Rules & Etiquette(10 guides)

Japanese Convenience Stores: A Tourist Power Guide

What you can actually do at a Japanese konbini: withdraw cash, buy tickets, print, drop off luggage, find a toilet, and pay for almost anything.

Updated: 2026-06-13

Flying a Drone in Japan as a Tourist: The Rules to Check

An overview of drone rules for tourists in Japan: weight thresholds, banned areas, registration, and why you must confirm with the official MLIT source first.

Updated: 2026-06-13

Why No Trash Cans? Handling Garbage as a Tourist in Japan

Why Japan has so few public trash cans, where you can actually throw away garbage, and how to sort and carry your trash as a tourist.

Updated: 2026-06-13

Eating Out in Japan: Izakaya and Sushi Basics

How to order and behave at a Japanese izakaya or sushi counter, from the otoshi seating charge to chopstick rules and how to pay at the end.

Updated: 2026-06-13

Onsen Etiquette: A Step-by-Step First-Timer Guide

How to use a Japanese onsen correctly: wash before bathing, no swimsuits, keep the small towel out of the water, and other simple rules.

Updated: 2026-06-13

Why You Put Money on the Tray in Japan

What the small tray at a Japanese register is for, how to pay with cash or card on it, and the simple etiquette of handing over and receiving money.

Updated: 2026-06-13

Where You Can't Take Photos in Japan

Where photography is restricted in Japan: private streets in Gion, temple inner halls, shops, people, and stations, plus how to check before you shoot.

Updated: 2026-06-13

Shrine and Temple Manners (Without Overthinking It)

Simple manners for Japanese shrines and temples: how to bow, purify your hands, pray, and tell when photos are not allowed.

Updated: 2026-06-13

Smoking in Japan: Street Bans and Where It's Legal

Where you can and cannot smoke in Japan as a tourist. Street smoking bans, designated smoking areas, indoor rules, and how heated tobacco is treated.

Updated: 2026-06-13

Tattoos and Onsen in Japan: Rules and Workarounds

Can you enter a Japanese onsen with tattoos? The real rules, cover-up options, and how to find tattoo-friendly baths.

Updated: 2026-06-13