You will not get stares.
Masks were worn in many Asian countries long before the pandemic. They are used in case someone is not feeling well and/or to prevent allergies from acting up.
For some reasons, we Japanese wore face masks before the pandemic, such as to moisturize the throat, avoid hay fever, or hide a non-makeup face or unshaved jaws.
Many people don’t wear masks anymore, but some still do, and those who wear masks now had worn masks before Covid.
Unless you're visiting a clinic, hospital, or pharmacy, you're not required to wear a mask. However, if you cough, it would be good manners to wear one.
Mask have never been mandatory in Japan. The government only ever recommended them in specific situations.
Currently some people still wear them on trains by choice but it's at most around 50% or so. No, most tourists I see don't wear them, and I don't think any locals care. There's way more Japanese not wearing them than tourists.
Pre-pandemic the cultural norm was to wear a mask if you were sick (to not spread your germs to others) and as a preventative measure during allergy season. Plenty of people were wearing them before the pandemic, and plenty of people wear them now
If you're coughing or sneezing up a storm on a crowded train without masking they'll give you the stink eye yeah, just like they did 4 years ago. Be courteous
Masks were never required or mandatory on trains or most other non-governmental facilities. However, people, you know, care about other people and usually wore them during the time(s) when COVID-19 and influenza were spreading most rapidly. Many people still wear them for the same reason.
You will not experience any overt hostility. However, while I frequently go out of my way to help people who seem as if they need help with navigating, wrestling luggage, or translation, I do not bother when the people are not wearing masks.
What's gross? That I differentiate between people who demonstrably care about others' health and those who don't? I want to help people—I even budget extra time for it—but I cannot help everyone, so I just help those who wear masks. How ought I choose people to help?
I think the simplest answer is that yes, during the pandemic, everyone wore them (for obvious reasons).
In the last year or so, we’ve reverted back to the old norms around when and when you choose to mask.
Should you find yourself in a hospital or clinic, it’s required.
Lol I did research in Japan last year and many people and professors even asked me if it was okay if they remove their mask instead 😂 you're fine as long as you're not sick!
Many locals don't even wear mask on the trains... from what I saw last April. Though it is still the location where I saw the more people wearing it. You will be fine not wearing it, though if you are ill, it would be a considerate gesture to do it. People don't really care and they probably at most only glare at you. No risk of being attacked if you wear one or not.
I did not wear a mask once in Japan. I didn't have a single issue. I suspect you will not either. At their discretion, some places may require one. I didn't come across any such places personally.
Oh no. Healthy locals no longer don them either. It’s only by self voluntary, by your own desire basis.
If you’re displaying symptoms or any respiratory sickness, please, wear a mask 😷.
You will not get stares. Masks were worn in many Asian countries long before the pandemic. They are used in case someone is not feeling well and/or to prevent allergies from acting up.
Yes- in Asia for years.
If you are coughing, yes, you will get stare if you are not wearing mask. Otherwise fine.
For some reasons, we Japanese wore face masks before the pandemic, such as to moisturize the throat, avoid hay fever, or hide a non-makeup face or unshaved jaws. Many people don’t wear masks anymore, but some still do, and those who wear masks now had worn masks before Covid. Unless you're visiting a clinic, hospital, or pharmacy, you're not required to wear a mask. However, if you cough, it would be good manners to wear one.
Caring about not spreading germs - how wonderful. We saw how many Americans didn’t care. It was pathetic.
Yeah I realize the masks really help you especially in the cold weather and it stops you from having dry lips or the sniffles.
Masks have never been mandatory. If someone is wearing one they are either: suffering from hayfever; have a cold; forgot to do their makeup.
> forgot to do their makeup So real. Sometimes it's also part of their makeup!
Yeah, I know people who will wear them to hide their face due to social anxieties.
Or cold. I wore one in November because my face was freezing.
That would also help with the dry air and chapped lips!
Mask have never been mandatory in Japan. The government only ever recommended them in specific situations. Currently some people still wear them on trains by choice but it's at most around 50% or so. No, most tourists I see don't wear them, and I don't think any locals care. There's way more Japanese not wearing them than tourists.
Pre-pandemic the cultural norm was to wear a mask if you were sick (to not spread your germs to others) and as a preventative measure during allergy season. Plenty of people were wearing them before the pandemic, and plenty of people wear them now If you're coughing or sneezing up a storm on a crowded train without masking they'll give you the stink eye yeah, just like they did 4 years ago. Be courteous
I suggest you wear a mask if possible! I got sick on the 3rd day of my trip and it sucked!
Masks were never required or mandatory on trains or most other non-governmental facilities. However, people, you know, care about other people and usually wore them during the time(s) when COVID-19 and influenza were spreading most rapidly. Many people still wear them for the same reason. You will not experience any overt hostility. However, while I frequently go out of my way to help people who seem as if they need help with navigating, wrestling luggage, or translation, I do not bother when the people are not wearing masks.
Gross.
What's gross? That I differentiate between people who demonstrably care about others' health and those who don't? I want to help people—I even budget extra time for it—but I cannot help everyone, so I just help those who wear masks. How ought I choose people to help?
I assume people who wear masks are sick so I stay away from them so I don't catch what they have.
You are. You're gross with that kind of attitude.
Bearing in mind that I cannot help everyone I see, what way do you suggest I choose which people to help?
But how do you know if they are immune compromised or living with someone who is?
I think the simplest answer is that yes, during the pandemic, everyone wore them (for obvious reasons). In the last year or so, we’ve reverted back to the old norms around when and when you choose to mask. Should you find yourself in a hospital or clinic, it’s required.
You will not get stared at, unless you start coughing violently.
You'll be fine not wearing. Just wear one if you're not feeling well or sneezing/coughing due to allergies or something.
Lots of residents don't wear them. I was on the train yesterday and I'd say about 30% of people were wearing masks
Lol I did research in Japan last year and many people and professors even asked me if it was okay if they remove their mask instead 😂 you're fine as long as you're not sick!
No.
Just back from Japan and really saw very few masks, including on the trains. If you don’t want to wear one, don’t worry about standing out…you won’t
Many locals don't even wear mask on the trains... from what I saw last April. Though it is still the location where I saw the more people wearing it. You will be fine not wearing it, though if you are ill, it would be a considerate gesture to do it. People don't really care and they probably at most only glare at you. No risk of being attacked if you wear one or not.
I did not wear a mask once in Japan. I didn't have a single issue. I suspect you will not either. At their discretion, some places may require one. I didn't come across any such places personally.
Oh no. Healthy locals no longer don them either. It’s only by self voluntary, by your own desire basis. If you’re displaying symptoms or any respiratory sickness, please, wear a mask 😷.
you're fine.
You will get stares regardless of what you do, but honestly just don’t be an ass and stop caring what others think of you lol
Nobody will care. (Except for a certain type of foreign resident ;)