Shoes off at the genkan

Every Japanese home begins with a genkan — a small sunken entryway where the outside world stops. You step in, take off your shoes, turn them to face the door, and step up into the house in socks or slippers. The rule isn't just about cleanliness (though tatami mats and floor-level living make it practical). The genkan marks a border between soto (outside) and uchi (inside) — crossing it in shoes feels as wrong to a Japanese host as walking on a prayer mat in sandals would feel here. Watch for slipper etiquette too: house slippers never enter tatami rooms, and bathrooms have their own dedicated pair waiting at the door. Forgetting to swap back is the classic guest mistake — and always gets a laugh.