Free guide · 7 Japan Rules
Everyday customs, what to do, and sources you can check.
A taxi door you don’t need to touch. A toilet lid that opens before you reach it. Learn what to do, how it works, and where the facts come from.
By Japan Almanac · Sources checked September 30, 2026. “Rules” includes customs, operator guidance and technology. Follow local signs and staff instructions.
01 · Taxi etiquette
The rear passenger door on many Japanese taxis opens and closes under the driver’s control. Wait for the driver rather than pulling the handle or slamming it shut. Follow the driver’s instructions if your vehicle has a different door arrangement.
Source: Asia Business Daily, October 4, 2024.
02 · Lost property
Tokyo’s police receive lost belongings and return identified property to its owners; nippon.com’s report on the 2025 police figures documents cash being returned. That system is a reason to report a loss, not a guarantee that every wallet comes back. If you lose something, contact the place or transport operator involved and report it to police.
Source: nippon.com, Tokyo police lost-property figures for 2025; GO TOKYO: emergencies and lost-property offices.
03 · Bathroom technology
Some TOTO WASHLET models use a sensor to detect someone approaching or leaving. The lid can lift as you arrive and lower after you walk away. This is a feature of equipped models, not a rule for every toilet in Japan.
Source: TOTO: Auto Functions.
04 · Payment etiquette
Tips are not customary in ordinary Japanese restaurants, cafes, taxis or hotels. Pay the bill and thank the staff. JNTO notes exceptions, including private guides familiar with overseas customs and the discreet gratuity called kokorozuke; “no tipping” is a convention, not a universal legal ban.
05 · Bathing etiquette
At an onsen, keep your small towel out of the bathwater. Leave it at the side or fold it on your head, and keep long hair out of the water too. Follow the facility’s own posted instructions.
Source: Japan National Tourism Organization: How to Best Enjoy Japan’s Onsen.
06 · Railway manners
JR East asks passengers to set mobile phones to silent mode and refrain from making calls on board. Keep conversations quiet too. This is the operator’s passenger guidance, rather than a claim that all phone use is illegal.
Source: JR East: passenger guide, manners on the train/platform.
07 · Indoor etiquette
Some stores and private homes ask you to remove your shoes. Check the entrance and follow the host’s instructions rather than assuming every indoor space has the same rule. JNTO includes shoe removal in its visitor etiquette guidance.
Source: Japan National Tourism Organization: FAQ, dining etiquette.
