Japanese Manner
Etiquette is very important in Japan. The way we speak, the way we refer to others, and just in general, the way we act, all reflect the Japanese way of life.
You might be aware of some of the traditional Japanese manners and customs such as taking your shoes off before entering a home or bowing as a greeting but do you really know what to do with the shoes after you take them off or how deep you should be bowing?
Before traveling, it would be a good idea to take a look at some of the manners and customs the Japanese follow.
Japanese Customs
Japan is a unique country with many interesting customs. Whether it be customs during the holidays like children receiving otoshidama or envelopes with allowances or people waiting in lines to buy fukubukuro or lucky bags with a bunch of goodies on New Years, Japan has many unique customs.
Some customs will be helpful to know when traveling. For example, it is not customary to tip in Japan in restaurants or hotels or anywhere. Or you might have finished a quick lunch and you're looking for a trash can only to find three different boxes. The Japanese take their recycling and trash sorting very seriously. You will need to know which trash belongs in which bin depending on whether it is burnable or not burnable trash.
Yokai & Superstitions
Yokai are Japanese-spirits and demons in Japanese folk-tales. The Yokai are used in many stories through out Japan's history, still with popularity today in the media. Yokai are supernatural beings that posses incredible powers, and are sometimes revered as gods. While there are differences depending on the region you visit, Yokai play a role in Japan's mythology, and the stories have entertained generations for hundreds of years.