At the entrance to a Japanese house, restaurant, ryokan, or temple there is usually a difference in level in the genkan (entrance area) which marks a psychological and a physical transition between the outside world and the inside world of the family. It is customary to take off one’s shoes and put on slippers to wear inside. Shoes are left on the lower level and either placed on shelves, shoe racks, shoe lockers, or lined up neatly out of the way of other guests. Never leave your shoes in the middle of the floor - always put them neatly to the side so that other people can then take their shoes off.
Taking off one’s shoes achieves two results:
Psychologically, this action separates you from the outside and allows you to enter a more peaceful place. You can relax and feel more at ease in this space. Practically speaking, the act of leaving one’s shoes by the door allows you to keep the inner space clean. This is important as many houses and traditional ryokan (Japanese style inns) and restaurants still use tatami mats where people sleep on futon (traditional bedding laid out on the tatami floor) or sit on cushions. Tatami matting is expensive and inconvenient to change and can easily be snagged by heels, so you can only wear stockinged feet. Slippers must be left at the door. If it is summer and you are wearing sandals, it is good manners to slip on a pair of socks before walking on tatami.
