Japan is often perceived as a country where things are done meticulously, punctually, and with great politeness. If you ever have the chance to visit Japan, what etiquettes should you be mindful of? A local writer has provided some key etiquette recommendations for visiting Japan.
Jessica Kozuka, a writer and editor who has lived in Japan for over 20 years, shared in an article in the American magazine “Travel + Leisure” that as a Tokyo local, her best etiquette advice for visitors is punctuality.
She mentioned that punctuality doesn’t require language skills or an understanding of complex social hierarchies or bowing etiquettes. However, it does show respect for the people you meet and emphasizes the value you place on their time.
While being fashionably late is common in many Western countries, especially in Spanish-speaking countries, in Japan, being even just 10 minutes late is considered tardy. Trains and tour groups in Japan leave promptly regardless of whether every participant has arrived.
Kozuka emphasized that despite the indifferent attitude towards time from some customers, Japanese service personnel will maintain their politeness. However, she assured that internally, they might be seething with anger and silently judging the tardy individuals.
With the increasing number of tourists, with over 40 million visitors to Japan annually, tardiness and no-shows have become main sources of friction between tourists and the Japanese travel service industry.
According to data released by the Japan National Tourism Organization, in 2025, the number of foreign visitors to Japan reached approximately 42.68 million, a 15.8% increase from the previous year, surpassing the 40 million mark for the first time.
Kozuka urged people not to be disliked tourists. Even as paying customers, it is important to be punctual for appointments. If unavoidable circumstances cause delay, it is crucial to call and inform the other party, sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused, and perhaps apologize multiple times. It is essential to clearly express your respect for others’ time, thereby respecting their dignity as individuals. This is just basic courtesy.
In another article, Kozuka mentioned that for years, most visitors to Japan would purchase the Japan Rail Pass. It was an almost no-brainer option and a widely circulated money-saving tip in various travel blogs and guides. After all, with this pass, one can unlimitedly ride JR (Japan Railways, a collective of 7 railway companies) trains nationwide at a great value.
However, in 2023, JR increased the price of the pass by around 70%. Despite adding some perks, such as discounts at shops and tourist attractions, the new price has made it less appealing to most tourists. This once ultimate travel tool has now become a pricey convenience service, requiring visitors to carefully consider if it is worth the purchase.
The pass currently offers three validity options: 7 days, 14 days, and 21 days, with prices for standard reserved seats at 50,000 yen (337 USD), 80,000 yen (539 USD), and 100,000 yen (674 USD) respectively.
In theory, pass holders can ride JR-operated trains, buses, and ferries unlimitedly. However, some regional lines are not covered, and for the fastest Shinkansen trains like “Nozomi” and “Mizuho,” an additional hefty fee is required.
Imagine planning a week-long trip to visit Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto on the classic route. If you solely purchase round-trip Shinkansen tickets covered by the pass, totaling 36,060 yen (243 USD), you would still need to spend an additional 13,940 yen (94 USD) on JR transportation to make the pass cost-effective. If your itinerary mainly stays within city centers, achieving this spending might be unlikely.
Moreover, city transportation networks often include private or municipal subway and bus routes not covered by the pass. Relying solely on JR lines could quickly become inconvenient and frustrating. In comparison, purchasing a rechargeable transportation card like Suica or Pasmo would be more convenient and usually more cost-effective.