When you’re in Japan, even sitting on the floor is a refreshing experience.
Chairs are one of many “technologies” imported from abroad that the Japanese have wholeheartedly embraced. However, most Japanese people, if given the choice, would prefer to sit on the floor. This preference is prevalent whether you are in a luxury hotel or a budget restaurant.
The reason is that when sitting on the floor, you never wear shoes, which helps prevent guests from unwittingly bringing outside dirt inside. Wearing shoes inside stores and some restaurants is generally accepted. However, if you wear shoes in a place designated for sitting on the floor, it is seen as a significant offense to the host, much like walking on a sofa with shoes in Western cultures. Simply stepping inside a home with any part of your feet that has touched the dirty ground outside is considered disrespectful, even if it’s just a pair of socks.
In Western homes, floors are considered part of the ground, so people wear shoes, sit on chairs, lay carpets, and place beds on them. In contrast, in Eastern cultures, the floor is seen as an extension of the bed, elevated and cushioned. While the walls of a house may be simple and flimsy, the floor is always given special attention. As a result, Japanese people often leave their slippers at the door and sit on the floor in certain rooms, especially bedrooms, dining rooms, and tea rooms. Nowadays, most Japanese people do not buy chairs for their homes. This practice brings many practical benefits. A typical Japanese house usually has at least one room designed as a washitsu. In this room, the floor is covered with tatami mats. There is generally no furniture in this room, except for a low table and a few cushions. Some homes might only have this type of room and no chairs at all. Washitsu rooms are also very popular in hotels and restaurants.
Sitting on the floor is a long-standing culture in Japan. (Image source: unmissablejapan).
In some places, sitting on the floor is only for minors. However, this rule does not apply in Japan. Even when there are chairs available, the Japanese often choose to sit on the floor because it makes them feel more comfortable and relaxed. Foreigners, especially Westerners, might initially find this unusual, but they will likely grow to enjoy it.
In Japan, there is a range of terms describing different sitting postures suitable for various situations. Among these, sitting in seiza (kneeling) is considered the most polite. For men, the legs are spread apart, while for women, the legs are closer together. When first practicing this posture, you may feel sore, experience ankle pain, or have numb feet. However, the Japanese believe that this sitting style stimulates certain acupressure points in the feet, which is beneficial for health. Therefore, from a young age, Japanese children are taught this sitting method to become accustomed to it.
In less formal situations, people may sit in other postures such as cross-legged, hugging their knees, or folding their legs to one side…
According to Unmissable Japan, if you stay in Japan for an extended period, you will find that wearing shoes indoors is an unsanitary habit and buying expensive chairs is a significant waste.
