Etiquette 101- Priority Seats

Etiquette 101- priority seats. Class is in session. With many Australians and others visiting Japan, I thought it might be good timing for an etiquette reminder. Hopefully most people know these things. But, when I was in Japan in March, I saw some tourists behaving badly. It’s worth doing your homework before you travel so you understand what is acceptable and what is not.

Priority seating on buses and trains is for older people, people with disabilties, people who are pregnant, and people who have small children. Sometimes it’s not easy to tell which seats are priority, but there will always be some. If you are in none of the aforementioned priority categories, make sure you look around before you sit.

Of course, if there is no one else waiting to sit in these sits, it’s probably ok to sit there, so long as you move if the seat is required by someone else.

Travelling on public transport in Japan is a delightful experience. Almost every traveller is mindful of others. The rules around mobile phone usage, expectations around orderly embarking and disembarking, and low tolerance of too much noise make every trip relaxing and comfortable. When we return to Australia, Super Sake Boy and I always have a serious case of reverse culture shock when we get onto a local train.

Being considerate of fellow travellers is not difficult. In Japan, children are taught this social responsibility during their schooling. This is one of the reasons Japanese society is so cohesive. It’s also why travelling in Japan is so easy and safe. Seeing a tourist sitting in a priority seat while an older person stands is shameful. Don’t be that guy (or girl).

For other etiquettes reminders, you can read about honorifics here, hashi (chopsticks) here, masks here, mobile phones on trains here, escalators here, and paying for things here.

For more information, here’s a link to an article from JRail Pass, Japan Train Etiquette.