To avoid looking like a typical tourist in Japan, you should focus on "spatial awareness" and "silence." In Japan, the general rule is to be as unobtrusive as possible. This means keeping your voice down on public transport (it is considered very rude to talk on a cell phone or speak loudly with friends on a train) and avoiding eating or drinking while walking down the street, as this is seen as "sloppy" behavior. You should also pay close attention to etiquette at shrines and temples; don't just walk through the center of a Torii gate (walk on the sides) and observe the "bow-clap-bow" ritual before taking any photos. Additionally, the "small things" matter: always use two hands when giving or receiving an object (like a credit card or a business card), and never leave a tip, as it can be seen as confusing or even insulting. Carrying your own trash until you find a bin (which are rare in public) and standing on the correct side of the escalator (left in Tokyo, right in Osaka) are the ultimate markers of someone who respects the local culture. By blending into the rhythmic, quiet flow of Japanese life, you move from being a "visitor" to a "guest."