Japan Nuggets

You take off your shoes when you enter someone’s home. You remove them when you visit a traditional restaurant or a temple. Even in my office building, I’ve noticed people switching from their street shoes to slippers.

Why? A big part is cleanliness.

But, as so often in Japan, there’s more to it.

Traditionally, Japanese homes often had tatami floors where the family would sit, eat and sleep. Bringing shoes in from the outside brings in dirt. That’s why most apartments even today have a small entrance area where you leave your shoes before entering.

Inside, it’s bare feet, socks, or indoor slippers only.

When we moved into our apartment, even the movers who delivered and set up our furniture removed their shoes before entering. I had never experienced that before!

A friend told me that in Japan, the distinction between outside and inside is very important. It’s about public and private. Clean and unclean. Everyday spaces and sacred or traditional spaces.

But it’s also about respect.

It feels odd at first when removing your shoes before entering a temple, a shrine or a traditional inn (ryokan) where shoes aren’t allowed. But it signals that you understand you are entering a special place and will treat it with care.

And then there are slippers.

Usually, they are offered when you have to take your shoes off. And don’t be confused when you find separate slippers for the toilet. These are dedicated toilet slippers – so don’t wear them outside. Cleanliness trumps.

After a while it feels completely normal.

One lesson I’ve learned is to wear shoes that are easy to slip in and out of. Anything that needs to be tied can be cumbersome, especially when you are visiting tourist sites where you constantly take your shoes off.

It’s not everywhere, though.

In ordinary shops, supermarkets and modern office buildings you usually keep your outdoor shoes on. But there are exceptions. For example, some clothing stores ask you to take your shoes off before entering a changing room.

So, check what others are doing. When in doubt, simply ask.

Taking off your shoes in Japan is more than a rule to keep the floors clean. It’s a small everyday custom. An ingrained part of Japanese culture.

After a while you don’t even think about it anymore.

Did you know:

• Japan has a word for the entrance area where you remove your shoes: genkan. It is essentially the transition point between outside and inside.
• When visiting someone’s home, shoes are generally left neatly at the entrance, with the toes pointing toward the door. Someone may quietly turn them around for you after you enter.
• Some restaurants have tiny shoe lockers. Instead of leaving your shoes at the entrance, you may put them in an individual locker and keep the key while you eat.