearing toilet slippers when you leave the restroom

At some toilets, you find vinyl slippers.
These are for the restroom area only, so make sure that you use them when you going into the toilet and take them off when leaving the area (I sometimes see some foreigners walking around the house wearing these toilet slippers…)
Again, this is to keep the house clean.

6.Don’t forget to throw away used toilet paper in a trash bin

In some countries, you throw away toilet paper in a trash bin, but not in Japan.
You have to throw it away in the toilet and flush.
Toilet paper is the only thing that you can throw away in the toilet, and please refrain from throwing away other things like tissue paper as that might be stuck in the pipe.

7.Don’t enter a public bathtub before washing yourself

When you use a public bath at Onsen(hot spring) or Sento, you have to clean yourself first before going into the bath to keep the water clean.
You can learn more about this on my another post :A beginner’s guide to Japanese bath, Sento

8.Don’t disturb others on public transportation

When you are using some kind of transportation such as train or bus, don’t talk loudly or make phone calls.
It is an etiquette to keep the public place quiet and comfortable for everyone.
Also, you should refrain from eating/drinking while you are on public transportation (it’s sometimes OK when there aren’t many people there).
You can learn more about this on my another post : 4 things you should know before visiting Japan

9.Don’t ignore smoking ban

When you smoke, find a smoking area.
According to JT (Japan TABACO INC.), about 18% of people in Japan smoke (the number declined to 1/3 of its peak in 60s) as of 2018 and the number is declining as more people are concerned about the secondhand smoke.
Smoking is a personal choice, but don’t forget that there are some people who don’t like it.
After smoking, throw away the cigarets at the smoking area.
It’s sometimes hard to find a smoking area, so if you a heavy smoker, you might need a portable ashtray with you when you travel (they are available at a 100yen shop in Japan).

10.Do not park at someone’s premises

If you are renting/using a car in Japan, you need to follow the parking rule.
When you park, you have to find the right place to park, and you can’t just randomly park.
You will be most likely be charged/in trouble if you do so.
Even if you find a parking spot, that might be someone’s premises.
If you are not sure, it is always good to park at a coin-operated parking.
I don’t know how many foreigners ignored this and got in trouble…. so please keep the parking rule.
You can learn more about this on my another post : 4 things you should know before visiting Japan

11.Don’t cut in line

When you wait in line, you have to wait and you can’t cut in line even if you were in a hurry.
You need to find arrows that point out where to wait at a convenience store, and when you ride on a train, you need to check what’s written on the platform and know where to stay in line.

12.Don’t misuse your chopsticks

Playing with chopsticks is a bad manner and people don’t like it if you do.
The major things that you should avoid doing are: pointing with your chopsticks, passing food from chopsticks to chopsticks, and resting chopsticks vertically in food.
They are considered in appropriate as they are done at a funeral (and pointing is just rude in Japan, so you should not point someone with your finger).

13.Don’t expect to find a lot of English speakers

This is kind of embarrassing, but you won’t find many fluent English speakers in Japan even though English is a compulsory subject in junior high and high school (according to a Swiss-based international language education organization, English proficiency of Japan ranks 49th out of 88 non-english-speaking countries) Reference: Asahi Shinbun

Most people can (kind of..) understand what English speakers are saying, but many have trouble communicating.
This is because these 2 languages and the way we communicate are very different.
It might be a good idea to make a Japanese friend who can talk in English before visiting Japan.
Or you can contact me when you need help!

If you know these 13 don’ts and follow the manners, you will have no problem staying in Japan!
I’d like to add one more thing that might help.
You should not be too casual to everyone.
It depends on the person you meet, but some people like to keep distance with people they are not familiar with.
If you approach too friendly, they might get scared away or feel uncomfortable.

Here are 2 things to note.
It is always good to use “- san” when you call someone’s name
(for example, if you see a lady named Kayo, you should say Kayo-san to make it polite and show respect in stead of just calling the person’s name).
And avoid too many physical contacts like hugging or kissing until you build good relationships with them.

I hope info here will be your help.
See you next time!
Taka

※I’m a professional composer. My songs are available here: Skyhigh 
Or, you can click on the band camp link below to listen.

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]