OH NO!!!!!!!!!! I didn't expect his! 🤣 0:36 I see what you did there! 4:30 Yeah I got told by a lot of people from Florida that what I was talking about seemed pretty normal for them. 19:21 VERY WELCOME! 20:00 Yeah I get a little too excited when I talk about stuff like this. 22:23 Gez... I had no idea bout that... 26:00 I absolutely agree on that. That ending was beautiful man... It gives me an idea for something.
So, there's probably another couple of years to go, and a group called Shinsengumi to be annihilated, before the decision to open the gates wide will be made.
When studying online at 3am every day last semester, we started ro use the term 'sakoku dai-ni' in reference to that quite early. It was interesting to see that Japanese newspapers started to reference the edo period isolation too from February onwards...
@@corgansow7176 when you take into account that some of us ain't form financially stable countries it becomes apparent what a problem your statement is
I'm frustrated because I'm an old foreigner who doesn't have a lot of years to wait to be able to get back to Japan one more time. I've been 5 times, I studied Japanese for years, I'm aware of most of the cultural rules and try to obey them even though they're not instinctual and I do slip up. I'm very much an introvert who basically keeps to myself to observe rather than interact except occasionally. In other words I try not to be the stereotypical gaijin tourist. I hope that I can take a month or two like I did before, and take one more trip when I retire in 3 years, when I can still afford it.
I already can tell you are not the stereotypical tourist :)so don’t worry! I’m so so soooo happy to hear that you want to come to Japan again🥰 I and Japan are waiting for you! 💕🥺
No worries. They will be open by spring 2023. Just a bit more time. We want them to accept us back in and not hold grudges towards foreigners for being allowed back in before they were ready and willing. With one more vaccine and another year of knowledge of covid japan will get back to being fully open next year. They just have to. The economy and small business is hurting.
@@WythenshawePhil Gaijin means foreigner/outsider in Japanese. There are people who don’t respect different culture or rules because they are too ignorant when they go to abroad. You can find them anywhere in this world unfortunately. That’s kind of person.
@@WythenshawePhil people who treat travel like a day at the zoo instead of an experience to learn about something different and enrich your life personally. I know someone who goes places just to say they went, and while they're not super rude they do have this condescending air about them when they go abroad.
It’s definitely understandable in regards to the elderly population and fear, but I’ve also read a lot of comments elsewhere that say it’s hypocritical that Japanese travel internationally freely. It seems it always comes up in any conversation about this.
exactly. for us students its also kinda ironic, cause the japanese students can come to our countries, but we can not go to Japan. We do appreciate the japanese students and that they are able to make the experience od studying abroad, at least we are able to meet and practice our japanese skills with them too. But I know a lot of fellows that cancelled their plans to study abroad in Japan, although they now kinda opened up for international students again, because it is still unsure if you will be really able to go, starting next semester.
@@TheGarbron Umm, Japanese who studied aboard was in fact stigmatized as impure student. So yeah, Japanese DOES have problem with that. Less so about tourist, though.
@@victoriazero8869 Nahhhh. The point is that Japanese people were ALLOWED to leave and enter other countries. Yet Japan literally didn't let anyone enter who wasn't Japanese. Not even if a student was willing to go through the exact same quarantine and restrictions.
Japanese people living abroad going back to Japan were cursed at and people said "why did you come back now, worst time to come back, go back to where you live now" so as they said In the video even Japanese people are feeling the stigma. I mean if you can't go from city to countryside even.
@@Cartathra I’ve personally talked with a few Japanese who traveled back and forth on several occasions. Not once did they say anyone ever said a thing to them about it. I’m sure it happens, when people may get grief about it - but not as often as some are making it out to be.
People are scared but also a lot of people are xenophobic. I will never forget that during the pandemic, us foreigners living in Japan got screwed badly. Residents knows how to behave in Japan because they live here, but Japan just decided to cherry pick who is allowed to come just based on nationality. I have been living here for 7 years, payed my taxes (I pay way more taxes than average actually), behave nicely, and so on. But all of this doesn't count. I know some people that got stuck outside after spending more than 20 years in Japan. This is our home, and paying rent for our home but not being able to go back home was really a dirty move.
@@donaldsanver4744 You've been able to enter Japan for quite a while now if you have a Japanese spouse. I am currently in Japan and just needed to apply for a VISA. Took a few days.
Japanese Tourist Agencies are complaining. They are suffering, having to borrow to stay afloat. I heard one comment “Our tours are like North Korea now!”
As I said before, I really appreciate your unbiased take on your own culture. If things are bad, you tell it as it is. No candy-coated comments, no nonsense. More power to you!
So basically, a large number of elderly people out of touch with what's actually going on in their country, and how their decisions affect the rest of the population, while they live comfortably? Are you sure you're talking about Japan and not the US?
Speaking of miserable summers! I feel like US tricks the elderly to move to Florida and Arizona for retirement because they're more likely to pass faster from heat stroke and dehydration.
@@ZebraLuv For many, the hot weather feels a lot better versus the cold. Especially if you have arthritis or other chronic illness made worse by cold weather. The higher number of sunny days in these warm places is also better for mental health.
Was in Japan for the first time in Late May / Early June 2019, I can´t stress how lucky I was to get the chance to see Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka at their best shortly before Covid. I really want to go back, but not until it is possible to 1. Travel freely again, 2. See the faces of locals and tourists alike. 3. Connect and befriend locals. Having an open and respectful mind and trying some Japanese first before jumping over to English and also pointing out you are not a a native English speaker yourself helped alot. Hopefully things will return closer back to the mask free reality of 2019 in 2023 in Japan and that everyone can enjoy the country at its best, just as it was supposed to be in 2020 with the Olympics, Super Nintendo World and so on. I really hope the Japanese tourist industry survives until that point as I met so many wonderful people in 2019 and I know from facebook chats that many of them are struggling.
If you say that about Japan, it was even worse in USA where Asian people were being attacked physically in some places, and some elderly Asians even died. I'm an Asian, but in the beginning of the pandemic, every non-Asian looked at me differently, the adults would distance their kids away from me just because I coughed (while wearing a mask) in a supermarket, saw people just yell at Asians for no reason but pure xenophobic tendencies. The pandemic just brought out the ugly side of everyone in general.
@@missplainjane3905 I live in the USA. I said I'm Asian, but only ethnically. I'm actually an US Citizen. Not that it matters to some non-Asian Americans.
@@missplainjane3905 Honestly, you can't easily generalize a country because it's a mix depending on where you are, the experience vary greatly. For example, Tokyo is a 10 in technology and food, but you have to go out of your way to the countryside to see the best scenery, friendly people, and historical architectural designs. It's definitely an advanced country in terms of convenience, but pretty backward in other aspects such as politics and law enforcement.
Yeah… my friends who have small children in Japan are frustrated because the elderly keep voting against more daycare centres opening up because of “noise” from children and as a result theres always a long wait list for existing daycare, and new ones are hardly ever green lit to be built all because t he elderly want quiet for the rest of their lives
I'm not an elderly person. My neighbours in Toronto, Ontario, Canada were noisy at midnight because that's when they return from work. Tenant below me complained to the landlord in 2019. Landlord issued two notices of eviction. I filed a case and it was a stalemate. Landlord had no proof. He ignored all my written, video and audio evidences. The whole fiasco ended exactly two years since it started. Tenant is a marijuana smoker. Our PM legalized it. When I called to complain, Landlord told me to move. Even though I didn't cause any problems, a lazy landlord would rather evict me than deal with the problem. I appreciate peace and quiet like the elderly people in Japan. It's not pleasant when they only think about their welfare and expect the younger generation to just let them have their ways. The unfairness is real after my apartment fiasco so, I feel sorry that the old folks voted against having a daycare. And no, I don't need your sympathy at all. Please use that for your friends.
@@aisumelef211 I feel sorry for the neighbours who got evicted because they work night too (this happened to me before. They said I’m noisy at 6am when o come home but they’re noisy at 8am-12pm when I’m trying to sleep too. But day people (majority) has the upper hand just like the elderly do in Japan. It’s not really fair
@@SebastianLarsen you think that’s an option for everyone? It takes a village to raise a child they say. Some people are single mothers, some families don’t have enough money to live on single income etc etc More and more mothers have to go back to work these days. It’s just the reality of it
@@ningyosama4782 Thank you for highlighting that Environmental factor is crucial for children development. Schools unable to offer organizatorial and internal events along with Social Media becoming the main source of human interaction resulting in internal collapse of many parenthoods and educational qualities in my area.
As someone who's visited Japan several times, the last thing I'd do is join a tour with so many restrictions. I've read the conditions (visa, minimum 85K health insurance, limited choices of places to visit/stay/eat, if one tested positive for covid, everyone in the group will need to quarantine ) online and it's not feasible for the way I travel. We'll see how much changes there'll be after the July election, but in the meantime, I'll be preparing to travel somewhere else in Europe. I can wait. I just feel sorry for the little people who work in the tourist industry there.
Same. I've been there every other year for almost 20 years now (before the beer bug struck), alsways staying at one place or another for at least a week, sometimes longer. Those tours ... nah, thats not it. It's the same as the Japanese tourists here in Europe that get carted from one place of interest to the next, sometimes not even stopping there. That is very much not what I want, so yeah, I'll wait until I can travel (somewhat) freely on my own again, like I did so many times before.
My wife (japanese from Kyoto) is visiting from New Zealand right now. She has been warned about visiting her relatives in the countryside because of the ‘Fear of foreigners possibly bringing covid’. She also told me of grown up kids working in city areas being unable to visit their parents in their hometown for the last two years because of Pressure from the local elderly in the community. So, yes it is a real thing at present. Thanks for a great presentation. 🙂
@octavio medeiros nope. I'm originally from Israel and will be visiting my family there for the first time in 3 years this August. I think most countries went into hysterical mode over the C, not just Japan.
Well imagine u snd ur buddies are all 80, 90, 100 plus years old and then some irresponsable people wants to visit and bring you covid??? What for the visit? If u asked me, I‘d say no thanks to visitors as well. Or they need to quarantine like 3 weeks and test and all. But an old village can‘t afford all that, so, go away visitor!
I can see that some things that you have discussed were difficult to speak on, but the honesty of the discussion is greatly appreciated. Having been to Japan and having visited both big cities and small villages, I feel lucky to have gone prior to the Covid outbreak. It was a very enjoyable trip, and the people were wonderful.
I've been using the pandemic to save up money to visit Japan and all of what Goomba said were my own reasons to not go this summer (despite it being when I was plannign to go regardless of when the borders were going to be open). I just wanted to spend a couple weeks in Tokyo and visit some places in its prefecture, Kanagawa and Ibaraki, and I'll take the first chance I can get to go *without* restrictions. I don't take tour guides on museums and I don't plan to have to follow one for visting Japan when I want to visit very niche places.
I went in late July through most of August in '18. I went because it was my 60th birthday and I wanted to celebrate in Tokyo on my birthday, unfortunately it was the summer of record heat, my first couple of days there the weather was constantly on all the news programs, one day it was 45 Celsius, utterly miserable most of the time. The only relief was when a typhoon came by and dropped the temperature down into the upper 20's C. Never again!
@@captainnerd6452 I want to visit either in August or December since I want to attend to Comiket, and I don't feel like the weather is going to be that big of a deal. I live in a very humid area and I spend most summers in places about as hot as that. I can handle it. If anything I'd be more worried on the money spent on water.
If I was in Japan I would like to go explore it thank to RU-vidr life where I form he shown some interesting place like that town where the winter are harsh and how they survive he did a few video on it last month
I recommend visiting near the end of the year - november/fall is a beautiful time to go if you can do that. I think the country will open up more by that time too
@@captainnerd6452 Don't mind me asking. 1) Do you consider Japan as a highly developed and advanced country ? 2) How would you personally rate Japan (from culture to technology, architecture, food, local products, scenery/landscape, standard of living/quality of life, etc.) on a scale level of 1 to 10 ? 3) How would you describe the overall chracteristics of Japanese people ? 4) If you have 3 words or more to describe Japan, what would it be ?
My grandmother in Oita passed away last year and I (in Saitama) was unable to attend the funeral because my uncle was worried about if I bring the virus there. He works as a bus driver and his girlfriend works in a care facility so they work closely with people (many elderly) so I understand their hesitation. But this just shows that many around Japan are worried about “outsiders” coming in, even if that means between different prefectures or cities
Man, I'm sad to hear that. I missed Saitama and was going to work in Wako (RIKEN). After 2 years of delays and despite having 3-years of postdoctoral funding, I declined to go. Regrettable that the Japanese government made the choices they did. Some delays were expected, not 2 years.
Kyoto sounds like the part of Georgia (U.S.) where I live. It's extremely humid here and today temperatures are to reach +104f (+40c). In August is also a deadly time here, and in the states that's when school kids are practicing foot ball, and there are always heat related deaths every year, sadly.
Kyoto is this fairly flat basin surrounded by mountains. So in certain types of weather, all the hot humid air just gets trapped in there with no where to go. Mexico City I hear is similar.
Maybe this sounds a little harsh, but I do find it really shameful that the elderly population would tunel vision so hard on it's own priorities that they leave no breathing room for younger people to make decisions or change things, talking from the point of view of someone who prioritizes the happiness and sucess of a country's future generation.
Older generations from any area more likely to be close minded and even say hateful things even against their own people. Double the amount of people of let’s say US and you have a recipe for disaster.
@@ad_kk16 My financee were originally planning to get married next summer followed by backpacking from Aomori to Sapporo for our honeymoon (assuming the tourism situation had fully opened up by then). We're both transgender, and with it looking like LGBTQ rights are likely next on the SCOTUS hitlist, we're now seriously considering a courthouse wedding so we can start getting our express entry application moving. That way, with any luck in 2023 our summer trip will hopefully be to Canada - permanently. Perhaps that way in 2024 we can take our long awaited (if delayed a bit more) honeymoon to Japan.
Kind of true, but from their point of view, older people are more vulnerable to covid. When a quarter of Japan’s population are in the highly vulnerable category, why would they sacrifice a huge number of lives for the benefit of the shrinking young population?
If I wanted to go on a tour group where everything was pre arranged planned and scripted with no freedom of action I'd go to North Korea. I have been to Japan twice before as a solo traveler giving me total freedom to travel, sightsee and everything else at my own pace, and that is what I will do again if and when all travel restrictions are removed.
Precisely, the attraction Japan has to many is the ability to get around fairly freely, with rail passes and IC cards it was super easy. Being stuck with a tour group would just suck.
@@paulorocky I never did it that way....always went off on my own...lived in a fijian fishing village for one month...have lived in northern thai hill tribes for months on end...have stealth camped a lot in suburban bushland in my country and also camped in buddhist temple grounds...being stuck to the schedule of a group and subjected to the behaviours of annoying assholes would be terrible...it goes against the spirit of travel...hanging around people taking pics of everything would be as annoying as fck
Hmmmm.....Organized tourism, putting fear in peoples mind about opening up for tourism, policies made by politicians who want to bankrupt the country, who are letting their country being bought out by China....I'm afraid their government is becoming easier to be taken over by the communists. Wake up Japan!! You are better than this!!
Where I live, Miyazaki Prefecture, whenever I visit any kind of doctor we are always asked if we have been out of the prefecture in the last 2 weeks. Covid is pretty much everywhere but that image of it being from "Outside" is very much still around, and I don't see any sign of that changing any time soon.
@@cfG21 No, it's not meant as disrespectful and it isn't targeted at me because I am foreign either. It's just one of the standard questions upon enterting a medical institute around here now. My point was that there is a thought process that has built up that covid is from outside and that you are at much much lower risk if you stay in your own region - regardless of your activities or interactions within that region. I personally find that to be absolute nonsense due to the wide spread proliferation of Covid across the country. However, in the early stages it was a very valid point. For most of 2020 there was little to no community transmission in Miyazaki prefecture with the majority of the 10 or so cases a day were from people leaving and then returning to the prefecture. There was like 3 months or so in mid to late 2020 where there were 0 cases in the region. As such, the mentality of Covid being from outside was reinforced into the local population. That conditioning hasn't fully changed yet, hence why it's such a common question in places like medical facilities. It's just procedure, and in Japan, changing established procedure is a long, arduous and often fruitless endeavor.
I’m a little conflicted because I’m coming to Japan this August as an international student - Kansai Gaidai’s finally able to accept people coming over again and this has been a work in progress for almost two years at this point. I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable, but this is also my best and last chance of ever being able to go, at least in the foreseeable future, and I’ve worked too hard to let it slip away now. I guess, another way for me to look at it is that it’s my job now to help the people I meet overseas become more comfortable with change and foreigners returning. I’ll do my best. :)
How does being an International Student in Japan work? My sister is studying abroad in France rn at an all French school -- Can they teach you in English, or no?
You don’t need to worry about coming here as an international student, almost none of what has been said here will apply to you. I’m studying at 京都外大 right now as an exchange student and having a blast
I’m also moving to japan in August as a student!! I hope you have a smooth transition into the country! I’ve been to japan several times, I genuinely love japan! this covid situation makes me a bit nervous tho 😅
I totally agree with this. After 6 months of online study during the night at 3am I was finally able to come to Japan in March. I do enjoy every second now but honestly, I did not feel welcome at all. There were so many regulations and the government only opened up to outside pressure not cause they wanted to - or that's at least the feeling I get. I also got severly cursed at by a passerby in the countryside (I was wearing a mask, so it was really just because I was a foreigner...). Never been cursed at so badly in my life. I can ignore this one person, but it does add to the overall feeling. Aside from that, there are way more nice people that are very friendly in everyday life, but the other side of the medal leaves a very bitter aftertaste additionally to how we had been treated last semester. What might be also something to consider is the fact that the government might go back on the deal any minute if there is a change in the situation. In November we were told we could finally get our visa, and two weeks later they totally closed again.
Wow, really? I've been here 6 years, throughout the pandemic, and gone hiking in more remote areas and small towns and never even got a mean look or comment. I've always been aware that there are people like that, just have been lucky enough never to meet them I guess...
I participated in the city matsuri earlier this year. It was the first time it's been held since before the virus and there were a lot of people who were happy to be celebrating it again. But during the parade I did see some older people who looked like they weren't happy with the matsuri and just wanted it to go back to their regular daily life
@@КристиянТрънбашев-ш6г You have a very inaccurate view of them, I'm afraid. There's a lot of hypocrisy & selfishness in Japanese society underneath the polite veneer. It's the cause of a lot of their social issues.
My only hope is that the younger generation of Japan today will not repeat the same mistakes as what their older counterparts did. The society of Japan will be doomed if they continue down this path and do not embrace change and be open to new ideas.
Japan absolutely has to open more than ever to foreigners and allow that to be a livable place for all. It’s clear as day that the yen is trash, economy is on the hole, and japan does not export any real life integral commodities. But has to import all that stuff. The population is not near enough to sustain its own society. Look at Philippines who has the fastest and best growing economy in SE Asia, they have been exporting and importing workers forever and there is such a conglomeration of people. There is a reason for that. If japan stays closed, they won’t even be a second thought years away. Right now, I heavily suggest Philippines or Singapore who by far have the most tourist friendly economies in Asia.
@@covershopkid Japan may be too closed but heaven help it if it ever decides to adopt the EU's or the US' approach to immigration (basically open borders).
@@tturtle1659 certainly it’s not a dichotomy and there is a balance to strike. But with such large mainland countries around, I’m not sure how many people would prefer to come to a tiny island with not many opportunities compared to entirety of US or EU. I think Japan is great as a tourist spot but to find work here can be tough for sure.
I also hope the same as you, however, the old folks run the show, and are set in their ways. Quite frankly, Elon Musk's prediction about Japan has 60% chances of happening if no societal changes happen to Japan and they just remain on business as usual.
I truly appreciate that he spoke the hard truth and we don't know how this is going to pan out starting now and in the future. I appreciate you and many channels that gives us a better understanding about Japan. Thank you always.
I'm frustrated because the whole situation was completly mismanaged. I'm not specifically talking about Japan or the Japanese, I have more of an understanding for you guys then for my own (german) countrymen. Your population is quite old, going-with-the-flow is pretty common, change takes a lot of time etc. etc. I get that with you guys. But oh boy is the whole debate annoying, it's like talking to medieval peasents sometimes. The virus is endemic everywhere, there is NO, ZERO, NONE, reason to keep people out of ANY country. You won't protect anyone with this. Let's just hope that sanity returns someday. Again, it's not a critique on you guys specifically, I get the concerns, even though the measures are useless.
"Like talking to medieval peasants" I'm picturing the duck scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. 😂 Don't be afraid to roast the Japanese politicians tell 'em like it is.
21:54 the same exact thing happened in Italy. A lot of young people from the south study/work in the North (were originally the virus fist appeared) and when they started to come back home from fear of the virus and there were people OUTRAGED, telling their own people to go back to were the virus was to not infect them too...
I'm glad I'm not old enough to travel by myself, I'll probably wait till I'm 18 or untill borders have opened up completely. This is a great video, keep it up!
Shogo's point at @21:24 is exactly what happened here in rural areas of canada actually. A lot of small towns either posted signs saying no outsiders or blocked the entrances, as well as a lot of first nations reserves also did. Some areas around me still have signs or blockades saying no visitors because of the vulnerable populations, they often have a few people from town who go get anything needed from outside and bring it in It seems unreasonable from outside, but from the smaller communities point of view this is the only way they wont lose lives to the virus especially in immunocompromised or aging populations who might not have the access to medical care they need.
Thank you for the honest explanation, it really helped. My honeymoon to Japan was planned on spring 2020 but got postponed because of the pandemic, now we're planning to go on November. But after seeing this, my husband and I might have to postpone our visit again while closely monitoring the regulations.
I like his advice at 8:19 : pick one region or metro to explore. I went to all the big cities in Kyushu in Feb 2019. It was a lot of fun and I didn't feel rushed.
As someone from a tropical country, I say November is also a great month to visit Japan. Just the right coolness. I've been to Japan 5 times, 3 of them during November.
The problem I have is that Japanese citizens can freely travel between G7 countries without any restrictions while citizens from other G7 counties have been locked out of Japan. From a political standpoint, it’s very odd to see such a large disparity between how Japanese citizens are treated abroad and how Japan treats foreign travelers. I understand if the country is “not ready” to accept foreigners, but the international community is noticing the disparity and it is already having an impact Japan’s relationships with other counties.
But Japanese people aren't really travelling and they're a known quantity. Like it or not, non-Japanese just will generally not follow the unwritten rules. Remember, mask wearing and vaccination was NEVER legislated in Japan. It's not ILLEGAL at all to NOT wear a mask... it's an unwritten rule. Enough foreigners would not comply with these unwritten rules that it would end up being a problem.
@@TheNewGreenIsBlue Japanese people have been traveling to major US tourist destinations such as Hawaii and California in increasing numbers. However, the number is irrelevant to the fact Japan expects their citizens to receive special treatment abroad while locking out citizens of other G7 countries. It would be entirely within the rights of the G7 members to mandate that countries must have reciprocal treatment of their nationals in other countries. This would mean if Japan insisted on locking out other G7 countries, the same would be applied to Japanese citizens.
First time in Japan was December 2019. We hung out for 8 days knocking around Tokyo and went to Winter Comiket. It was great. We hope to be back this December but if they are still doing the tours, we'll pass.
My parents are in their 60s and prefers the guided tour. When my mom and I went last 2019 she actually got upset that it was not a completely guided tours that our travel agency arranged for us. She absolutely refused to commute to meet the tour group and to commute from our train drop off point back to our hotel. We ended up just going around the small portion of Tokyo that our hotel was located in. I think my mom was scared of getting lost 😅
I have family in Kochi and Nara that I really want to go visit. Even though they might allow me to visit, this video hits the hard truth that everyone else wouldn't want me there. I'm very conflicted, but thanks for making this video.
I'm headed over to Japan in mid-July for over a month and I am not looking forward to it. I am going on a spouse visa and the local consulate warned me to keep my Koseki with me at all times because my "spouse" visa is technically the same as the visa for tourists ... Even friends that live there now and have permanent residency have been getting stopped by police more often because the police think they are "tourists" who got away from their tour-guide.
I feel you too Shogo, as a fellow men working in Tourism industry, I also feel frustrated and helpless with this situation. Thanks for the great vid as always!
With all my respect to Japan and its people, having lost people to covid and working in a place whose very lifeblood is tourism, it’s not the speed (or the lack of it) with which Japan opens its borders that frustrates me. What pains me is that I see japanese tourists here, many of them without a mask, and I know that my country is open to them, that we welcome them with joy and happiness, but I know that if I do want to go to Japan, a dream of mine, I can’t do it. Our borders are open, Japan’s are not. Foreign tourists can’t go to Japan but Japanese tourist can go back and forth freely. How does that work? How is that fair? And I would understand that it may be to protect the older population but if that really was the case then japanese nationals would also be forbidden from going in or out of the country… Which has never happened while the pandemic so, again, how does that work?
You have to remember that for most of its history japan has been an isolationist nation that has never really let any outsiders in, the concept of japan being open to outsiders is still a very new concept and it was one that was to be honest forced on them at the end of WW2. The elderly population which rules japan and who's parents and grandparents where part of the shun outsiders from our borders generation and due to that being the dominant mindset, that's partly way japan can do this. What little there is of a younger generation in japan don't really have a say, the japanese youth are more open to outsiders but their parents and grandparents aren't but until they are removed from positions of power Japan will continue to operate this way. Problem is that once that generation is gone and because japan has so few young people the country is gonna be in allot of trouble
Feel you man. The hard truth is the Japanese are never ready to anything, or at least the elderly majority. I mean, I'm ready to follow rules, wear masks and do all the things all the youtube videos say "I should and shouldn't do in Japan", but this whole situation is so hilariously hypocritical. I personally might have only 1 chance in my life to have a vacation in Japan and I am going to have it, and if the Japanese are not ready for me - well, I had no intentions to make friends with everyone in Japan either.
Don’t fret the old Japanese will die soon and the tax they pay will wither away . The younger generation that you think are so open will become as if not more conservative then the elders as that does seem to be a trend . Youth is rebellious until they have a family and something to lose.
@@hairybanana9668 you do know that over 80% of the Japanese population is elderly right? main reason why them dying is a concern is because that's almost the entirety of japan
Thank you for this perspective and I will watch what is happening and aim for April or May 2024… I really want to visit but don’t want my enthusiasm to spur the borders to be closed again and possibly limit the chance to see that beautiful country!
Lucky I managed to go to Japan February 2020, just before the virus was reported in schools in Hokkaido. Even then I could see Japanese are getting tired of putting up with foreigners. Way different from the late 90s to early 2000 when tourists were still a novelty. Everything said in this video is common sense really. The only reason why tourists would want to go to Japan now is to beat the rush of tourists later when the country is open again.
I have plans to travel to Japan in the next 4-5 years. I just need to sort out some life stuff first. So by then hopefully it might have calmed down. ^^
The value proposition Japanese politicians should give to their elderly is: foreigners will bring money and pay for your pensions and will make sure the yen doesn’t keep depreciating, so you can afford various goods and groceries
@@Jerico1900 they aren't talking about people...moving to Japan. Albeit various countries could end up with aging populations supported by fewer and fewer young people because they're below replacement levels.
@@Sorrowdusk Don't worry about the aging population. People keep ignoring automation and how far ist has come in past year's and how far it will go in the next year's.
Thank you for being honest and candid. We were hoping to visit late 2022 but hearing the concerns and issues it sounds best to postpone. I live in a very heavy tourist place in Hawaii. The return of the visitors was a real shock. I don’t want to contribute to the troubles of getting restarted in Japan. We will visit when things are more settled for everyone. 🌸❤️🌸
The truth of life is that we get what we place our thoughts and strong feelings on. Japan is aging, fewer children are being born, and the elderly by and large are scratching and clawing to hang on to every bit they can -- something that the government caters to before anything else. It is no coincidence that Japan's population is shrinking so quickly and several aspects of its society are outdated and ineffective. The fearful mindset is creating the very situation they are afraid of.
i mean from what i heard so far, going out to greener pastures, and wait out until the elderly population no longer is with us, will definitely cause a major social shift...and a lot of scary change.
I used to go to Japan every year for 1 for 3 month, mostly to see friends and practice wadaiko... And eat the food.. yummy yummy food.... Until the virus came. (although that year I was short on money too, but yeah) One of said friend, was telling me that people still wear mask heavily outside, where it's not required at all. The fear is just that spread. She also said the media is till pretty heavy on the messages about Covid, keeping that fear up I think. It really bothers me to think that even if I wanted, I just can't go. That I wouldn't be allowed past the entry custom most likely... I miss meeting my Japanese friends/group :(
I just visited Japan for business in May. I had no problems other than being required to wear masks at all times. It was suffocating. I even visited Kyoto. Nobody bothered me, but that is probably because I look Japanese. Plus, I was wearing a business suit. Other foreigners might have a different experience.
I just want to do a Japan Vacation........... but thanks to our Sidekick:Corona....... Nice Video Shogo.......sadly the Content is to Informing......... But I like your Videos. Like ;D
I would like to visit Japan, lately, i was planning to go there after finishing my phd, i am gratefull that i can listen to Shogo's Channel for making decisions and such. Your channel is very precious to me ^^
When we went to Kyoto, one of the most enjoyable things was to just wander around. We stumbled upon the large shopping district in the center of town and just spent an entire day wandering around. Additionally, we also found this small sushi place that was really nice to eat at, because we got to see some people celebrate a birthday, etc. I cannot agree enough with the sentiment to avoid tour groups. Unless you're truly afraid of getting lost (you can get mobile internet on a travel card for basically no money so having constant GPS really should alleviate those fears), avoid them. research a couple places you really want to see, and for the rest of the time, just wander around or take different routes to and from your hotel each time. I stumbled upon this small moddeling shop one time that was selling a fairly rare Gundam kit for half the price it was anywhere else, to give you an example of the random stuff you could stumble across.
Funny thing is that if this were about COVID then how come Japanese tourists can go to Hawaii and come back with less restrictions than foreigners? Yeah, definitely a rise in anti-foreigner sentiments in Japan.
@@kenshiro7960 Well that depends on the circumstances in Japan. Obviously I'm not a fortune teller or anything. But judging everything that's going on around the world and the problems they all have. It raises the question if things could potentially get worser.
@@vothbetilia4862 Ask you one thing then, I live in England and I done a pilgrimage back in 2018 when I visited all 88 temples in Shikoku Next year and 2024 I was going to do a pilgrimage of 100 temples where I did 50 next year and 50 in 2024 When you say as I live in England and have a British passport should I book the flight for example I was going to book it in December if by that point the restriction of foreigners can walk around by themselves by that point , I would wait maybe until January and if still foreigners cannot walk by themselves then I will probably go to the states I guess
I completely agree with it comes to visiting other countries and respecting the rules that follow. When you’re visiting any country you should always respect the boundaries that are set for the country. If you’re going to travel to a different area you should research and study the social aspects of what is expected of people. Now granted there are a lot of people who probably go up there blind but still show respect to those around you.
When my baby is old enough we will be going to Japan. Before all this ridiculousness started I'd planned on bringing my son; now two sons. More time to save and learn Japanese.
From what I have seen Japan needs tourism... locations that were bustling with people when I was there in 2016 are empty now or incredibly sparse by comparison. I am sure some enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, but I have seen people talk about how they hope tourists come back soon because they are struggling without the income. For those that want to go to Japan, don't expect everyone to speak English as a lot of people do not or are embarrassed to try and make sure to sample as much food as you can.
Tourism makes up only a tiny portion of Japan's GDP- they don't Need the tourism since domestic tourism has been strong during covid. However, companies catering to foreign tourists are definitely hurting. I think what will hurt japan more is them being slow to open up to exchange students and people who want to work
We definitely don't need the tourism. That is a small amount of our GDP we mostly make money from exports. Sure cities like Kyoto need it but Tokyo Osaka and Hiroshima definitely don't need it.
Shogo-san! This topic actually reminded me of something I was once told years ago. I'm not sure if it's true (or if it was then, at least), but I'm hoping to get an answer. They told me, "The Japanese don't mind foreign visitors and tourists, but they don't like it when foreigners try to move to live in Japan. This is due to the high population and more limited residential and employment opportunities." Is this true?
@@Val.Kyrie. big population bubble is about to pop. In 20-30 years it’ll be really interesting to see what’s happened to the age, spread, etc. of the Japanese populous
As someone living in Japan : there is no global answer, it depends of the people you see and interact with. But yes, some people just don't like foreigners, and they don't really make the difference between tourists and residents. Nothing specific to Japan, though : in France, where I used to live before, it's exactly the same...
Thank you Gaijin Goombah and Shogo, for giving me these infos I need. I always wanted to stay in Japan for many reasons/purpose to be honest. Like cultures, the People, etc. But sadly I don't have enough money and also the Pandemic that's stopping me. But I hope I get there soon, when I have money, And Godbless to you 2.
I am from south India. The months of April May and June are severely hot and humid. We Indians are used to live in super summers . in 2018 ,I went to Japan as an interpreter for 3 months and it was in month of July.....literally finishing our super summers and going to a land which starts it's summer. i was prepared but when I arrived ,i was surprised why people get so concerned with summer. To me, I felt am experiencing spring of India. ........ Indians tolerate severe summers back home....in south there is no winter at all.
Honestly amongst all the restrictions imposed by the Japanese government, is the tour arrangement that is a big no-no to me. I'm from Malaysia and we still wear mask around (even outdoors) even the government has relaxed the requirement to just indoor. So mask is fine to me and the insurance is fine just well. The tour... absolutely no. That aside, I have ticket booked for Spring 2023, hopefully all will be better (at least just no tour group).
Summers in, Japan are almost as hot as the summers in, Texas. Still, I’m happy I visited, Japan back in August 2019 (before Covid). It was an incredible experience and the people I met in ,Japan were awesome!
HI shogo, I was curious if i will have the same issues as other foreigners when traveling back to japan. While I no longer have a JP citizenship and jp passport, I still have grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins that I want to see next spring.
I was booked to go to Japan all the way back in July 2020, so I've really been hanging out to be able to go again. I actually love the July weather in Japan. But yeah, no way am I going locked in to a group tour. Right now I'm hoping that by late May or perhaps July 2023 solo travel is going to be on the cards again.
A powerful video to help logically understanding the context of this situation. Thanks for clarifying both of you. Have a great day from a gaijin in Osaka!! Let’s hope things get well, just like the vaccine. Let’s not give up. Peace ^_^ Friendly Gaijin Steven
I went to Japan in early September, and I remember being on the subway in Tokyo, shivering from cold when the AC was on, and then sweating when the doors opened at a station!
He got a business visa and is investing his own money into japans economy. He pretty much lives there and isnt a tourist any longer. Kanye west also recently visited as well as president biden and the slew of people he brings with him. Its really about money and who you know. Sadly for the rest of us we have to wait :(
Thank you for your comments, information and insights! I appreciate them and they clarify the situation for us outside of the country. And a cool channel you reacted to and recommended!
Why do I get the feeling that the Japanese goverenmennt (and the older generations) still aren't over the Edo period isolationism? I know not everyone is like that, open minded people like Shogo, but everything I hear about the social problems in Japan can directly trace back to the Edo period. It seems like every time something like Covid affects Japan they revert back to that Edo mindset.
Wooaaaah I can’t believe that this video is only a month old! For some reason it feels like the June tourist border “opening” was months ago- I don’t know why but it feels like it’s already November/the end of 2022 ^ ^ ^ I hope change will come to Japan- that struggling businesses and inner Japanese relations ex: countryside and city relations will become better and try to understand eachother and look out and help one another; and little by little take on and accept change
Oh didnt expect that. Always tought Japanese people were very brave, but appereantly just a bunch of old people being scared to death 😐 did not see that one coming...
Should I be worried? I'm going to Japan at the end of August as an exchange student in Fukuoka. I am physically disabled and cannot hide it. Watching this video, I do get a bit worried about how people might react to me, even if I respect the culture. I am going to go regardless, as it is part of my education and everything so far is in order, but I would like to be mentally prepared for what's coming. It's already a slightly scary experience to be going to a Japanese university as a foreign person with a disability, but I am working that out with the university.
I’m Japanese-French who was born and raised in Fukuoka. I don’t live there now (still in Japan tho )but people there are so nice and welcoming. sometimes Japanese don’t know how to express their welcomeness towards foreigner Japanese people are shy even they really feel happy for you to come to Japan. I really hope you will have amazing time in Japan🥰
I’d honestly be much more worried about your physical disability because Japan is not very friendly from an architectural perspective to those with physical disabilities. If you’re blind it’s actually mostly manageable. But Japan can be pretty rough if you’ve got a physical disability. LOTS of stairs. Corridors are narrow and awkward. It’s not that the people are bad it’s more that questions like “how do I get to the other side of the platform” have answers like “climb 50 stairs up to the over pass, and 50 steps down” kind of thing
@@satorudo Thank you. This is very enlightening. Thankfully, it is a visual impairment and nothing else, so I suppose I'll be fine? I just go back to the worry about thether people think I'm distanced enough. I am very careful, but estimating a distance is not easy. And I worry what people might think if I accidentally get too close. I have had this worry in my home country too for the past 2 years.
Be glad it isn’t a mental disability, those are treated a LOT worse in Japan, especially AD(H)D and Autism. I speak from personal experience on this one. Disability accommodations are quite behind still - unfortunately.
I think too, there's a lot of history as well with foreign countries forcing Japan's borders and government to act a certain way for them---of course this is in the past, but everything builds upon one another. A great video and well done!
I recall doing a thing like a tissue in the way with speaking english vs japanese, this sort of nonsense doesn't help. When you have mainly a culture of one type of person, who look similar to everyone else, it can easily encourage xenophobia if the tiniest thing goes out of awry
Ahahah, the intro and outro were beautiful! Glad to get a little more context here, I know Mr. Goombah is very well informed, but it helps to have someone there who can provide up to date information 😁
Dang 😕 I e never been to Japan, but have wanted to visit since I was a kid. Hopefully the world will push toward the future humanity is constantly promised. ✌🏻
The saddest part of this is, that those travel restrictions have a direct impact on learning about Japan and Japanese. Usually, by now, we would have courses booked full with 20-30 students. Instead, it's hard to get a Japanese course with 9 slots full. The further you are in your Japanese studies, the harder it becomes to continue as people drop out as they lost interest. Thought some of them may resume learning Japanese in the future, once travel restrictions have been entirely lifted.
Hi! This is my first time watching your channel and I thought it was really interesting! Thank you for your honesty and for explaining WHY things are the way they are. I have 2 questions for you: 1) since Japan is considered an old country, how many years until that “flip flops” and the majority of elderly people have passed away? 2) How did Japan get to have this chasm between the old and young? Thank you again for this awesome video!
Hello Shogo, I am in Japan already as a Student, and I don’t feel like people around me are afraid or don’t want to interact with me, at least here in Tokyo. Dunno about Kyoto, we will see when I go there the 1st of July for my Japanese classes. Loving the country with no foreigners whatsoever. Its amazing! Also I am well aware of the scorching heat in summer, visited Japan in august in 2019, it was just dreadful, so this time I am well prepared.
I sympathize a lot with Japan. I also know how hard change can be (I don't like huge changes in my routines, either). Ever since I started learning your language and culture, I've felt a deep sense of connection. I'm hoping that one day I can move there permanently, not just simply visit. While travelling to Japan is chaotic right now, though, I will use this time to continue my studies. しょごさん、ありがとうございます！Thank you for the video, Shogo!
Shogo-san, thank you so much for sharing your sincere views about the problems roreigners could face if they wish to travel to Japan in this moment. It's always a pleasure to learn more about japanese culture and complexities with your content.
People who truly love Japan are willing to listen to the heartbeat of the country. It's better to go when the time is right! Japan will always be there and to have a life changing authentic experience is worth the wait.
have waited 20+ years so far will keep patiently waiting in the mean time need to keep learning more about japanese culture your videos have been extremely informative thank you Shogo
I often hear people in Japan complain about the "heat and humidity" here. I'm from Louisiana, which not only has higher temperatures (highs, number of hot days, and averages), but also higher humidity. Plus, the rain doesn't bring ANY relief at all, as in no temperature drop. I've been to many places all over Japan and lived through summers in both Tokyo and Hiroshima, where they are completely bearable. They only really get "bad" during 2 months of the year and even then it's nothing compared to what I had to deal with growing up. The other day, some colleagues here complained about how "hot" and humid it was, and the temperature was still below 28C! That would be the low in my hometown, if we were lucky. I have had so many Japanese ask me questions like "Are you okay in Japan's climate? Are you bothered by the heat? Many foreigners probably can't take the heat and humidity here." I always say "Nani? Heat and humidity? Doko desu ka?" When I tell them that my hometown is far worse, they act as if they can't believe it. Maybe it's just a lack of geographical knowledge, but it seems to me that most people in the Far East forget that not only does Japan have many different areas with vastly different climates, but America is a huge plot of land with even more diverse climates, as well. I have an apartment in Hiroshima city and my old kominka is in north Higashi Hiroshima. There is a world of difference between these two locations all year round, despite the fact that it takes less than an hour to drive between the two. When I went to my old house yesterday, there was a steady, strong breeze, as well as light, regular rain. I opened up the rear door to the genkan as well as a couple of sliding glass doors to let the air flow through, and not once did I ever break a sweat the entire day -- and I walked over and hour and a half between there and the bus station! I also spent a 30-day resting vacation on a Thailand beach during the off-travel-season, during a mostly rainy time. I really enjoyed it! Not many tourists, rainy walks and even lying on the beach in the rain -- it was fun! I understand that having to follow a tour group and not deviate from the itinerary isn't fun (not to mention always having to wear a mask), but my angle is "If you really want to go somewhere and your gut tells you to go, then don't listen to anyone else -- just GO!" Edit: as a side fun note, the above reminds me of the spicy food issue in Japan. It is often assumed that foreigners can't take or handle spicy food, and I have no idea where this comes from. Tabasco comes from Louisiana (again, where I grew up), as well as Popeye's spicy fried chicken, among other things. We have a strong Creole culture and along with that comes some really great, spicy cooking! Not to mention that there are other states who love their hot sauces and spicy foods, especially those close to Mexico. I don't understand why all these stereotypes of the foreigners who can't handle hot weather and hot food. My impression has been the exact opposite -- I regularly hear locals in Japan complain about the heat AND most say that can't handle really spicy stuff. I can't help but laugh at the irony.
I think us Louisiana folk (I'm from Convington and now living near Kyoto btw) are used to the interior of basically any building blasted with cool air. That's the worst part of Japanese summers to me! The fact that so many building are so stuffy and hot.
@@justapickedminfan that's something I can understand. Even in the schools, they often leave windows open while blasting the AC and complaining about ithe heat! So much for saving energy 😂
