Americans First Impressions of Japan! (konbini, language, mochi, Japanese stores + culture shocks!)

[@koenigsdealer]

I loved living in Japan. The people are so friendly, everything is clean, ppl are quiet and reserved and the food culture is so good and cheap as well.

[@OurStorytoTell]

We haven’t been here long but we can already relate! 😊

[@wardarcade7452]

Great seeing you all jumping right into Japanese urban life with its zillions of vending machines, street food vendors, tiny restaurants [with each entree reproduced in 3-D for the consumers' choosing] as well as the grocery and convenience stores! One small tip that helped me at least understand what everyone else surrounded me believed to have been important was to get the 'Japan Times' as often as possible. That English-language daily paper is quite the boon and can be found in most convenience stores as well as bookstores in the cities. Yes, I know you can easily surf the 'Net for the latest stuff but somehow seeing information printed out in news form helped me gain my bearings while I was in Japan! Happy Birthday, Willa and what a cool party your parents threw for you (and I'm glad to see you all have found mochi)! Looking forward to seeing your travelogue jaunts in the Land of the Rising Sun (and especially Fuji-San)! THANKS

[@OurStorytoTell]

Such a fun comment to read! We will have to search for the English paper and read it ourselves soon! :) Thanks for the excitement because you know we can't wait to travel and bring you with us online!!

[@willionaire77]

Happy Birthday Willa! As I assumed - this is going to evolve from my favorite german/euro travel channel to favorite japan travel channel. 😁 Especially seeing you guys experiencing everything with a fresh perspective and then settling-in in the future. Will make this a fun ride to accompany. 😎👍

[@OurStorytoTell]

Wow, thank you! 🫶 That means a lot! We have been enjoying our time here and it’s great to hear you’ve enjoyed the new adventures as well!

[@scorrill]

Happy Birthday Willa! Welcome to Japan guys, so happy to see you exploring and trying the local cultures. Look forward to seeing Japan through your eyes. I have coworkers that used to work in Japan and loved it.

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thank you! 😊 We are really loving it so far!

[@scorrill]

@OurStorytoTell you just missed the snowfall in Germany

[@seeryu42]

Congrats on the Driver's Licenses, and excited to see where you settle in! We have friends in Miura and they enjoy the seaside living there, but a car makes family life easier. Once you start with some day and weekend trips, the Fuji Five Lakes are great for driving and glamping (and the huge outlet mall is useful for stocking up too)

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thanks for the tips! We are very excited to make our way closer to Fuji!

[@grandmak.]

Wow, what a cultural difference ! Thank you for sharing your adventures.

[@OurStorytoTell]

It means a lot you want to watch them! 🫶

[@jjivy6310]

🎉 Happy Birthday Willa 🥳!! Watch out... I heard the pictures don't always match what's in the can 😂. My friend who lived there years ago said it was challenge for her shopping. Loving seeing all the interesting places, food and culture. Have a blessed year!

[@OurStorytoTell]

Oh wow we didn't even think about that! That would be interesting to get something different then expected haha! Thank you! :)

[@kenjiarika]

はじめまして！ コンビニには罪深い食べ物が溢れていますね🤣 あなたたちのvlogは日本の基地に赴任する方とそのご家族にとって、とても役立つと思います。 日本での生活を楽しんでくださいね😊

[@OurStorytoTell]

Arigato gozaimasu!

[@arnikakiani8014]

Happy birthday Willa! Oh my gosh the food! You are making me hungry for absolutely everything! It´s great to see you having fun, Japan is so exciting!

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thank you! Just wait until the video next week 🤤🤤

[@indiramichaelahealey5156]

Happy Birthday Willa. It's so wonderful to see how exited she is and so eager to learn new words. As adorable as always. Will she be going to a Japanese Kita/Kindergarten/preschool there

[@OurStorytoTell]

Yes, we are so proud of her ambition to learn! We are actually still making that decision as to where she will be going. With the New Year holiday, a lot of schools are now just open for touring. So, we will be able to answer that soon.

[@sakutaro3musik486]

i was twice in japan and I just love it there. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do ^-^

[@OurStorytoTell]

Oh wow that's awesome to hear!! Where did you visit? We are loving it so far! :)

[@Herzschreiber]

Happy Birthday, dear Willa! I wish you that this new year of your life will bring you joy and luck each day! So interesting to see the foods and shops there! And .. well... being kind to children..... Back in the days of my childhood it was way more common in Germany to talk to children passing by. But that is 60 years in the past. Nowadays, if you would adress a child of a foreigner in the streets they for sure be like "Lassen Sie mein Kind in Ruhe!", because all these helicopter parents are over-afraid of someone doing harm to their kids or telling them how to educate their kids better. Concerning the last, I must say sadly that they are not so wrong - there are a lot of "know-it-alls" who would even tell you the fingernails of your child are not short enough... too short..... you name it! So sad really. I am happy to see that Willa seems to be so happy in Japan! And I am excited to see you experiencing your first trip with a car!

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thank you! We are really proud of Willa for transitioning so well 💗 Stay tuned for the car adventure!

[@beatrixpastoors1104]

I hope I will learn a lot about Japan by your videos. You will definitely notice more little details of what is different compared to Germany while you are still newcomers. I'm looking forward to your weekly videos. But how do you cope with the loudness? All this traffic and all the loudspeakers everywhere in the shops! As a German this would drive me crazy! As Americans who are told to be loud you might be more experienced in getting along with loudness for a long time. How nice that the Japanese people react so positively to your charming daughter! Unfortunately this is not so in Germany where children are often ignored. I remember our first trip by plane to Turkey. Our daughter was 2, with large brown eyes and blonde hair and so charming! When we walked the streets she was a big attraction everywhere. This stopped immediately after our return.

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thanks for your excitement and job about our new videos! We are noticing a lot of differences! It’s interesting because although there is a lot of noise from cars and such, the people are so quiet and aware of others. They are very respectful and never want to be loud for the sake of others. It’s a big notice coming from the US and also Europe too.

[@publicminx]

@beatrix: as a German i found Tokyo rather typical for an Asian big city (with some differences due to being more evolved than most). I was never disturbed by being loud and actually while the overall noise is louder some noises are in Berlin much louder (techno street parties, not the usual events but ton the streets, subways - the overall noise from the people. Japanese are quite decent, friendly (but also much more restrictive if people dig deeper (with a lot of codes most dont realize at first). Most tourists or expats stay in reality in their bubble and just meet likeminded westernized Japanese and also avoid to work not in a Japanese but rather more international company - again due to the still much more strict and hierarchical society work ethics. But again: loudness really depends rather if you more of a big city one (or in general not noise disturbed - i also dont are about subway/s-bahn noises or loud techno club noises, bar noises etc, while other ppl could not sleep if there is something loud outside or even preferred more calmed spots of a city ...

[@ginster458]

Ahh I miss Japan. I definitely was a little exhausted after 3 weeks of travel since it is so different there in a lot of ways, but such a beautiful experience! I just rewatched all of your Germany videos from beginning to end while deep cleaning the house so this feels extra bitter sweet, but I'm so exited for you guys! ( A tip: Short skirts are okay, uncovered arms are a little scandalous- I wore a tanktop one day that basically covered everything on my torso except the outside of my shoulders, which is a lot more coverage than the spaghetti straps I usually wear in Germany, and I have never felt so naked before! Definitely got a lot of stares that actually made me feel uncomfortably indecent, even though all that was showing were the outer parts of my shoulders and arms, but that's different cultures for you ;)) Maybe it's because I just rewatched all the old videos of you experiencing a new country AND I recently went to Japan myself and doing all of that, but when you filmed that kimono in the window, I almost had like a very vivid premonition. I can already see Rissa and Willa in Kimonos under the coming Sakura, and Tanner in a deep blue yukata or hontsuki. And Willa and Noah feeding deer in Nara ( a MUST DO) or riding the "romantic train" through the Kyoto forests. We did like one and a half weeks just in Osaka alone ( cause it is central to the whole Kansai region, if you go and don't take the car, buy the Kansai pass!) and did day trips to Nara (2 days) Kyoto (4 days), Kobe, Wakayama, and Arima Onsen, which is a small mountain town close by with hot springs- we booked a room with a private bath looking out into the bamboo forest and the mountains, which was pricy but worth every penny, I can highly recommend! And last but not least- Happy Birthday Willa! You've grown so much!

[@OurStorytoTell]

Oh my gosh what a fun (and informative) comment to read! We will be doing some of those during our time here much thanks to you for telling us about the amazing possibilities here! 😊 We actually booked a kimono wearing experience when Risa’s family is in town in a few months. We are very excited to get immersed in the culture! So interesting hearing about the clothing and differences between what feels comfortable and not. We’ve noticed that here in the wintertime, girls and women are in short skirts! Our first thought is that it must be cold! We are really happy here! 💗 We already find ourselves talking about our memories in Germany though and it’s sad to know it’s already a memory. 🥹

[@OurStorytoTell]

Also your trip sounds amazing and we are happy you could experience so much of Japan!! Thanks for sharing :)

[@howierfs5471]

Hi there, first of all my belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILLA. Already 4, time flys by. With all the japanes signs I would get lost. Regarding food it would be a tasting marathon and may be hardly to remember which was good and bought in which store. I am sure you will manage it. Great to see you all enjoy the other worlds challenges. All the best to you. Liebe Grüße nach Japan.

[@V100-e5q]

When I was in Japan I kind of felt quite comfortable even though I didn't speak the language. Because for traveling there were many streets shown in Latin spelling. And the transportation was easy to navigate. And reliable. I managed to stitch together a trip which used private railroad, a ferry and the Shinkansen. All from a timetable book with the help (translation) of the guys at the hostel. It worked flawlessly. The rest of our travel group was pretty astonished when we rejoined them on the original train. Coming back to Germany after 4 weeks I automatically moved to the left side when meeting oncoming people. Even looking right first at the pedestrian crossing. It was so ingrained to be on the left side.

[@OurStorytoTell]

Oh wow it sounds like you adjusted to Japan easy! That's awesome to hear! We sometimes catch ourselves walking on the right side (still) haha! Probably because we are on the army base still in temporary housing and it feels like little America. They do drive on the left side here on base though so thankfully we are used to that!

[@ramblingrosevanlife]

With the rice, seaweed Sushi type thing a Japanese friend serves with soy sauce to which you add the Wasabi paste to taste and dip it it - really makes it zing

[@OurStorytoTell]

Ooh we believe it! We don’t quite have a preference to wasabi yet. Maybe it will be acquired during our time here?

[@krisa990]

Japan is one of the most interesting Asian places to visit,and go to,in my view. Their culture is unique and as they dont have much foreign influence and very few foreigners the experience really get 100 procent genuine...so,to live and learn in very local,genuince cultural environment,Japan must be one of the best places and most interesting places,to visit. Thats the positives,that said,the town there that you live in,didnt really look very pitoresque to be totally honest with you guys,it kind of looked,non interesting visually. Lots of neon signs of course,which is very Japanese. I also think you need to really learn japanese fast,as they dont have too many foreigners,especially outside Tokyo,its not going to be many people that understand english.I believe that to live in Japan,especially long term,you really must be into the asian style of living,if you guys do,then its good but if you dont feel its your thing to be so owerwhelmed by it,then I think it can be overwhelming with time,to stay there. Myself,I would rather be there for a period of time,maybe 3-4 weeks or so,then months and years. You really need to prefer the japanese food and the compress food culture theyhave there,even though they do have foreign restaurants too of course,as you witnessed,but who goes every day to a restaurant?

[@OurStorytoTell]

We’ve found it super interesting and enjoyable so far! We are absolutely loving the food! We will see how we feel in a couple months. 😊

[@maryabreu6924]

Happy birthday Willa! Looks like all of you are enjoying your new home !

[@OurStorytoTell]

Yes we are. :) Thank you!

[@connycatlady7429]

Happy birthday sweet Willa 😍. All the best to you. Looks like you have lots of fun there. I'm curious about your househunting. Exiting. Coud you make a video about looking vor cloth ? Could be fun too. I think they have nice clothes there. All the best to all of you.

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thank you! We love the video ideas so thanks for sharing! We have a house hunting video in queue!! Stay tuned. 😊 We just finished editing it actually haha! Sometime maybe we can do a clothes one.

[@VaNy-k7f]

The only things that realy get stolen in Japan are umbrellas. Mostly the cheap transparent ones, which you can buy at the conbinis. Thats the reason why the lockers in some stores exist. For Food, i realy recommend the Chicken teriyaki Burger at McDonald's.

[@OurStorytoTell]

Ooh a McDonald’s recommendation! We have not received one of those so now we have got to give it a try! Thanks 😊

[@samuelnedrow1662]

So many memories from the last couple videos after living in Yokosuka myself. I miss walking down blue street and you guys even showed a glimpse of my old apartment next to the fish market in the last video. Super stoked to see your time in Japan to relive it all.

[@OurStorytoTell]

Oh that's so fun to hear you have lived here! How long were you here for? Do you have any recommendations for us? :)

[@K__a__M__I]

Oh exploring the konbinis'...just walking in and grabbing stuff blindly off the shelves can be a lifelong hobby. Don't disregard the dried seafoods and give them a try. My favourite is _Saki Ika,_ octopus jerky. A bag of 10g costs around 5€ in Germany, 0,50€ in japan...

[@OurStorytoTell]

That is true it can be!! And you’re right! We need to be a bit more open to the dried seafoods! They look a bit intimidating but fun to hear you enjoy them!

[@berndgaal7689]

wow!!! Happy to see you enjoy your time and the convenient store food!!! This triangle rice thing is called Onigiri. Its a typical japanese snack. My wife makes it once in a while. Can t wait to see more of your japanese adventure!!!

[@OurStorytoTell]

We've been so impressed at how fresh the konbini food is! That's awesome your wife will make them. All of them we have tried so far are great! :)

[@indrahx5905]

13:46 I've seen those chocolate oranges more than once in Hamburg and Munich! Happy Birthday, Willa! 🎈

[@OurStorytoTell]

Really? We never did, but that's fun you have! They bring back so many memories for Risa as her family always got them in her stocking growing up. :)

[@kolni3617]

Omg! The orange chocolate is my favorite too! I always get it when I am in the UK 🇬🇧 enjoy Japan!

[@OurStorytoTell]

I love it! 😊 Tanner and Willa don’t like the chocolate oranges, so more for me 😉

[@andrewcarmichael8683]

I had my first real Japanese food at Mikasa Park. I got Yakisoba from a street vendor. My wife didn't try it, but it was real good! There used to be a Royal Host up on route 16. Took my wife to dinner there as a night out after moving into our home off base.

[@OurStorytoTell]

Oh those sound like such fun & tasty memories!! Thanks for sharing. What base were you stationed at?

[@andrewcarmichael8683]

@@OurStorytoTell Yokosuka! My wife was the service member, she was a Lpo at Navcommsta.

[@MrIvanka110]

Cool Video and such a nice adventure 😊ahh I didn’t know that in Japan they drive on the left side 😂

[@OurStorytoTell]

Yes, it has been a learning curve for us haha! Stay tuned for that adventure!!

[@Mwoods2272]

You are in Yokosuka, that base has been there decades. The businesses around there are used to Americans. A lot of businesses cater to Americans.

[@OurStorytoTell]

Yes that is true!! We are excited to explore outside the base!

[@Danny30011980]

These Chocolate Oranges are also on sake in Ireland, so they do exist in Europe

[@OurStorytoTell]

No way?! Fun to hear!! We never saw them, but we also lived in the rural part of Germany so it would make sense! Fun to hear they can be found there!

[@quattrotobi]

MOCHIIII! Delicious, i recomend the more brownish with sesame "coating". Dont know the word. xD

[@OurStorytoTell]

Ohh good to know! We will have to try it! Thanks!

[@beyonderprime5020]

Hello you 4, good to see you are doing well. Well, Japan is a small island where everything is so compressed, be it houses, apartments, streets, shops and restaurants.

[@OurStorytoTell]

Yes that’s true! Coming from the US, Germany was like that for us too, but now Japan definitely is a whole other level! 🤣

[@verenaburkhardt7256]

Happy Birthday Willa!! 🎉🎂🎇🎁 Hi, my Brother in law has friends who live in the Mountains anywhere near Tokyo. As far as i know they are rent a Apartment in Tokyo. Should i ask if it is still to rent. I don't know how big the Apartment is.

[@OurStorytoTell]

Oh wow that's awesome! So nice of you to offer, but we actually think we just found our house. :) Seriously though, such a kind offer!

[@lordofnumbers9317]

@7:39 Check out the taxis. I believe some of these models have never been seen in other parts of the world. Happy Birthday Willa. ❤❤❤

[@LythaWausW]

Can someone tell me if people eat teriyaki in Japan, the kind we eat in Honolulu and Seattle?

[@K__a__M__I]

teriyaki *is* japanese...the question is how hawaiian teriyaki differs from the original (i'm gonna say not much, though).

[@OurStorytoTell]

Yes they eat teriyaki here! I would say their sauce is a little thinner though (based on the ones we have had here which is only a few).

[@cherylsemrau7100]

In Tokyo they have a lot of music and festivals.

[@OurStorytoTell]

We really want to go to some! :)

[@thechikuwa284]

Like Ridge Alkonis, U.S. military personnel get altitude sickness on the plains, so don't go to Tokyo Tower.😀

[@MichaelHampton-Whitney]

Can't wait for you to experience Yodobashi Camera!

[@OurStorytoTell]

Ooh we will have to look into that!

[@kgspollux6998]

6:36 Willa could be the key to the Japanese people's hearts. Big, round blue eyes, blond hair and a real cute appearance is named as "Kawaii" = super cute. . . .

[@jayb.1147]

Just stumbled on to your channel and I am enjoying your videos. I'm looking forward to seeing how you and your family adjust to your time in Japan! Belated happy birthday to your little one. -- As a side note, and I hope this isn't gauche, but perhaps check out another expat, Caitlin (heratlas), as she and her family just moved to that area of Japan as well!

[@OurStorytoTell]

Hi! 👋 so happy to have you here! Thanks for the suggestions & other channel! We will look into it! 😊

[@OurStorytoTell]

Where are you watching from?

[@jayb.1147]

From the US! :)

[@Wooster77]

I didn’t know there were US bases in Japan except for Okinawa so I googled it. There are 23 US bases in Japan. Wow.

[@OurStorytoTell]

We didn't even know there were that many!! Man!

[@krisa990]

Im not a big fish person,so for me it would be abit of a challenge there..

[@OurStorytoTell]

We understand that! They do have a lot of food choices though 😊

[@derauditor5748]

Herzlichen Glückwunsch Willa! Have fun in Japan!

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thank you!!

[@majormogli3772]

for me as a german, it looks like a pure nightmare! respect to you!

[@OurStorytoTell]

Not to us, but to each their own!

[@margittasaager7238]

What about that major earthquake ... apparently didn't happen around your block? Have a great time.

[@martinkasper197]

It happened at the opposite japanese coast...They are living near to Tokyo...🤓

[@margittasaager7238]

@@martinkasper197 Thank you for answering. I was genuinely worried and surprised it wasn't even addressed. Earthquakes like that normally create a lot of attention but here it was as if it had no relevance. Know what I mean?

[@martinkasper197]

@@margittasaager7238 They went to Japan in December. Maybe this footage was also filmed in late December. So the earthquake on New Years Day had no relevance,too....🤔Also they didn't adress the plane crash at Tokyo Airport 2 days later.

[@margittasaager7238]

@@martinkasper197 You're right. That has to be the case. Be safe and thank you.

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thank you for your concern 🫶 Yes, these were filmed before the earthquake and plane crash! We weren’t affected by the earthquake though! We were surprised we didn’t feel it when we found out how large it was!

[@lisapebley6039]

Happy Birthday sweet Willa!!! Blessings from Oklahoma.

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thank you!!

[@Larry-tw1vs]

Herzlichen Glückwunsch Willa🎉 ich habe ein Frage: Habt ihr von dem Erdbeben etwas mitbekommen?

[@OurStorytoTell]

Hi! We didn’t feel anything when the earthquake struck actually! This video was filmed before then but we were surprised at how large it was because we didn’t feel anything!

[@Exbozz]

16:15 haha, I was gonna say if Japan is anything like Thailand you have to go checkout 7/11 and eat an onigiri.

[@OurStorytoTell]

So fun you've been to Thailand! Haha we hope to visit there sometime during our time here in Japan. We will have to compare the 7/11s! :)

[@Exbozz]

@@OurStorytoTell It was the same Onigiri haha, but they also have some kind of a rolled up one.

[@gwynethglas-brown9171]

Happy Birthday Willa 🎉 Where did the time Go she Growing up so fast 🥰 lovely to see you 😊. thinking of you all after the horrific Earthquake struck hope your all okay 🤞🙏 Thats some fun foods your trying 😜 the Fish like pastry ice cream looked so tasty . Sure it will take a bit of Time to adapt to the new way of life etc, but it so interesting seeing you adventure Around the base shops. I had to Giggle when Risa found the Terry chocolate orange😂. Good luck with the Driving test Tanner 🍀 have a Good week looking forward to to your next video 🥰🥰

[@OurStorytoTell]

Aww thank you! She is growing up so fast! 😊 Thankfully we didn’t even feel the earthquake. We hope the best for all those affected 🥹 Thanks for your support throughout this time!!

[@christinehorsley]

Will you be getting used to eating mainly convenience food and fast food ?

[@OurStorytoTell]

No, just wait for our next video. :)

[@大和日本-m5g]

おにぎり🍙の袋は簡単に開けることができます。上のビニールを下に引くだけです。😊

[@OurStorytoTell]

Hi 👋👋 so happy to see you here!! Thanks for the tip & for watching! Stay tuned for more Japanese content 🇯🇵😊

[@cherylsemrau7100]

I think karuoke started in Japan.

[@OurStorytoTell]

That would make sense!!

[@S16E1]

Happy Birthday Willa

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thank you!

[@t____-gw1vh]

Sumimasen your daughter said is so cute.😊

[@OurStorytoTell]

It was fun to see her excited to try new Japanese words!

[@タカ-k6c]

誕生日おめでとう

[@IwanTimmermans]

Germany looks so much nicer. Do you miss it?

[@kgspollux6998]

Too early. . . give them a few further months. . .

[@OurStorytoTell]

We will always love (& miss) Germany!!

[@memories511]

Happy Birthday Willa. Hope you had a fun filled day 🎉🍰🎈🤡

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thanks! She had a great day! :)

[@memories511]

@@OurStorytoTell That is awesome. 😘

[@lordofnumbers9317]

Hmm, that's a lot of plastic and paper waste. What is recycling like in Japan? Is that comparable to Germany?

[@kgspollux6998]

Wait, they have arrived currently . . . .

[@user-qm7jw]

Most plastic waste in Japan is used for thermal recycling. However no matter how much plastic waste we reduce, it's useless because the Chinese and Indians will continue to produce even more.

[@OurStorytoTell]

From what we are learning, the recycling program is quite robust here. We will have a better answer soon!

[@Lieschen_Mueller]

Those poor puppies 😢

[@franhunne8929]

It seems to be left to me to say this, while I fully admire your bravery - make sure you learn about some basics of their culture and fast. NEVER stick the chopsticks into the food bowl. It is usually part of Japanese funeral rites. Japanese people do not do that during a meal therefore. And - never offer a tip. They feel insulted if you do - as if they would not give it their all without! Japanese are a bit different in that regard.

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thanks! We had to take a mandatory three day cultural integration course and they taught us both of these things! It’s very important to know so thanks for taking the time to make us aware in case we hadn’t learned already.

[@franhunne8929]

@@OurStorytoTell Sorry if I came over as a bit Know-It-All-ish ..

[@nordwestbeiwest1899]

What I notice is that you eat more industrial food there where you don't know what ingredients are in it. Nothing fresh as you can see.And things that have a stronger taste have umami, but are usually enhanced by flavor enhancers and are rather unhealthy.

[@moosejawn123]

😊😊

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thanks for being here! 🫶

[@rolandpreissler1861]

ein bissl schade das Willa ohne ihre Freunde Geburtstag feiern musste. Sah etwas traurig aus.

[@OurStorytoTell]

The timing wasn’t ideal, but we assure you, she was a very happy 4 year old!

[@中野琢磨-q9r]

日本は大した事ない、自分の国が1番だと言って欲しい。世界中の人が日本に来て日本凄いと言っているのは健全ではないと思う。世界は広く、未知の素晴らしい価値がまだまだあると思いたい。

[@MBUS8051]

The store own by Korean. Not authentic Japanese store…

[@OurStorytoTell]

What?? We did not know that!! It seems all the tourists (and locals) flock here! We totally thought it was Japanese! 🧐

[@DJMike1968]

Germany is Germany, there is nothing better.

[@horangmarco85.4]

외국인이 일본어를 몰라도 끝까지 일본어만 씀 기본 데시벨이 너무 낮아서 답답함 여행은 좋은데 살면 정신병 걸릴거 같음

[@fliplefrog8843]

uuuh... @2:44min *neverever* stick your chopsticks into the meal in public! Thats offending, bcoz it symbols incense sticks, used for prayers to the dead.

[@K__a__M__I]

Upright, 90° upward in rice, is the no-no you're thinking of. Just eating is fine, noone would care.

[@fliplefrog8843]

@@K__a__M__I nope! Never ever stick your chopsticks into your meal. The angle doesent matter! You will definetily embarrase every one in the place! Trust me! I've tried it myself! Dont know, where this pseudo 90degrees come from. You will defenetily emberras all locals

[@K__a__M__I]

@@fliplefrog8843 The 'pseudo' 90 degrees comes from the bowl of rice with incense sticks in them at house altars and graves as an offering to the ancestors. So no, i'm not gonna 'trust you'. Maybe spend some time with japanese people.

[@melocitysolo9574]

Yes, you're right. There are other taboos about how to use chopsticks. Japanese people value courtesy and respect for others the most in the world, so you need to study beforehand. But in the case of foreigners, they laugh and forgive. Because they think that not knowing is not embarrassing.

[@martinkasper197]

What I don't like about Japan is the extensive use of plastic to wrap everything..🤓

[@kgspollux6998]

Yes, they don't seem to be such far like other nations. . .

[@bluelithium9808]

The Japanese wash all plastic before putting it in the recycle bin and actually recycle it for reals unlike the US and Europe.

[@martinkasper197]

@@bluelithium9808 Yes, I remember the japanese spectators collecting all their garbage after the game during Soccer WM in Katar 2022. No one else did this.

[@OurStorytoTell]

We can’t lie, they do wrap a lot of things in an abundance of plastic! We are still learning about it, but from what we’ve heard, they have quite a robust recycling program here!

[@wizardm]

It’s difficult to sell this in these stores without plastic wrap.

[@ursularieger5092]

It's interesting to see all the different food items - but it's horrible to see that's all fast food with a lot of plastic etc. - that 's not the best for our future .....is there no ecological idea in Japan? You could find out for us....

[@OurStorytoTell]

There's actually quite a robust recycling program, however we are still learning more about it. We can agree that they do package a lot of things in an abundance of plastic!

[@ursularieger5092]

Thank you for your answer - this would be a great content for a new Video - also for the other follower nations ...to at least think about it..... I think we try to do good efforts in Germany ? What was your experiance?

[@Japaaan]

こんにちは。私は日本人です。 私は日本でプラスチックの包装がたくさん使用されている理由を正しく説明できる訳ではありませんが、予想を書きます。 日本は湿度が高い国なので食品を密封しないとカビが発生するリスクが高まります。 だからプラスチックの包装を使用する場合が多いのだと思います。 Hello. I am Japanese. I can't really explain why so much plastic packaging is used in Japan, but I will write my predictions. Japan is a country with high humidity, so if food is not sealed tightly, there is a high risk of mold forming. I think that's why plastic packaging is often used.

[@clairdelune1806]

you are ignorant Lol It's true that Japan has a lot of plastic products, but there are strict rules regarding recycling. Personally, the most difficult thing about living in Japan might be separating garbage.

[@kurtfw4581]

Very interesting glimpses of everyday-life in Japan, thank you! And all the best for your new start in this new country! And Happy Birthday, Willa!

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thank you for watching!! :) Hope your year has been off to a great start!