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！