Pickpocketed in Japan 

Im ok... It took me a year and a half to tell the story. But I'm ok~ Theres a lesson to be learned in all of this though Hope your day is beautiful~

There was a saying in my country; Singapore (and the saying might also be found in other country) "Low crime doesn't mean no crime" Stay safe!

‘Regardless of nationalities, people are people everywhere’ Couldn’t agree more to this Norm 🤔

When I went to Tokyo last August, I had two occasions when complete strangers helped me. One in the rain a gentleman stopped his car and gave me an umbrella and the other when I need directions. Unfortunately like everywhere in the world there are bad people. Luckily, there are more good, honestly and caring people in the world.

Hopefully Karma catches up with him, and teaches him a valuable lesson for the future.

Its a reminder to everyone that even in a safe country like Japan, low crime doesnt mean no crime. Stay safe 🙏

I feel terrible for you. I know that feeling when you realize you've lost some thing important and your stomach drops.

My son forgot a shopping bag full of gundams in front of one of the food stores in tokyo station. We only noticed after a few hrs. Thankfully one of the store attendants vaguely remembers and guided us to the lost and found and helped explain. We got our stuff back. So thankful to that wonderful lady.

Irony - if it had been nearly any other long distance bus in Japan they would have had his information.

I always remember this quote from the novel "Good Omens" by Neil Gaimen and Terry Pratchett: “It may help to understand human affairs to be clear that most of the great triumphs and tragedies of history are caused, not by people being fundamentally good or fundamentally bad, but by people being fundamentally people.” As you said, the thing about Japan is that it is a country and that country is full of people. People are not a monolith. There is an infinite variety in the human species and some of them are going to be downright bastards. It can't be helped. However, it is worth remembering that the nice ones do in fact outnumber the S.O.B's, so at least we have that going for us. Thank you for sharing such a a frustrating and discouraging event. Take care.

This must have been a cleansing video to shoot and edit. Like the text on the wall. A nice touch 👌

Tough Break... Safer future travels and keep up the great work!

This is exactly why I keep my backpack between my legs when I take the bus, holding on to it the whole time... I know that I will fall asleep, so I try to make it discouraging for anyone to try to go through it while I sleep. I’ve never been robbed, but I’m from a less-than-safe country and can’t let go of that habit even here in Canada(and did the same while visiting Japan). But it happens, if someone really wants to steal your stuff, they will do it.

I like how fast paced and simple this video seemed, yet it was very detailed. Keep up the amazing content :) love mini stories like these

My bag was stolen on a train in Japan.... I feel you.

Thank you for sharing us the story. This made me aware to be careful next time. I have been on those airport buses tons of times but never thought of something like this would happen.

I am impressed how you tracked down the culprit! Don't beat yourself up too much. Pickpockets do this sort of thing for their livelihood. As such, their skill level is just as high as any experienced professional. You weren't his first victim that day, be sure of that.

Thanks for sharing! I know situations like this can make us feel “like an idiot” but things happens. I loved the vibe this video gave, your editing is relaxing.

Hey Norm, hope you're enjoying the start of your travels (if you've started yet)! And for everyone reading this, although Japan is a really safe country, with a low crime rate, crime still does happen. It's important to be aware of this when you're travelling, and I think that this video perfectly shows this, and why feeling safe almost all the time can actually lead to things like this happening without you realising.

Glad you're able to look back on this with a balanced view still!

thank you so much for sharing your story. I could totally see myself letting my guard down on the bus and so this is a good reminder.

Oh no.... sorry to hear this happened to you. I lived in Japan for 5 months and got stuff stolen from me twice. Can happen anywhere.

When you said ''I was pickpocketed, right here'' I thought you were talking about the exact place you're sitting lol. It is kinda dissapointing that the police can't do anything and that you weren't even given the recording. I feel like so many times something ACTUALLY happens and it is caught on camera, there is just nothing companies or authorities (can) do with it.

I'm totally not used with the images I see of people leaving their things anywhere in Japan, seriously, 8n Brazil things are so crazy that I would never get used to that ever after living for a long time in a different place. And the funny thing is I was never robbed, thankfully.

Man....I really love your optimism....Must have been tough.... I wish I could be even half as positive as you are... I will really be more vigilant the next time i'm there... Thanks so much for sharing this story though and do stay safe there ^^

Oh no! You're so positive and well spoken even though I'm sure it was immensely frustrating! That's my fear traveling, to get pick pocketed without realizing it! 😰 Hopefully the guy was in a super bad position or his family was hurting and that money kept them surviving a little longer. I don't want to imagine anyone stealing for any less reasons but I know there are opportunists out there. I'm glad you shared your story, it was a good cautionary tale for travelers in the future!

Sorry for your situation man, but thanks for taking the time to share this lesson with us to remind us to always be vigilant no matter how safe we think we are. Take care on the rest of your travels.

Alas, low crime doesn't mean no crime :( Thanks for sharing and good lesson

I remember chilling out in a park in Osaka last March on a nice hot day. I put my camera bag next to me on the bench whilst thinking to myself "watch how I forget to pick this up" but put it down anyway. Guess what? I got up, walked halfway down the park reached for the camera bag that was not around my neck and panicked! I ran back to the bench but in my frantic rush I tried to jump up a flight of stairs (5 steps or so, I am 6 foot 2 or 3) I rolled my ankle, fell and cut my right knee 😅. So with blood trickling from my knee I got back to the bench got my camera bag which thankfully had all my stuff in it and limped back to my hotel to recover.

It's nice and also important to see videos like these. A lot of people, and I probably at the top of that list, really have this perfect dream idea of Japan. This idea of complete perfection that simply doesn't exist anywhere. I'm not saying Japan is now horrible because of this story of because that kinda of thing happens but it's important to not create unrealistic expectations that no country can ever live up to.

It happens. When we were living in Komae (Tokyo), my wife's bicycle was stolen one morning from outside our front door. While my wife was already at work, I went out to a nearby convenience store. The bike was taken during the few minutes I was away.

My phone was pickpocketed at Narita airport! Right off my backpack on my back somehow. Keep your valuables where you can see and feel them!

I feel kinda bad "Liking" this.

Ouch! I'm super paranoid when I travel and so tense. That's why it's so much easier to travel with another person. But, that was a real thief. How terrible. Sad. But, I am glad you put together a story that is wholly balanced. It's good to be reminded that we have to be careful, and ending with that note about the beautiful desk was really positive and priceless. Thanks for the story and the warning!

Hope you’re ok man stay safe 👍🏻and I also love your content so keep up the good work 😁🔥

So sorry you had to go through that! 😢 Reminds me of when I first went to London. It was my first time traveling to another country by myself and I stayed at a hostel. I was of the impression that London was so safe and for the most part it was (so young and naive on my part when I look back, lol). I left my phone to charge next to my bed while I went to the shop. I don't know why I was so surprised that it was gone when I returned. I was a little cautious because I actually put it on the charger and put it under my pillow, but still. You live, you learn.

thanks for sharing this story really does put things in perspective

I empathize with your experience. 😔It must have been hard to get over. I admire your optimism and logic despite the set back. Keep on doing you!

Oof. So sorry man. Thanks for sharing this, though! It can happen to anyone, anywhere, and you did a lot of traveling that day, so the risk was high. Glad you yourself are ok, and are able to look at the bright side of the situation! ✌️

P. S. On a side note, I went to Japan and visited Beppu after watching your video and I must say, it was my favourite place to visit after Tokyo ❤️ thank you for the content

I’ve lost my IPhone6 at Nakamise area...thank goodness I found back at the Koban of Asakusa 🙏🏻🤩

And there I was, last year, feeling like a savage because I was alertly keeping my purse close to me, always looking left and right while everyone else was chilling or sleeping around me on the train. :))) I'm sorry this happened to you but let's face it, in most other places you're lucky if you DO find your wallet when you wake up.

So sorry that happened to you but on the plus side it's pretty great how much everyone helped you to try to get it back.

So good that the bus had a camera there, it's sad what happened but as you said, every country have good people and bad people.

I dont know how ill recover from a trauma like this. 😭 Praying for your safety, Norm!

You told this very well, level headed, responsible, and no blaming, that's super mature of you! Many poeple can't even come to terms in a year, so kudos to you. I had my wallet stolen twice here in Chicago. Originally from Florida, so I had no street smarts. I made similar security mistakes: purse open on crowded train and purse on back of chair (all in a few months if each other, lol, I'm a slow learner). As opposed to Japan (which I miss everyday), Chicago is legit dangerous yet I wouldn't trade those negative experiences in for the world, cause it's what help me grow away from depressed naive small town girl and become a strong smart person I respect now.

That sucks man. The feeling of security in Japan definitely lulls you but it's important to keep vigilante. One of the more foolhardy things I've done was travel Tokyo alone at night and it wasn't until I was alone in an empty alley that I realized this might not be too safe. But likewise, I've seen much more good than bad. Once I went video game shopping in Ikebukuro and a game I had bought fell out of my pocket without my noticing. I got to the station and suddenly someone reached out from behind me to hand me the dropped game. I took the game from their hand and turned around to say "arigato" but they had already walked away.

Bad experience for sure... Thanks for sharing. This video will help travellers hopefully 🌏 when we can travel again...

Ah that's awful, what a creep to steal from you! But in true Norm style, you've examined your part in how it happened, learnt from it and appreciated the positive that came from the bad situation. Thanks for sharing this story.

Let's make that pickpocket internet famous!

That is so rough, and it's understandable it took so long for you to have the words to tell the story. In the end you had faith in the inherent goodness of other people, and even though this douchebag shook that I hope you've gained some of it back. Big supporter of not sleeping on public transit though, I'm always in awe of people who'll just snooze from one end of the subway line to the other.

Norm, I want to adopt your outlook and attitude on existing. You always seem able to handle whatever life throws your way and come out of it with something learned.

I know how you feel about a wallet being stolen. I was at a mall and in the change booth there was no hooks so I had my jacket on the ground where I had my wallet. I left the change room to grab another item while leaving my jacket. When I went to go pay, I realized my wallet was gone. I think I knew who it was, a blonde woman in the next change room bc it was like the wall did not go all the way down. You could see the next room from the bottom. I left my name with the store and with the mall bc they will throw the wallet in the garbage after taking the money. I had a lot of money in there too, a few hundreds. This was awhile back. I honestly could have not cared about the money, it was the pictures in there that was irreplaceable. That was what sucked the most. That lady, she is out there and I hope Karma gets her right back one day. This happened more than 20yrs ago and it still is sensitive for the irreplaceable pictures I had inside. I am sorry that happened to you and I am glad that they were able to catch the person however not be able to do anything about it. I think it is okay for you to fall asleep, I would sleep with the backpack in front of you. How you wear it on your back, wear it like that but on your front. So you do not even have to hold the bag bc the straps is still around your shoulders and plus you have a place to rest your head forward on if you want. I hope someone watching your video or him even watching it, is recognized. I have to say, this guy had the balls to do this especially when you were sitting in the front and the bus driver could have looked up and caught him in the act. Shame Shame Shame on him.

Oh man Norm, I'm so sorry you had to go through this experience. Please stay positive (like you are now) and sadly just have to move on. Health and happiness buddy. take care and I'm sorry again.

Mistakes happen, humans are human…you learned a valuable lesson of no matter how safe you feel, anything can still happen. It sucks, but it’s life. Glad to see you were able to talk about it and move on. Plus, it’s awesome how many people were willing to go out of their way to help you find out what happened.

Sorry to hear about your stolen wallet. The thief purposely sat behind you when there were only two of you in the bus, was very suspicious. Normally passengers will tend to scatter among themselves in a empty bus. But still, so long as you are out of the house, just take care of your wallet.

Kudos to you for keeping your head held high and making a video about this. I can't believe he had the nerve to do that, especially right at the front of the bus. You're a good person though, great things will come in the future

So sorry to hear about this, hopefully that guy will get his come uppance.

It happens. Thanks for sharing. It's important to present the good and bad of anything.

That really really really sucks Norm. I am glad to hear you have had time to move on, come to terms with it, and admit the mistakes and also, share the story. It is a sobering reminder for people like me who can often be too trusting. I am cautious but I forget just how vigilant I should be while travelling because it can happen so fast. At least you were at least able to keep the things you needed for travel and to make money going forward (your equipment, passports, plane tickets, etc.) As much as it sucks to lose a huge chunk of money, at least you weren't stuck somewhere with no way to get any further or home, and nowhere to sleep while remedying it because the money for accomadations was gone as well. I uh.....I almost got myself stuck in china once. >_< lost my plane ticket before my layover, not even sure how. Checked my bag, dumped everything, wasn't there, put it all back, retraced steps, and then WEIRDLY ENOUGH it ended up being in my bag when I checked again. Possible I missed it in panic the first time but if I had truly lost it, I wasn't sure what to do. I didn't speak a word of chinese or have the money for another ticket. And I accidentally lost my passport twice in Japan as well....it came back to me but I have been very lucky in that sense. But if I hadn't been.... It could have been catastrophic.

Sorry to hear. You've got a great attitude about it. But I know from experience how very frustrating it is & the sick internal violated feeling that lingers for awhile & you just have to let it go & move on. Hard Lesson learned

Indeed people are people everywhere you go, there are both good and bad. This is a good lesson for all of us as well. My first trip to japan I asked for directions from an elderly couple and then they told me to wait while they got a neighbour that was english speaking (she wasn’t lol) but I was still really grateful and felt bad that I made the these three residents walk around so much to help me find my airbnb.

It’s a sucky situation for sure but we do learn from it. I’m surprised you got an answer and they had video footage! In the US you won’t get that kind of follow through. When we went to Japan last year we had an amazing experience. We can’t wait to come back!

Love the integration of the title text, especially when you hide it behind yourself. Nice touch.

I am sorry to hear you had to go through this nasty situation. 😖there are different kinds of people everywhere, no matter the country. I hope you will not experience something like this ever again!

Thanks for telling your story. I had my whole bag stolen (laptop included) on the TTC when I was extremely sleep deprived too. It really sucked. It's been like 3 years and I'm still a bit mad about that.

Tip: in the case of being exhausted and need sleep immediately, make sure to place your backpack between your legs (assuming seats are not open from below). If you are a light sleeper, you can wake up to most movements

Pickpocketed while sleeping? Years and years ago there were lots of reports of this happening to sleeping passengers on trains in parts of Japan.

That sucks Norm, could've happened anywhere. The Conde House desk video is still one of my all time favorites on RU-vid so I agree, something good did come out of that trip!

Travel and jet lag will make you exhausted. It is very difficult to fight off sleep sometimes. Always a plus when you are traveling with someone, as you both can watch each other's back.

This suuuuuucks. Its a huge pain in the ass to replace the contents. But, money comes and goes, but you're safe. 🙏 Also I'm pretty reckless when it comes to sleeping on public transport, especially on buses but I do tend to practically sleep on my bag. I've been lucky so far but that won't last forever.

I'm sorry it happened to you but it's good that you are trying to focus on the good instead of the bad, especially in regards to any mistakes you made. We're human, we all make mistakes but it sucks that in the time when you allowed yourself to feel safe and take a nap, someone took advantage of that. I am glad that you are sharing this because it reminds people that, while some countries are safer than others, they aren't perfect so you always want to be careful.

Sorry to hear about this mate. “You win some, you lose some” is definitely the approach to take with these things otherwise you just get sad again haha

This is so awful... I'm really sorry you had to go through that... I had my wallet stolen twice I think (here in Belgium), and each time I felt so bad and so guilty, but once it's done what can you do? The only think we can do really is taking in the experience and be more cautious afterwards... But that being said! My experience of theft was in Belgium, and I'm basically extremely cautious wherever in Europe, but in Japan? Just like you I feel safe and surrounded by people who respect other people's property, and in the shinkansen I often leave my bags unattended when I go to the bathroom (I take my wallet with me though), I never worried about it, but now... I'll try to be more cautious and remind your experience for my next trip... I wish you all the best for the future!! Have a nice week-end! :)

Yo I have been out of Miami for 6 + years now, but I still have a hard time filling letting my guard down. It don't think it's bad- but also a bit paranoid unnecessarily at times.

I'm pretty glad you didn't lose your positive perspective. I've definitely had stuff stolen that really got me down, AND, I've been tired while travelling and left my 400 euros just sitting sticking out of the ATM, as I walked away *without* taking it only to have a person run up to me and give me my 400 euros. The world is a truly complicated place.

Oh my god, i would t have expect that in japan

I'm very sorry to hear this but thanks for sharing your experience.

During my very first trip to Japan, I did not had my backpack stolen in Japan but I lost it. In a train. Was trying to be cautious of the 'train rules' and I placed my bag on the overhead rack, and we don't have such racks in my country and I walked out of the carriage, forgetting the bag. I realised it around an hour, contacted the train station, gave them the time of the ride etc. I had a fairly high confidence that I'll get it bag since it's JAPAN right? But nope, I did not. And the day was the day where I was flying back to my country and I had lots of valuables in it - ID, passport, newly bought ipod, money, gifts... Painful lesson learnt as well. I'm going to Japan soon and this video will be a reminder for me to be careful regardless of the place I'm in.

I was almost pick pocketed in Osaka at the train station JR. I was reaching for my pocket for me wallet to get my PASMO. That's when I came in contact with the pickpocketer's hand. I back handed the guy as I clenched my wallet to my chest. The guy walked away fast. I've been living in Japan for over 5 years. That's my 2nd crime incident in Japan (Osaka area).

0:41 that guy LOL

Great video, thank you for not getting upset

What a lovely guy. But seriously, sorry that happened to you. Now you know to be more aware of surroundings and even in a country like Japan, anything can happen

By processing the story for some time before releasing it, I feel it is more powerful. You've taken responsibility for the errors you made to make the theft possible. That said, theft is still inexcusable and a crime even if you had wonderful experiences during that voyage and got this video out of it. I'm sure it will help others to take proper steps to protect themselves. I've noticed a great deal of cavalier behaviour as I have travelled through Japan. Never make assumptions that you are truly safe. In 2017, I noticed signage in Shibuya depaato washrooms for the first time warning that pickpockets were active in the area. Yes, Japan is "safe." However, erring on the side of caution and taking all precautions is always best practice.

HIDDEN COMMENT: (not so hidden) I’m streaming EVERY DAY for the next week on the Patreon Secret Instagram as I go off on an adventure from TONIGHT!! Actually uploaded and published this from a rest stop on the road! Come hang out and join the adventure LIVE! Patreon.com/TokyoLens

Sucks that that happened, but I am amazed how you always look to the positive.

crime sucks. sucks when it happens to anyone. But sharing helps. I've been fortunate not to have any bad things happen on trips, but I have heard stories. If nothing, sharing and giving some guidance to others is often the best you can do to make it feel less terrible. Sometimes we need a reminder to always be safe.

Even in safe areas, crime still happens! 😢 My car was broken into last month in my apartment complex parking garage with cameras and in the safe suburbs with low crime and it really sucks! Apt manager didn’t really care and cops said they’ll keep an eye out. My only hope is that the person that did it really needed my emergency cash (that I stupidly left in my glove department after a road trip). I’m really sorry this happened to you!

This video was such Great Information , I'm so sorry you Paid a Price to deliver that informaton . The experience will help all your viewers for future travel and of course yourself.

Sadly, human nature is what it is. The bad experiences have a tendency to stay with us over time. I admire that you are able to see past that and observe the good that is also found in the human heart. Your videos document far more of the positive than the negative and for that I am grateful. Perhaps they will change someones way of thinking and their life as a result.

Hate that happened Norm!!! Glad you weren’t physically hurt for it.

My friend had her purse stolen in Japan when we were there too, he only took the card tho and spent £60 at Uniqlo 🙃 didn't take the pasmo or the 1000s of yen in cash haha It was a really stressful time and the guy that stole it, gave it back to the hostel staff..... so they knew who did it And i remember feeling really sick and guilty because it was her first time there and my 3rd so I felt responsible for her having so much money taken :( (we were poor students at the time and that was rent money he spent)

Really disappointing and so true that 'opportunity makes the thief'

Honestly I don’t blame you , shit happens in life but we can’t let those moments drag us down

Lesson learned for all of us!

What a lovely guy😹

Wow! Norm, the most amazing part of this story is that you managed to not only confirm the wallet was stolen, but you actually know who took it and have a picture of him! It also restores my faith in the Japanese people too. I have never once in the 9 times I’ve been there over the past 15 years felt anything but completely safe. My guess is that he was not Japanese. Not saying that Japanese people never commit crimes, but it’s certainly fairly uncommon. Despite the bad part of the story, it’s a very interesting story. Thanks for sharing! We always enjoy your videos. You’re talented and tell good stories. Keep ‘em coming... though not at the cost of getting things stolen!!!

As a Japanese, I’m sorry to hear that. And thank you for sharing the story.

That still sucks so bad! I've been robbed twice. Once I dropped my wallet in the school field, I found it fairly quickly but all the like $75 I just made from a garage sale was gone, my little kid heart was broken. Second one was on a much bigger scale. House was broken into while 4 of us were asleep. About $7,000 worth of electronics stolen and a few days of work missed due to my feet and throat burning from the amount of mace they sprayed all over our floors and kitchen counters.

Yup! I had this really sweet person go way out of their way to show me how to get to Akb when a little pointing would have done. Then all my credit cards spilled on the subway and I lost One of them. Someone in Malaysia bought some swimsuits with it before I was able to shut it down. I can see where I could have been jacked from behind not paying attention to my surroundings while deep into taking photos. And while in Kyoto a 50,000¥ bill fell out of my pocket at my feet when I pulled out my Blackberry. A nice lady picked it up and handed it to me. 🤷🏻‍♂️ but still I’ve never felt as safe in public anywhere else in the world that I’ve travelled to than in Japan.