Okinawa Customs & Etiquette
Your essential guide to respectful travel and cultural appreciation
Bowing Culture
A modest bow (15 degrees) works for most tourist interactions. Shows respect and gratitude
Shoe Etiquette
Remove shoes at homes, ryokan inns, temples, and some restaurants with tatami floors
No Tipping
Tipping is not customary and can cause confusion. Excellent service is standard
Greetings & Bowing
Bowing is the cornerstone of polite interaction throughout Japan, including Okinawa. While you’re not expected to master intricate depths and durations, making the effort earns genuine appreciation.
Basic Bowing Guide
Casual Greeting (15 degrees): Slight head and upper body incline. Perfect for greeting shopkeepers, hotel staff, or saying thank you.
Respectful Greeting (30 degrees): More pronounced bow for elderly people, entering traditional establishments, or expressing serious gratitude.
When Someone Bows to You: Return the gesture rather than offering a handshake. Match approximately the same depth and duration.
Business Context: Handshakes have become common in international business, but outside those situations, many Japanese people prefer non-contact greetings.
Beyond bowing, try local Uchinaguchi greetings. “Haisai” (men) or “Haitai” (women) for hello, and “Mensōre” as welcome. These distinctive phrases delight locals and demonstrate cultural appreciation.
Shoes & Footwear Etiquette
Removing shoes before entering certain spaces represents one of Japan’s most important customs. Always look for visual cues and follow local practices.
Remove Shoes At
- Traditional ryokan inns
- Homes if invited (always)
- Temples and shrines
- Restaurants with tatami mats
- Cultural centers and traditional sites
- Some medical facilities
Shoes Stay On
- Modern hotels
- Western-style restaurants
- Most shops and stores
- Office buildings
- Public transportation
- Street areas
Practical Tips
Wear Slip-On Shoes: Makes removal quick and easy at entrances. Avoid complicated laces.
Clean Socks: You’ll be displaying them regularly. Ensure they’re hole-free and presentable.
Indoor Slippers: Many establishments provide slippers. Remove before stepping onto tatami mats.
Bathroom Slippers: Separate slippers for restrooms. Change into them at the entrance, change back when exiting.
Dining Etiquette
Okinawan dining experiences pair culinary delights with specific etiquette expectations that show respect for food and those who prepared it.
Before & After Meals
いただきます (Itadakimasu): Say before eating. Literally “I humbly receive,” expressing gratitude for everyone who contributed to bringing food to your table.
ごちそうさまでした (Gochisōsama deshita): Say after finishing. Means “that was a feast,” thanking your host or restaurant staff.
Proper Chopstick Use
- Rest on chopstick holder when not using
- Use opposite end for shared dishes
- Lift small bowls to make eating easier
- Slurp noodles in broth (shows enjoyment)
- Pass dishes, not food directly
Chopstick Taboos
- Never stick upright in rice (funeral ritual)
- Never pass food chopstick-to-chopstick
- Don’t point at people with chopsticks
- Don’t spear food instead of picking up
- Don’t cross chopsticks when resting
- Don’t drum on table with chopsticks
Slurping noodles is encouraged in Japan, especially ramen and soba. It cools hot noodles, enhances flavor by aerating, and shows you’re enjoying the meal. However, don’t slurp pasta or non-broth dishes.
The No-Tipping Culture
Tipping is not customary in Japan and can actually cause confusion or embarrassment. This cultural difference stems from Japanese professional philosophy.
Why No Tipping?
Excellent service is considered standard professional behavior and part of one’s professional pride, not something requiring additional compensation. Prices include service charges, and quality reflects cultural values rather than incentive-based motivation.
Applies to All Services: Restaurants, taxis, hotels, tour guides, spas, delivery services, and any other service industry.
Showing Appreciation: Instead of money, a heartfelt “arigato gozaimasu” (thank you very much) or a small gift carries more cultural significance.
High-End Establishments: Some upscale ryokan or hotels may include a service charge on bills, but this goes to the establishment rather than individual staff members.
Public Transportation & Quiet Spaces
Buses and the Naha monorail operate under strict etiquette expectations that maintain peaceful environments for all passengers.
Do This
- Put phone on silent mode
- Text instead of making calls
- Whisper if discussing with companions
- Offer priority seats to those who need them
- Stand on left of escalators (right in Osaka)
- Wait for passengers to exit before boarding
Avoid This
- Loud conversations
- Phone calls of any kind
- Eating or drinking (except water)
- Applying makeup
- Playing music without headphones
- Blocking doors or aisles
Temple, Shrine & Sacred Site Etiquette
Okinawa’s spiritual sites demand respectful behavior. Many are active places of worship, not merely tourist attractions.
General Guidelines
Dress Modestly: Avoid revealing clothing, shorts above the knee, or tank tops. Cover shoulders and knees.
Behavior: Maintain quiet, reverent demeanor. Speak in low voices or remain silent.
Photography: Check for signs or ask permission. Interior photography often prohibited.
Sacred Areas: Some areas are off-limits. Respect all barriers, ropes, and signs.
Shinto Shrine Ritual
1. Purification: Use ladle at water basin. Rinse left hand, right hand, then pour water into cupped hand to rinse mouth (don’t drink from ladle). Pour remaining water down ladle handle.
2. At Main Hall: Bow twice, clap twice, bow once more.
3. Prayer/Wish: Make your prayer or wish silently during the final bow.
Okinawa’s memorial sites like Himeyuri Peace Museum and Cornerstone of Peace deserve special reverence. Maintain complete silence, avoid posing for cheerful photos, and reflect on historical significance.
Okinawan-Specific Cultural Practices
Beyond general Japanese etiquette, Okinawa maintains distinctive practices reflecting its Ryukyu Kingdom heritage.
Shisa Guardian Lions
These legendary lion-dog statues aren’t mere decorations but hold spiritual significance protecting homes from evil spirits. Treat respectfully and ask permission before photographing private residences. They’re typically in pairs: one with open mouth (catching good luck), one with closed mouth (keeping it in).
Ancestor Respect & Tombs
Impressive family tombs (turtleback or gable-style) dot Okinawa’s landscape. These are active sacred spaces where families gather for ceremonies. Never treat tombs as photo opportunities or tourist curiosities. Maintain respectful distance and avoid photographing unless at designated cultural sites where permitted.
Traditional Performing Arts
Eisa drum dancing and Kumiodori musical theater represent living cultural heritage. When attending performances:
• Arrive on time and silence phones completely
• Avoid flash photography unless explicitly allowed
• If participating in interactive experiences like Kachashi dancing, follow local lead
• Join with genuine enthusiasm rather than mockery
Shopping Etiquette
Friendly but respectful interaction enhances shopping experiences at local markets, craft shops, and small businesses.
Do This
- Greet with “konnichiwa” when entering
- Ask permission before touching delicate items
- Handle merchandise carefully
- Place money on the tray at register
- Accept change from the tray
- Say “arigato gozaimasu” when leaving
Avoid This
- Bargaining (except flea markets)
- Handing money directly to cashier
- Eating or drinking in shops
- Entering with wet umbrellas
- Leaving without acknowledging staff
- Assuming English is spoken
Plastic shopping bags now cost money in Japan (typically 3-5 yen) as part of environmental initiatives. Bring reusable bags or politely decline bags by saying “fukuro wa irimasen” (I don’t need a bag).
Photography Etiquette
While Okinawa offers stunning photo opportunities, respectful photography practices are essential.
Photography Guidelines
People: Never photograph people without permission, including those in traditional attire. At designated cultural performances where photography is permitted, general audience photos may be acceptable, but always check first.
Sacred Sites: Temples, shrines, and memorial facilities often prohibit photography entirely. Respect these restrictions completely. Look for signs or ask permission.
Private Property: Traditional houses or gardens require permission before photographing, even if visible from public streets.
General Principle: When in doubt, ask first. Most Japanese people will clearly indicate yes or no, often with gestures if language is a barrier.
Cultural Exchange Through Respect
Okinawans genuinely appreciate visitors who show interest in their unique culture and make efforts to follow local customs. Don’t stress about making mistakes—locals understand you’re learning and generally forgive minor etiquette breaches when they see genuine effort and respect. Your cultural sensitivity contributes to sustainable tourism that preserves Okinawan traditions for future generations.