Must-Know Daily Norms in Japan: Onsen, Garbage Rules & Train Etiquette

I often tell Bangladeshi students that before you go to Japan to study, it's not just university info you need — you also need to understand the small daily-life rules. These rules can make your life easier or harder. Today I'll talk about three things every Bangladeshi student should know: onsen, garbage rules, and train etiquette.

Onsen (温泉): Rules for Hot Spring Bathing

Japan's onsen are world-famous, but they come with strict etiquette. First, you must undress completely before entering. You'll find onsen near most Japanese universities, even in big cities like Tokyo. For example, there's a famous onsen called 'Owan' near Ikebukuro. When you go, take off your shoes and put them in a locker, then wash thoroughly with soap before stepping into the pool — you must be completely clean. You can't bring a towel into the water; only a small towel on your head is allowed.

Once I took a Bangladeshi student to an onsen. He tried to enter the pool wearing shorts — I quickly stopped him. Later I explained the rules. He was embarrassed but learned.

Remember:

• Enter the onsen completely naked.
• Wash your body before entering the pool.
• You can keep a small towel on your head, but don't dip it in the water.
• If you have tattoos, some onsen may not allow entry — check beforehand.

Garbage Rules: How to Dispose of Trash in Japan

Japan's garbage sorting is very different from Bangladesh. You must separate trash into categories: burnable (燃えるゴミ), non-burnable (燃えないゴミ), plastic (プラスチック), cans (缶), bottles (ビン), PET bottles (ペットボトル), etc. Rules vary by area, so get a guide from your ward office before you depart. In Shinjuku Ward, for example, burnable garbage is collected on Saturdays and plastic on Tuesdays. If you don't follow the rules, your trash won't be collected or you might get fined.

When I first lived in Japan, I often mixed plastic and paper. One day my garbage bag got a red sticker — it wasn't collected. After that, I followed the rules strictly. So my advice: get the garbage guide from your ward office on day one.

Key garbage rules:

• Put each type of item in a separate bag.
• Dispose of each type on its designated day.
• Don't put trash out before 8 a.m. on collection day.
• For large items (like furniture), you need to buy a special ticket.

Train Etiquette: Stay Calm Even in Crowds

Train etiquette in Japan is crucial. First, keep your phone on silent or off. Talking on the phone inside the train is forbidden, especially during peak hours. If you must talk, go near the door and whisper. Second, seat rules — don't sit in priority seats for elderly, pregnant women, or disabled people. When sitting, keep your bag on your lap, not on the next seat. Third, line up properly — two lines form on each side of the train doors so that passengers can get off. On Tokyo's Yamanote Line from Shinagawa to Shibuya, it's crowded during peak hours, but everyone follows the rules.

Bangladeshi students often talk on the phone in trains at first. I always tell them: in Japan, that's considered rude. So get used to it. And if you're commuting for JLPT exams, following these rules will make your journey pleasant.

Why Choose Japan?

These rules might seem hard, but they make Japan a beautiful and safe country. Crime rates are very low — you can return home at 1 a.m. without fear. Technology is so advanced that you can know train schedules to the minute. And nature — Mount Fuji, Kyoto's temples, Osaka's food — everything is amazing. Japanese work ethic is serious; they finish work on time — you can learn that responsibility too.

If you want to study in Japan, learn these rules beforehand. And if you have questions, contact us. My team and I are ready to guide you.