Most Japanese homes are furnished with tatami, which are rectangular mats made of woven straw. Warm in the winter and cool in the summer, tatami provide a comfortable place to sit on the floor. Tatami are rather delicate, however, and must be cleaned a certain way and protected from bacteria and lice. They would never withstand the wear and tear wrought from people walking on them in shoes. Keeping tatami clean is one of the reasons for taking your shoes off as soon as you enter a Japanese home.

Line Them Up

After stepping out of your shoes, bend over and line them up neatly, toes pointing towards the door, so that they can be easily stepped into on your way out. (If you do not do this, your hosts will do it for you.) Your hosts will be impressed at the level of cultural sensitivity you possess. Because Japanese people rarely show their bare feet, especially in front of a guest, be sure you wear socks.

Your hosts will have set out a pair of guest slippers for you:

Where to Wear Them

Whatever slippers you are presented with at the door will be yours to use for the duration of your visit. Use these slippers in the hallway and kitchen. Going to the bathroom, however, you will encounter another pair of slippers. Wear these while you are in the bathroom, but don't forget to change into the regular slippers before you return to your hosts. Tatami rooms do not require slippers. Using the backup method, step out of your slippers and onto the mats.