Shoe Etiquette in Japan

The general rule is to leave your shoes at the door. In most houses there is a recessed area in the entrance before you take a step up to the house proper, or at least a threshold line. This is where you take off and leave your shoes. If possible don’t sit and take them off. Take them off standing and then leave them neatly lined up with toes pointing towards the door so they are easy to put back on when you leave (and they don’t get in the way of other people coming and going).

The rule is that if you visit anyone’s house you take off your shoes. It is rarer these days but some businesses still require you to take off your shoes. Restaurants are about half shoes and half off so if in doubt look for shoes at the threshold or ask. Never wear shoes on tatami.

A good idea is to purchase shoes without laces as soon as you arrive in Japan. This can save a lot of bending down and time consuming shoe lace tying.