Japan has many customs and traditions that are wildly different from the United States and other Western countries. It is an understatement to say that I could write a book to describe them all. I will explain the basic mannerisms in general and go in-depth about some of the traditions in Akita.
In Japan, when people greet each other or bid farewell, they both bow to each other. The deeper the bow, the more respect they show. A full ninety-degree bow is the most respectful and is usually shown to someone’s superiors, but most of the time, they only move their shoulders and head down a little.
Upon entering a house, or a more traditional building like an inn or school, it is polite to take your shoes off and switch to only socks or slippers if they are available (most buildings provide slippers). This practice is mostly to keep the building clean but also to show respect to the hosts. As such, the Japanese have a concept of outdoor and indoor shoes, which are usually slippers.
Perhaps one of my favorite parts of Japanese culture is their traditional dress, kimonos and yukatas. The silk bathroom robes many people wear are based on the design of this style of dress, but it is much more complex than that.
