Australian Gourmet Traveller - (05)May 2020 (1)

Arrivingontimeforreservationsor

appointmentsis ofutmostimportance.

If you’repronetotardiness,it’sa good

ideatoturnupearlybutonlyenterat

thearrangedtime.If it’sa workmeeting,

have business cards at the ready.

THE BASICS

Whetheryou’reenteringa private

residence,temple,restaurantoranywhere

withtatami(strawentrancemats),be

preparedtoremoveyourfootwear,leaving

shoessafein a vestibuleknownasthe

genkan.Don’tbesurprisedif yourshoes

areneatlypointedtowardstheexit

for a streamlined departure.

Slippersareprovidedforcomfortbut

besuretoswapthemfortoiletslippers

whenusingthefacilities.Avoidwearing

sockswithholes.Infact,consideryour

entiretravelwardrobewhenpacking

• the Japanese are smart dressers.

Whencallingonfriendsorcolleagues,

it’stypicaltopresentthemwitha gift.

Beautifullywrappedfoodsuchasa tinof

biscuitsorwagashi(traditionalteasweets)

areideal.Depachika(department-storefood

halls)aresetupforsuchoccasionsand

packagingis stunningin everyway;

recycling efforts are equally impressive.

Insteadofshakinghands,keepthem

byyoursidesandbowfromthewaist.

Sticktoa 30-degreeangleunlessthe

situation’sformalbutanylowerthana

45-degreetiltmightreadassarcasm.

If confused, a slow nod will suffice.

Thelawpreventingmembersofthe

ink-linkedyakuzafromenteringonsen

(bathhouses)is thereasonyou’lllikely

beturnedawayforanyhintoftattoos.

However,casebycase,rulesaresoftening

forforeignersandclevercover-ups

withmedicalplastersorwaterproof

theatrical foundation can help.➤

GOURMET TRAVELLER 61

ILLUSTRATIONS MELISSA MARTIN.