The World's Most Polite Country Where There's A Whole Word Used To Describe Their Etiquette

You enter your hotel and are greeted with an unobtrusive bow. In your room, clean pajamas are laid out on your bed, and as you wander into the bathroom, the toilet seat rises without you having to touch it. You're experiencing omotenashi, a concept of hospitality that makes Japan the world's most polite country. Your every need is met, you feel cared for, and a sense of peace washes over you.

While "hospitality" is an accepted translation of omotenashi, it doesn't fully convey its depth and meaning. Omotenashi is a blend of politeness and care with the aim of maintaining harmony, and is a deeply ingrained cultural philosophy shaped by centuries of tradition.

The concept is exemplified by the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, where every gesture, from the way a cup is placed to the host's careful preparation, is designed to create a seamless and thoughtful experience for the guest. In fact, attending a tea ceremony is one of the best things first-time visitors can do in Japan, and a certain way to experience omotenashi. 

But omotenashi isn't just confined to ceremonies; it's woven throughout everyday life in Japan. Train conductors bow as they enter a carriage and expect no recognition from passengers. Shop assistants call out irasshaimase — welcome — with no expectation for you to do anything but nod back. In Japan, great service isn't transactional as it often is in the west, where good reviews or tips are often expected in exchange. In fact, tipping most service workers is one thing tourists shouldn't do in Japan.

You can see omotenashi in the designated booths for smoking that you'll find on Japanese streets — smoking just anywhere in a city tends to be prohibited. It's in the lines that people form when waiting for public transport and taking the escalator. And it's in the deer in Nara that really do bow when receiving a cracker. If you visit Japan, you'll experience unfailing politeness and courtesy almost everywhere. 

As a visitor, aside from a tea ceremony, one of the best ways to experience omotenashi is to stay in a ryokan. These traditional Japanese inns focus on ensuring total relaxation for guests and anticipating your every need. From being greeted by a bow to enjoying an expertly prepared and beautifully presented dinner to having your bed carefully made in the evening, no detail is too small. Omotenashi induces a sense of harmony and makes you feel truly cared for, whether you're in a ryokan, attending a tea ceremony, or simply entering a 7-Eleven.