JAPANESE STYLE ENTRANCE HALL / GENKAN
The entrance hall is thought one of the most important places in a Japanese
house.
It gives the visitor a first impression about the home.
so sometimes beautiful flowers or paintings etc. are set there
( How to enter a Japanese house )
When you enter a Japanese house, take off your shoes at the entrance hall
or genkan.
which is thought of as a neutral place between outside and inside
After take off your shoes, you step up into the room.
The tip of the shoes should be left pointed
toward the door so that you can easily put them on again.
This is the normal etiquette for entering a Japanese house.
In the a Japanese house, slippers are used for kitchen or western-style
rooms.
If the entrance connected to a wooden-floored or carpeted area,
usually you wear slippers.
( There are also another pair of slippers for using only in the bathroom. )