For a trip to Japan, it is highly recommended to bring two pairs of comfortable, broken-in walking shoes. Due to the high amount of daily walking (often 20k+ steps) and the need to take shoes on and off frequently at temples and restaurants, having two pairs allows you to rotate them, reducing foot fatigue and providing a backup if one pair gets wet or dirty.
And here's the simple rule: When you step up to enter the building, even just a few centimeters onto wooden slats (sunoko), you step out of your shoes, leaving them at street level, so that you “land” on the next level barefoot (or in sock feet).
You can wear whatever footwear you want. However, visiting Tokyo requires a lot of walking. Sandals or flip flops might not be the best option. Sneakers/trainers or some sort of shoes with good cushioning are the best bets.
The "333 rule" in clothing refers to two popular minimalist fashion concepts: the viral TikTok trend of using 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes to create numerous outfits (9 items total) for styling practice, and the more extensive Project 333, where you select 33 items (including clothes, shoes, and accessories) to wear for three months, excluding essentials like underwear, workout gear, and sleepwear, to simplify your wardrobe and reduce decision fatigue. Both methods focus on versatility, quality over quantity, and creating a functional capsule wardrobe.
I recommend packing two pairs of comfy good quality walking shoes (sneakers etc) per person and, if one of those two options aren't suitable to wear out to a dinner at a nice restaurant – then one extra pair too.
Travelers can wear shorts in hot weather, but don't wear cut-offs, board shorts, etc. Most Japanese women don't show their shoulders, belly or cleavage. And most don't wear leggings (yoga pants etc) unless they're doing yoga or sports. Wear shoes or sneakers that are comfortable for walking and easy to slip on and off.
The cheapest months to fly to Japan are typically January, February, and early March, especially after the New Year's rush, due to winter being the low season, with potential deals in the shoulder seasons like late May/early June and late November/early December, avoiding peak cherry blossom (late March/early April) and summer (July/August) times.
The 54321 packing rule is a travel strategy for creating a versatile capsule wardrobe, suggesting you pack 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 layering pieces/shoes, 2 bags/dresses, and 1 of each accessory (like sunglasses, hat, or swimsuit) to simplify packing, reduce overpacking, and easily mix-and-match outfits for a trip, often fitting into a carry-on. It's a flexible formula, easily adjustable for different trip lengths, destinations, and weather by swapping categories, like adding more swimsuits for a beach trip or more outerwear for cold weather.
For trips that are only a few days in length, you may be fine with just one pair of shoes, especially if you aren't doing a wide variety of activities. However, for trips that are a week or more in length, two to three pairs of shoes are more appropriate.
The Red Sneakers effect is the name given to this phenomenon. Individuals give non-confirming behaviors a high status. It is considered polite for a millionaire like Zuckerberg to enter a room wearing red sneakers, yet it is trashy for a recent graduate to wear those to an interview.
Japanese tend not to eat while walking along or standing around on the street. However, it is acceptable to drink while standing aside vending machines, which are ubiquitous in Japan. Eating and drinking on local trains is also frowned upon, but not long distance express trains such as the Shinkansen bullet train.
Japan's Metabo Law does not regulate how many hours citizens spend on their chairs, but it does watch their waistlines. The law mandates an annual check-up for all individuals between 40 and 74, and this also includes measuring the size of their waist. For women, the cap is at 90 cm, and for men, the cap is at 85 cm.
You must stop the car at the stop line before the intersection, not before the traffic signal. At the red light, you can not go straight or turn left. Even at the red light, you may proceed to the direction of the green arrow light.
Trousers are fine, jeans are fine, skirts are fine. Many Japanese young women are covered up A LOT on the top half but have very short skirts and that seems to be fine, for some reason.
If you are not wearing socks, it is polite to bring a fresh pair of socks to wear after removing your outdoor shoes because entering someone's house barefoot is not considered well mannered, although acceptable in informal situations. Slippers can generally be worn anywhere except when entering rooms with tatami floor.
The 70/30 rule in fashion is a wardrobe strategy suggesting 70% of your closet consists of timeless, versatile basics (jeans, neutral tops, blazers) and 30% is for trendy or statement pieces (bold colors, unique patterns, statement accessories) to add personality and keep looks fresh without chasing every trend. It balances longevity with current style, ensuring most of your wardrobe remains relevant while still allowing for fun, expressive items that elevate your everyday staples.
Ever wondered what the 3 Finger Rule Dress Code is all about? It's a straightforward concept that's super handy when it comes to choosing the right outfit, especially in India. Simply put, this rule helps you determine the ideal sleeve length by measuring three fingers from your shoulder.
