Sources & editorial policy

The materials behind our articles, and the rules we follow when writing them.

Editorial policy

1. We never invent manners without evidence.
2. We do not present local customs as nationwide rules.
3. We do not confuse laws and prohibitions with facility rules or customs.
4. We respect differences in practice between religions and schools.
5. We do not copy source texts; we explain them in our own words.
6. We do not force uncertain topics into simple right-or-wrong answers.
7. Sources we could not check are marked "Not yet checked".

Verification labels

• Content checked
• Partly checked
• Not yet checked

Sources we consulted

• Japanese Manners Do's and Don'ts(opens in a new tab)Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) · National tourism organization · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 12 articles
• Understanding and Mastering Japanese Manners and Etiquette(opens in a new tab)Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) · National tourism organization · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 13 articles
• Japanese Food Etiquette Guide(opens in a new tab)Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) · National tourism organization · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 4 articles
• Japanese Customs and Etiquette(opens in a new tab)Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) · National tourism organization · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 15 articles
• Shrine and Temple Traditions(opens in a new tab)Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) · National tourism organization · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 7 articles
• How to Best Enjoy Japan's Onsen(opens in a new tab)Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) · National tourism organization · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 6 articles
• Japanese Onsen and Ink — The Tattoo Taboo(opens in a new tab)Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) · National tourism organization · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 1 articles
• Tipping in Japan(opens in a new tab)Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) · National tourism organization · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 1 articles
• Custom & Manners(opens in a new tab)Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) · National tourism organization · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 2 articles
• Low-down on Japanese Manners (Big in Japan feature)(opens in a new tab)Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) · National tourism organization · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 3 articles
• Get Involved in Local Japanese Festivals(opens in a new tab)Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) · National tourism organization · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 4 articles
• Time for Japan's Favourite Spring Activity! Hanami Manners and What to Bring(opens in a new tab)Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO Singapore) · National tourism organization · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 2 articles
• Countdowns, "Hatsuuri" and "Hatsumode"! A guide to the New Year in Japan(opens in a new tab)Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO Singapore) · National tourism organization · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 2 articles
• Travel Etiquette for the Future (Promoting sustainable tourism)(opens in a new tab)Japan Tourism Agency (MLIT) · Government · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 13 articles
• 公衆浴場業及び旅館業に係る「入浴」について (入れ墨がある外国人旅行者の入浴に関する観光庁の周知を掲載)(opens in a new tab)Shizuoka Prefecture (republishing Japan Tourism Agency notice, 2016) · Local government / tourism body · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Partly checked · Used in 1 articles
• 参拝方法 (How to worship at a shrine)(opens in a new tab)Association of Shinto Shrines (Jinja Honcho) · Religious organization · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 3 articles
• 優先席付近における携帯電話使用マナーを「混雑時には電源をお切りください」に変更します(opens in a new tab)Tokyu Corporation (joint notice of 37 railway operators, 2015) · Railway or other operator · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 2 articles
• Luggage information (Tokaido Shinkansen oversized baggage)(opens in a new tab)Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) · Railway or other operator · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 1 articles
• 受動喫煙対策 (Measures against passive smoking)(opens in a new tab)Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare · Government · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Partly checked · Used in 1 articles
• 千代田区生活環境条例 よくある質問(opens in a new tab)Chiyoda City, Tokyo · Local government / tourism body · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 1 articles
• マナーを守って素晴らしい京都観光を(opens in a new tab)Kyoto City Tourism Association (Kyoto Kanko Navi) · Local government / tourism body · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 1 articles
• The "Genkan": Japan's Traditional Entryway and Footwear Etiquette(opens in a new tab)Nippon.com · Explainer media · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 3 articles
• "Shūgi" and "Kōden": Money Gifts Expressing Congratulations or Condolences(opens in a new tab)Nippon.com · Explainer media · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 3 articles
• Japanese Weddings: Practices and Pitfalls(opens in a new tab)Nippon.com · Explainer media · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 3 articles
• Funeral Etiquette in Japan(opens in a new tab)Nippon.com · Explainer media · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 3 articles
• Gift-Giving Etiquette in Japan(opens in a new tab)Nippon.com · Explainer media · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 2 articles
• Obon: Japan's Summer Festival for Honoring Ancestors(opens in a new tab)Nippon.com · Explainer media · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 1 articles
• Traveling by Rail(opens in a new tab)Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) · National tourism organization · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 1 articles
• Experience Japan's Local Ekiben Culture(opens in a new tab)Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) · National tourism organization · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 1 articles
• Japan's Honorific Language About More Than Manners(opens in a new tab)Nippon.com · Explainer media · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 2 articles
• 博物館からのお願い (Requests from the museum)(opens in a new tab)Sendai City Museum (City of Sendai) · Local government / tourism body · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 2 articles
• Japan Shopping Guide: How to Shop(opens in a new tab)japan-guide.com · Explainer media · Accessed: Oct 16, 2026Content checked · Used in 2 articles