Japan is a truly mesmerizing travel destination, filled with many amazing attractions, from breathtaking landscapes to stunning iconic landmarks, and boasting a striking but charming juxtaposition of tradition and modernity that can be observed across all aspects of life. But at the same time, Japan can also be described as an intriguing country with a very distinctive culture compared to the rest of the world that can be quite difficult for foreigners to grasp and navigate, so culture shock is a given when visiting the land of the rising sun.
To some extent, culture shock is a positive thing and is to be expected. After all, the whole point of travel is to be exposed to diverse cultures, break out of your comfort zone, and immerse yourself in the unknown to broaden your horizons and create memories that will last a lifetime. It’s the element of surprise and the unforeseen that makes trips abroad so exciting and entertaining.
However, too much of a good thing can turn into a bad thing, and that’s also the case with culture shock. You want to keep it within reasonable limits so it doesn’t become a barrier to enjoying all your destination’s wonderful experiences.
In a place like Japan, where glaring differences in culture and lifestyle surround you at every step, culture shock can be particularly intense. Finding yourself in such an unfamiliar environment, with customs and practices that have little in common with yours can make you feel confused and disoriented, which is probably not how you imagine your trip to be. Using an eSIM to stay connected can help to some extent. You can buy here your eSIM for Japan and enjoy seamless connectivity on your devices with great data plans, without having to change your phone number.
But here’s what else you can do to minimize culture shock and make the most of your Nippon adventure.
Know what to expect
Learning about the history, traditions, and norms of the places that you’re going to visit is something you should do before every trip, regardless of destination, but you might want to be particularly thorough and put a bit more effort into your research when it comes to Japan given the many unwritten rules forming the basis of Japanese social codes and etiquette. This will help you better understand the local culture, with all its particularities and peculiarities, allowing you to avoid unpleasant or awkward situations.
Behaviors that might be tolerated or considered normal in your home country might be offensive or inappropriate in Japan. For example, talking loudly in public or eating while walking is frowned upon in Japan. So, developing cultural awareness is a way to show your respect for other people’s values and ways of life and avoid cultural faux pas.
Besides, familiarizing yourself with the local culture through research can help you become more appreciative of it and ensure a more positive travel experience. Obviously, you’ll do most of the learning onsite, by directly interacting with the residents and getting a first-hand taste of local lifestyle. However, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to know the theory before you move on to practice.
Here are some specific areas you should focus on while brushing up on your Japanese cultural knowledge so you can address the most common causes of culture shock while in Japan:
The language barrier
Although Japan is a modern country that has embraced certain aspects of Western culture, the English language is not widely spoken in the country, as some might expect. A 2019 survey revealed that Japan ranked 53rd in English proficiency globally, while certain studies estimate that less than 30% of Japan’s population speaks English. So, don’t count on locals’ English skills to navigate Japan, especially when visiting rural areas. Unless you have some knowledge of Japanese, you’ll be facing a significant language barrier.
Communication style
It’s not just the language that can pose a challenge in your interactions with the locals but also differences in communication style. Japanese often use nonverbal gestures and cues to express their thoughts and ideas. These subtle signals don’t make communication any easier for foreigners who don’t know how to interpret them or might miss them altogether.
The local cuisine
Japanese cuisine encompasses an explosion of aromas and flavors, but they might not be to everyone’s taste. Dishes like sushi and ramen are known worldwide, and many people love them, but eating only Japanese food for a longer period of time can shock your taste buds.
Manners and social norms
The Japanese place great value on social etiquette and manners, so one could write an entire book on this topic (and many have, in fact). While no one expects you to know all these rules and norms, and locals are quite understanding and tolerant of other cultures, it would be very useful to learn the basics. For example, it’s expected to bow instead of shake hands when greeting and take your shoes off before entering someone’s house.
How to make culture shock less… shocking
Although culture shock is inevitable, there are ways to reduce its effects so it doesn’t become a problem for you. Keeping in touch with people back home can give you a sense of stability, helping you fight the feeling of disconnection and puzzlement you might get while you’re away. Make sure you choose an eSIM that allows you to maintain internet connectivity conveniently wherever you go. This will make it easier for you to communicate with your loved ones and enjoy peace of mind.
The other thing you can do to ease culture shock is to keep an open mind. Mindset is everything when it comes to adapting and adjusting to new environments. Japan may feel like a whole different dimension sometimes, especially for Westerners, so it might be difficult to understand and appreciate all its facets. But if you are open-minded and willing to try new things and challenge your perceptions, you will find it much easier to embrace and grow fond of the local culture.
No matter how different Japan may seem at first glance, don’t forget more things unite us than divide us. With that in mind, we encourage you to take a deep dive into the wonders of Japanese culture and enjoy them to the fullest.
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