The Many Meanings of a Bow

Bowing, or おじぎ (ojigi, "bow"), is the everyday way to greet, thank, and apologize in Japan. It shows up far more often than a handshake — between coworkers passing in a hallway, at the start and end of a shop visit, and alongside almost any spoken apology or thank-you.

There isn't just one bow. A quick, small tip of the head works as a casual nod of acknowledgment, the kind you'd give a neighbor on the street. A slower bow from the waist, held for a moment, carries more weight — it's used for sincere thanks, a formal greeting, or a real apology. The deeper and longer the bow, the stronger the feeling behind it.

Bowing pairs naturally with words like すみません (sumimasen, "sorry" or "excuse me") and ありがとう (arigatou, "thank you"), but it also works on its own. Shopkeepers bow silently to customers coming and going, and many people bow slightly even while talking on the phone, out of habit, even though the other person can't see it.

Visitors don't need to get the exact depth or timing right — nobody expects that. A small nod of the head back is read as polite and friendly. What matters most is simply lowering your head a little in response; that small gesture alone is understood as respect, no words required.