土 足 厳 禁(どそくげんきん)

どそくげんきん

noun, expression

no shoes allowed; shoes strictly prohibited

1. no shoes allowed; shoes strictly prohibited

A common sign or rule indicating that outdoor shoes must not be worn in a particular area. Found at the entrance of Japanese homes, temples, certain restaurants, and other spaces where shoes must be removed.

ここは土足厳禁(どそくげんきん)です。

No shoes are allowed here.

入口(いりぐち)に「土足厳禁(どそくげんきん)」の表示(ひょうじ)があった。

There was a 'no shoes' sign at the entrance.

この体育館(たいいくかん)は土足厳禁(どそくげんきん)なので、上履(うわば)きに履(は)き替(か)えてください。

This gymnasium is a no-shoes area, so please change into indoor shoes.

土足厳禁(どそくげんきん) is a common sign in Japan meaning "no outdoor shoes allowed." Composed of 土足(どそく) (outdoor shoes, literally "earth feet") + 厳禁(げんきん) (strictly prohibited).

Usage

Seen at the entrances of:

旅館(りょかん) (traditional inns) and 寺(てら) (temples)
体育館(たいいくかん) (gymnasiums) and 道場(どうじょう) (martial arts halls)
学校(がっこう) (schools)
Traditional 和食(わしょく) restaurants with tatami rooms

Related words

撮影(さつえい)厳禁(げんきん): photography strictly prohibited
火気(かき)厳禁(げんきん): no open flames
靴(くつ)を脱(ぬ)いでください: Please take off your shoes
上履(うわば)き: indoor shoes
下駄箱(げたばこ): shoe cupboard/rack (at entrances)

Related Words

Related: 上履(うわば)き (indoor shoes)

Related: 下駄箱(げたばこ) (shoe cupboard/rack)

Related: 火気厳禁(かきげんきん) (no open flames)

general

Added 2026.3.25 10:41 · Revised 2026.10.19 9:58

19000/19244_dosokugenkin