Reflection on Japanese Hygiene Practices and Etiquette

With what we are facing on a global level, it is more important than ever to pay attention to how we approach health and hygiene - not only for our own safety, but also for those around us. While many of us are struggling with various policies and restrictions currently implemented, it might be a good chance to take a step back and reconsider our general hygiene practices and etiquette.

The unusually empty paths leading up to Asakusa’s Sensoji temple reflect the urged for everyone to practice social distancing. ©TOKI

CULTURAL Practices

In Japan, there is a culture of hygiene practices that may be quite different to what others are used to in their own countries. Restaurants and convenience stores typically offer warmed up oshibori (wet towels) to wipe your hands with before meals. Another thing many visitors notice are the spotless streets, despite the fact that garbage cans in public are pretty much non-existent.

Another common sight one may notice are the surgical masks Japanese people wear. Apparently, this became a frequent habit with health outbreaks in the late 90’s and early 2000s, and now people wear them for a variety of reasons, such as allergies, during flu season, preventing the spread of germs, and air pollution. The most common types of face masks are made of a thin, multi-layered cotton material that can additionally come in an array of shapes, sizes, colors, and some even come in scented varieties. 

There is also the practice of uchimizu (打ち水), where one sprinkles water in the streets and in gardens. While it is a simple action that doesn’t necessarily contribute public health directly, the thought is that it helps to cool the sprinkled area and keep down dust. In a cultural sense, signifies to visitors that the area has been cleaned and prepared for their visit. Thus it is not uncommon for guests to be first greeted by a wet pathway outside of ryokan traditional Japanese inns and ryōtei restaurants. Recently, there are some environmental groups that have taken to encourage the public to perform uchimizu with recycled water and raise awareness about the environment and sustainability.

Often taken for granted, the cleanliness of the public transportation systems and stations is carefully maintained by a hardworking cleaning crew.

DAILY LIFE AND the WORKPLACE

Japanese people strongly distinguish “the indoor” versus “the outdoor,” meaning that anything brought in from the outside is considered ‘unclean’. This not only pertains to private homes, but also public spaces, and there is usually an entrance area where one takes off their shoes and changes into indoor slippers. This is often the same case for when entering bathrooms, where one will typically find a separate pair dedicated for wear in the bathroom. 

Most Japanese public schools do not have a janitor, and students are taught to clean from a young age, instilling the importance of maintaining and caring for one's space. This mentality was highlighted by international news outlets when Japanese fans and spectators at a World Cup event cleaned up after themselves at the end of the game. At Japanese train stations, staff have assigned times to clean the inside of the trains when they are stopped. Overall, Japanese people regard cleanliness as a reflection of oneself. Weather and climate could also be a contributing factor, and when the summer humidity becomes intolerable, it becomes necessary to take baths frequently - which may have helped contribute to the nation's love for onsen (hot springs) and bathing. 

Even in the workplace, there is a standard of cleanliness and organization based on the 5 S’s: seiri (sorting), seiton (organizing), seiso (cleaning), seiketsu (sanitizing), shitsuke (sustaining). Following these in the workplace helps not only with waste reduction, but can lead to a tidy workspace that is beneficial to increasing focus and productivity.

Konmari Method

The Konmari Method, as described in Marie Kondo’s New York Times Best Seller, took the world by storm in 2014, and people around the world from all walks of life were captivated by her lifestyle advice for reducing clutter and organizing. One of the fundamental messages that ties into Japanese daily practices of cleaning and living is to commit oneself to tidying up. As many people in Japan live in households with limited space, staying organized and tidy becomes essential. One subsequent benefit of an organized environment is that it is naturally easier to clean and maintain. Another one of her popularized methods is that she her own distinct way of folding clothes! She even takes care into how clothes are folded. This sort of scrutiny for detail and commitment may be what contributes to the overall mindset of neatness that Japanese people have.

It is proper etiquette for visitors to wash their hands before praying at a shrine or temple. Guests must also wash their hands before a tea ceremony using a similar ladle. ©TOKI

RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL

Wakayama Prefecture’s Mt. Koya and its surroundings have been deemed sacred since the Edo period, where droves of worshippers would climb to reach the temples and spiritual sites to pray. Upon visiting the various spiritual spots in Japan, you may notice that there is a designated area with a flowing spring that is accompanied by a number of ladles. This is based on the Shinto belief for the need to purify oneself before placing yourself in front of subjects of worship. Using the ladles, visitors ceremoniously scoop the water and rinse their mouths and hands before approaching the shrines and offering prayers. The temples and shrines are naturally well-kept, this from the teachings of Shinto and Buddhism, signifying that one has a clear and conscious mind. If one's environment is scattered, there is inner disorganization and that will interfere with attaining inner peace.

Mt. Takao in western Tokyo has been highlighted as one of the area’s top sightseeing spots, and it is loved by many for its serene location and abundance of nature. Its Yakuo-in temple is the site of shugendō (修験道), or mountain asceticism. With the development of the Keio Line and the terminus station which stops at the mountain’s foothill, popularity among visitors increased - as did the amount of garbage. In the beginning, the locals who lived around the area and had businesses would clean up the overflowing trash cans, but the upkeep and maintenance became difficult. The government then decided to remove the trash cans, and although there was resistance in the beginning, people have developed self-awareness and began taking responsibility for their own litter.

CURRENT TRENDS in Japanese public health

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak that started in Dec 2019, mask-wearing has increased and there has been a noticeable increase of public notices reminding people of public hygiene practices (i.e. not covering coughs/sneezes with one's hand etc). Washing hands and gargling are common daily practices that are once again being emphasized. While most masks are single-use and made of cheap material, many individuals and companies decided to design their own masks with the ongoing situation. These efforts may change the way these products are created, and in the future multi-use and environmentally friendly masks might become the norm. Some groups have even started providing DIY mask-making kits.

The outbreak has caused an unprecedented level of uncertainty across the entire world. As we navigate into the future, it may become necessary for all of us to reevaluate our daily health practices, as well as how our actions impact ourselves, those around us, and the global community.

While trains and subways are still running, the number of commuters in Tokyo has significantly decreased.