Is it OK to wear sandals in Japan?

Try to be mindful of the type of shoes you're wearing, as certain shoes, such as sandals, might not be allowed in some indoor spaces. If you're given slippers at the entrance to a building remember to wear them inside only! We know they're comfy but these aren't meant for sightseeing or as a souvenir!



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Most Japanese women wear heels even with casual clothes. I wore Birkenstock sandals and was very comfortable everywhere I went. Take a pair of nice socks with you in case you are required to remove shoes.

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A common rule of thumb is if the place is culturally traditional, has tatami mats, or is someone's personal space like a residence, then you should take off your shoes. Otherwise, it is likely okay to leave them on.

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If you are not wearing socks, it is polite to bring a fresh pair of socks to wear after removing your outdoor shoes because entering someone's house barefoot is not considered well mannered, although acceptable in informal situations. Slippers can generally be worn anywhere except when entering rooms with tatami floor.

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Avoid things like tank tops, shorts, and mini-skirts. Opting for more conservative clothing is always a safe bet even if you don't plan to visit temples or shrines. It's also generally frowned upon for women to show cleavage. Clothing with offensive messages or designs.

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All footwear is fine. Heels , flats, boots, sneakers, sandals. The only thing I don't see a lot of is older sneakers -but that doesn't mean don't do it. You just don't really see “well-worn” dirty sneakers outside of the running track or gym but .. it's not the end of the world if that's what you like.

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