Tokyo Nugget #28: No shoes in the changing room
2 Feb
Today’s nugget is about changing room etiquette in Japan. I have to clarify that this is not true for all changing rooms in stores here but I think it happens enough to warrant it to be part of Japanese culture.
In certain boutiques and department stores, you have to take your shoes off before you step into the changing room proper. I guess it’s like the custom they have where you should take your shoes off before you enter someone’s home.
I’ve been to some that allow you to wear your shoes into the changing cubicle but you are warned not to step on the carpeted area with your shoes. And since most places have curtains that do not reach the floor, you cannot avoid this because the sales assistants can see whether you have your shoes on or not.
I suppose you could stand outside the carpeted square in the cubicle and keep your shoes on while trying on clothes, but as I said, people outside can see that and I’ve a very strong feeling it would be deemed as “seriously weird gaijin behaviour” to do so. So just take ‘em off!
When I was a newbie gaijin, I used to stumble thoughtlessly onto the carpeted zone and had distressed sales assistants stop me in a flurry. That was when I didn’t understand Japanese well enough so I didn’t pick up from their speech that I was supposed to take off my shoes.
But there are some stores that allow your shoes on, like H&M and Zara (note that Uniqlo doesn’t; this chain attracts tons of tourists! So FYI). I’m not sure if I can spot a pattern on why some shops have them and others don’t. So here’s just a tip anyway: if you hear the word “kutsu”, it means shoes, so it’s likely you have to remove them.
I wish I could find a photo of carpeted dressing rooms here that do not allow shoes but I guess it’s not such a big deal to most people! LOL! Hencewhy, this is filed under “Tokyo Nuggets”…
Photo credit: here
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Thank you for this Tokyo Nugget. I didn’t know this. I remember going into a changing room in a store in Kanagawa but don’t think that I removed my shoes. Of course this was over 20 years ago so it could just be that my memory fails me. I will have to be careful when I go shopping in July. Thanks to you, I’ll remember it.
Shopping in Tokyo is amazing!! I’m sure you are looking forward to it
How interesting and fussy too! They sure love their carpets
I can’t live without my shoes on in the changing room, especially if i’m trying on pants/jeans/long dresses.
Hmm, so wearing them in international franchise stores are mostly okay?
Hmm…I’m not sure. I think I had to take my shoes off at a Gap store before…
I don’t use change rooms that often but I’ve never had to take my shoes off. The first time I came to Japan though I was somewhere (I think Zara) and they made me put a mask over my face to try on clothes. It was like the paper hats that people working in factories have to wear. I didn’t understand it until I saw later how much makeup Japanese girls wear then it made sense.
yeah those white face covers are unique to Japan too…haha…
Hi Yuming,
Thanks for the article.
Sorry to actually hijeck this commentary with something unrelated to the article.
I tried sending you an email via the one you listed on website, but am unsure if it got filtered out.
Anyway, the gist is that I’ll be moving to Tokyo shortly and wanted to make some contacts before arriving (plus tips if you have any). If it helps (or the other way around), I’m from your hometown. (Hope I’m not imposing…)
Cheers!
Hi JT,
You could join meetup.com or a sports club if you are into sports. I think hobby-based groups are always a great way to meet more like-minded people. You could try the hash harriets or international adventure club. Or join a Japanese language class. I think you will meet some people from your workplace as well…So I don’t think you will be short of networking opportunities…If you want to meet other Singaporeans, there are embassy type activities and meet-and-greets but I have never attended these myself. Hope this helps and good luck.