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- Japanese Online Newsletter Vol. 150 靴を脱ぐ・脱がない（くつをぬぐ・ぬがない）
まず、
When to Take Off Your Shoes in Japan
In Japan, people take their shoes off when they come inside the house. Does it mean it's okay to take off their shoes when they go outside? Where can people take off their shoes, and where can they not? And how can people tell which one is correct? Today, I'd like to talk about when people should take off their shoes, and when they shouldn't.
First of all, people generally take off their shoes when they enter a house in Japan. When you enter a house, there's a designated space where people expect you to take off your shoes. Up until that point, you can enter the house with your shoes on. But, byond that point, you can't enter the house with your shoes on. When you take off your shoes inside someone else's house, put them togehter and leave them in the foyer. Also, be careful not to leave your shoes scattered around the house, as this is considered rude. Many houses in Japan have slippers for indoor use, so use them if they're recommended.
Then, there are ryokans. Ryokans are Japanese-style inn where, in most cases, guests remove their shoes at the entrance. Ryokans will store your shoes after you take them off and will also generally provide slippers, so please use them. While this is true of ryokans, hotels don't have a place for you to take your shoes off. So, at hotels, please proceed to your room with your shoes on. After that, it's up to you whether or not you take your shoes off inside the hotel room.
In most public facilities, like cinemas and theaters, you don't take your shoes off. But, in traditional Japanese places, like Sumo stadiums and Kabuki theaters, you may have to take off your shoes. To better determine whether you should or shouldn't take off your shoes, please look at the people around you. When visiting shrines and temples, you don't have to take off your shoes when you're outdoors. But, when going inside, people usually take off their shoes. In saunas, hot springs, and public bathhouses, you won't be able to enter without taking your shoes off beforehand. There's a place for you to store your shoes after you take them off, so please store them there.
Finally, taking off your shoes while riding public transportation is generally unnecessary. People usually wear shoes for hygenic reasons, as dirt covers shoes from the outside. In Japan, people will think you're crazy if you wear shoes in places where you're not supposed to. So, be care around certain places and take off your shoes when warranted.
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