Animated Pictograms

Fun and easy-to-understand presentation of historical culture and traditional customs that are uniquely Japanese.

  • VISIT TO TEMPLE / SHIRINE
  • BOWING
  • POUNDING RICE CAKE
  • HAILING A CAB / TAXI
  • TAKING A BATH
  • WATER ABLUTION
  • TEA CEREMONY
  • RHYTHMIC CLAPPING AT CELEBRATIONS
  • RIDING THE TRAIN
  • WINNING MOVES IN SUMŌ
  • AWA DANCE FESTIVAL
  • Coming Soon

About The Project

EXPERIENCE JAPAN PICTOGRAMS were developed to provide visual support for tourists in Japan.
For more information about the objectives and design concept of the project, please click here.

Request

If you would like us to create new PICTOGRAMS for you or have other requests, please contact us here.

NO SHOES PLEASE!

土足厳禁[DOSOKU-GENKIN]

Japanese people take off their shoes inside the house. This custom was developed along with raised-floor buildings that were designed to keep away moisture in a climate of high temperature and high humidity. Removing shoes helps maintain the cleanliness of floors, on which people sit directly and lay their futons to sleep. Besides at home, it is customary to remove shoes or slippers before entering Japanese-style rooms and the main halls of temples and shrines. Emily knew about this custom before visiting Japan, but not how fast Japanese take off their shoes. Their moves are so quick and almost invisible like ninja!