Is it okay to eat while we walk? Angry sister eating ice cream Last April, my sister visited me in Japan for the first time. While showing her around Arashiyama Sengen Park, we got some soft-serve from some nearby food trucks. When I told her we shouldn't eat while walking and suggested sitting near the truck, she wasn't happy. She spent the rest of the trip pointing out people eating and walking, making sure to note if they looked Japanese. Later at home, she asked my wife if I was right. My wife said it was fine to eat and walk. Thanks for backing me up, love . The Answer: The answer is that it depends. The etiquette is not to eat while walking . But, there are some exceptions. And in some cases it is even encouraged. There are some things to know about Japanese etiquette on eating while walking. Clean Street Why Eating while Walking is Frowned Upon For one thing––you do not litter. Littering is forbidden in Japan. It is believed that the likelihood of littering is highest wh...

Greeting the locals!  Four every day Japanese greetings, and a brief guide to the nuances of greetings in Japan! Picture yourself walking through a serene mountain village in rural Japan. The locals on the street pass by with a warm smile and a friendly greeting. Would you know how to respond? For visitors, mastering these simple phrases goes beyond politeness—it opens doors to meaningful interactions and unforgettable experiences. And understanding Japanese social etiquette for travelers.  In Japan's bustling cities, it's common to pass by countless people without exchanging a word. But in smaller towns, rural villages, or wile hiking scenic trails a simple greeting can go a long way. Greeting others helps foster a warm and trusting atmosphere that's deeply rooted in Japan's culture of community. You would think like this of your own hometown as well, right?   Why Greet? A warm atmosphere within a small town creates trust and opens communication among neighbors. This i...

Whether you keep halal, keep kosher, or simply avoid pork, being able to read a Japanese food label is essential. The good news: you only need a small handful of kanji and kana to spot pork and gelatin at a glance. In this guide, you’ll learn the key characters—like 豚 (pork), 豚肉 (pork meat), and 肉 (meat)—see real examples from packages, and discover exactly where to look on labels so you can shop with confidence anywhere in Japan. Pork and Gelatin in Japanese: Pork in Japanese is 豚肉 (buta-niku). Gelatin in Japanese is ゼラチン (zelachin). The first Chinese (kanji) character for pig is 豚 "buta", also read as "ton". The character for meat, 肉 "niku", follows it. Together they make the word "buta-niku", which is pork. They use the same pattern for beef, chicken, duck, and other meats. If you want to know how to name other meats, please leave a comment. Katakana is the Japanese script for foreign words. For example, "bacon," "sausage,...