Promoting sustainable tourism

Manners that are commonplace for locals may not necessarily be the same for travelers with different cultures and customs. In addition, various measures are being implemented in regions with high numbers of visitors to ease congestion and make travel more pleasant. With many travelers visiting Japan’s tourist destinations, the Japan Tourism Agency has created the Travel Etiquette for the Future guidelines for travelers and pictograms for tourists to be used in each region to promote an understanding of manners and culture and to call for actions that will make travel more pleasant.

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    Know your destination
    and mind your manners while there

Guidelines for travelers

Travel Etiquette Preserve Your Destinations for Future Generations
As a courteous and considerate traveler,
your good manners help
protect and preserve the destinations you visit
while enriching your own travels.

Become a “responsible traveler,” and get the most
from your travels by respecting the local
environment and people, as well as other visitors.

A responsible traveler doesn't litter,
doesn't take photos without permission,
and doesn't take large luggage into crowded spaces.

Your good manners help preserve
the destinations you visit,
and will enrich y our travels too.

  • 01 Know your destination
    and mind your manners while there

    Take the time to learn all you can about the culture, tradition,and nature of your destination before you even begin your travels. This will not only elevate your travel experience but also make you a welcome visitor wherever you go. Hiring a guide who knows the local area well can make your trip even better.

    Clean up after yourself, be considerate when taking photos, and stay off private property.

  • 02 Avoid the crowds

    Large crowds tend to gather at popular spots and during peak seasons, so plan your itinerary with that in mind to ensure yourself a pleasant trip.

    Avoid days and times when crowds are largest: sightsee on weekdays, in the early mornings, or at night to enjoy a more relaxed visit.

  • 03 Travel smart and travel light

    Avoid sightseeing during rush hours, when the local people use public transport to commute to and from work or school.

    Lighten your load and free up your hands by using a luggage-storage service, a locker, or a luggage courier.

  • 04 Respect cultural assets

    Japanese temples and shrines, which have great historical and cultural value, have been preserved for generations as the nexus of religious faith and symbols of their local areas.

    Defacing cultural assets with graffiti or marks of any kind causes irreparable damage to these valuable structures, not to mention being a criminal offense.

  • 05 Dispose of trash responsibly

    Dispose of your waste in trash cans, if available, or take it with you to dispose of later.

    Dispose of cans, glass, and plastic bottles separately in the appropriate recycle bins.

  • 06 Buy local

    Support your travel destination when shopping: choose local handicrafts and meals made with local ingredients.

    Buying local products supports your destination's culture and traditions as well as its economy.

  • 07 Take your time

    A leisurely pace allows you to take in the distinctive scenery, traditions, and culinary culture of each region you visit, giving you the opportunity to discover things you might miss if you were in a hurry.

    Create valuable memories by interacting with the local people and engaging in experiences not possible anywhere else.

  • Choose Destinations Committed to Sustainable Tourism

    The Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) promotes tourism as a way to protect and preserve local culture, traditions, and natural environments as well as to develop the economy and society of local areas. JTA is currently establishing sustainable-tourism destinations for the benefit of both local communities and tourists. Many destinations throughout Japan now manage their tourism sustainably. Some have committed to working under the Japan Sustainable Tourism Standard for Destinations ”JSTS-D” (drawn up jointly by the JTA and the UN World Tourism Organization’s Regional Support Office for Asia and the Pacific), while others have been recognized by UN Tourism as Best Tourism Villages or have earned Green Destinations awards. Please consider choosing one or more of these destinations when you travel to Japan.

    JSTS-Dロゴ
  • Ensure Peace of Mind When Traveling
    Prepare for Possible Illness or Injury

    You are strongly advised to obtain sufficient international travel insurance, including medical coverage, before coming to Japan. If needed, however, there are medical-insurance plans you can apply for after arriving in Japan.

    Be Prepared for a Natural Disaster

    Safety Tips is an app that sends emergency alerts and notifications to users in the event of a disaster. The app enables tourists to obtain important information in multiple languages during a disaster in Japan, primarily via push notifications related to earthquakes, tsunamis, dangerous weather, and volcanic eruptions, as well as emergency evacuation and heatstroke. Download the Safety Tips app here. Download the Safety Tips app here. Click here for Android Click here for iPhone

Pictogram

To help travelers better understand common issues seen in tourist areas, we created 22 pictograms (14 pictograms on prohibited actions and 8 pictograms on recommended actions) based on the opinions of local stakeholders. In addition, we have provided supplementary multilingual signage and color variations to harmonize with surrounding landscapes. Going forward, we will work with local stakeholders to promote awareness of manners using pictograms.

  • Selfie sticks prohibited

  • Be aware of your surroundings when taking photos

  • Be aware of your surroundings when taking photos

  • Be aware of your surroundings when taking photos

  • Don't feed animals outside of feeding areas

  • Don't feed animals outside of feeding areas

  • Keep off the train tracks

  • Private Property: Entry prohibited

  • Don't block the walkway

  • No graffiti

  • No eating while walking

  • Do not look at your smartphone while walking

  • No skiing beyond this point

  • No cutting in line

  • Store your luggage for hands-free sightseeing

  • Store your bags here for hands-free sightseeing

  • Please recycle

  • Refill your water bottle

  • Sightseeing in the early morning is possible

  • Sightseeing in the evening is possible

  • Transfer to public transport here

  • Transfer to public transport here

Manners awareness
video
for foreign
visitors to Japan

Manners awareness
video
for foreign
visitors to Japan

Inquiries

hqt-responsible-traveler@gxb.mlit.go.jp

*Please understand that it may take some time to reply to your inquiry if we receive a high volume of inquiries.
*Please make sure to use the correct email address.

You will have a more fulfilling trip by respecting Japanese culture and etiquette.
We hope that you can experience the best of Japan and create wonderful memories, and that you enjoy a wonderful trip!