Cathay Pacific's Japan Travel Tips

Want to make the most
out of your Japan trip?

We assembled our top travel tips

for the Land of the Rising Sun

From temple etiquette to
how to properly eat sushi.

Let's go!

Politeness is very important
in Japanese culture

So be sure to bow when
you greet someone

or when you say goodbye.

In general, the deeper the bow,

the more respect you are showing.

It's also considered
rude to use your phone

to make calls or sounds on the train.

So leave it till you disembark.

When you're in Japan,
you will probably visit a shrine.

Here are some pointers on
how to behave in the shrine.

First, be sure to bow slightly

before you enter through the torii gates.

Also walk in on the side of the gate

because the middle is
reserved for the Gods.

Next up, purify yourself at the chōzuya

with the ladle and fresh water.

Now you're ready to pay your respects.

Bow slightly.

Toss a coin in the box.

Bow deeply two times.

Clap two times

Thank the Gods.

And finally bow slightly
one more time.

When you visit an onsen,
there are a few things

that are good to know.

First off, you generally cannot enter

if you have any large tattoos.

So keep that in mind.

Secondly, most onsen
aren't mixed-gender.

So make sure you enter the right bath.

Before you enter the water,

make sure you rinse
your body thoroughly.

Next, enter the bath slowly
and place the towel

on the side or on top of your head.

Make sure it doesn't touch the water.

Now it's time to relax
and let the healing waters

of the onsen do its work.

If you're at a nice sushi restaurant,

you can leave your
chopsticks on the table.

Eat sushi like a pro.

First off, don't mix the
wasabi into the soy sauce.

Your sushi should already
be properly seasoned.

But if you want to add more wasabi,

you can add this on top of
the sushi with your chopsticks.

Once you're ready, grab
the piece with your hands

and tilt it fish down into the soy sauce.

Try not to let the rice touch the sauce.

Next, put the sushi
fish down in your mouth

and have the piece in one bite.

Once you've enjoyed your sushi,

grab a slice of ginger
to cleanse your palate

before you enjoy the next piece.

If you are visiting a Japanese izakaya

and want to drink like a local,

here are some drinks you should try.

A refreshing highball is
the start of any great night.

The simple drink contains
Japanese whiskey

and soda water in a tall glass.

If the whiskey taste is too strong for you,

ask the bartender to add some ginger

to the drink to soften the blow.

If you want to try
another local delicacy,

order some sake.

This rice wine is the
drink of choice for many

and can be enjoyed cold or hot,

which makes it a great drink
for cold winter nights.

Almost every region in Japan
makes their own sake,

so there are thousands of flavors to try.

If you have a bit of a sweet tooth,
give umeshu a try.

The sweet liqueur is
made from ume fruits,

soaked in alcohol and is very popular.

And of course you can't go beyond

a traditional Japanese lager

which goes perfect with
all the izakaya snacks.

Whatever you do just
don't forget to kanpai!