Eating while walking outside is frowned upon in Japan. In fact, eating almost anywhere other than a designated eating area is frowned upon. If you've ever taken a stroll outside in Japan, you'll probably notice that nobody is eating anything. It's also very rare for the Japanese to walk outside holding coffees.
Japanese tend not to eat while walking along or standing around on the street. However, it is acceptable to drink while standing aside a vending machine.
Basic Rules
Pedestrians should walk on the right side of the road, while automobiles and bicycles should travel on the left side. Between automobiles and pedestrians, pedestrians get right-of-way. You should obey all traffic signals and road signs. You should follow any instructions given by police officers.
Many Japanese people believe it is poor manners to walk or do other physical activities while eating because it means you're not appreciating your food properly. For some, this belief has its roots in World War II, when food was scarce and it was something to be treasured, not treated casually.
Eating while walking is a big no-no for most Japanese–even children enjoying an ice cream are often told to sit down before consuming food.
Expect to carry your trash with you. Eating while walking is considered bad mannered. Sit down or at least stand in a place away from pedestrian traffic when enjoying a meal or snack.
Those with a body mass index of less than 18.5 percent are considered underweight by Japanese standards.
Others are manner rules universal: don't speak with your mouth full, and close your mouth while you are chewing. What's special for Japanese food is perhaps the use of chopsticks.
Blowing your nose at the table, burping and audible munching are considered bad manners in Japan. On the other hand, it is considered good style to empty your dishes to the last grain of rice.
Water. Japan's tap water is drinkable. You can safely drink water inside, outside, in parks and from taps in public stations. Bottled water is available for purchase at vending machines and convenience stores.
This means that it is legal to drink in public in Japan. You're able to consume alcohol in parks, at the station or – while frowned upon in most social circumstances – even inside a train. Of course, drinking and driving is illegal, but passengers who are not the driver are free to drink.
A common rule of thumb is if the place is culturally traditional, has tatami mats, or is someone's personal space like a residence, then you should take off your shoes. Otherwise, it is likely okay to leave them on.
Crossing your feet in some cultures is considered very rude. In Japan you are expected to sit erect with both feet on the floor and never cross your ankle over your knee. In Singapore, as in many Asia cultures, the foot is thought to be unclean and should not be used to point at someone.
In Japan, it is considered impolite to have a private conversation on a cell phone while others, especially strangers, are around to listen. This rule extends beyond trains, subways and buses. It is considered impolite to talk on the phone in just about any indoor public space.
NOTE: The Japanese don't ever dress poorly. Their fashion may be off the wall, but they do it with Armani jeans and Gucci shirts. So I wouldn't wear jump-suits, sweats or gym shorts, unless it's just to chill out in your hotel room.
Always finish your meal!
The Japanese consider it rude to leave food on your plate, and even more so to order more food when you haven't finished everything you've already got. This is related to one of the fundamental concepts in Japanese culture, mottainai, which is a feeling of regret at having wasted something.
Note: It is very rare for anyone to acknowledge a sneeze in Japan, and it is customary not to say anything at all. After multiple sneezes, they use these words. "Are you all right?" "Sorry." or "Excuse me."
Most public spaces in Japan are reasonably plus size friendly, with a few things to consider. Restaurants and Bars: Most large establishments have very accommodating seating, although booths can be snug. Some smaller restaurants and izakayas may only have (small, backless) stools for seating.
Are Japanese People Short and Slim? Let's Ask the Numbers! The average height of 17-year old Japanese men is 170.7cm (5'7”) and 157.8cm (5'2”) for women. When it comes to weight, men weigh in with 62.5kg (138lbs) and women with 52.9kg (117lbs).
To decide if a person is fat or obese, one must calculate their size, body type, and age. Anyone with a BMI of 22kgs/m2 and above is considered fat in Japan. Women in Japan consider themselves overweight if their BMI is above 23kgs/m2. On the other hand, the Japanese say their men are fat if their BMI exceeds 25kg/m2.
Beef jerky, ham, sausage, bacon, and meat buns are also not allowed in Japan. This means if you purchase a hamburger before your flight, you can't bring it into Japan, so make sure to finish eating it before or during your flight.
1. Sushi. Sushi is the most famous Japanese dish and the first thing people think of when they think of Japanese cuisine. For sushi connoisseurs, it's more than just food.