Japan is amazing — but also confusing.
初めて日本を訪れる外国人が
「悪気はないのにやってしまう失敗」 はとても多いです。
ここでは、
“I wish I knew this earlier…”
と言われがちな失敗をまとめました。
1. 電車に乗るのが難しすぎると思う｜Thinking Trains Are Too Complicated
路線が多くて panic になる人多数。
But actually:
Signs are bilingual
Colors & numbers are clear
Google Maps works perfectly
Mistake is not asking staff.
駅員はとても親切です。
2. 電車内で電話してしまう｜Making
Phone Calls on Trains
多くの初来日者が
「静かすぎて逆に気づかない」失敗。
In Japan:
Talking on the phone = rude
Silent mode is the safest choice.
3. ゴミ箱を探し回る｜Looking
for Trash Bins
“I can’t find a trash can anywhere!”
→ This is normal in Japan.
Common mistake:
Throwing trash secretly or leaving it
behind.
Correct action:
Carry it with you.
4. チップを渡そうとする｜Trying
to Tip
Restaurant / Taxi / Hotel…
Tipping is not a thing in Japan.
Sometimes staff will:
Refuse it
Chase you to return it
Best tip = “Thank you”.
5. 靴のまま入ってしまう｜Entering
with Shoes On
Classic beginner mistake.
場所例：
Houses
Ryokan
Some restaurants
Temples
Toilets (with slippers)
If you see shoes at the entrance, stop.
6. 何でも写真を撮ってしまう｜Taking
Photos Everywhere
Japan looks like a movie — but…
Not everything is photo-friendly.
Common mistakes:
Shops
Shrines
People
Children
Always check signs or ask first.
7. 英語が通じないと焦る｜Panicking
When English Isn’t Perfect
Not everyone speaks fluent English.
Mistake: Speaking faster and louder.
Better way:
Simple words
Gestures
Translation apps
Kindness works better than fluency.
8. 食事の量を読み間違える｜Ordering
Too Much Food
Japanese portions look small, but…
They are more filling than they look.
Especially:
Ramen
Donburi
Set meals
Ordering too much = waste + embarrassment.
9. エスカレーターで迷う｜Confused
on Escalators
Tokyo → Stand left
Osaka → Stand right
First-time visitors often freeze.
Best solution:
Follow what locals do.
10. すぐにNOと言ってしまう｜Saying “No” Too Directly
Japanese communication is indirect.
Common misunderstanding:
“I’ll think about it” ≠ Maybe yes
→ Often means no.
Being too direct can sound harsh.
11. 時間にルーズ｜Being
Late
Japan runs on time.
Trains
Reservations
Tours
Even 5 minutes late feels big.
Arriving early = good impression.
12. 「外国人だからOK」と思う｜Assuming Rules Don’t Apply
This is the biggest mistake.
Japanese people may smile,
but they do notice.
What they value most:
Effort to understand their culture.
まとめ｜失敗してもOK。でも学ぶ姿勢が大事
Everyone makes mistakes on their first
trip.
日本人もそれは理解しています。
What matters is:
Trying to learn
Being polite
Respecting others
That’s what makes your Japan trip
unforgettable — in a good way.
（PR 楽天）
楽天ポイントも貯まって、推し活にも使えて一石二鳥！！
ふるさと納税もやっています！
