Mask wearing

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2234.html
This is very helpful, thank you.

We have no issue with wearing masks.

Just wondering though would a "snood" be considered rude, or cause any offence?
(yes, I am aware they are not overly effective, but sometimes it can be an "instant mask" when gaining access to a proper mask is problematic at the time).

No, a snood would not be rude and I'm sure it wouldn't be offensive to anyone. I occasionally see people wearing it in central areas here in Greater Tokyo. And as you implied, I think people would see it more as a fashion item and/or warmer rather than virus protection. So, in other words, it may appear to be uncomfortably hot-looking during summer, unless you use very thin fabric.

Thanks Uco
Going in November it would be a neck warmer, so may work if necessary.

Masks now are much less prevalent than a year ago. Yea, still more people than pre Covid wear masks, but the majority don�ft wear them.
So essentially you can do as you prefer.

On my last two trips (November 2023 and February 2024) I noticed that Japanese people in the hinterlands (i.e., outside the big cities) tend to mask up a lot more. I was surprised to the extent that people (especially older people) still wear them. You definitely don�ft have to anymore, but be prepared for people to be a little wary of you. Many (but by no means all) will tend to be wary of foreigners anyway.

Even in the cities, many people wear masks on public transit. I did myself. I tended to wear one in quite a few places, actually, because I just did not want to get covid (or even a cold) while traveling. I know that some people are of the opinion that masks are not effective, but I don�ft believe that myself. I kept mine in a plastic mask holder that protected it and kept it flat in my handbag or suitcase, and whipped it out in an instant any time I needed it.

If you are looking for protection from disease, a snood isn�ft going to do much for you and I don�ft think it will improve your reception by locals, so I�fm not sure it�fs worth bothering. I didn�ft see people wearing such things anywhere. (I did see a lot of Japanese people wearing masks in a totally ineffectual manner, but that is beside the point.)

I got the impression that the original question is not asking whether masks are necessary or not but asking whether snoods would look scary or not.

And, like I said, it wouldn't look scary or odd or rude or offensive as a fashion item.

Secondly, like the other posters, I feel that only a few percentage of people in Japan are still wearing masks in public places. So, not wearing a mask is acceptable, while wearing a mask is also acceptable. In other words, even if snoods are not seen as masks, it's acceptable anyway.

And, like the OP said, snoods may not be medically effective as masks are. But since it's better than not covering your mouth and nose at all, it would be courteous if you cover your mouth and nose with a snood when wanting to show you care for mask-wearers. Consider it like covering your mouth with a handkerchief as you cough or sneeze or whatever.

Also, I do believe that, if someone suffering an infective disease happens to breathe into your face for some reason such as in crowded places, it's a lot better to have your mouth and nose covered with a snood than to have nothing.

Now, medical facilities are a totally different story. That's where the physically weakened people are, so there would be signs asking you to put your mask on, and often you're verbally told to do so. If you don't have one with you, they'll give you one. If you get sick or injured and need to go to the doctors here in Japan, be prepared.

The reason that aged people in Japan still prefer to wear masks is because authorities have been encouraging them to do so for a similar reason. Aged people tend to be weaker, and their grown kids often want their parents to wear masks for protection too.

So, in short, again, snoods are fine.

Following Uco's post, while masks are a lot less common (but still around), I have noticed more people wearing loose cloth masks that include a piece that extends down to cover the neck area. They are a bit like a snood, but more mask like. Not sure if they have an actual name or not, and if they are effective or just a placebo I wouldn't opine on that.

Thank you for your perception Uco; you understood perfectly.
Thank you