Barefoot in Asian culture

by sharleen wl 

so there have been like a number of discussions in the reddit barefoot sub about going barefoot and the asian culture. some of the popular questions have been like 'why don't you see very many asians go barefoot in public?' and 'what is it like to go barefoot in asia (or name a specific country)?' or 'i'm planning to go to (a specific asian country) and wanna know if i should go barefoot in public there.' as an asian girl i find this topic interesting. so lets talk about it a little.

barefoot asian girl with filthy feet

across many asian cultures, going barefoot is far more than a matter of comfort - it's a gesture rich with cultural meaning, spiritual symbolism, and centuries-old tradition. 

going barefoot as a sign of respect 

in countries like japan, korea, india, thailand, and much of southeast asia, removing one’s shoes before entering a home is a deeply ingrained custom. bare feet - or feet in socks or house slippers - are seen as a sign of humility and respect for personal and sacred spaces. shoes, which touch the dirt and filth of the outside world, are considered unclean and inappropriate indoors. 

this extends to temples, shrines, and even some traditional inns and restaurants. in hindu and buddhist cultures, going barefoot in holy places is a sign of reverence, acknowledging that the ground beneath your feet is sacred. 

spiritual grounding 

in india, the idea of walking barefoot is also tied to prithvi tattva - the earth element. in yogic and ayurvedic philosophy, direct contact with the ground allows for energetic grounding and balance (i know not everyone believes in the concept of grounding; many, even barefooters think it's pseudoscience. so yeah whatever!). many yogis and spiritual seekers prefer to meditate, practice yoga, or perform rituals in bare feet to maintain a connection with the earth’s natural energy. 

similarly, in east asian practices such as tai chi and qi gong, barefoot movement is thought to improve energy flow (qi) and foster harmony between the body and nature. 

simplicity and humility 

in many buddhist traditions, particularly among monks, going barefoot is a form of ascetic practice. walking barefoot - especially during alms rounds - is not just about discipline, but also about cultivating humility and mindfulness with each step. 

historically, being barefoot was also associated with simplicity and rural life. in traditional chinese and southeast asian villages, barefoot walking was common among farmers and workers. while modern life has shifted toward shoes and urban living, barefoot customs still endure as a symbol of tradition and authenticity. 

modern echoes 

today, while shoes dominate much of asia’s fast-paced urban culture, the barefoot tradition lives on - in homes, in temples, and in practices that value grounding, respect, and mindfulness. for many, going barefoot is not just a physical choice, but a quiet act of cultural continuity. 

however, despite all the above, walking around barefoot in public outdoor areas in most asian countries is not common and often frowned upon. unfortunately it's associated with being either extremely poor (that you can't afford even sandals) or mentally unstable.

so here’s a breakdown of what to expect: 

✅ where going barefoot is acceptable 

• inside homes: always remove your shoes when entering someone’s home. 
• temples and shrines: you’ll often be required to remove your shoes here - bare feet or socks are fine. 
• beaches & rural areas: in some rural villages or beach communities, it’s more accepted, especially if locals do it too. 
• yoga studios / meditation centers: being barefoot is normal and expected. 

❌ where barefooting is very uncommon and not advised 

• city streets: in most cities across asia (tokyo, beijing, bangkok, seoul, singapore, etc.), going barefoot outdoors would be seen as unhygienic, unusual, or associated with poverty / homelessness or mental illness. 
• public transport, shops, restaurants, malls: most places will expect footwear. some may deny entry if you're barefoot. 
• urban parks or markets: even though outdoors, most people will still wear shoes or sandals.  

🧭 special considerations 

social perception: in many asian cultures, maintaining a clean and neat appearance in public is important. barefoot walking in the street may attract stares or questions, and occasionally even outright hostility!

health/safety issues: streets in many asian cities can be very dirty, uneven, or have sharp debris which could be a concern for some, especially beginner barefooters.

religious sites: be respectful - bare feet are usually appropriate inside, but you probably shouldn't walk barefoot through temple courtyards or surrounding areas unless you see locals doing the same. 

👣 tips for barefoot travelers 

• carry minimalist footwear: something lightweight like flip-flops or slip-ons as they're easy to put on and take off as needed. 
• watch local behavior: if locals have footwear on, you probably should too. 
• beaches & nature walks: these are usually your best opportunities to go barefoot freely and safely.
• carry like wet wipes with you so you can clean your feet before entering a home or place of worship. 

ok confession time: i wrote the above with the help of chat gpt so that it would be more coherent and have good grammar and spelling but i provided the general ideas.

well hopefully this blog post helps answer some of the common questions about going barefoot and the asian culture. like you can understand why you very seldom see asians go barefoot in public. like even here in hawaii where asians are the majority, most public barefooters aren't asian. so as an asian girl i'm in the minority but i'm totally cool with that since i love breaking norms. and if your planning to go barefoot in public in asia you should heed the above advise.

from paradise hawaii this is sharleen the barefoot girl reminding you that life is magical. so...

aloha and have a magical day. and remember bare feet rule. fuck yeah!