　　　　　　　　 Japan's customs and habits

Welcome to Japan! 　　
Our country has long history, good social security, beautiful nature and
hospitality. Now I would like to explain of our customs, habits, etc.

4, Toilets of Japanese and occidental style
　As Japanese public toilets are generally clean and comfortable.
　Foreign tourists can use them anywhere with no problem except one of
　Japanese style. In case of Japanese style toilets, one should crouch
　over toilet stool. So we would like to recommend using a toilet of
　occidental style as bellow.
　

7, How to take public transportation such as rail way, subway, etc.
　We buy a ticket at ticket selling machine at station and enter through
　automatic wicket to the platform. Also we can buy a rechargeable card in advance
　and get on train without knowing fare
　On the platform we usually make line on the marked line to train's door and let
　passengers get off the train and then get on.
　

10, Use of mobile phone on public transportation
　It is not good etiquette to speak loudly on mobile phone at public place and on
　the train of public transportation in order not to bother other people.
　

Garbage boxes of combustible, incombustible,
can, plastic bottle, news papers, etc.

　9, Classification of garbage
　　We usually classify garbage into combustible, incombustible, can, plastic bottle
　　so on and throw them away in garbage can or box of each kind.
　　

1, No custom of tip
　As we don't have any custom of tip, we don't need to give tip at restaurant,
　hotel, etc. and to taxi drivers.

13, Availability of wi-fi
　 We easily get free wi-fi service at many places and installations such as railway
　 and subway stations, shops, restaurants, coffee shops, etc.
.　Also we can enjoy free wi-fi service around public phone box in Tokyo.
　

6, Menu of dishes and drinks of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, etc.
　We see a menu, models and/or photos of dishes and drinks outside of
　restaurants, bars, etc. so that we can get to know kinds of dishes and
　their prices before entering.

5, Way of taking a bath and onsen
　We should wash our body and hairs first, rinse off and enter a bathtub second,
　carrying nothing so as to keep the hot water clean for other people to bathe later,

12, Etiquette of smoking
　 It is not allowed to smoke on train, bus and at some public places, while
　 is recommended to smoke at designated smoking site and/or seats.
　 What's more it is prohibited by local ordinance to smoke at some designated
　 area and/or streets in big cities. If one violates it, one will be fined 2,000yen.
　

11, Running water
　 We can drink running water with no problem anywhere in Japan.
　 Even some of them are tasty.

3, Putting off footwear before entering private house, apartment and so on
　 We always put off footwear such as shoes, sandals, etc. at the entrance
　 of private house, apartment, condo etc. What's more we also put off
　 even slippers when to enter Tatami room.

8, Priority seat on the train of public transportation
　 Each of car has priority seats at it both ends for the handicapped, the pregnant,
　the elder, sick persons and so on. We can occupy it when they are empty.
　However if one of those comes near, we should cede it to him or her.
　.

2, Way of greeting
　We usually greet other people inclining the upper part of body saying
　"Good morning", "Good afternoon" and so on instead of handshake or hug.