Etiquette is a touchy subject. Mom told you not to point your finger at people, put your napkin in your lap, and chew with your mouth closed, among other bits of advice.
Cultures have different sets of etiquette (the French don't cut their bread, they rip it, for instance) and you're bound to make an inappropriate gesture or say something wrong if you're not careful.
Japan is no exception. If you're visiting there soon--and you should, the end of August is a great time to see the changing leaves--there are some things you should know first.
Lonely Planet put together a list of starting tips for impressing the locals with your cultural know-how. Captions courtesy of Lonely Planet.