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Konnichiwa, everyone! I’m Juri, a Japanese tutor (^-^)v
Today, I’d like to introduce a part of Japanese culture!
Here’s a question for you: What is the first thing you do when you enter a Japanese home?
In Japan, people take off their shoes at the entrance before going inside. Rules and customs may vary from country to country, but in this article, let's take a look at why people take off their shoes at home in Japan!
◆ Why do people take off their shoes? ◆
Actually, I recently learned that this custom is related to traditional Japanese lifestyles. There seem to be two main reasons.
① To keep the house clean
In the past, many roads in Japan were unpaved, so people often got dirt and mud on their shoes when walking outside. To avoid bringing dirt and mud into the house, the custom of taking off shoes at the entrance gradually became common.
② Traditional Japanese lifestyles
In Japan, people have traditionally sat on tatami mats or directly on the floor. For this reason, keeping the floor clean was important. Taking off shoes before entering the house also suited this traditional Japanese lifestyle.
◆ So, What do people wear inside the house? ◆
Many Japanese people wear slippers or socks, while others prefer to walk around barefoot. By the way… I always wear slippers at home :)
Every household is different, so if you ever have a chance to visit a Japanese home, take a look at what people wear inside!
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