Now I'm sure you've already read the title of this blog and it has gotten you intrigued. No shoe policy you say? Believe me, it's true. As Americans we all know of the common rule "no shoes, no shirt, no service" but in Japan (minus the shirt part) it is the opposite. In Japan in most places you are required to take off your shoes at the door. Before traveling to many Asian countries it is actually good to have some sort of idea of shoe etiquette. Yes I said it, shoe etiquette, it exists. But we're not focusing on all of Asia, this is a blog about Japan.
Shoes must be removed before entering a private home. Doubtless you will be reminded when you see a line up of shoes in the entryway. Some hosts provide slippers for guests. If so, they are always nearby. But going "shoeless" is not limited to homes.
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| Tatami Mats |
Many traditional inns known as "ryokans" require you to deposit shoes at the front door. Even hotels provide slippers for use in your room. If the flooring of your room in the hotel is tatami (a woven straw mat), remove your slippers before stepping on it. Only bare or sock feet are allowed on these floors.
Some restaurants also have a no-shoes policy. In such cases, they may provide slippers and a cubby hole or locker for your shoes. Restaurant personnel direct you to a bench for shoe removal, so you know for certain when it is required. You can aslo know by watching what Japanese patrons do.
Also, don't worry about shared slippers and hygiene. Japan is a very hygienic society, but you still may not want to put bare feet into slippers that other might have worn since their last cleaning. To get around this, women carry a small pair of shoe liners in their bag for quick transfer before placing feet in public slippers, or wear socks or stockings with your shoes. As with other customs, be aware of what others around you are or are not doing for a cultural cue as to what is expected when traveling in Japan.
Now you are aware of the widespread custom of no-shoes-indoors, think ahead about how to remove your shoes gracefully. You may or may not have a seat for this procedure. Make it easy on yourself by planning which shoes you will wear in Japan and how to remove them easily. Maybe slip-ons? But anyways, hope you all enjoyed this blog and until next time!
~The Man Who's A Fan Of Japan
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