Japan questions: taking shoes off and sitting on floors

Think of shoe removal as something one does in entering homes or small, home-like venues. So not museums, business-type hotels, or most restaurants in the cities. But definitely in small, family-run inns or ryokans, and especially if they have tatami rooms. Also some small, owner-operated shops and restaurants.

Sitting on the floor for meals is mainly in small, traditional restaurants, or meals in ryokans or monasteries. Most restaurants, particularly in the cities, will have Western-style tables and chairs, either for everyone, or as an option.

We were in Japan for two weeks in 2019, spending time in Kyoto, Tokyo, and small villages along the Nakasendo Trail. Our hotels in Tokyo and Kyoto did not expect shoe removal, ut every inn where we stayed along the Nakasendo trail did. There is usually a tiered area with lots of sitting room where one can sit down for this, and then place your shoes in a designated spot. Most will offer slippers for you to don. And then there are other slippers for you to change into when you use the toilet room, where it is separate from the bath/shower room. This is mandatory—-you do not enter the toilet room wearing the house slippers, or your stocking feet.

No museum required shoe removal, but temples and shrines may if you want to go inside the buildings. Restaurants were a mix, with the smaller, traditional ones offering low tables with floor seating. However, some would provide a low sitting still upon request for my husband, as he has difficulty getting up and down from the floor.

For the shoe custom, you might consider carrying your own pair of indoor shoes that you can show them and slip your orthotics into. Something soft-soled that won’t harm wooden floors or tatami mats. A mule-type scuff won’t hold your orthotics, but maybe something like a Tiosibon slip-on.

https://tiosebon.com/collections/best-sale/products/tiosebon-womens-slip-on-walking-shoes-1

Make sure you do not ever wear them outside, so the soles remain clean and free of grit. You could even keep them on and slip your shod foot into the toilet slippers where they are expected.

You don't remove your shoes inside public buildings such as museums, stores,or in hotels (until, you reach your room) unless they are traditional Japanese Inns. I wouldn't recommend clogs as footwear for anyone who is doing a lot of walking, however, easily removed shoes such as loafers save time and effort for those who can wear them. I have orthotics that fit into all of my loafers. However, if you require the stability and support of shoes that tie up then so be it. Just be polite and move to the side so that you don't hold up anyone else.

Not all dining is done sitting on the floor- usually only for the most traditional types of meals. And even then you are usuallly seated on a cushion. More often than not you may find yourself at a table and chairs. But for those occasions when you have traditional seating, a cane is certainly a big help when levering yourself back up. I did just that on my trip. You may find that using a cane is quite helpful in getting around in Japan if you have mobility limitations. LOTS of hills and stairs, and outside the cities, walking surfaces can be uneven.

Thank you both for your good advice. I think I will look into getting some Bombas slippers that are large enough that I could put my orthotic in. To be used only inside. That's a good suggestion.

Best regards.

You should have no problem limiting your dining choices to places where you can sit on a chair.

I have a vague memory of seeing people in Japan who carried some kind of fabric shoe cover or slipper that they slipped on over their street shoes to enter spaces where shoes are removed such as shrines or rooms with tatami mats.Seems like this would be a good solution for you. With some research, I hope you can find out more about these shoe covers. I suspect that they are inexpensive and available online somewhere.

I don't know if the shoe covers would also work for bathrooms. Maybe if you dispose of them after leaving the restroom area. I remember initially not understanding about the bathroom shoe etiquette and getting very angry or upset responses.

The above info is very good and specific to your situation. I can only add, there are some Buddhist temple complexes that require shoe removal not only for entering the temple itself, but also to walk around the wooden floors connecting buildings and gardens. For example, Ryoan-ji and several other temples as well as Nijo Castle in Kyoto. It will generally be obvious if this is required before you purchase a ticket, or you can ask if the requirement would prevent you from entering. The Japanese are very considerate and helpful. Overall, as noted above, I wouldn't expect your shoe "requirement" to impact your trip at each stop.

If by chance you are hoping to book a ryokan somewhere, you might want to check on the dining facilities. They may be traditional, sit on the floor, but will probably the property can accommodate your needs.

I've spent quite a lot of time in several Asian countries where it is expected to remove shoes before entering a temple. Slip-on shoes can be faster, but don't worry about not wearing them. I was in Japan a few months ago with tie shoes only and visited a hundred temples, I'm sure. Just give yourself a few more minutes than those who are wearing slip-ons. No problem at all and often there are benches or stools which isn't true in all countries where I've taken off my shoes to visit a temple. Do wear whatever is most comfortable for you!!! That is the most important consideration - and why I had only the tie shoes!

Enjoy your trip!! A unique destination!

edit - I just noticed you are planning for March next year. That month was my last visit, March 2023. I found it a great time - shoulder season for my areas of concentration - Tokyo, Hakone, and Kyoto. There were some early flowering tree blooms but I quite happily missed the crowds that full cherry blossom season brought. I hope you have a similar experience. Hard to predict those blooms!

Lots of good advice above. In my experience, Japan is a fascinating destination with people who go out of their way to be helpful to visitors, if we make our needs known. Bad knees, seriously problematic feet - there are ways to make everything work out. Since the shoes-off issue is about cleanliness, not damaging wood or tatami surfaces, respect for sacred places, or long-standing custom - solutions involve respecting those considerations. Putting orthotics inside slippers is one way. Often people wear socks (or bring them and put them on) and they serve the purpose and might even hold orthotics in place. You just want to make it apparent that whatever is on your feet is clean. You can do that by pulling something like slippers out of your purse. An example of one way this whole custom works - school children generally take off their shoes, either at the school entrance or at the entrance to specialized classrooms, but they then put on school slippers, which are kept at school for that purpose.

Getting up and down gets harder as we age. I know. Japanese restaurants more and more often use tables and benches or chairs in some of their space if not all of it. A typical set-up in a medium priced restaurant or bar would include an open space with some tables and chairs plus some enclosed tatami rooms that are often reserved for groups. In addition to the good comments by others above, I would add that many restaurants have at least some low tables that are above a recess in the floor. You are sitting on a flat cushion on the tatami-covered floor but you get to stretch out your legs below the table. You still have to get up, but your legs aren't sound asleep from sitting cross-legged. And I have seen all kinds of help offered, including in a Buddhist temple where we were supposed to be sitting with our legs politely under us, in front of a small tray, maybe 8 inches off the floor, that held our food. When one person signaled distress and pointed to their knees, people quickly found a low chair on sort of boxy cross-bars, put it on the tatami mats, and piled up four or five of the small trays so the guest could reach their meal. I have also seen a restaurant host notice a guest's problem at not spotting a place to put shoes back on, run to the front, find a chair, and tie the guest's shoes. That was unusual, but I mention it to point out hosts' commitments to hospitality and personal consideration.

I'm confident you'll find ways to deal with the concerns you mentioned, and you may have some really interesting stories to tell when you get home. Have a great trip.

Hi Kaye, It's very thoughtful of you to think of your hosts & norms while visiting Japan. Lots of good suggestions above. You're not alone in not being able to sit on the floor - I lived & worked in Tokyo for +7 years & had a young Japanese colleague who HATED it when we'd drag him to a restaurant where he had to sit on the floor! It's pretty easy to avoid that type of restaurant. And you won't be the only one taking their time putting on & off shoes, I think you should be fine with a clean, second pair of shoes to wear inside. Are you going on a tour? i could imagine in rural areas, there might be some confusion about the second pair of shoes. Just a thought, when you're at a major hotel you could ask someone to write a brief note in Japanese for you to carry to hand to people who might not understand?

About cushions - The last trip to Tokyo, I knew I would have a tough time sitting on hard chairs, so I carried a small blow-up cushion from REI, which I see is now out of stock. You might consider taking something similar. And frankly the collapsable cane sounds like something you might find useful, so if you have room, I would take it. Enjoy your trip!

Thank you all for your reassuring replies. I feel much better prepared to enjoy Japan now. CD in DC I don't know why I didn' t think of shoe covers? I just retired from hospital work where shoe covers are worn all the time!! Guess what? 100 pair on Amazon is a mere $17. Perfect solution. While it may not be a very "green" solution, the potential issues with my feet (for me) outweigh the disposable nature of these items. Sandancisco I also love the idea of having someone fluent in Japanese write a small card explaining my situation and asking permission to use a new pair of shoe covers at each site. I really appreciate the time and effort for your thoughtful responses!

Please bear in mind that neither shoes nor slippers are permitted on tatami mats. You are supposed to be barefoot or in socks. So there may still be places you cannot walk.