Bowing in Japan: A Practical Guide for Visitors

Bowing (ojigi) is how greetings, thanks, and apologies are physically expressed in Japan. As a visitor, you're not expected to get the depth or duration exactly right — a light nod of the head when greeting someone or saying thank you is read as polite effort, not a mistake waiting to happen.

A handshake offered by a Japanese business contact is common in international settings, so follow their lead rather than guessing.

Shop and restaurant staff bow when you enter and leave — you don't need to bow back deeply, a small nod is enough.

At a shrine, there's a specific bow-clap-bow sequence, which is covered in our shrine and temple etiquette guide.

Combining a bow with a handshake at the same time can feel awkward — pick one, based on what the other person offers.

Bowing while looking at your phone or mid-conversation reads as insincere; a bow is a brief, focused moment.