Genkan and Getabako

Genkan (玄関^?) are traditional Japanese entryway areas for a house, apartment, or building—something of a combination of a porch and a doormat.
The primary function of genkan is for the removal of shoes before entering the main part of the house or building. Genkan are often recessed into the floor, to contain any dirt that is tracked in from the outside (as in a mud room).

The tiled or concrete genkan floor is called tataki (三和土).

Upon entry, shoes are usually turned to face the door so they can be slipped on easily when leaving or placed into a getabako.

A getabako (下駄箱^?) is a Japanese shoe cupboard, usually situated in the genkan, an entryway or porch of the house. In Japan, it is considered uncouth to not remove one's shoes before entering the house. Near the getabako is a slipper rack, and most people in Japan wear slippers around the house, except for rooms which have tatami flooring as they are bad for the floor. The getabako is usually made of wood and bamboo, and there are many sold all over the world.

After removing shoes, one must avoid stepping in the genkan in socks or with bare feet, to avoid bringing dirt into the house. Once inside, generally one will change into slippers, or shoes intended for indoor wear (Uwabaki).