The Uwabaki
One Japanese tradition that I became a huge fan of was that of the Uwabaki. Uwabaki are a type of shoes or slippers that are worn indoors. Back home, most people are either barefoot in their homes or wear shoes that they would typically wear outdoors, especially if they are in public buildings. In Japanese culture, however, it is necessary to remove your shoes when you enter someone else’s home or property. Not only does this show respect, but it is also done to protect wooden floors, rugs, tatami (grass mats) and carpets from getting dirty or damaged.
