Cultural Notes

The principle at the core of Japanese society is: Don't inconvenience other people.  Most of the unspoken etiquette in Japan points back to this principle.

Japan is famous for its rules yet it is a highly contextual society.  What is appropriate in one context is not in another so don't expect rules to appear consistent.  If in doubt, observe and emulate the Japanese folks around you.   
Generally speaking, tourists get a pass on most of the etiquette subtleties as long as they are making an attempt to be courteous and are not inconveniencing others (not noisy, demanding, pushy). 

Japan is a punctual country.  Meetings and reservations are planned to the minute.  
Many Japanese folks will arrive nearby their appointment 10-15 minutes early to provide a buffer for potential delay, and then walk into the appointment just a minute or two before the scheduled time. 

Gifting is complicated.  Japanese folks will often performatively reject a gift three times before they accept it.  If you actually want to give the gift,  insist and keep offering it until they accept.
Japanese etiquette calls for the receiver of a gift to give back a gift of half the value of what they received.  People often downplay the gift they are giving to help remove the pressure of the return gift: "I brought you a little something, it's not much"  

Omiyage is the Japanese tradition of travellers bringing gifts and souvenirs back from their destination to friends, family, and colleagues.  This is a gift that does not require performative rejection or a return gift.  
Omiyage is nearly always individually packaged food snacks that are from the region visited and easy to share with a group.  

Best Practices

Noise levels: Keep conversation to a soft level, especially in formal restaurants, shrines and temples, or when around other people.

Trash: You are expected to bring your trash home with you, or return it to the establishment where you purchased the item that created the trash.  
Example: street vendors will accept the food packaging they create but not the packaging of other vendors.
The cheat code is the convenience store.  Every convenience store accepts trash (in reasonable volume).

Toilets: Clean toilets are found in department stores, convenience stores, and city parks. 

Highway Service Areas: These roadside rest areas have clean toilets, food courts, and shops with souvenir snacks.  Larger locations have fuel stations. 

Michi-no-Eki (Road Station): Roadside rest areas along rural regular roads that feature food, produce, snacks, souvenirs, and information that is local to their location.  Michi-no-Eki are a government organized yet privately operated network so each location is unique.  They are a charming and convenient stopping point for road tripping and a place to get local omiyage. 

Stamp Collecting: Rubber stamps can be found all over Japan.  Collecting stamps in a stamp notebook is a fantastic way to document your trip.
They are in train stations, shrines and temples, highway service areas, Michi-no-Eki, and most tourist points of interest. 

Dress and Adornment: Japan has a wonderful balance of being stylish while not being formal (in most cases).  During the work day, business attire is the norm but in the evenings and weekends, people are wearing smart casual and sportswear.  
Wearing a sportcoat is rare outside of work or a more formal evening event.
Japanese women generally cover their shoulders and wear looser styles that are not revealing.  
You will stand out no matter what you wear so don't worry about it!
Strong cologne and perfumes are avoided because the smell might inconvenience others who don't wish to participate in the scent of someone else.

Cash:  Japan is rapidly transitioning into the digital payment world but still has many small businesses and restaurants that are cash only.
Every convenience store (7-11, Family Mart, Lawson) and post office will have a safe and trustworthy atm. 

IC Cards: Used for train travel, IC Cards (Interchange Cards) are prepaid and rechargeable payment cards for use on nearly all trains and busses in Japan (Kyoto is one of the places where some busses and trams require a cash payment). Most fares are calculated by distance so passengers tap on and off.
IC cards can also be used for payment at convenience stores and many cafes. Look for an IC symbol on the register.
PASMO, Suica, and Icoca are different brands of IC card with zero difference in cost of function.
Download the English-language Welcome Suica Mobile app for iOS to issue a digital tourist card valid for 180 days with no deposit.

Luggage forwarding: Yamato Transport (called Kuroneko or "Black Cat") offers luggage delivery service between hotels, stations, and various drop off locations.
Hotel staff will be able to help you arrange delivery.
https://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/ytc/en/send/services/same-day-delivery/

Restaurants

Tipping: Never done.  If attempted, it will cause confusion and social friction.

Reservations: Book ahead when possible. Popular restaurants that don't accept reservations often have a paper signup list at the door.  If the place looks busy, check for the signup sheet.  If there is not a signup sheet, people will queue.

Placing the order: Service in many restaurants is on demand.  If you don't call for the staff they will give you space.  When you are ready to order or get a bill, waiving to or calling out to the staff is expected.

Menu customizations: Requests for changes to menu items are often difficult for restaurant staff to accommodate. Requests for off menu items are impossible to accommodate.
Generally, changes can only be made when specifically noted on the menu or by the chef.

Payment: Payment usually takes place at a register by the door.  Your bill is often left at the table while you eat so that you can take it to the register when you are ready. 

Weather

October in Japan is beautiful.  

Days are crisp and range from shirtsleeves to light jacket / sweater weather.  Nights are cool but not cold.

Tokyo will be warmer than at altitude so pack layers.

Expect some rain.

Driving

International drivers require a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) issued abroad under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic.
Please check to see if your country is a signatory of this convention and if you require any additional documentation.

In the case of a flat tire, accident, or breakdown stay with the car until instructed otherwise.

An accident or damage to the car (no matter how small) requires a police report to make an insurance claim.  Without a police report you will be responsible for 100% of the damage cost.

Japan has strict laws regulating driving after drinking.  Do not drive after drinking any amount of alcohol.

  • Approx 0.03% blood alcohol is considered impaired. (Up to 3 years in prison, up to 500,000 yen fine)

  • Approx 0.05% blood alcohol is considered intoxicated . (Up to 5 years in prison, up to 1,000,000 yen fine)

  • If a DUI or DWI incident results in an accident that causes injuries or death, the punishments become more severe. If you cause the injury of another person you will face Japanese prison time, with work, for up to 15 years, and in the case of causing a death you will face Japanese prison time, with work, for up to 20 years.

Pedestrians have the right of way at all times and will walk into crosswalks without looking

  • Always yield

  • Look down the sidewalk (in each direction) for bicycles before turning.  Bicycles will enter crosswalks at full speed without looking.

  • Never turn in front of a pedestrian in, or about to enter, a crosswalk.

Speed limits

  • Cameras on expressways are generally set +30kph over the posted limit.

  • Speed limits are enforced by marked and unmarked police cars as well as cameras.

  • It's especially important to respect the posted speed limits while driving through small towns.  

    • Children and elderly people often appear on the road unexpectedly.  

    • Farm equipment often pulls into traffic.

Passing / crossing yellow lines is illegal and one of the most common tickets issued.

  • Yellow lines separating lanes going into an intersection

  • Yellow center lines on small roads

Small town driving etiquette

  • Drive like you are a member of the community

  • Reduce speed and look for pedestrians 

  • Don't overtake in towns

  • Expect old people in kei cars or on bicycles to unexpectedly enter traffic

Coin Parking: Parking in Japan is mostly paid lots and garages.  Lots will have numbered spaces and a payment machine to accept cash.  
Fees are usually calculated by time up to a maximum daily price.  
Some lots will revert to hourly price at midnight and each day following the first will not be subject to the daily maximum so be careful if you plan to leave a car for more than one day.

Language

Arigato gozaimasu: Thank you

  • This is the all purpose "thank you" for use in nearly every occasion

  • Include gozaimasu because arigato by itself is too casual and not commonly said.

Sumimasen: Excuse me

  • Excuse me: Use it to grab someone's attention (like calling a waiter), pass through a crowd, or gently interrupt someone.

  • I'm sorry: Use it for minor apologies, such as bumping into someone on a train or being slightly late.

  • Thank you: Use it when someone goes out of their way to help you, acknowledging the trouble they took for your sake.

Gochisousamadesu: Thank you for the meal

  • Thank the restaurant staff when leaving the establishment

Hai: Yes, I acknowledge 

Daijobu: Its ok, I dont need, dont worry about it 

  • This is a casual word

Omizu: Water
Omizu o kudasai: I would like some water

Ohayō: Good morning

Konnichiwa: Hello

Konbanwa: Good evening

Genkin: Cash

Cardo: Credit Card

Okaikei: The bill

Onegaishimasu: Please  
Example: Okaikei Onegaishimasu