What foreigners in Tokyo think of Japanese people 

"they dont hadouken and i dont see the locals performing mortal air battles with katanas"

I noticed the people in Tokyo were colder and more introverted. The people in Osaka were open, friendly, and confident. I got approached very often by then.

As a Japanese, I want to say so many people misundestand Japanese people. Some people think Japanese people are shy because they don't talk to foreigners. However, in Japan, basically, it's very strange to talk to strangers even though it's not necessary. It doesn't matter whether talked by foreigners or Japanese. So we don't talk to strangers and when we are talked by strangers on the street, we firstly think he/she tries to hit on, recruit new members of cult religion, or is crazy. "Japanese people are shy" is stereotype. Some Japanese are very open, but even they don't talk to strangers on the street suddenly because it's odd thing culturely and they don't think to want to talk to strangers P.S. It's same as Osaka. "Osaka people are open" is also a typical stereotype

i'm japanese and shy, always waiting to be talked by foreign people.

Mexican guy is a great guest. Hope he's doing well and had a nice time on his trip.

that mexican guy was so sweet and had such a badass pantera tshirt on

I’m American, from LA, and just got back from a 2 week solo trip to Tokyo a few weeks ago and I felt like Tokyo was very similar to LA. People keep to themselves, don’t normally talk to strangers because of crazy people, people trying to sell you stuff, etc., and that everyone does their own thing. I’m more of an independent person, so I didn’t feel like people weren’t friendly or didn’t want to help me. When I needed help, people were kind and patient with me. I did experience a couple of times, like the first group of people mentioned, where I felt the “I’m over foreigners so my patience is low” kind of vibe and it made me a little uncomfortable, but I think in those instances you just have to be polite, smile, and try to speak Japanese. I met so many people who were kind and had patience with me; definitely more positives than negatives. Just be kind, polite, and happy! People can sense that.

For the first guy, he was seeing what he wanted to see. Even 10 years ago, gyaru, decora, and lolita were not massive, influential styles. Heck, 10 years ago, gyaru was already all but dead (its peak was in the late 1990's). Even at their peak, outside of specific areas like Harajuku, you just didn't see decora or lolita fashion. At most, those fashion styles were about as common as Goth style was in the USA in the 1980's and early 1990's. If you went to the right place at the right time of the week, you'd see a lot of people wearing that fashion, but if you were anywhere else at any other time, you wouldn't see anyone wearing that style. Lots of people in the last 20-odd years have gotten too much of their information about Japan from memes and "weird Japan" stories, and never seemed to understand that for the vast majority of people in Japan, that stuff was weird for them, too.

Oh my lord, as soon as they said they were yelled at by an old lady in Harajuku I knew who they meant, and when they said 'in the basement' and the rock stuff?? The baasan who runs Yellow House in Takeshita street, 100%. She is a character, for sure. And she will yell at you if you're holding anything that might look like food, and yell at you if you just want to silently browse (she wants a sale, so don't take up unnecessary space plz), and yeah, only in English. She has photos plastered all over as proof of all the Western and Japanese musicians she's spent time with. Yellow House has some awesome fashion, but don't go in unless you're feeling flush in the wallet, and stern of spirit.

Been to Japan 3 times and never have been talked to by a Japanese person. I'm sure being 6'3" might have something to do with it.

damn that first girl was almost bent over backwards trying to get away from the mic

I was suprised when I visited Kyoto and Takayama how friendly the local people were. Sometimes they will say hello first, even to foreigners. Tokyo is much different because its a big city and everyone is busy, which is understandable.

i think after the Olympics japan will be tired of foreigners. i just hope they wont become too bitter, although I understand why they would.

Tokyo is such a large city and I don’t see how it should have different expectations from other large cities. If you walk around in New York, people who live there are going around silently too. They have to get to work or they’re running an errand. People don’t think about stopping and talking to the tourists. Every large city is going to have a lot of tourists and the people who aren’t tourists aren’t thinking of chatting up a stranger.

How would that girl meet new people in America? Would she just talk to a stranger at the park or the grocery store? I feel like it’s the same everywhere, you meet people in your circles, at work or at school or through friends/family. I think the difference is she wants Japanese friends and she thinks since she’s in Japan she can just make friends with anyone. People here are just like everyone else, some are friendly some keep to themselves, most just stay in their circles, especially in Tokyo.

The internet killed the mystery.

I looooove the inclusion of the note-reading and extended outro.

6:35 PANTERA!

日本語を勉強しています😀 I’m learning Japanese 😅

Foreigners should be the one to adjust all the time. If the country's first language is not your language, don't expect them to speak the same language as yours. There are a few who can speak English but not all speak well. So next time try to learn even a few Japanese words so you can communicate better with the locals.

the british girl was on point. osakans are the most friendliest i have encountered and doesnt hurt that their sense of humor is the same as mine. the quick deadpan and slightly crudish humor that you see from some manzai duos

first group of US foreigners: oh no the Olympics in 2020 are gonna create so many issues for the locals :o Me in June 2020: welp, at least they have another year to figure out what to do

"Do you think it'll be worse when the Olympics come to Japan?" *2020 intensifies in the background*

I feel it's easier to talk to foreigners watching the video.

I agree with pretty much everything that was said! In my three years, I found people did not interact with me much in public ever. The only times people usually approached me were at parties or in bars, after a drink and they were a little less reserved. People definitely dress better there, in general anyway, particularly in the city; however, I lived in Shiga, and people were a lot more laid back there with fashion (I'm talking gym shorts, jeans, sweats, Crocs, etc...basically what I wear now back in the US) but then if I took the train toward Kyoto, or Osaka, the closer I got toward the city, the better dressed the passengers would be. Got barked at a couple times for doing something incorrect which was not a fun experience either time. I remember the first few times I came to Japan in the early 2000s, everything was gyaru, fruits, lolita, and cute, but now it's like Uniqlo and GU have taken over the fashion industry there--both of which are really nice and I like, but ya, miss the more unique styles we used to see. Anyway...yes, polite and kind :p

The first group just comes off as “I’m disappointed they didn’t fit my stereotype”. So entitled.

本当に興味深いチャンネルです！楽しめます。これからも期待しています。 :)

great comment/point from the girl with the glasses ! I also think it's good to make a research and learning effort before you visit any country to know a little bit about the culture and the language, not just about the best places to visit.

私は日本人で、日本の大学の大学生ですが、その中でも友達を作るのは難しいです🤷🏻‍♂️ 友達がいても2、3人くらいで、休日一緒に遊びに行くこともないので、1人で遊んでます😵 大学以外では、ほとんど人と話しませんねw 周りも同じような感じです。 そんな人にいきなり英語で話せと言われても…難しいです😅

interesting video:) nice!

I would like to hear from Director if he ever has any strong insights or reactions after doing these videos. If something someone says brings up a really interesting idea. But I understand he might be too *polite & friendly* (wink wink) to do so 🙃

The Wendy's comment re: zanshin is so very true. McDo in the U.S. is like strapping the bag to that back of your car, driving ten miles, and then opening it up. When in Japan my food came just like the picture and the fries were warm and perfectly salted as if 100 people were by the fryers, each dropping a single fry sequentially, so each one was perfect by the time it was eaten. That really caused me to reflect on my trip and on how much intent is put into every action taken. Thanks for sharing!

i really like how she said apart from being kind and polite because we really know that they are very kind and polite but, what else about them do you know? I feel like that is what most people say, and it is almost like most of them are giving the same answers. And not all people are like that btw

I’m in Japan right now (doing a trip across the country by motorcycle) and yes the people are very friendly and helpful, yet they are definitely still rather xenophobic about non-asian foreigners (i’m a blue-eyed white boy from Holland). Like when i’m on the subway and there is a spot next to me, 4 out of 5 people would prefer to stand rather then sit next to a Gaijin. Same thing in restaurants, i’m always in a corner by myself and nobody wants to sit in the booth next to me. Doesn’t really bother me, just something i noticed.

キャットさんの英語はわかりやすくてとれも好きです。で、殆ど話したことが無いのですが 意外と自分がリスニング出来るのにビックリしましたｗ　ほぼ内容が判ります。 特別に勉強した覚えが無いのですがｗ しばらくチャンネルを見続けようと思います。 ありがとう。

Some shop workers in touristy areas indeed literally don't even talk anymore. At the Odaiba Gundam statue cafe a worker just points at an english/JP laminated sign to ask the service questions.

sees guy with pink hair and thinks: oh, punk, bro, how nice! hears him speak: oh, whatevaaa, never miiiind.

I remember my friends and I studied what we could about their rules for where we were visiting and public transport and everything. I even watched a few videos on here to see what the Japanese might say that Westerners are doing wrong to make sure not to miss something. I was super surprised that they have the seat rules for elder/pregnant and injured get priority. That when an elder person got on and there were no seats. We were the only ones making effort to gesture our seat to them to take. It took a few tries of reassurance to take our seat, we got some funny looks which I just found funny/interesting.

Lived in Atlanta during the 1996 Olympics. Where I worked we never saw a single international. Mostly they went to the games and rarely ventured out of the very small downtown area.

私は接客業の経験がありますが、カティーさんと同じ信条で接客していました。 お客様の機嫌が悪い、または理不尽な対応をされて怒りが込み上げてきた時こそ、さらに丁寧に接していたものです。最終的にはそれでチップを貰いました(笑)心の中でガッツポーズをしましたね（爆） 日本人が英語がうまくなれない原因も点数ばかり気にかけて心からコミュニケーション取りたい！って気持ちが足りない部分だと思います。

I think it’s fairly normal for city locals to be introverts compared to people in rural areas even in the UK

its weird, on my last visit to Japan, i made quite a few friends, pretty easily. And still keep in contact with some of them after a year and some change. But maybe it was cause I was mostly in Osaka and Kyoto....Idk but i love the people I meet there

Superficial of me, but I really don't care for the personalities of the Americans here. And this is coming from an American. The guy from Mexico seemed more relateable and down to earth compared to them.

Finally, Cathy cat will teach you how to communicate with a very nice Japanese. I want to put it on the first page of the tourist guide. 最後にCathy catが非常に素晴らしい日本人とのコミュニケーションの方法を教えてくれます。 それは観光ガイドの最初のページに載せたいくらいです。

Go to Philippines... People here are kind friendly to foreigner. We always help those in need🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭

I'm not sure if that first guy should be talking about fashion. I'm not sure what he was on about half the time anyway, just a bunch of nonsense was coming out of his mouth was what it seemed like to me.

Japan is long In the north and south. And a Japanese is different in temperament in the north and the south. People gather in Tokyo from the all over Japan. Therefore the people make the attention each other. Because land is small, and personal space is small, Japanese have constant distance. People of The south local city are cheerful brightly.

buddy wearing a perfect blue shirt!!!

The girl with the curls said that some japanese people in touristy areas do not even try to speak japanese and directly start speaking english while being slightly annoyed/dead. That's absolutely untrue, I look nowhere near japanese and still everybody spoke japanese to me with a smile. Maybe it's just because I'm most likely starting the conversation in japanese but still if you try to speak some japanese you'll most likely have an enthusiastic japanese answer. They often get pretty excited when you're making the effort of speaking japanese.

I don't like noisy place esp at public space or too much touch or any physical contact, I think Tokyo suits me the best 😂

should ask Japanese if they are looking forward to the Olympics something like that

I am trying to learn Japanese i hope to visit Japan in a few years. As long as i speak a little do you think that will help?

Where does that girl live that she can go to the store in pajamas? I've never seen that on the east coast. Maybe it depends on the type of stores you go to.

I just realized that the first guy's wearing a perfect blue shirt

As a person who has lived in Japan for 20 years. I just can tell you that Tokyo ppl are really tired.. of work study etc. but if you start talking first they will help you with pleasure. I would also recommend to learn few Japanese to show your respect to the country you are traveling. Japanese ppl are nice to strangers, just busy and too much into their daily things I would say...

I have a feeling that Japan is like Nothern European countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Finland) in terms of social interactions. Being an closed community and stuff. That's why I don't want to go to Japan cuz I know I'll be all alone. My interactions with them isn't good either.

5:58 that guy were japanize 😂

That one woman couldn't be more wrong about how things would be 'so much worse' with the Olympics in Japan. Leading up to the Olympics, people who weren't even near any kind of Olympic venue or tourist area were very enthusiastically practicing English and asking me basically question about things like what to say and how to interact with foreigners, even at the dry cleaner and grocery stores where it was completely unlikely they would ever see a foreign in Japan just for the Olympics.

日本人の一人として、とてもとても感謝します　ありがとうございます。

6:10 Corona-chan: hold my beer 😂

4:03 She forgot that's " how the cookie crumbles" in the U.S. I went to the U.S for a couple times and I got lost one time with a dead battery phone so I asked somebody for directions and before I got the answers the person started "checking me in" telling me things I have an accent asking where I'm from with a really different tone of voice and face expressions; moody expressions. I ended in a super expensive taxi I called from a public telephone thanks to being free call because I didn't have any coins and it was very late night. BTW the person kept talking when I turned around and left. I could perceive the person was not being polite, kind or even had the willingness to help me in the first place. As soon as I told anyone where I'm from (except people who was Asian or very humble and poor people) they will automatically change their faces and behavior to a not very polite one. Racism is a problem in any multi-cultural nation because no culture has ever been taught to live with one another. I can understand Japanese people not tolerating visitor who know very little or nothing about their country. Just like most of Americans lose their mind when you have an accent or speak no English at all. More than an opinion this are things I experienced visiting U.S people is less than friendly unless you are buying something off from them or you're spending your money with them. Very awful. That's why I'm so shocked about that lady's statement. She forgot how life in New York really is.

12:00 rowlett plushie!

I was yesterday in Japan for one month and im back. I can understand people can be disappointed because we learn the japanese culture from fashion magazines, internet and animes (mangas). Im 31 yo and i remember that lolita time. Im from Paris and i know well Parisian people dont used to talk to people and we are reputaded to be noob in english and means but at least we try to answer something. i think that all develop country should learn english because it is the easiest way to communicate. I Travel in America latina and south asia. They have accent when they speak english but they Always try to be aware. It is the only country i have never stay in touch with someone there and i speak and understand rather well japanese.

今日は僕の誕生日です。 誕生日プレゼントありがとうございます。😁👍

そうなんですよね～最近の子達は保守的なのか 個性的なファッションをした人達が減ってきて、個人的に悲しいです😢昔だったら原宿系で、自分独自のファッションをした人達がわんさかいた時代があったのですが、今は原宿でもK-popの流行りのファッションをした子達が多くて、突き抜けた子達がいないのが悲しいですね。

I want to go to Japan but I am a very open person and love to chat to all types of people. I would love to make friends too. But I am afraid I won’t be welcome

I think the big difference between ten to twenty years ago and now isn't so much cultural as economic. When Japan was booming, so was its popular culture and Japanese people's eagerness to interact with foreigners. So now that the economy isn't strong, not only isn't there such a strong youth culture but there's just plain less youth. Japan should basically be paying women to have babies at this point, and/or make it easier for immigrants and their families to settle in and florish with equal job opportunites and less discrimination against, for example, housing and business ownership. It's still totally legal to have a "no foreigners" sign on the door of a business, or for a real estate agent to tell you to your face that a neighborhood doesn't accept foreigners. Assuming that particularly people from English speaking countries don't speak or understand Japanese, I have to say that stereotype reinforces itself. I've spoken Japanese since I was a teenager, so I really have no problem with the language, but until they hear me speak, Japanese people assume I'm Japanese illiterate, and the fact is I can't blame them especially in those tourist areas like near Shibuya Station or in Omotesando. Which brings me to my third point about all the above. Twenty years ago places like Shibuya were totally Japanese. There was a lot of small shops where people would sell fashions and such whcih they designed and manufactured themselves. There was one Burger King and that was about it for foreign businesses. The area around Hachiko statue was a great place to hang out and meet total strangers, a make instant friendships. Now it's a total tourist trap, and frankly annoying. People take selfies with their Starbucks coffee cups in the Scramble like they just reached the peak of Everest. It's nuts how commercialized with foreign, particularly American brands and stores places like Shibuya have become, to the point I would say you're not really experiencing Japan at all by going there.

On clothing, makeup, and such: I tell people to not walk around Japan dressed like they're going camping, especially don't carry a huge backpack around. Rather you should dress like you would to go to a nice shopping mall. Casual is fine, but dumpy is not.

what are difference in other regions vs tokyo

良く拝見させて頂いています 日本語を話せない外国人も多いので、日本語で話すと逃げて行く外国人も多く それを察して、多くの日本人は受け身で居るのだと思います 話しかけられれば困っているのかと思い一生懸命になる国民性と言ってもおかしく無いでしょう 30年前は外国人に話しかけられると逃げて行く人達ばかりでしたが(笑) また楽しみにしています頑張って下さい

The length of my conversation time with the bloke with pink hair...less than a minute. I think all he has is on the outside, or he thinks that's all he has.

How little did they know that just a short time later the whole tap of tourist would stop.

今と違って、昔バブルと言う華やかな時期がありましたからねぇ~。(^_^)

Everyone : we're so excited about the Olympics Corona : Hold my beer

OMG your sailor moon fashion!!! Where can I get it too!

ive never seen any japanese person with a wrinkled shirt which is amazing since dryers are unpopular - that to me is amazing.

The guy with the pink hair is a bit long in the tooth for that look. Love the Mexican guy, he is sweet, and cute;)

I always wonder what Cathy's height is?

This review is good in the Olympics they can handle the foreigners... But also some may be awkward when japanese people.... But be kind and polite...😊😊

I Want to try Anything With Anko.

カティが猫じゃらしに反応してるｗｗｗ

I don’t get why all the peeps in this video think that tourists must learn Japanese. Am I meant to learn the language of every country I visit? Whenever Im travelling im Europe, I always see Japanese and other people (including myself) using English. What’s the deal 😂

kathy looks huge in this one. shes like towering over the mexican kid

日本人は英語が堪能な人が少ないから積極的にコミュニケーションをとれないというのはあるよね でも自分は単語とボディーランゲージでよいなら何時間でも会話したいな

They say "Japanese seem tired of tourists coming without learning something before doing so" while, at the same time, they say that they're disappointed about the "lack of 'cool' (lol) and 'fashionable' people" around and about the Japanese keeping to themselves in public places. Things that you can literally know with a little research (like, no, Japan is not like in anime or like in the typical documentary that shows only specific things), which is something that everyone should do before going to another country. I lol'ed really hard at that xD It's cool tho, it just made me laugh due to the contrast :P

That guy at the beginning should probably disappear quietly.

6:22 I had to roll my eyes at this guy's girlfriend from the US. Girl, that's what happens when a country becomes multicultural. In the US there are signs in English, Spanish, and French. It's not a bad thing. Calm down.

1:07 Very real. I really loved Japan's unique fashion, and they inspired me really hard, but now in 2020, it's like they lost all of their artistic sense.

I think the Japanese dress nice.

最初のアメリカの人が言ってたのはあなた方が会話の最初に「日本語喋れます」って伝えるか「私は日本語喋れます」って服に書いておけば解決することでしょ？ 初対面で「日本語わかるでしょ？」前提で話しかける日本人はいないでしょ。 逆に気を使って英語を単語づつでも喋って伝えようとしてるのにおかしな話。

It’s funny because I’m from France and here people are not quiet, no, they are uneducated, here everyone will be rude to you and insult you so... I’d rather have no one saying anything to me and less interaction than being insulted every time I go outside.

i’m also worried about making friends in japan. strangers don’t talk to you because they see it as strange and unnecessary but everyone is strangers with each other before they become friends right? so you have to start somewhere, simply making friends through school etc is boring, what if someone appeals to you on the street then what do you do? i think Japanese people should put themselves out there more and just go for it, after all if someone appeals to you but you simply pass each other then they are gone forever, whats the worst that can happen

you are smiling, can i also see you once laughing. please show your teeeeeeeeeeths :D. But don't bite me plz :)

Talking about locals tired of tourists, Amsterdam is probably the best example. Those guys are so sick of everyone running around like its a drugs wonderland. They'll just stare you down for being a bit giggly.

日本では、電車の中でメイクをする若い女性がいてその行為が話題になったことがあります。

When you visit a foreign country get rid of all your preconceived, notions of that part of the world and go in with an open mind. For the last girl in the first group interviewed, there are plenty of videos online letting you know what and what not to do, it's up to the individual to educate him/her self, I found them helpful during my visit, that and a few phrases in Japanese saves you out of a lot of trouble and dirty looks.

Maybe,just maybe, they now know how a lot of immigrants feel when they first get to the US and aren't that fluid in english

日本人に英語で話しかける時は少しゆっくり話してあげるとコミュニケーションが取りやすいでしょう。なぜなら普段は英会話をほとんどしない人が多いので突然英語で話しかけられると驚いて反応に困ってしまうからです。特に地方ではそうするべきだと思いますよ。内向的なのは慣れていないから。

I want to meet the Mexican guy omggggg he's adorable and seems like such a cool person !!!

Now that I’m watching this during corona all these poor Japanese people are soo lucky that the olympics were cancelled this year