10 Facts To Know Before Visiting Japan with MARTY FRIEDMAN | Metal Injection 

"Tipping should not exist. People should get paid for the job they do." -- Amen brother!

I can't think of anything cooler than sitting down with a metal legend and talking about Japan

Dude is right. Whatever country you are from, there is a good chance you are the first person they have met from your country and they will assume everyone in your country is the same as you.

Marty, You are an Ambassador of Japan now. Thanks as a Japanese.

I wish more people understood the fact that every single person is an ambassador of their country

Megadeth never had a more amazing and extraordinary guitar player before or after.

I went to Japan last year and I confirmed 100% what Marty said.Japan is a fantastic country.I miss Japan so much.I hope I'll come back to this country one day.

なるほど。私が海外旅行に行くときも、「日本人の代表として行っているんだ」という自覚が必要ですね。

Absolutely right about them being helpful. Got lost in Downtown Tokyo, couldn't find my hotel. Walked into a 7/11 thinking maybe someone in there will speak English and direct me to my hotel. Only one person there, the girl behind the counter. She didn't speak English either, so I showed her the address on my smartphone ... she ran to the door and called me over, I was thinking she was going to point me in the right direction, but no, she actually left the store to lead me about 2 blocks up the street and pointed to a door to a building. I thanked her and she left to return to abandoned' 7/11. It was actually the wrong place, but I was impressed she went through that effort. Anyway, when I realized it was not my hotel I came back on the street and just happened to hear some guy on the street speak a bit of English, so I showed him the address ... he actually walked my around to the other side of the block, where the real door to the hotel was (Apparently the door the girl took me to could have got me to the hotel via a 'back hallway' or something.) This was my first 'trip' to Japan, which was just a one night layover, but I decided I'd turn it into an adventure --- all by myself on an 18 hour layover and a plan to check out Tokyo and get back to the airport within 18 hours .. Never had so much good adventure, even ended up being interviewed by some local TV station :-)

Great video! I think that Marty Friedman is a fantastic ambassador of America.

This is the first time I've seen Marty speaking English! It's totally new for me because he always speaks in Japanese on TV. I almost forgot he is not Japanese.

Marty tells you everything you need to know about Japan in 9 minutes, who else wants to go there after watching this?

Instead of a Corey Taylor video we actually learned something

Marty is the anti Logan Paul

My wife went to Okinawa 2 years ago on business. She has been to several countries and said Japan was the best by far. To echo what Marty said; she stepped out of the hotel to walk and find a place (I dont remember what it was) so she was looking at a map. Within minutes she was approached by a young woman who appeared to be in her late teens or early 20s. She did speak very broken English but asked my wife if she needed help. My wife pointed on the map and this woman stopped what she was doing and walked her down a few blocks to make sure she got where she was going. She also was excited to try her English along the way! The bottom line is everyone was super polite, super friendly, and seem to care more about you and how your Japanese experience was than than themselves! My wife also said Okinawa has the best waffle place on planet Earth! I am definitely going with her next time!

A guitarist who had a huge influence on me while growing up, doing an exceptionally erudite and culture-conscious interview about one of my favourite places in the world: Japan. Dude hell yea.

I think Marty should be the US ambassador to Japan

Marty's first comment about being an ambassador for your country should be burned into American's minds starting at age 3.. I couldn't agree with this philosophy more and if you abide by it - you generally find your experiences in other countries to be far richer.

I love Japan. Toured as a guitar tech there a couple of times. Everything he says is true. The culture feels so civilized, and the food is so good. The people are wonderful. I understand exactly why Marty Friedman lives there.

Visited Japan twice with my wife: in 2016 and again in 2018. Greatest trips of my life! Amazing people, great nightlife, architecture, and fantastic food! Coming from Sweden, having true Japanese food was a life changing experience. Stayed in Tokyo for two weeks in 2016, and one week in 2018. I highly recommend this city to anyone enjoying a metropolitan lifestyle with all the greatest food and bars in the world. I’m sure the rest of Japan is equally awesome, so please visit, at least once in your life! Greetings from Malmö, Sweden.

The guitar solo on Tornado of Souls is arguably the best guitar solo of any heavy metal song ever.

Japan is one of the most beautiful places to visit on the planet. Japan is so clean its incredible given the volume of humans in the square footage available. Unlike folks here is the US who just dump their garbage out the window because they feel entitled like its "not my problem". Scumbags ! I always said the exact same thing about the respect you get no matter where you are in Japan. You go to a random convenient store you can get some great food e.g. Lawsons (Anthony Bourdain RIP). Japanese actually care about their customers and make them a priority. America can learn a lot from the pride Japanese people take in making everyone feel at home. Nice work Marty. The new LIVE album cooks !

One of the best travel videos I've ever watched. No quick edits, stupid jokes or elevator music. Non-pretentious and straight forward. Loved it.

Soooooo, a country where the standard is common courtesy?!? Sweet!

When going out for drinks and foods with friends, not my friends whom I was visiting, I had to go out on my own. Not only did my friends put me on the right train, they gave me a letter in case of emergency or in case should I get lost, that I could hand over to a cab driver that would tell him to bring me home to my friends place. On my return to my hotel did I have to take the train on my own. At least that was how we had arranged when making the plans to meet up. But when the time was there, one of the friends I visited went along with me so that I only had to take one train on my own and that I would be accompagnied for the transfers I had to make. My friends had agreed on this during the drinks and meal we shared. So yeah, the helpfulness and friendly nature of people over there flabberghasted me. Even when I left my wallet by accident on a table when going for a meal. I hadn't noticed that my wallet was missing, since my friends paid for my meal. But when we stepped out of the restaurant, another customer came running out: "Mister, you forgot your wallet!" I was amazed by this. Especially since as a tourist my wallet was brim with money. So yeah, I know Japan is one of the safest places in this world.

Marty is absolutely correct, I went to Osaka last year to watch this band, Sleep. Was at the venue around 6pm, and there's already a crowd standing in front of the venue. A guy came out and started calling something in japanese and one by one, people with tickets went into the venue. Then i realised the guy was calling out ticket numbers in sequence! So i showed my ticket to a guy next to me and thank goodness, his ticket is just a few numbers ahead of me, so i just follow his lead. I went into the venue, and I realised that those who bought the ticket earliest, also have the priority in another queue to buy the band's merchandise! How's that for service?!

ありがとうマーティ

As a Nordic person who used to live in Japan, this is so spot on!

Lived in Japan for 2 years and wish I could go back.

The lack of tipping imo plays a big role in why you receive great service everywhere you go. Their pay isnt dependent on the customers perception so they simply treat everyone the same. And they take pride in their job, so they have no reason to do anything other than their best everytime.

Marty Friedman is living his best life

I remember when he was in Megadeth, and he had just begun to start learning how to speak Japanese. He's really done very well.

That tipping thing is great. Tipping in States is ridiculous. I always feel like I was robbed in US restaurants.

I've been to Japan 9 times and I have always tipped the taxi drivers and they have all graciously accepted it. They were surprised but none of them ever refused it. But Marty is right, it is not needed or wanted. Tipping the taxi drivers was my own decision.

went to Sekaido art supply store near Shinjuku. ---stupidly,left one bag there. ----walked half a mile in freezing rain. ---got tapped on shoulder,,,,,, breathless girl from the shop! ----presented me with my bag, and a lovely smile ! Gave her my fastest apology and thanks---hoping she would not get colder/wetter !........... It felt suddenly warmer,on that freezing evening.............

Marty seems like a really chill guy.

This is actually the best top 10 tips on Japan I've ever seen.

I've been to Japan numerous times and have worked most of my career for a Japanese company. As I expected Mr. Friedman was spot on and insightful.

Went to Japan in the winter of 2016.walked around downtown Tokyo and really hoping a Marty a Friedman sighting.

日本人はまだまだ英語に対する苦手意識が強いですが、それでも"おもてなし"の気持ちは強いと思います。マーティンさんがこの様な形で紹介して下さる事に本当に感謝致します。

yeah, the packed train in silence and the orderly fashion of entering the trains in Japan were big culture shocks. The opposite of the NYC experience.

A good video from Metal Injection? What a rare treat!

My wife and I hosted a Japanese exchange student back in 2006. We visited him and his family in Japan back in 2015. What a wonderful country. We had a fantastic time!

I wanted to go to Japan, now I want to go to Japan even more.

The rest of the world should take after Japan. Not so much in culture but what Marty was talking about.

Marty is a Guitar Great Gentleman. Litterbugs are my biggest pet peeve. A dream of mine is to visit Japan and check out the guitar shops that I've seen on videos. I would love to ship one home. My sister in-law is Japanese. I met her in 1972 and is still married to my older brother. She's like a second sister and mother to me. Thanks Marty, I appreciate your information. I will follow it exactly. Beautiful people, beautiful place.

TNX, Marty, makes me proud of being as a Japanese! Looking really forward to visit Japan for all of you guys. Though most Japanese could actually speak or understand simple English, they are pretty much shy to communicate in a public space, because they are not got used to foreigners and don't want to be known their poor English to other people... Anyway instead, we are quite friendly and have a good hospitality.

Sounds Like a place of human decency and common sense, where in some places it's not so common anymore. I would love to go there some day, if not just to shop for decent musical gear.

Thank you very much for your excellent understanding about Japanese society and your warmest comments on Japanese people and culture!

I have visited Japan for right at 30 years, and every time I have gone I have learned something. Marty is totally right, about friendly and safe and clean Japan is. One thing I always do is apologize when I go to someplace new so they know I don't know the customs but I want to learn and I am sorry if I make a mistake I did not mean it.

I spent three weeks in Japan on a business trip and the time off where I got to explore the area was absolutely incredible. If I should ever be so fortunate as to go back I'll be more ready for it, as I'm learning simple Japanese.

MARTY is the most famous foreigner in Japan. My 84-year-old mother also knows him. He is very good at Japanese and can read Kanji! I love MARTY, which loves Japan.

I been to Japan this past March and everything was exactly as you described it. Japan is a fascinating country. Imagine top notch service and no tips. Wrap that around your head. Incredible!

I've been in Japan more there 35 years. This was a great video. You hit a lot of the things that often aren't mentioned in your typical tourist videos and you gave insight to the reasons. Excellent!

日本語で失礼します 外国人お断りのお店の解説がとても的確で素晴らしい そう、外国人が嫌いではなく店主や従業員が英語などで対応する自身がないからですね 趣味の聖地って観点がとっても新鮮で好き そして何よりあなたが日本を好きで居てくれてありがとう

My week in Japan was the best of my life, everything worked out so well. The best food I had was vegetarian at a Buddhist temple. I'd give anything to be Marty Friedman

Japan is such an awesome country ❤❤❤ greetings from Mexico

Been to Japan when I was in the Navy. I'd move there in a heartbeat, if I could. There isn't enough room here to describe how much better it is in Japan than in the USA.

I love everything about Japan, I'd love to go visit one day

There are indeed many bars and restaurants that don't serve foreigners. But they won't refuse you when you're visiting with locals that know to set their minds at ease, that can fill in how you experience the food and all. I've had the opportunity to visit a few of these, making my experience extra special to me. Natto isn't as horrible (to me) as I thought it might be. A food that I wouldn't have been able to try out if it weren't for my friends taking me along and guiding both me as the restaurant staff in what are my likes and dislikes. The chef was delighted when he learned that I didn't fake the liking of the natto and was understanding of the fact that it may not be my favorite food. For him it was a success, for me the visit was a success, all thanks to my friends that know me and are native born locals. Same goes for the no specials. When visiting a restaurant in Osaka that my friends know very well, they asked for not giving me certain things. It was an all you can eat fried food place. And I was ok with skipping rounds, but despite their policy did they fry other foods for me when there were rounds of foods that weren't to my taste. This thanks to my friends having explained me and my tastes to the staff they know well and thanks to the friendliness of the staff trying to make my experience as full and complete as possible out of courtesey to my friends. The fact that I do eat some things that foreigners usually don't like helped also a little imo.

I’ve always been fascinated by Japan 🇯🇵 and Japanese culture and their sense of honor in everything they do! There’s a reason the quality of life is so much higher in Japan than America!

こんなに素敵な動画を作ってくれてありがとうございます。 日本に来た皆さんが楽しんでくれることを願っています。 Thank you for creating this really really kind and wonderful video. I hope all tourists enjoy their stay in Japan and travel in Japan could be wonderful memories of you.

Ive been to japan 10x and this is so true…as of now,im in tour here in okinawa…japan truly is the safest place in the world…

He knows Japan well. His advises are great and right. We can trust their music as well because he is a nice person. No trashy and proud that he is in Japan.

Japan is my favorite foreign country, thats where i wanna live and work for the rest of my life and what Marty said in this video makes me even more hyped about it

I love going to Japan. It's my second home.

I was actually sad the day I had to fly back to US... Japanese ppl were so fckng nice, cordial, helpful, etc., beyond belief

I loved the video. This was awesome.

Japan was a blast. I went there in the Navy, and he's 100% accurate about everything he talked about. That's exactly how it was for me too.

Great advice my dude. I'll definitely remember them if I ever go to Japan.

That was by far the best tour info for Japan that I have ever seen.

Thanks Marty for this!

I love Japan so much. I have been twice to Japan, but I will manage to go back soon. I hope I can meet you Marty, you are truly the God of the Guitar, together with Jason Becker.

Every international airline should play this on flights to Japan. So wonderfully, and eloquently, explained, and entirely true in my experience. More power to Marty and Metal Injection \m/

Thanks Marty! Will check out your new album!

I believe I'm sold on Japan. Thank you for this very engaging/entertaining video.

Love this video. I'm studying Japanese and want to go and live there as well, I'm a big fan of Marty's input both on and off the stage.

I live inTokyo and i agree 100% with every point you said.

Thank you Marty, you made me want to visit Japan, and yes I did enjoy your live album!

Marty rocks, and this video was super informative! I love it! 😃

Great vid! Been to Japan a couple times, it's unbelievably amazing. A country of respect and pride. Great advice from Marty

Thanks for all this great insight on Japan, Marty. I am very seriously considering visiting there in 2019. What an incredibly fascinating and completely different culture than here in the States. I want to go. Have to have to have to.

marty friedman is the greatest metal guy in the world.he is so polite to introduce what he thinks about the different culture to people and he chose pretty good words that won't hurt anyone. he's so nice. his humanity is the most incredible thing in the human history.

Definitely going to be on my bucket list, sounds like a really great place not only to visit but live.

I lived in Japan for 4 years and I have to agree, Marty Is Spot On almost everything - the only thing I would say isn't entirely accurate is that Japanese people don't know or speak English - My understanding from my Japanese friends was they usually take 5-6 years of English in School and many of the folks there will go out of their way to try and speak to you and practice their English skills. Either way he is absolutely right about the country be clean, safe - unbelievably humble helpful and super friendly people. I loved it - I can't wait for an opportunity to go back. And yes the vending machines will freak you out - they are everywhere.

I am very pleased that you will send out the appeal of Japan abroad. Because it is a role that only you can do. Thank Marty for loving Japan.

So cool! Thanks man!

Wow thank you so much for sharing these extreamly important travel tips . That alone would make a stay in japan so much more memorable. Beautiful culture

11 years in Japan and counting and I can confirm everything he said is true. If I could add one more thing to this list, it would be that Japanese people's personal identity seems to be deeply tied into their identity as a country. This means that a compliment about Japan is taken as a compliment about the individual. It does go further the other way though, so if you say 9 nice things about Japan and 1 mildly negative, you may find people suddenly become much colder.

I would love to go to Japan. Definitely a bucket list!!! Keep rocking \^^/

Glad to see he's doping so well! Id love to visit Japan someday.

Thank you Marty! Very kind and insightful of you to make this video. I hope to visit this wonderful island country someday.

I've travelled to Japan three times. Marty has just given the best description of how to act and be in Japan of any youtube advice I've seen. Obviously he is a titan guitarist but is also extremely insightful and intelligent. Thanks

Agree 100%. Being there several times and everything marty said is accurate

Spot on Marty. You covered some really important topics in just a few minutes. Absolutely awesome vid man, stay cool! 🤘

Awesome intro! Agree too, been going to Japan for over 20 years and love it so much.

Never heard any interview with Marty. I’ve known about his abilities as a musician for over a decade. This is a really nice video. Mr Friedman sounds like a really nice guy! Plus the dude may be one of the best electric guitar players out there.

Marty looks like such a cool guy! Would love to hang out with him for a while some day :D

Thanks Marty!!!

Impressed with your objective observation with love, Marty!