Japan dress · Dress in Japan
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Dress in Japan
Dress in Japan
For everyday dress as a tourist, you are already at a disadvantage: no matter how you dress, you will stand out next to throngs of salarymen in suits and gradeschoolers in uniforms. And keeping track of Japan's rapidly-changing fashions is far too much work for a tourist.
First and foremost: wear shoes that you can slip off easily, as you may be doing this several times a day. Athletic shoes are perfectly acceptable; just lace them very loosely so you can get in and out of them without using your hands. Sandals and flip-flops are uncommon; when you do see them, they are usually zōri sandals made from straw, resembling tatami.
Shorts are also uncommon, even in summer, and are very touristy; you'll blend in better in a pair of trendy jeans and an unbuttoned dress shirt over a T-shirt (preferably one with big loud text, or abstract images). While we're at it, don't trudge around town with a big backpack like some kind of urban camper; you will stand out very badly, your backpack will get in everyone's way (including your own), and it's just inconsiderate.
Young Japanese females often dress in a manner that could be considered quite sexually provocative by Western standards, even during the daytime. This style of dress is not necessarily expected of foreign women but is not likely to be frowned upon either, so wearing what one is most comfortable with should suffice.
In business, suits are still the standard at most companies unless you know otherwise. Plan to wear your suit into the evening for drinks and entertainment.
Although everyone bathes naked at hot springs, for the beach or pool, you still need a bathing suit of some kind. Swim trunks or speedos for men are fine, but long boardshorts will stand out. If you will be using a pool, you will likely be required to have a swimming cap as well.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Japan
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Japan - updated Apr 2024
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Japan Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.