Ensure This Clothing Item Looks Presentable to Avoid Unwanted Attention in Japan

Japan is a country experiencing an unprecedented boom in tourism, and it’s no wonder why. This captivating East Asian island nation boasts delectable cuisine, deep culture, gorgeous natural surroundings, and these hidden gem cities to add to your bucket list. Japan is a place where the past and present come together in a very exciting and dynamic way, and while the country is extremely welcoming to tourists, there are a number of very specific etiquette rules that govern daily life there. Anyone planning on visiting would be wise to learn these ahead of time.

While there are ways to be a considerate guest when visiting the Land of the Rising Sun (along with a whole list of things that tourists should never do), it’s also quite easy to forget the fact that you’ll be slipping your shoes on and off a lot while you’re there. Whether you choose to wear sneakers, flats, sandals, pumps — or whatever footwear you prefer — just make sure to always have a pair of clean and presentable socks on hand, as bare feet can be seen as impolite.

Like other countries in Asia, Japan observes a somewhat strict “no shoes worn indoors” rule. You’ll often be required to take off your shoes before entering a room or building. This is especially true at temples, shrines, traditional restaurants, and personal homes.

What you surely don’t want to do is roll in with old, holey — or especially dirty — socks. Presentation — in the form of good personal hygiene and neat clothing — is extremely important in Japan. This means that nice, new, perfectly clean socks will put forth the best image during those (frequent) moments when you need to slip out of your shoes.

While you’ll be taking off your shoes frequently, you still want to keep your feet covered, especially in indoor spaces. Bare feet are often viewed as dirty, and putting on a pair of nice socks will go a long way to engender respect and goodwill from your Japanese hosts. You’re also likely to do a large amount of walking during your travels in Japan, which means your feet may get sweaty and … funky. Always carrying a pair of clean socks is a good way to guarantee that no one will be made to feel uncomfortable once the shoes come off, a simple gesture of consideration that everyone will appreciate.