Key Cultural Notes for Malaysian First-Time Travelers to Japan

 

Hello everyone! I have been living in Japan for three years, and I want to share some useful information for Malaysian travellers visiting Japan. Here is three essential Japan travel tips covering etiquette, weather, and dining hacks! Let’s get started!

1. Don’t use voice messages or talk loudly on the phone in public (especially on the train)

In Malaysia, since we are a driving-oriented society, we are more prone to using voice messages instead of texting. It’s very common to see everyone talking loudly on their phones. However, this is not common in Japan. On Japanese trains, there’s even a rule to put your phone into “manner mode,” which literally means silencing your phone.

Tip: Try to text if possible. If not, use voice messages or phone calls in an open space privately to avoid disturbing others.

2. Difficulty in choosing outfits according to the temperature

As a tropical country, T-shirt + shorts + sandals are our standard outfit. Traveling to a country with four seasons can be very tricky for us. In Japan, I always struggle to balance how much to wear when I am outdoors and indoors. I’ve noticed a big temperature difference when getting on and off the train. Even during summer, the air conditioning inside the train can be so cold that it causes a big change in sensation.

Tips: Check the temperature every morning before you go out. Always layer your clothing—2–3 pieces during winter, 2 pieces during spring and autumn, and maybe summer too. If you do this, you can add or remove layers according to how you feel. If you plan to visit places with snow, don’t forget to bring rain/snow boots for anti-slip protection. (This is where my mistake was—haha!)

3. Water and wet tissues are free!

In Malaysia, I always struggle with whether I need to pay for wet tissues and water or not. Even though most modern cafés now offer them for free, you still can’t assume all of them do. But you don’t have to worry in Japan—you can guarantee that they are definitely free. Even if water is not provided on the table, you can always ask the staff, for free, of course!

Tips:

• Can I have water, please? → Omizu onegaishimasu (お水をお願いします)
• Can I have a wet tissue, please? → Oshibori onegaishimasu (おしぼりをお願いします)

Fun fact: In Malaysia, we use wet tissues after our meal (to wipe our mouth). However, in Japan, we use wet tissues before the meal (to wipe our hands).

I hope this article provides some insight for first-time travellers from Malaysia. If you still feel unsure about your first trip, reach out to us for a consultation on your itinerary. We’ll be posting more in the future, so check out our Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and information about traveling to Japan.

Thanks for reading. Have a nice journey!