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I complain about the overabundance of tourism these days, but it's not like I think everyone is going to stop travelling all around the world. So the least I can do is give you some advice if you're going to visit the country I care most about preserving the culture of, which is Japan. Here's some basic advice for how to be a good tourist and not get shit-talked:
＊Learn some of the language at least. It doesn't have to be a lot, but even minor things are a big sign of respect. Look at DJTGuide for resources.
＊Take your shoes off anywhere there are shoes by the entrance. There are a lot more of these in public buildings, though clearly not everywhere.
＊Dress like you're going to a job interview. People there won't necessarily look down on you for dressing in a sloppy way, but you will probably feel under-dressed if you don't try your best to be fashionable. Of course, dress lightly enough for the summer because it gets brutally hot and humid, especially around Oosaka and Kyouto.
＊Bring your own deodorant. Japanese people are weird aliens who don't have body odor, or at least think that they have no body odor and it's only us western barbarians who do. In any case, their deodorants suck and will not work if you have any decent amount of body hair. Bring a bunch with you. If you are living over there long-term, bulk-order deodorant online. Use Amazon if you really have to. This is important. People will be talking about how much you smell behind your back if you don't.
＊Do not eat or drink while walking. This is considered rude. Yes, even though there are vending machines on every street corner. You are expected to stand next to them and finish the drink there or to save it for later. Also there are very few trash bins, so be ready to carry your empty bottle until you can find one.
＊Get a bus pass or JR pass if you're going to be there for more than a week. They will pay for themselves and it saves you from a lot of stressful encounters if you don't speak the language very well.
＊Be on your best behavior at shrines and temples. Don't touch anything you don't see other Japanese people touching. First things first, the difference between shrines and temples is that shrines are Shintou (native polytheistic Japanese nature worship) and temples are Buddhist. SHrine and SHintou both start with SH which can help you remember. Don't mix these up. If you don't know which one it is, look for a torii gate (the red gate at the entrance). If it has one, it's a shrine. If not, it's a temple.
＊When you approach the torii gate, bow before it. When you exit it, turn around and bow back at it. Do this at at least one of the torii if there are multiple. Don't walk in the direct middle of the path leading up to the shrine from the torii. The direct middle is reserved for the gods to walk.
＊When you're at a shrine, the etiquette at the chouzuya (hand-washing basin) is:
1. Take the ladle in your right hand and wash your left with it.
2. Put the ladle in your left hand and wash your right with it.
3. Put the dipper back in your right hand, pour water in your left, and rinse your
mouth with it. Do not swallow the water. Let it pour out on the ground as discreetly
as you can (don't "spit" it out).
4. Pour more water on your left hand to rinse it. Turn the ladle sideways to let
the remainder of the water rinse the handle.
Visual guide.
Not all chouzuya have ladles. Some are barely bigger than drinking fountains. But
you still need to stop at them. Try to at least wash your hands in the right order
and rinse your mouth if the shrine you're at has a small chouzuya without ladles.
＊When you go up to the saisen-bako (box where you put your money) at a shrine:
1. Toss in the money (There are no rules about how much, but use coins instead of
bills.)
2. Bow TWICE.
3. Bring your hands in front of your face and clap TWICE.
4. Say your prayer (silently).
5. Bow ONCE.
＊Temples do not have chouzuya. Nor do they have as much of a ritual for prayer. But you can still pray at them. In this case, bow to show respect as usual, but do not clap. It will look and feel strange to thoes around you.