5 Important Gestures in Japan every Tourist Should Know

Gestures in Japan

In many cultures our hands tell stories. From saying hello to a friend, to getting a thumbs up from a parent. Gestures are the easy way to communicate a thought or a feeling. Japan is a culture that values harmony and respect. A gesture here is worth a thousand words.

Tourists do what they can to learn the basics of a language before traveling. But sometimes the words don’t immediately come to mind. Below are five useful gestures that would be good to know to get around when the words in Japanese fail us.

Cultural Side Note.

People in Japan avoid speaking in a direct or frank manner. When two people talk to each other they try to broach the subject of sensitive topics in a way that seems gentle. This is to avoid making the other person uncomfortable. No one in Japan wants to be seen as aggressive or confrontational. People speak indirectly rather than speak on something directly.

One example of this kind of scenario is if a customer wants to return something. It might be against their policy. This would not make the typical customer happy. An interaction would then become tense. It is that kind of intensity that people tend to avoid in Japan. Keep this in mind when in conversation, and you want to say no. We will go over it in more detail later in the post. 

1 . The Check

The gesture is drawing a square or rectangle in the air. Use both index fingers starting from the stop, and outline the shape. Another variation of this gesture is making a writing motion in the air. Both of these gestures will get the message across.

If you were to say, “check, please.” A lot of servers and staff would understand. But the way to say “Excuse me, check please.” in Japanese is ”sumimasen, okai-ke kudasai” (すみません、お会計下さい).

A lot of restaurants in Japan have automated systems for requesting the check. The serverless ramen shops have you buy a ticket from something like a vending machine. These systems have made the process easier for customers to order and pay with more convenience. And they help the Japanese staff who may or may not be able to communicate with the customers.

Food Ticket Machine

2. No. No, thank you. No, I don't. No, I can't. No . . .

Imagine a conversation with a new friend. You are talking with them about your likes. You start a line of questioning of things you like and find you like the same things. Similar to the scene in Step Brothers. The two middle aged child-adults become best friends when they find out they like the same things. Saying no, is akin to throwing an iron bar into the wheel of a cyclist about to win the tour-de-france.

People in Japan do not like to say no because it is too direct of an answer. It stems from being non-confrontational and not wanting to disappoint the other person. And also from not wanting to be seen as aggressive. Gestures often soften the blow. So, when it comes to saying no, there are ways they do it here in Japan. Here are the three most common.

The Silent Head Tilt

The person will silently tilt their head without answering your question. If they were smiling before it might lessen as they deliver the "bad news." This means "no" or "I don't know." Also, if they tilt their head while saying the word "anmari" (あんまり), it means "not really," then it means no.

The Hand Wave

Another way a person says no is by waving their hand in front of their face while their palm is perpendicular. Imagine a person waving their hand over their mouth after eating something spicy. Instead of fanning the hand over the tongue it is done over the nose. This gesture is similar to a “no, thank you” or an "I don't need it." For example, if someone is offering you the last piece of natto-maki you can do this gesture to refuse it.

The X and O or "Batsu" and "Maru"

So far, we have looked at two soft nos, but what about a hard no. Take your forearms and make an X. Additionally you can make an X with your fingers or hands. This is the universal no gesture in Japan. You will see it everywhere from schools to TV shows. There is actually a very famous device called the ping-pong-boo. Yes, this gesture has its own sound effect. No is the boo-boo sound effect. Yes is the ping-pong sound effect.

In contrast the yes gesture is making a circle over the head. These gestures can be used at longer distances outside of earshot. And can be used when bigger visual cues are needed.

3. Pointing

People use their hands to talk regardless of where they are from. Including using your finger to point. There are contexts where the gesture is used and it is harmless. But even in the west pointing with your index finger in someone's face is aggressive and rude. In Japan, pointing is considered aggressive and rude in most contexts because people usually do it in anger. For example, if a student breaks the rules teachers will point at them and scold them. So for a lot of people in Japan it is akin to being attacked or punished.

Do this instead.

So what do they do people do when they want to point to something? They point with an open hand with the palm facing up. To the western perspective it looks like someone is welcoming you into their home. This includes pointing in a direction, introducing something, or even in general conversation. You might see it at a restaurant if you ask the staff about their specials. Notice how some servers might even rest their fingers on the item they are pointing.

You talkin' to me?

There is one exception where a Japanese person would use an index finger to point. And that would be pointing to their nose to say I or me. So when you ask, “You talking to me?” point to your nose in Japan. And you might see it in billboard advertising or on TV when the actor is pointing to the phone number or website. 

4. Apology

For a formal apology the way people apologize is by doing a deep bow. We actually have a different post on bows and greetings in Japan (check out that post here). In this post we will offer a more casual gesture to indicate an apology.

It is a small karate chop with your wrist in front of you. It is a humble way to say sorry, or excuse me. The context to use this gesture are a few. One can be when you are trying to get by someone. Another could be if you grab the last karaage piece from the communal plate. After winning rock paper scissors.

5. The Money Sign

The great thing about the word Okay is that it is universal. You could go anywhere around the world and say okay, and people would understand you. The same goes with the okay gesture. Japan is no different, with both the word okay and the gesture.

Now, make the okay sign and add in a small twist of the wrist where the O part of okay is facing up. Then you got some money on your hands (pun intended). If you use this gesture, it means that you are rich and have money. For example, if you are out with your Japanese friend and they suggest a pricey cafe. You can use both gestures “Okay, I got money.”