Shoes Stop at the Door, Slippers Stop at the Tatami — Epoche A1
At a Japanese inn, the genkan is the low step just inside the door, and your shoes stop there. Steps Stand on the low floor. Take off your shoes. Turn them to face the door. Put them at the side. Step up. Put on the slippers you find there. At the tatami room, take the slippers off. Tatami is a straw floor. Walk on it in socks. At the toilet door, change again. Other slippers wait inside. Three floors, three rules. Many people think the door is the end. It is only the first stop.