General Respect and Awareness

Greet Upon Arrival and Departure: Always greet Sugawara Sensei with a bow and say, "よろしくお願いします" ("yoroshiku onegaishimasu") upon arrival and "ありがとうございました" ("arigatou gozaimashita") upon leaving. Giving of gifts (nothing bulky he has to store or take special care of)
Quiet Hours: Maintain silence or speak softly during early mornings (before 8 AM) and late evenings (after 9 PM) to respect the neighbors and Sensei's rest.
No Shoes Indoors: Remove your shoes at the entrance (玄関, genkan). Do not step with outdoor shoes on the wooden slats. Use indoor slippers or walk in socks or barefoot.
Respect for Age: Always address Sensei and the senior members of the dojo with respect. Use formal language and avoid overly casual expressions.
Offer Help: Occasionally offer assistance with small tasks or errands as a gesture of respect.
Do Not Disturb: Avoid unnecessary interruptions, especially during Sensei’s private time or practice when he is instructing.
Offer Thanks: Express gratitude regularly for being allowed to stay and practice in the space.
Compensation: Make sure you’re paying the appropriate training fees for your training sessions. This ensures that there are funds for the upkeep of the dojo and the many consumables (water, cleaning equipment, paper products, trash bags etc.) are paid for.