Delivery truck with posters of the driver’s name on it. Clarifies responsibility when there is any issue or accident. But what about employee’s privacy?

When using a fitting room, you are supposed to take off your shoes and leave it outside. This is the custom in Japan.

Such a rule is called「土足厳禁」(どそくげんきん), which the literal translation is “muddy feet prohibited”.

At a first glance you might think that such a rule is created to keep places clean and tiny. After all, Japanese is famous for their cleanness. When everybody leaves shoes outside of a fitting room, you don’t need to worry about making the new clothes dirty, nor bothering the customers after you.

But I read a pretty interesting post that talks about the deeper meaning of “muddy feet” in Japanese culture:

【日本人的厌土感】”Abomination to Soil in Japanese Culture”

The article basically points out that, while some cultures has Affection for Soil – see soil as the root of their home country and develop affection for it, Japanese culture associates mud with dirty, unclean matters and develops disgusting feeling to it. It is not nice to carry dirty mud inside a public or living spaces.

Such concept can also be observed in their architecture. A typical household is built on a base called 床 (ゆか) usually 20-40cm high, creating a height difference between the ground and the house. The area near the entrance is called 玄関 (げんかん) where you should leave your shoes at before entering the house.

As a matter of fact, “No Muddy Feet Inside” rule also applies to the following places:

• Temple
• 「銭湯」Public Bath
• Swimming pool
• People’s house and room

On a side note, please understand that I braved a great risk shooting these pictures for you, as photographing fitting room is socially and legally inappropriate, and could result in angry stares, kicking out by security, or even prosecution.