Pool room etiquette in Japan

P

Philomath

Registered
Japanese culture is a lot different from Canada and the U.S. Some things that would be normal behaivour in North America, would be considered rude in Japan e.i. blowing your nose in public would be considered rude and unsanitary in Japan but not in North America. I'm going to be in Japan for a few weeks and I was wondering if there's any pool room etiquette I should know about.

I'm a new member any help would be appreciated.
 
It's really not much different from back home, actually.
However many places do frown on strangers who waltz in looking for money games. Other than that, just being respectul to the equipment and the other players and there'll be no problem at all.

If you don't speak the language, it may be hard to find a game with someone, but people are generally friendly and usually willing to play cheap sets or just for fun if you take the initiative to approach them.

By the way, what part of Japan will you be visiting? I live in Tokyo, so if you're coming by, let me know. I always look forward to hanging out with AZ members who come by Japan.
 
I will vouch for Tokyo pool. Was crazy to be there, playing on a table that was exactly like the one in my basement...across the world.

3 thumbs us, thanks victor and chi.

(What happened to chi anyway?)
 
Japanese are my most favorite people. Their civic sense is superb. They are the most polite people . One of my favorite designer of cloths Masatomo is from Japan-
 
Last edited:
Behaviour in Japan

Hi Philomath, it is very simple, be mindful of others at all times. They are very much a "respect" oriented people. You sit in your seat when it is not your shot, remove the magic rack from the table after your opponent breaks unless asked not to, in a tournament situation it is respectful to mark your opponent's score and at all costs, no profanity. Simply put, it is common sense, just be polite and respectful. Hustling is definitely frowned upon. Let me know where you are going to be and maybe I can set you up with some friends of mine.
 
Hey BB,

Not sure what happened to Chi, haven't been in touch for a while now and haven't seen him at any tournaments either...
 
victorl said:
It's really not much different from back home, actually.
However many places do frown on strangers who waltz in looking for money games. Other than that, just being respectul to the equipment and the other players and there'll be no problem at all.

If you don't speak the language, it may be hard to find a game with someone, but people are generally friendly and usually willing to play cheap sets or just for fun if you take the initiative to approach them.

By the way, what part of Japan will you be visiting? I live in Tokyo, so if you're coming by, let me know. I always look forward to hanging out with AZ members who come by Japan.
Click to expand...
Hi there, thanks for the advice. I'll be staying in Sendai but I have a train pass the first week I'm there so I'll definately be going to tokyo. I'm arriving January 10 maybe we can meet in a poolhall somewhere
 
victorl said:
It's really not much different from back home, actually.
However many places do frown on strangers who waltz in looking for money games. Other than that, just being respectul to the equipment and the other players and there'll be no problem at all.

If you don't speak the language, it may be hard to find a game with someone, but people are generally friendly and usually willing to play cheap sets or just for fun if you take the initiative to approach them.

By the way, what part of Japan will you be visiting? I live in Tokyo, so if you're coming by, let me know. I always look forward to hanging out with AZ members who come by Japan.
Click to expand...

Hey there thanks for the advice. I'll be staying in Sedai but I'll going to Tokyo as much as I can the first week. I arrive January 10. If your not busy maybe we can meet in a poolhall somewhere.
 
samurai said:
Hi Philomath, it is very simple, be mindful of others at all times. They are very much a "respect" oriented people. You sit in your seat when it is not your shot, remove the magic rack from the table after your opponent breaks unless asked not to, in a tournament situation it is respectful to mark your opponent's score and at all costs, no profanity. Simply put, it is common sense, just be polite and respectful. Hustling is definitely frowned upon. Let me know where you are going to be and maybe I can set you up with some friends of mine.
Click to expand...

Hello Samurai, thanks for the advice I'm sure it will come in handy. I'll be staying in Sendai.
 
Philomath, sent you a pm and looking forward to meeting up.

Have a safe trip,
Vic
 
This guy(below) has allot videos, on youtube, about Japan. I watched many of them one day,,just for the heck of it.
He is a American that moved there and has been there for 12 years.
I just grabbed a few vids,,listed here,,,but there are some of his videos that are very good.
I remember seeing one that was about the cost of fruit,,and I was amazed at what he said.

He does have a video about etiquette. I couldn't find it quickly.
But here's is a few of his videos. If I were going,,I would watch as many of them as I could.

http://youtu.be/TPkyLcbH4TU
And he named this next video wrong. Seems to be good info to me.
http://youtu.be/ybsROFb3x-s
 
Don't know about Sendai, but I know there are lots of weekly and monthly tournaments scattered throughout the Tokyo area, so you could play in a tournament almost everyday if you wanted.
 
Just remember if your opponent make a good shot, just say loudly : "Good shot, Baka-Yaro" They will appreciate it.:wink:
 
victorl said:
Yup, Black-Balled knows all about that...
Click to expand...

Ha, he knows more about drunk guys in wrinkled suits.

There was one in particular on the train back to Yokohama that could barely stand and kept banging his head on the window intentionally.
 
Philomath said:
Does anyone of any weekly pool tournaments in Tokyo or Sendai?
Click to expand...

I can point you around Sendai, but nobody here speaks English, so if you don't speak the language, you might have difficulty entering tournaments.

Also, you will most likely need a car (or shell out for a taxi) if you want to make it to the real good places.

Normally I would show you around personally, but for now, my wife won't let me stay out late, so you gotta make it on your own.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top