I just came back from Japan, but you guys are so right about people being friendlier in Kyoto and Osaka. I definitely had more interactions with older people there and they were sooo sweet
Thanks you two for this! Will be going to Japan soon. Osaka: 3 Sisters Bowl/Wagyu Sisters/Sisters Bowl Kyoto: Okudenn (Near Fushimi-Inari Station); Dragon Burger (Near Fushimi-Inari Station); Red Rock [Common]; About Us Coffee
HARD AGREE with the difference between Tokyo and Osaka+Kyoto. Tokyo felt so... robotic. Everyone was dressed so fashionably or in work clothes and moved so fast. It was so overwhelming and I felt like I was in everyone's way. But once I got to Kyoto and Osaka, it was sooooo chill and relaxing. Loved Osaka and Kyoto!
I didn’t notice ppl being rude in Tokyo, but I did notice ppl were a lot more friendly and talkative in Osaka. They would even have full on conversations with me in English
OMG THANK YOUUUU❤ this is the most helpful, real, genuine and truthful video about Japan on RU-vid recently. I’m such a fan and am going to Japan NEXT WEEK and I needed this so bad because Instagram and other RU-vid tip videos aren’t as real as this. And the food information saved my soul because Ive been trying for a week to call restaurants and get reservations, it is so hard to book online and expensive. I’ve haven’t even tried it yet lmao! This is great!
Loved this video of tips and stories! Would love to hear more about suggestions for a first time person going to Japan: accomodations, basic words to learn before going, which city to start off with, etc.
I really enjoyed this podcast because you can hear the excitement and the care David has for Japan. It bought back all the fond memories I had whilst travelling Japan.
Hi David, love the video, love to see mariel back on I've lived in Japan for the majority of my life, and I'm so happy that you had a good time here. I gotta say, you got a few things wrong, but you also got so much right! So thank you for sharing these things to your audience! In case your interested, here are some corrections/extra info in no specific order: 1. Japanese people definitely love reviewing restaurants, and as you said later in the video, they're very strict, most places get a 3 cuz they're "okay", 4 and 5 is for really good places. 2. Ookini おおきに is just thank you in the Kansai dialect, it's not necessarily old school japaense. Kansai is a large region including both Oosaka & kyoto. If you're interested about the differences look up videos on Kansai dialect or 関西弁. 3. The (prtty accurate) stereotype in japan is also that people in Osaka are definitely way friendlier, but for Kyoto they're actually seen as colder and reserve --- but their service is top-tier, which might explain why you found them so pleasant. Ofc these are the stereotypes, and their are exceptions, but also I found them to be quite true.
my wife lived in Japan as well and also lived in Kyoto specifically while she lived there! I don’t think the stereotype that you observed is universally true maybe? Our friends in Japan who were born and raised there also agreed with us as well about Kyoto hospitality so I dunno 🤷♂️ maybe your experience is different but it wouldn’t make our experience wrong would it? We were having conversations about life where we’re from and etc with the business people in Kyoto so I don’t think that’s cold at all unless we lucked out 20 times lol ahaha!
@@DavidSoComedy Thanks for the reply! I respectfully take my statement back, you guys were not wrong, it was just different from my experience. I've always lived in Fukuoka, and only been to Kyoto a few times. So, having lived there, I'm sure your wife's experience of Kyoto is much more reliable.
My house isn’t always clean but we I go out to the park or public place I always threw my trash in a trash and I’ll hold on to it until I find a trash can . That’s just giving other people a opportunity to enjoy our land and places like I did. My parents taught me as a child that’s it’s just a natural thing to do.
Long time fan here! I was on the shinkansen the same day it got stuck due to the typhoon! lol, from Osaka to Kyoto for me. thought i'd get stuck there for another day. I actually ended up going to some spots you and mariel had posted on your ig stories, like that dango place in Kyoto! Its nice seeing you guys talk on the food experience. Ive lived in nyc my whole life but never really cared about the food scene until i went to japan and realized how much fun it can be going on food crawls and exploring a city that way. imagine the disappointment coming back to these prices tho haha. anyways love the pod im happy to geek out knowing we visited japan around the same time
this was a comforting listen after coming back from my trip to japan. video def made me realize the difference between tokyo and osaka / kyoto. my brother and i would shop and thrift for clothes a lot and would love asking the price of expensive items knowing we werent gonna buy them and i can def tell some workers would be annoyed LOL. funny to look back on now. great video
I just got back from a week in Japan (2 days in Kyoto, 5 days in Toyko). I highly agree with everything discussed. Food is good everywhere and cheap. I loved how everyone follows the rules and has a agreed on social morality (u can leave ur bag and come back to it untouched). I would say though, we went to a conveyor belt sushi restaurant in Shibuya and it had surprisingly lower quality fish (comparable to sushi where I'm from, in the midwest). But nonetheles, it wasnt nasty sushi either. I never really had a bad experience with people, but we did enjoy kyoto more, and wished we stayed there for at least another day.
Omg David's lost so much weight since I'm normally just listening to his pod cast. I did a double take and thought he was a different person! Absolutely inspiring me to keep going!
Hey David, I’m not sure if you ever went over this about Mariel. But can you ask how she got started in art and animation, what routes she took, and ultimately what made her follow her dreams of being a animator, as well as how her studies/practice went? Also, I just want to say thank you for your content. I’ve been watching you since I was 13y/o. I’m 25 now and I listen to your podcast as well as Dudes behind the Foods while I’m at work. I’m currently at a factory job with a rough schedule that changes every Friday between mornings, mids, and graves. I love art and would love to refine my craft in that area but unfortunately don’t have the most time to really invest as of now. I work, come home, gym, train Muay Thai, cook, clean, shower, sleep, repeat. What’re some things you’d recommend or kind of advice that you or Mariel could share? I know I don’t want to be in this factory for my whole life. However the money’s pretty good for this little cow town I live in.. however I see how people can get stuck there. I don’t want to lean on the excuse of “I don’t have enough time” but with how things are..I really don’t have the most time especially when I work 50 sometimes 60 hours a week. I want to work toward my bachelors but I’m not even sure what route to take at this point. I’ve had to sacrifice a lot of my hobbies and passions to work full time I would like to add that you’ve made a pretty big impact on my life and early years as a teenager going into high school. It help mold a sort of mindset I have of not really caring about what others thought of me which led me to embracing what my interests were regardless if they would be considered “lame” or “nerdy”
Hey David I love ya man have a great day. You talking about gratitude has really impacted me in that I try to be more grateful for every day things. The fact that I have two feet and two hands is cause enough for celebration. Take care always supporting you.
That’s the key to happiness and finding yourself in dark times and places. Life is short and it’s supposed to suck every now and then. But we’re blessed !!
Very helpful! Learned a good amount of tips that will definitely help my trip next year! Excited for photographing the experience and eating hella food 🥲 And probably geek out internally here n there
I haven't even began listening yet, but the thumbnail speaks VOLUMES if you've been to Japan. Yebisu trumps all other Japanese domestic beers, and that Takoyaki could specifically be from a spot in a department store that is super popular. I don't recognize the silver can so I have to try that next time! In 2019 I proposed to my wife at the steps of Suga Shrine. IYKYK the significance of that spot! We spent our days in the Southern Tokyo and Yokohama side because we stayed in Yokosuka. We traveled all the way to Chiba to experience Ginza as well which was crazy different vibes than when we'd "go back home" for the day. Vibes between just a few city blocks can be drastically different when doing local things its beautiful to see the diversity within the country. Hope to visit Osaka and southern Japan next time! Fun fact: We've kept up with David and Mariel's relationship for a number of years and had so many similar interactions it's absolutely wild!
I just came back from my very trip to tokyo and seoul with some friends. it was so much fun and eye opening. Im definitely keeping this video for my 2nd trip to japan. Also would you be able to do a similar video for Korea?
Dang I'm literally planning a japan trip for next year so i really wanna thank David and Mariel for this video because videos online are so complicated FOR WHAT!
Very helpful insights! I'm going to Japan early Aug. for a 2 week vacation (and mainly Pokemon Worlds) so a lot of this info is helpful. I plan on following this 7-day itinerary I found just for Tokyo for some guidance, but food and the general tips from this video are great to know.
I don’t know why anyone isnt mentioning this but David!! Ur multiple role in “Joy Ride” as Deadeye and Sheryl Cola’s child version actor was amazing. Spot on!
It used to be you’re not allowed to get the tourist JR Pass in Japan. Buy it looks like temporarily you are able to get it in Japan. Straight from the website: “For a limited time only, you can buy a Japan Rail Pass from certain train stations and airports in Japan. Travelers should be aware it is more expensive to buy a JR Pass in Japan than to purchase the pass online. The JR Pass will be available to buy in Japan until March 31, 2024. Japan Railways has not announced whether the period will be extended beyond this date.”
JR Pass reminder: prices increase from October this year, but if you purchase the voucher before September 25, you can get it at the lower prices. Vouchers are valid for 90 days from when you have them.
I've been to Japan twice and the only place I had a negative dining experience was actually in Kyoto. This happened way back in 2016. I don't remember the name of the place or if it was a restaurant vs an izakaya but I remember it was maybe a 10 minute walk from Kyoto station and the staff was incredibly rude to me and my friend. We were enticed to go in since one of their staff members stood outside and spoke to us in English which made us assume they would have other English speaking staff. We shouldn't have assumed in hindsight but lots of things in life could've been done differently in hindsight. After sitting down we noticed our table didn't have menus (many restaurants in Japan already have a couple menus at the table in what looks like a napkin holder) and we noticed other tables had menus. We were sat in a corner a bit hidden away, so I tried to get the attention of the waitress by saying "Sumimasen" (which means excuse me) and she replied "chotto matte". At the time I had no idea how rude that was since I never fully learned what was considered rude vs polite phrases in a dining setting like that. For context, "chotto matte" is a very informal way to say "wait a bit", usually you would say this between friends in a social setting or to someone younger than you. In a setting where you're the customer the proper way that someone is supposed to ask you to wait is very formal: "sho shou omachi kudasai". Sadly at the time my clueless self didn't react and I only found out later how rude it was when mentioning it to a friend who lived in Japan for a couple years. There were a couple other major things that happened that night in that restaurant/izakaya that honestly ruined my experience of Kyoto especially since I was only there for a couple days. We were most likely treated rudely since we were clearly foreigners which is truly disappointing and I hope that restaurant or whatever it was is closed down forever. If I ever do happen upon it the next time I go to Kyoto I will definitely let them know of the horrible experience I had there.
Agreed, subway system is very particular, its not as easy. There is scheduled trains to certain destinations which won't stop at every station. We've missed a stop before and waited for the next train to take us back anddddd it just kept going.
Also use the SUICA (PASMO, ICOCA, etc) on cabs, convenience stores, vending machines, restaurants, etc. Not all places allow Suica but hella convenient. Less coins to carry around. BTW, Yamanote-line. Not Yamamoto.
I've heard the same complexities mentioned in the beginning here are the same for when traveling to Korea as a foreigner too. Would there be any advice for Korea too?
Can you and Mariel also make a video about traveling to Korea too? I really enjoy your videos and love listening to your opinions. I really appreciate these videos. 😊
It's true. I've been living in Japan for over 20+ years. I don't often go to where tourists go and my food is just as good if not better and cheaper. There are no lines because it is just a place you would only know by living here. One tip...Sushiro is awesome! In America, bad sushi is already expensive. I don't understand why tourist go to expensive sushi places. Sushiro is a good price and delicious.
Benihana or Tanaka of Tokyo : Teppanyaki = the one where the chef creates a show for their hungry customers / audience. Hibachi = outdoor (on the beach) BBQ / barbeque. Dingy, unnamed Street Names, Hole-in-a-Wall restaurants = Awesome ! (no need for Yelp or Zagat restaurant reviews) I wonder if the Harajuku fashion is still happening in the Shibuya area (that one multiple cross walk area, in Tokyo). Izakaya = Bars serving Alcohol and Snacks, like uh, Edamame or Peanuts. Night Markets / Bazaar = some could be fun. Taking Hot Springs baths, would be cool though, like in the isolated wilderness countryside, located by a (feudal area) Japanese castle. Great Tips: eating and walking together... not talking so loud... (like any Asian (Chinese/Korean/Viet/Thai) or American group tour (package deal) bus (think Greyhound): two of the tourists be talking loud, but that could be, like, their normal behavior).
Haven't had time to watch it in full yet, just wanted to add a thing about the JR Pass. JP gov is coming up with some measures to reduce over-tourism, so starting Oct-Nov 23 they are doubling the prices of the pass, i.e. it won't be that worth it anymore unless you take the shinklansen like every day... there are a bunch of RU-vidrs who made videos about the change, too. So for those who plan to travel, do it asap! Or at least buy the pass before the change, it doesn't expire for 3 months afterwards. Thank you for the podcast!
I bet that there are Squat Toilets / (fancy pants) French bidets / bum gun (aka "kitchen sink sprayer" accessories), minus the (plastic) toilet seat, in Japan.
I had to come back and rewatch, I was AFK 😅 there are a few things I would want to see and learn about before I dip my toes into anime culture because I too really love the Ghibli films 👁👄👁 Shinto religion architecturally the structures I find to be so beautiful. Also, I wanna learn about the history (like a deep dive) visit some shrines and then learn the mythology there as well. I also wanna visit Sudo Honke it would be so cool to see the making of sake in person. Those are just a few things I can think of off the top of my head There's so much to take in.
