Japan Mask Rules and Regulations

Japan Government Masking Recommendations

Outdoors

• Masks not necessary unless in close proximity to others.
• However, most Japanese wear masks when they’re outside.

Indoors

• Masks recommended unless you are more than two meters (six feet) from other people and not talking.
• However, almost all Japanese wear masks when indoors.

On Public Transport

• Masks recommended.

Commentary by Chris

Foreign visitors to Japan may be surprised at the mask situation in Japan: Most Japanese faithfully mask up both indoors and out, whether or not they are near other people. The government has been trying to change this habit. Months ago, they announced that it wasn’t necessary to mask outdoors unless you’re very close to other people. And, more recently, they announced that you could remove your mask when indoors if you’re not talking and at least two meters from others.

But government policy and social customs are two different things. Japanese don’t usually care if you go maskless outside, but if you remove your mask indoors – even when it’s okay to do so according to the regulations – be prepared to get a lot of nasty looks from the Japanese people around you.

Useful Link

• Japanese Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare mask regulations page

Kyoto District Map

• Arashiyama
• Central Kyoto
• Northwest Kyoto
• Nishijin
• Northern Higashiyama
• Southern Higashiyama
• Downtown Kyoto
• Kyoto Station Area
• South East Kyoto