Escalator etiquette may seem like a mundane and even unnecessary topic but actually, it can help you big time especially at large stations during rush hour.
In the Tokyo area, you should always stand on the left side and leave the right side clear for those in a hurry walking up. If you are in a big group or carrying a lot of luggage, you may feel the urge to occupy the right side too, but resist the temptation! Just keep your bags behind you on the left and everybody should be in a neat line vertically. This unwritten rule helps everyone get to their destinations in an efficient and safe way.
In the Kansai region, including places like Osaka, Kyoto and Nara, the escalator rule is reversed–people walk on the left and stand on the right.
Here’s a bonus tip! For elevators, there are similar manners you should follow. For example, you should always let people leaving the elevator get off first. If you’re the first one to get on the elevator, stay by the button panel to keep the door open until it’s full. As the unofficial official button presser, it’s also polite to keep the doors open for everyone and then get off last if it’s your floor. This holds true particularly in business settings. It’s courteous to enter first, push the buttons, and exit last—these gestures show humility and will impress your Japanese colleagues.