Nippon Stories

Japanese manners are highly regarded around the world. Let's take a look at the key features of Japanese manners that impress foreigners.

One distinctive aspect of Japanese manners is the use of bowing to show respect to others. While handshakes are the common greeting in Western countries, bowing is more prevalent in Japan.

Japanese people have the habit of saying "itadakimasu" before a meal and "gochisousama" after, which are unique Japanese expressions of gratitude. This type of pre- and post-meal greeting is not as common in other cultures.

Japanese people are also praised for their good manners in public spaces. On trains, people may sleep without their belongings being stolen, and others will even express concern, demonstrating a sense of consideration for others.

Japanese dining etiquette is quite meticulous, with specific rules about things like "wandering chopsticks" and "licking chopsticks," which are unique to Japan.In essence, the excellence of Japanese manners stems from a deep-rooted sense of respect, gratitude, and consideration for others. Japan is often referred to as a "country of good manners" due to the high regard for its etiquette standards worldwide.