Despite most of the world having resumed normal life since COVID-19, wearing masks in Japan remains a common sight.
People always wore masks in Japan long before COVID-19 happened, as it’s common practice for those feeling sick or protecting themselves in crowded areas. Since the pandemic, the vast majority of citizens were forced to wear masks in public settings, as with most other countries.
What are the mask rules in Japan now?
Like the rest of the world, Japan has also ended its mandates on wearing masks in public. While it is recommended by the Japanese government to wear masks in certain settings, there are no laws to enforce this.
That being said, many have chosen to continue wearing masks in Japan and it’s an especially common sight in public areas. In fact, the government has released “mask-wearing guidelines” to help people better understand the situations where mask-wearing is appreciated.
From the poster above, we can see many situations where mask-wearing is encouraged. From public transport to hospital environments and even simply talking to someone in proximity, mask-wearing is encouraged.
So, should you still wear a mask in Japan?
My short answer is yes. While no one can legally force you to wear a mask, I would recommend wearing one in the situations described above to avoid unnecessary drama during your trip. In truth, Japan is an aging population and the elders appreciate you wearing your mask around them, particularly if you have a sniffle or a cold.
Of course, it’s totally up to you whether you choose to wear a mask in Japan or not, but know that you’ll stand out quite prominently if you don’t wear one in the “mask-recommended” areas. Thus, I wouldn’t really recommend not wearing a mask in places like trains, buses, and crowded tourist destinations unless you are prepared to deal with the stigma and a possible confrontation from authorities.
When and where to wear masks? (My personal experience)
Personally, I detest wearing masks and only do so when I feel it is absolutely necessary. If I’m walking on the streets or visiting a temple, you best believe I won’t be wearing one.
However, I do feel a sense of duty when it comes to respecting the wishes of business owners and city council committees. As such, whenever I walk into a restaurant and notice the “please wear a mask” sign outside, I won’t hesitate to put it on to show some respect to the people that’ll be preparing my food.
In hindsight, it’s not too bad in restaurants and cafés as you only really need to wear the mask on your way to your table, and when you are paying at the cashier on your way out. Japan is a country that can get crowded quite easily, particularly in the major cities and on public transport, so there are certain situations where you’d feel inclined to wear a face mask anyway.
Still not convinced? Here’s what I recommend!
Japan may seem like a mask-loving society on the surface, but you’ll find plenty of people that share your distaste for wearing masks. In fact, there are many anti-COVID-19 groups that protest regularly against the government and society for adhering to laws that are no longer relevant, or that don’t even exist anymore!
Other than the occasional foreigner who may not wear a mask in Japan, I often found elderly gentlemen choosing not to wear one, despite being in a “high-risk category” because of their age. From this, we can see that Japan is not necessarily the conformed society they appear to be, and many fight against it openly or in silence.
If you are like me and can’t stand wearing the mask, but at the same time don’t want to be judged negatively by society, I’d recommend a few getaway trips during your stay in Japan. Getting away from the city for a nice bike ride at Shimanami Kaido or hitting up the beautiful beaches of Kamakura are great ways to enjoy some uninterrupted fresh air without that damned mask getting in the way!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!