What not to do in Japan! Learn the etiquette before you get here! 🍿 NOW SEE what happened next: • What I REALLY Think Ab... ►SUBSCRIBE for more Japan tips! goo.gl/Kq44VX ►SUPPORT us on Patreon: / abroadinjapan
"No tips in Japan" is my most respected culture of Japan. I tipped the Imperial Hotel's bell boy once and he said shyly, "No, no. No tipping in Japan." When I asked him why he said proudly in a slow English, *"it is my honor to service".*
I am Japanese. If you think about it objectively, it may seem cramped with all the rules, but there are many disasters in this country, so rules, cooperation, and consideration for others are more important than anything else to avoid panic in an emergency situation. However, not all Japanese are like that, so don't be defensive or nervous!
Nah that not blowing your nose thing I can't say I like it's so not good for you health wise to keep sniffing rather than just blow your nose into a tissue. That's how mucus gets swallowed and a cold becomes worse than it actually is
1. Don’t be Logan Paul 2. Don’t be Logan Paul 3. Don’t be Logan Paul 4. Don’t be Logan Paul 5. Don’t be Logan Paul 7. Don’t be Logan Paul 8. Don’t be Logan Paul 9. Don’t be Logan Paul 10. Don’t be Logan Paul 11. Don’t be Logan Paul 12. Don’t be Logan Paul Edit: Sorry forgot to put No: 13. Don’t be Logan Paul
@@raziel4235 If comment is serious he is a youtuber who has made a name for himself for being the most annoying human possible. He recorded a video when he went to japan and basically shit on their whole social etiquette by acting like an asshole, he also went to the suicide forest and recorded a dead body and uploaded it. If you're curious just search "logan paul japan" and enjoy the cringe.
Japan uses their streets for cars NewYorkCity uses their streets for the homeless..... there is obviously a problem with the translation of the word street , since it has a different meaning :P
Japanese: Can't find a trash bin? I'll just take it home with me... can't let the streets get littered! Americans: But the trash can is like... 20 feet away! I can't walk that far to throw my trash away! I'll just leave it on the ground!
OMG, that whole "maybe" thing! I taught English at a Berlitz school in San Francisco, which had contracts with several Japanese companies to teach their execs English, so most of my students were Japanese. It was very tricky to teach them negation/contradiction because they consider it rude to directly contradict a teacher. So for example, you'd show them a red pen and ask "Is the pen black?" with the expectation that they'd say "No, the pen is not black. The pen is red." But every time they'd answer with something like "Maybe the pen is red."
The response that always tickled me in such circumstances was the deeply earnest: 'Hmmm... difficult to say'. Reminds me, for a month or two out there (when still a youth) colleagues had an experiment of trying to get a local to say a plain simple no, not possible, or similar. You'd try to conversationally completely box them in to just that one answer, but could never do it. As you say it could be surreal.
I really hate that most Americans dont remove their shoes when going inside the home on their carpet and some of them going on the bed with shoes on, most American are unclean.
Regarding wearing shoes indoors, I've read that in Japanese homes, there's a separate set of slippers to wear in the bathroom, which makes so much sense. That's one practice I've adopted. I have my regular house slippers, then a set of rubber slippers for the bathroom.
I live in Japan, and have found that some non-Japanese people living here follow the rule of not wearing footwear inside but don't grasp the concept behind it. For example, on more than one occasion, I have seen people walk barefoot between each other's studio apartments. The reason people remove footwear is to not bring dirt inside, so although you might not wear footwear inside, by walking around outside barefoot, you are essentially negating the purpose of the custom.
It makes sense for everyone to be nice, to be polite, to maintain that air of harmony, to keep your opinion to yourself when you live in such a compact country like Japan.
Great video! Can you make an updated video about: What would be the best way for an American to learn Japanese? From a Japanese person’s perspective, if you could guide an American to learn Japanese, then what would be the most efficient tools/resources that you would recommend? What tools/resources have your American friends used that was very successful? What schools, books, online classes, apps would be the most valuable for an American to learn Japanese? Thank you so much!
I tried learning Japanese by reading a Language book and even had a day of learning Japanese and so far only remembered one sentence in Japanese with some bits here and there. It's been while since I used chopsticks but it's always been interesting to use them. Even though I may never be able to go to Japan, I still wanted to learn the language and culture.
I took japanese in college. It requires a lot more memorization than other languages, thanks to kanji. You basically just have to dedicate at least 5,000 hours to it to learn it, and it will take many years
I'm Japanese and I do a lot of sightseeing. I think this rule is possible depending on some place. For example, Onsen-towns, festivals, and some tourist spots（such as Miyajima）.
I found you on curiosity stream doing a documentary about cats in japan, I am finally going to japan next year after years and years of wanting to go, I am watching your videos to get me nice and prepped and ready, so thank you for all your amazing content. There seem to be so many rules which make logical sense in Japan.
Careful, most of his content is either incorrect or very misleading from the truth. I live in an ancient farmhouse in Kyushu and grow rice ... real Japan. .... my house cost just a few thousand dollars. Please avoid Tokyo at all costs if you are coming!!.
@@satoyama.rupert o yes no doubt, but I’m not in Japan very long so have to see the major cities really. Be like going to the uk and not visiting London for a few days
My favorite on my bucket-list is Japan. My partner doesn't appreciate this idea, because "Japanese people are racist". I cannot imagine why he thinks so and I don't really care about this opinion but do you guys have any information about it?
@@Mereszanh01 Yeah, they are. Japan is the most racist country in the world, Google it. However this has improved a LOT the past couple generations, most racists are old people now. But yeah a lot of Japanese people don't like foreigners, they're not racist as in slaves or any laws or stuff, but some people dislike foreigners and especially non-asians, and treat you differently.
Tristee I am very sad and embarrassing because the Japanese are considered racists. Since Japan is an island country, there has been little involvement with foreign countries since ancient times. There was a system called "sakoku". In other words, Japanese do not know foreigners well and are therefore afraid. However, international exchange has become popular recently, and some people, mainly young people, have friends who cross countries. I want to make this a country where foreigners can travel with peace of mind.
Alexandra missDUTCHESS wonderful! I have never been to the Caribbean, but I wonder what a very nice place. Where do you plan to go sightseeing in Japan? There are many ways to enjoy it depending on which season you visit. I like the cherry blossom season, spring. I wish you a wonderful trip.
@@user-ns8py4wj2h Me and a couple friends are considering a 2 week vacation in japan where we visit multiple cities and sightseeing places, for one section of it we are planning on trying the japanese club life, do you happen to have any tips for that? and perhaps a tip for a sketchy place we can buy weed lol
@@drmanjunath09 bro, that's totally different.it's alright to use your chopsticks to put some food in people's bowl, just not passing food with chopsticks.
I'm Japanese, but I think this video is mostly correct. Not following the signal or blowing your nose depends on your personal morals, so it varies from person to person, but you must follow other rules. Especially those who do not keep time recognize that they are sloppy and embarrassing as adults. Please come to Japan when Corona calms down!
I tend to not use the traffic lights if i think i can just wait for a decent opening since i can get across without stopping anyone while if i press the button and wait for it to go green then it will likely stop people after i have crossed plus they tend to last longer then it take for me to cross. Though i have seen quite a lot of people dashing across the road seconds before a car which i can definitely see as being a dick move plus dangerous.
Chris, thanks for sharing these rituals of Japan. My parents are from Japan(now we are in Vancouver,BC). I grew up being told these rituals. Another one I remember is that after attending a funeral, you throw salt on yourself so as not to allow the spirit of the deceased to follow you into your home. Some very unusual rituals in Japanese culture. Thanks for your entertaining vlogs. ありがとう🙏👍🏼
Germany too, if you are only on a short visit and your shoes are clean no one minds. If you stay at a friends place because he invited to a LAN Party weekend you can bring along your "Pantoffel", tough.
My first time in Tokyo I didn't notice that the pedestrian crossing had a light as well, so I was like "Oh, crossing" and just went to cross. A dad-aged guy behind me literally pulled me back by my collar just as a car went racing past.
@@drakassociate9833 There's a huge statue of Gojira at the Kurihama Flower World. en.japantravel.com/kanagawa/godzilla-at-kurihama-flower-world-yokosuka/16389
If you notice, though, he usually stops the video just before he actually does it (one exception that readily comes to mind is the chopsticks advice). For example, he holds the phone to his ear, but you don't hear him say anything, and he looks like he's about to walk into the street, but the video stops before he even has time to step off the curb.
Hmm not all is correct: Don't eat and walk - correct, same in Singapore and a few other places. Share and move food over - incorrect, we, they and Asians share food - so this is accepted. Hugs - yes just dont. Shoes, huh we dont walk in shoes in most homes in Europe either - but erm good vid just a small thing that didnt fit with my experience. :)
He's saying that you're allowed to share food, but put it on their plate or invite them to take it from yours. Do not directly pass food from chopsticks to chopsticks in mid-air.
Actually it was from chopstick to chopstick that we've done, and that together with Japanese hosts. Perhaps its because they were working class, at least it was in a rural place. But yes, inviting to take the food from your plate is considered ok.
All of the Japanese comments: You don’t have to be too strict about the rules. Please don’t be afraid. Some of things he’s pointed out, we don’t really care about it.
Japan is an introverts dream paradise. I can see why it wouldn’t be for everyone but a lot of these “societal hidden dos and don’ts “ I am totally fine with and wish were more common.
Only if you’re a tourist or foreign worker. Students have to do club activities after school every day, on Saturdays, and even during the summer holidays. Then at work, there’s massive social pressure to stay late after hours, and in many cases go drinking after work. :(
This is 100% true and I take it very seriously when I travel. You may be the very first person that someone meets from your country. If you’re rude they may think all people from there are rude.
"If you're the sort of person to have a debate or argument on things, people will find you obnoxious and dislikeable and probably just avoid you" As it should be. My kind of people!
Before knew anything or wanted to learn Japanese, I happen to do most of this stuff on my own so I think im going to enjoy living in Japan in the future.
That's why I love Latina girls, very affectionate and unafraid to get physical. On the very first date with my now long term Brazilian partner, she already spoke about how many kids we're gonna have 😂
You can use your phone on trains just not for talking. Messaging, using net, playing games or music (with headphones), or reading is perfectly fine. More accurately the rule is don't make noise on the train. Conversation is fine but keep it low and just be considerate of others around you.
I always got terrible looks of disgust and anger when i had whisper conversations with my partner on every crowded train in Japan..They accept nothing less than total silence.
@@enolp Because like every other Western country respect for those around you is NOT part of the culture..Its more like people only think about me..me..me..Very sad way to be and its opposite what the great man in the sky wants us to be like😊😊
As a Japanese opinion, the things you definitely must care about are ❌Tips ❌Calling in the train ❌Wearing shoes inside ❌throwing trash ❌crossing on a red But we would understand about rest of them. And as he said you don’t have to too much care about making mistake but enjoy Japan!! We are waiting!
@@poutineausyropderable7108 Nah that isn't a problem unless there's one right next to the entrance. Hospitals, hotels and any other public place has a rack for slippers next to the entrance. When you go to a friends place, socks and naked feet are fine. But like everyone else is saying, everyone accepts mistakes so they'll just be like "Sorry to mention this, we ask every customer(patient) to wear slippers inside our facilities".
I'm surprised to see that crossing on a red is one of the big ones not to do. Even if there isn't a car in sight? I completely understand not trying to get through quickly when there are oncoming cars (or if you live in the US, just walk out as slow as you can, daring the driver to hit you), but if there is no car anywhere to be seen it just feels like a waste of time.
This is the first time im seeing your channel, and after two Videos, this one and why not to go to japan, I only want to go there more. The culture, the difference in people, the way of life is something that intriges me so much! But where to start is where I always walk against :( Thanks for the nice content!
I’m Japanese, and I think the first is not so bad manners. It isn’t necessary to be careful about it, and I recommend that you come to Japan and eat many delicious our food with enjoying our beautiful town seeing
I'm Japanese. When you (or we) get phone call in train, you(or we) can use a phone and should say "I'll call back later as I'm on a train". You don't have to ignore that call, I guess. In addition, sometimes you can see some Japanese sit on a floor in train, but that is not manner... I'm sorry for my poor English. It would make me happy if my comments helped you.
Me: Leaves 10 cents tip and returns to home country next day Japanese people: tracks me through the world and comes to my country, to my state, to my city, to my home to return the tip
Never even had the thought about japan, this randomly got recommended to me but you are stating things which I definitely wouldn't like other people doing in the public like showing affection. Convincing
You can break the eating and drinking rule, when you are at a festival and there are food stalls around. I sometimes took quick drink from a bottle I was carrying, when it was hot. I found that just stopping for a moment out of the way somewhere that was not too crowded and having a quick sip and putting it back away, was acceptable, as long as your not walking while doing it. I never got nasty stares for it, and I have seen Japanese people do it. You could even get away with sipping a drink on a train, if its not crowded at the time, and you are careful not to spill a single drop, particularly if you have lid to put back on it and you put it away afterward. I tended not to do it, but you could get away with it, and I have caught Japanese people having a quick sip, although it was rare to see.
I'm Japanese. One piece of advice, you should carry your backpack in front of your body on trains, buses, and other public transportation. Have a nice trip.
Yeah and it's almost always toast, unless they're teying to break the cliche by making the anime girls eat a whole freaking bowl of ramen or sth while running to school 😂
@@user-ly9vg7bp6l I'm turning Japanese I think I'm turning Japanese at least I think so .... Seriously, grew up in Hawaii and was shooting the bull with some mainland US born Japanese people here in my favorite hangout, Japantown in San Jose California, and at one point the older lady said, "He's more Japanese than we are!". It's always good to brush up on things though. Seriously, the mainland's too cray, will retire back home in Hawaii. Now back to blowing my shakuhachi while I watch this crazy Brit's vids.
We hope that you will enjoy Japan. We don't care much about these. Things to watch out for is you don't want to go home. I am Japanese. Please excuse my poor English. Addendum Thank you for your comment
We actually do, just that they are in Japanese instead of English and you can choose to display it or not. Originally meant for people hard of hearing but many like to display them out of habit (eg. background noise making it hard to make out what's being said). And Japanese is a complex language; things can get confusing from just audio alone so I enjoy having the subtitles.
While you have a point, the OP meant to not expect to have any subtitles in real life when you go to Japan like you can get in Anime (at least for now...) for conversations, signs, etc...
I know someone who experienced the stare of disapprovement at a red light in Japan. It was a japanese teenager who crossed when the light hadn't turned green and every single person on both sides of the streets just stared this person into submission and he awkwardly stepped back onto the sidewalk.
@@hellothere5843 ik it's been 2 years ago lmaoooo but i think Elena meant was that her/his (referring to Elena) grandma walked by and screams as she saw the creator or the guy in the vid that Elena's watching just stabbed the chopsticks into the rice. (sorry if i make any grammatical mistakes- im not rlly good with english)
One of my favourite travel vlogs of all time - my son and I were in stitches - brilliant video. Will definitely be abiding those roles when we go next year (we are doing our research atm). I believe another one is not showing tattoos in public...
My mom really wants to spend a month in a country to know what life is in that country and I suggested we do Japan since we stayed there for 2 weeks last 2019 literally 2 months b4 covid 🤬. And thanks to this video I have gained a little more knowledge about life in Japan bc I knew some stuff about Japanese culture.
12 days of Christmas 12 disciples 12 months in a year 12 hours in a half day 12 seconds in...... 12 seconds Illuminati confirmed..... queue The X-Files theme song
So when someone hands you a business card, we should analyze it like: "Look at that subtle off-white coloring; the tasteful thickness of it... Oh my God, it even has a watermark."
Great video as usual. As a classic street crossing anywhere, any time Brit, I decided I was going to cross the road at a random part of the road with a lone cyclist approaching some 30 metres away on Karl Marx Strasse in Berlin last year. My mate stopped me crossing saying it was setting a bad example for the children, and so I waited. The cyclist also tutted me as he rode past.... This is also a city where you can drink booze in public in front of kids but yeah, cultural norms and abiding them is a thing
As a Japanese person, this is pretty entertaining because all of these are things that are normal and standard, but hearing it from the perspective of a tourist is kinda funny.
I am sorry to tell you but the thing with there not being any bins is stupid. Apart of that everything seems okay. Every country in this world has bins. I can't walk up with a shit ton of trash in my bag cause they don't have any bins. If you want to keep the streets clean you can just make the punishments very harsh for it like other countries do and it's fine, Japan is not the only "clean" country in the world.
I mean, it 's not like there aren't any bins anywhere. Places like train stations and convenience stores have them. There just aren't that many on the streets
@@dabbie2700 How could the city punish one random dude for throwing a piece of gum? Is there gonna be trash police? The reason why bins arent everywhere is to keep few places with trash and even those that exist are regulated often. Here in greece there is a shitton of trash cans that are ALL overflowing...
I am Japanese. We are very glad that everyone is coming from other countries. Don't be afraid of the rules, please come when the virus subsides. As there are many rules in Japan, but most people are kind.☺️🫶 【Postscript】 I am learning English now, but I was using a translator at the time I made this comment and replies, so sorry if I wrote something rude or wrong🙇♀️
April moreno Some Japanese people do not follow the rules. The rules differ from country to country, so it's natural that you can't follow them. I'm happy just because of your feelings.🥰
"No crossing roads on red" is my favorite. There is a channel of Yusuke who uploads just his speech in english and japanese as practice for foreign students. In the very first video he literally breaks this don't because he is genuanly lazy to press button for green light
I'm a Japanese, and I found this very useful. I get this kind of questions a lot but I don't have good answers. Being an expat for years, I think I'm breaking quite a few of them when I'm back in Japan. And I found the comment I made five years ago!
This is not only for Japan. The most general rule to follow when traveling anywhere, respect local customs and cultures. You will have a better time and also be received much better. Imagine you are a guest at someone’s home.
Crossing the street in the absence of traffic! Absolutely true. I was out at 3 am and spotted a party of drunken businessmen walking together. It was a small street, probably no traffic here even in daylight. Yet they all halted their march on the red stoplight. 3am at night. Not a living soul in sight. Madness
Yes, we Germans do that but it's rather rare and definitely not to the extent the Brits do. I actually got shouted at sometimes for doing it (o_O) But Japan taught me what it REALLY means to stick to the rules. So much fun to watch the reactions of people around us when my mother blew her nose in public (although I told her not to!).
@@sepmaz5080 Trash bin is a sign of dirtiness, which explains its lack of presence, although it's a pain in the ass to find one when you're out and about.
@@sepmaz5080 Terrorists are making bins rarer, they throw bombs in the bins and it’s discrete and makes shrapnel, urban designers are aware of this and make specially made terror resistant bins or just less bins
I live in Australia and actually am a seemingly absolute rule keeper here as I now realise I would be in Japan. One of the reasons is because Australian states (I am in Tasmania) are always very dirty with litter, and another is that the street crossings with lights are generally ignored. In the past I have felt strange about abiding by the rules when many people don't, but now I feel great. Thank you.
