As we prepare for our trip to Japan within the next week, we’ve thought of a few last minute questions

1. Two-way radios (“walkie-talkie”) in place of multiple cell phones?
2. Tennis shoes and/or blue jeans for 54 yr old & 21 yr old males?
3. White socks vs. colored socks for males?
4. Baseball caps vs. other hats?
5. Are any clothing colors considered a bad choice (for example, colors associated with funerals or other activities)?
6. Tooth picks okay in public?
7. We know that blowing the nose is a big no-no but what about wiping?
8. How much of a faux pas is it to pick up food from a common plate (or your spouse’s plate) with the wrong end of the chopsticks? I know we are supposed to use the opposite end but my spouse and I are so accustomed to sharing food that I’m sure we will slip in public?

Thanks for responses!

1. US-spec walkie talkies (FRS) cannot be used in Japan, as they use different frequencies.
2 -5. Wear what you like. Japanese are very tolerant of foreign visitors' attire. Just make sure your socks are clean and without holes, as you need to take you shoes off fequently when visiting temples, staying in ryokans and entering tatami rooms. Black tie and suit for men is associated wih funerals.
6. Locals use them too. But they are usually provided at tables. You are supposed to cover your mouth with your other hand when using it.
7. Yes, but always use tissue, not your hankies.
8. That's fine within a family, but never, ever, transfer food from one set of chopsticks to another - this reminds locals of funeral practice when relatives pick up the deceased's bones after cremation.

1. Further to my reply, frequencies allocated to FRS (US two-way radios) are used in Japan by emergency services and marine communication, so you can cause interference. When found out, you could be jailed for a year or fined up to a million yen ($11,000). If the customs find a set in your luggage (and they frequently open suitcases), they can be confiscated. So leave them at home!

We've used our motorola walkie-talkies tons of times in Japan. Guess we were just lucky!

I'm sure you know that the Japanese cell phones are on a completely different system than most of the world. Did you arrange to rent in japan or are there phones that do both systems now?

Dark socks will be better as you take your shoes off so often and white will pick up and show dirt. For the same reason, we always wear shoes that don't lace up, as it gets pretty old the 10th time you do it each day. Plus your fingers get so cold. Go for velcro closings or slip on style of shoes.

This time of year, I'd go with knit cap. Brrrr!

If you use toothpicks in public, cover your moth with your hand.

No one will care how you and spouse share food from the plate. It is a sanitary thing to use the top of your chopsticks, so only rude if the other person doesn't want your germs.

Alec & lcuy
Wow! Thanks for the prompt response and boy am I glad I asked about the 2-ways! We’d planned on getting a cell to keep in touch with work but thought we might get by on the cheap to communicate between the three of us. Not now! Yes, we knew about the cell phone difficulties. The rest of the responses are also appreciated, never would have guessed a tissue is ok but not a hankie!

This site and contributors like you all are invaluable when planning an overseas trip. If only it had existed for our first trip to England. How many Americans would have guessed that ordering two pints by raising two fingers would elicit such nasty responses!

Thanks again

Lcuy and Alex have given great advise as usual.

Just wanted to add that we rent two phones from Rentaphone Japan when we are in Japan. We are very happy with their service but more importantly the service of their phones.

I have also rented from pupuru and cannot say the same for their phones. The pupuru phones worked in major cities but once we got to the countryside their service was very spotty at best. We never had that problem with Rentaphone Japan

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3021.html

Aloha!

hawaiiantraveler,

Thanks for the advise on phones!

I may be repeating what are already said above.

2 - 4, as said above, don't worry. Many Japanese are casual with their attire themselves.

5. > .. a bad choice (for example, colors associated with funerals ...

Interesting question. Black and white used together are the traditional funeral colors but that's just fyi. You don't need to worry about your dress having those colors. It can look very chic.

7. > We know that blowing the nose is a big no-no but what about wiping?

Blowing nose with a big noise will surprise people but discreetly done, no problem. I (a Japanese) make a bit of noise blowing. Hankie or tissue, that's up to you. Some japanese say hankie is tenderer than tissue to your nose if you need to blow frequently. But today most use tissue, I suppose.

8. How much of a faux pas is it to pick up food from a common plate (or your spouse’s plate) ... Don't worry again. Between family, it's very relaxed.

On the clothing questions (nos. 2-4), I'd say that all these things together--i.e., tennis shoes (Are they white too?), white socks, ball caps, blue jeans--are like going around and screaming "Tourist!" about yourself. Maybe lose the ball caps and white socks to fit in better would be my advice.
The way you raise the other questions indicates you have a commendable degree of cultural awareness and that's why I'd suggest toning down the tourist-type garb a bit.

kappa1 and WillJame,

Thanks for the comments. Our journey starts tomorrow and we're all very excited! We've packed according to everyone's recommendation.

Thanks to all contributors!

I took hawaiiantraveler's advice this summer and rented from Rentafone Japan. It was the best thing I did. The prices are reasonable, they respond quickly to emails, and we had good connections everywhere. I've since recommended them to friends and they told me they would use them again on their next trip.

rentafone japan's website

http://www.rentafonejapan.com/

the one listed above is not right, sorry

Enjoy your trip

Aloha!