8 Japanese Unspoken Rules that you should know about🇯🇵

In this video, I want to talk about eight unspoken rules that you might not know in Japan.
You don't really have to learn all of them, but these rules might come in handy when you travel to Japan, so stick around until the end!
-----------------------------------------
Subscribe and become a friend today: / samuraimatcha
------------------------------------------
MUSIC:
・Epidemic Sound
------------------------------------------
BE MY FRIEND:
INSTAGRAM / samuraimatcha.journey
FACEBOOK / mizuno.akihito​
------------------------------------------
GET IN TOUCH:
If you’d like to talk, feel free to email me at [e-mail] I try my best to reply to things but there sadly aren't enough hours in the day to respond to everyone...

[@dflosounds]

Japan is my dream trip. I would gladly pay for a Samurai Matcha tour. Please keep us posted.

[@kaorushiroe8414]

Hi, I'm a driver here in Europe, and I'd like to say that flashing warning lights after merging is very common here... No surprises here, it's on the same level as removing shoes when entering a home, Europeans also do it as a majority. Regarding back parking, it is the most used method for a lot of European countries too, as it is the best way in case of emergency leaving. And as a standard, you have to master it to get your driving licence. It is enforced in quite a lot of companies too.

[@user-uf3si7sq4y]

However flashing warning lights is not the correct way to use them

[@sallycormier1383]

One time when I was in Tokyo I gave up my seat on a train to an older woman which in my culture is a sign of respect. She was a very stylish woman but it was clear she was much older than I was, like my mother’s age. At first she seemed upset, I guess she thought I was calling her old. But she did take the seat and later she did thank me. Is it considered disrespectful to offer your seat to a person who is older than you??

[@mercury2936]

I guess only that woman. I was misunderstood as a pregnant person which made me sad, since my belly was big due to my overeating. But I thanked the young man in the Tokyo subway....

[@ahnafrayeedahmed]

@@mercury2936 oof

[@HaiTomVlog]

It’s normal to “decline” an offer several times before accepting. Ive seen this happen many times, even between Japanese people. It’s just part of their culture, too. This is what was probably going on…

[@jant4741]

Hai has it right & the etiquette likely took a moment to figure out. She will fondly remember your kind gesture for life.👍

[@ItsMe_SaiYuri]

You did nothing wrong😊 its just not accustomed here but a lot of locals now are learning that especially foreign men tends to offer their seats to elderly or women.. so its totally ok if you feel doing it bec i do it too to older people especially if they look uncomfortable standing

[@roxtendo]

I think the triangle method is something that can be really useful! Every one can combine his food like he wants

[@tb6303]

I'm never going to visit Japan, but I love these videos. I love learning about Japan, especially from a native.

[@JasminAsterios]

In my Boarding school where I lived with the Kids, we had a girl from Thailand and she always made slurping Sounds while eating. My first thought was to tell her if she may stopft doing this because I tell all the students to eat quite but than I remindet her cultural Background and so I stood silent 😊 And now? Whenever I eat in a japanese Restaurant I do slurp as well! I got used to the looks I get from other german visitors. I don't care AND do enjoy my food ❤

[@freerkderuiter8822]

I always reverse park. It’s way easier. I quite like the fact you’re not supposed to eat while walking or if you are in the subway or train. Sadly that’s very different in my country.

[@TanyaK-nu6ef]

Sign me up for the Samurai Match Tour!!!

[@user-kv8xs8wf4w]

私の夫はアメリカからの帰国子女なのですが、30歳の時に日本に帰ってきましたが、私と交際していた当初は三角食べができませんでした😂 一緒に食事していても、 最初にサラダ🥗だけ食べて、次にみそ汁だけ飲んで、肉じゃがだけ食べて、ご飯🍚😂😂😂それでは和食はおいしくないよって、 何度も何度も教えてやっと三角食べしてくれるようになりました😊 また、10年程前に夫の友人が日本に来てくれましたが、ラーメン屋に行き、私が麺をズルズルすすっていたのを、ギョッとした顔😮で固まって見てました😂 今は日本人が麺🍜をすすることが段々と知られてきて、恥ずかしくないですが、当時の鳩が豆鉄砲を食ったような顔が忘れられません😂

[@tatsumasa6332]

翌朝には皆一緒。

[@Ghostmaxi1337]

"Trennkost" is the way for me.

[@PathumAthuk]

I badly miss being in Japan! Thank you for bringing up so many nostalgic memories!

[@heywardfi]

The flashing of lights in the states just means it’s ok to switch lane and it’s a signal of police ahead.

[@TanyaK-nu6ef]

@@heywardfi yes, police alert!

[@Saknika]

The first one about the turn signal... I had a good chuckle because that's something you're supposed to do, by law, in America--and a lot just don't. Failure to signal and causing an accident in traffic is a chargeable fine.

[@ricebeansrockroll882]

It's about the flashing of light after the merge to say thank you, you use the turn signal before merge, then both lights after to thank the driver behind.

[@krsncrs821]

Do Samurai Matcha tour!! We would love that! We miss Japan. My husband worked in Japan for a few years and I visited a lot. Love it there and miss the food - especially ramen and Japanese breakfast!! Love your videos! 💕

[@stevefiorito5379]

Yes, I am familiar with most, but not all of these "customs". My wife is Japanese and has brought her customs to the US ... unfortunately, also the expectation that Americans will follow the customs ... doesn't always happen, eh? I would also add that when training in traditional Japanese Martial Arts forms ... Okinawan Martial Arts forms .... training in the US or other "foreign" countries, the traditions and customs of Japan are as part of the "training" as is the physical training. That was such a pleasure for me to learn that part of the Japanese culture that I was embracing. The language? Still working on that ... 40 years later ... that education is never over with ... at least for this gaijin.

[@LankNprYde]

Great video! I have no idea if I'll ever go the Japan but at least hypothetically I will now be an amazing, courteous tourist! Thanks! :D

[@quintonsanicola]

Wonderful video! I didn’t know #3 at all! Wow, I will check that out

[@MaggieBacha-rk1ro]

Thank you for your time and energy you put into the videos , I enjoy your videos.

[@patriciarist856]

Yay ❤ Samurai Matcha San posted 🎉

[@dorothy8495]

Another great and informative video! Thank you. Thank you.

[@eleonoraparada1370]

I would love to go to japan one day ❤❤

[@morkoffka_studio]

Thanks for the new video!!❤

[@tairam9383]

Love learning from you. Thank you.

[@xochilguevara3429]

So interesting and fun!

[@allegrosotto2126]

My cat came over and was very interested in the video, even when it wasn’t showing food- I think he liked your voice- I do too😊

[@wayner9765]

I just love your videos. Thank you 😊

[@Jothegirlmonk]

We do the car light-flashing thing in South Africa to say thank you/sorry, when doing things in traffic! No hidden love messages though! ^_^

[@emilyfox2072]

Good video, very helpful! ❤ Thank you

[@Momloveisfirst223]

Rules and discipline are very important in our life. Your videos are very amazing. I am a teenager and I learn many good habits from you. I am very thankful to you. Can you make some videos like strict school rules in Japan for students. You are very amazing teacher for me because I learn many good things from you. Thankyou teacher ❤️

[@tikoy1955]

Good informational video.

[@lizasherman7431]

Love Japan!!!!!❤

[@kerim.peardon5551]

Here in the South (U.S.), we flash our headlights to let someone know they can merge--although this is usually only done for large trucks, which have difficultly seeing cars and judging distance behind them. They will flash their lights (turn their headlights on and off so the lights on the back of the trailer flash) to thank you. When you allow a car to merge, you wave for them to come in front of you, and they will wave thanks. As someone who is bad at backing up, I will say that it's easier to back out into a wide open space than it is to back into a narrow space between two cars. I think this is why it's standard in the U.S. to pull into spaces. (At my office, we're not even allowed to back into spaces; they sent out an email years ago telling people not to back in because the heat from the cars' tailpipes was killing the grass on the little landscape islands we have between all our rows of cars.) We also have a long history of big cars, so you sometimes need that extra turning space. Although I will say, even if it's easier on the driver to back out of a space instead of into one, it's safer on pedestrians for people to pull out of a space instead of backing out of it. Many people get hit by people backing out of a space. My dad said he fell in love with his back-up camera the first week he had his new truck because it alarmed and stopped him as he was leaving a restaurant parking lot. He then saw there was a Hispanic family walking behind his truck that he could not see in his rearview mirror because none of them were taller than the tailgate.

[@susanneekelund1309]

👍good to know!💚

[@Earthy-Artist]

My parents visited Japan and tipped the waiter, after they left the restaurant the waiter went out after them to return it and give it back 🤭.

[@littleforest95]

the end with the sliding doors :D i had to watch it again.... too good :D

[@user-um7cf8nt1q]

Good day! I was looking forward to your new video. Thank you, it was very interesting and positive! I would like to invite you to visit Ukraine, but this is possible only after the war. Thanks again for a nice and positive video, we need it so much here, it makes us smile and hope that one day we will be able to visit Japan!

[@anniecochrane3359]

Very interesting!!

[@annwilliams6438]

The only thing I don’t like is the parking backing into a parking space - it means you battle to load your shopping/bags etc into the boot when you get to the car. (I thought that this was done in Japan due to earthquakes etc so that one could get out of the parking quickly in the case of emergencies.)

[@edamameedamame1202]

My friend and her family 🇺🇸are visiting your fabulous country🇯🇵 I introduced her to your channel. 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@tb6303]

When I was a child and a teenager, it was common for a truck (semi) to flash lights after you let them in in front of you. My brother told me that was to say thank you. Also, you'd flash lights to tell them it was safe to enter your lane (that they were far enough in front of you) because it isn't easy for them to tell (because they are so big). Also, if you saw a car heading your way on a highway and they flashed their lights at you, it meant there was a police car waiting on the side of the road (speed trap). You'd flash back to say thank you. Edit: this was in the United States.

[@PrepperRapperFairy]

Matchaaaaa ❤❤❤

[@astyanax905]

In Canada, truckers typically put their hazards on briefly to thank a fellow driver also

[@mboyce8853]

Thank you for posting this video. Very interesting! I would be curious to know what the ai shite iru song is. Do you have more information about this famous song?

[@emp294]

Tks a lot! ❤ I enjoy your chanel. May you talk about Entro please!?

[@maincoon6602]

I enjoy your videos 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@paquialonso4546]

Gracias por tu nuevo vídeo, Aki-san. Tan útil, interesante, divertido y extraordinariamente bien editado como siempre. Gracias por tanto trabajo. Tu kimono de dos colores es espectacular ✨ Un sfectuoso saludo 🤗☺️

[@youravantgarde]

Some neat stuff here I haven't heard about

[@TanyaK-nu6ef]

When someone lets us merge here in the US we wave thanks

[@lis819]

Here in Australia, too :-)

[@teresamexico309]

Same in MX.

[@drmahimalall1874]

I always wanted to come to Japan

[@nadiahposthumus4893]

Hi Aki! Thanks so much for sharing your tips. I’m relieved to know it’s also ok to make the slurping sound when eating soupy noodles. We do that in our culture too :-) Aki I love the animations you use in your videos. How do you make them? What program(s) do you use to make for example the animation of car reversing into the parking space? I want to learn that! Thanks Aki for your wonderful channel! It’s always a pleasure to watch :-) Nadiah

[@AngelaDavis-yz3xf]

Thank you Aki, The sitting fee is understandable but you should be able to enjoy the food that you're paying for 🤗💚

[@madisonromero3529]

I think we have lost the ability to care about life, others and ourselves in the US. Getting any one of these practices in my country would be monumentally difficult.

[@dulcedeinvierno1]

Love your yukata,very geminian😂 Seller -What color do you want grey or green? Aki-yeahs

[@Violianom]

Great video! I learned about two new things in this video! Also, a question for you: how are you recording in public? Is it a hidden camera? I always feel nervous trying to record my daily life in short clips and my smartphone makes a sound when it takes a video.

[@kathrynblack9152]

Backing into a parking space is a tricky maneuver often requiring several tries. Not safer than pulling straight in. Definitely a matter of practice and what you’re used to. A more difficult matter is the steering wheel on the right and driving on the left. Better to leave the driving to others.

[@Zencastle]

Samurai matcha 🥳🥳

[@guhrizzlybaire]

I love the safety light thing!! And is the famous song by Gackt? 😂 (mostly joking) that's the only song I know called Aishiteru and how I learned what that meant.

[@JM-wd3dk]

When I heard “soba” I was confused for a second. I thought you said “sopa” which is like a Mexican noodle soup. 😂

[@denismoreau3646]

Interesting ways of life 😊😊

[@dulcedeinvierno1]

Oh wow! i notice that we have otoshi too in Argentina😂

[@smoofollowingqalroundthewo206]

Put me in for a tour! I’d fly out for that!! ❤❤❤❤

[@liswong7787]

I have seen some people do No.1 here in Auckland, NZ. I personally raise my hands to say thanks hoping the person behind me can see it (our back window is slightly tinted only) Re No.4, for efficiency, many cars in Indonesia park this way. I also park this way.

[@rin99999]

Such an interesting and informative video!

[@pascaleparant7891]

Merci 😊

[@booker9879]

Just landed in Narita and I could use a guide

[@elisabethhofstra7844]

Thank you for sharing and posting such an interesting video/tips about Japan. I am learning Japanese now to understand the culture better (of course to speak it too when I’ll go there) plus watching your videos gives me a better grasp of it.

[@decemberclouds]

I read that in some very high end (expensive) hotels, that tipping is expected, using a small envelope. Usually you tip the person who attends to your room. Is that true?

[@Japanesestudydreams]

ありがとうございました

[@denisconrad8534]

Let me please know AKI when you will make your Samurai Matcha tour in Japan, Will be pleased to join.

[@juliehock6059]

An interesting video. I notice that the pronunciation of ‘rules” often sounds like ‘roles”.

[@kmw111]

😊

[@unbdld42]

Hi! I’m traveling on Japan soon. Will you be available for a meet and greet?

[@paquialonso4546]

❤❤❤

[@user-pj2hu8vy5m]

I surprised about eating noodle with sound. It is prohibited in Mongolia, however our main dish is flour soup

[@rockygreenshomestead2433]

Yaaaay first to comment.

[@videowatcheriAlberta]

This makes me wish to visit Japan some day. I do have a question. If I am uncertain as to whether a tip would be welcomed, can I just ask the person providing the service? That's what I do in Canada as we are much less prone to tipping than U.S. people.

[@edwarddht]

I've heard to not accepted in Japan.

[@UrvineSpiegel]

The dining team watching me ook ook strait from the bowl or plate, cause I don't know how to use chops

[@joy2bme]

Okay, I have to ask about reverse parking. What do you do if you need to access the trunk of your car? My youngest son is handicap. I always need to bring his wheelchair out of the trunk of our van when we go out. I wouldn't be able to do that if I backed into the parking spot. What about grocery shopping? How do you put anything in your trunk if it is blocked by the car behind you?

[@BrickTemplar]

You can always leave some space behind your car when parking. If there is none because someone blocked you, you drive out slightly and then access the trunk. It has been explained to us in the driving school (not in Japan) that reversing makes leaving a parking spot faster and safer, plus it is indeed easier to park this way.

[@ingridlaskova1878]

You speak very good English. 😮

[@celinefederici6951]

When I was in Japan with my Ikebana teacher and her students, one morning I put my chopsticks in the rice bowl and everyone went crazy on me instead of explaining that one does not do that in Japan something to do with a dead person. Also when I was on the train w a Japanese student, she was carrying heavy bundles and refused to put them on the floor. Similar when I was in a car, I was told not to put my pocketbook on the floor. In one restaurant, they wheeled a trolley next to our table to put our bags and pocketbooks in. There were so many other "rules" I could mention as I am sure the author could as well. So many rules would not work in the US because we are a melting pot of cultures.

[@slawaschwed]

Any rules for bicycles?

[@SarrahStrange]

Not wanting to handle money makes so much sense. Money is so dirty, many cashiers and waitresses in the USA often wear gloves while working to avoid touching it.

[@praveendm]

Can you please speak about the racism in Japan train or other public areas ? Is it real or not ?

[@garytempleton5097]

Sticking your chopsticks in your bowl of rice is considered disrespectful because of its affiliation with Japanese funerals and considered rude. Also if someone hands you their business card, do not put it in your pocket right a way but hold it while you're in the presence of that person.

[@bartfart3847]

Don't Tip !! PLEASE Don't start that crap overseas. Their servers are well paid. Japanese restaurant owners don't exploit their staff.

[@kaorushiroe8414]

Japanese waiters are paid around 7,8 USD per hour in Osaka. Not considered very well paid. And of course the japanese labour force is really exploited. That doesn't mean they will accept tipping, of course. In officies, you are expected to be paid a maximum amount of 45 paid hours per month. This means all extra overtime is unpaid, and there is such overtime now unaccounted for. Karoshi is real.

[@albertprazolam4341]

What is the Japanese term for refusing people of other races entrance into local pubs on the side streets? Is there a Japanese term for that one?

[@user-ke5hv4ju7x]

I will take these rules into my life. To blink an emergency light to say thank you, we already use it in Russia

[@manga4774]

we do that in canada too!

[@sallycormier1383]

Mmmm in the US it usually means “watch your speed, cops ahead” ha

[@videowatcheriAlberta]

In Canada, some drivers also blink emergency lights to warn other drivers that police have a speed trap ahead.

[@nobodynothing00000]

I tipped my steakhouse waiter in Nara. I think it might have been close to 700 yen. The look on his face was, I can't accept this. I was like, dude, just take it. Then he made a face like he totally wanted to take it. Of course all this was out of sight of the "manager".

[@GothicKittyMadness]

Merge not marge!

[@stephenpahl7538]

Thanks but I'm not interested, never going to Japan (to late in life), the rules are your problem not mine