Does Japan REALLY STARE at Foreigners?

Will you be stared at as a foreigner in Japan? What makes people in Japan look at foreigners? See what it's like to be a foreigner in Japan and learn how you can better enjoy your time here.
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[@OrientalPearl]

I can't wait to show you my 3 month update video learning Korean. I've been taking classes at a school and studying Pimsleur everyday. It's helped so much that my teacher was shocked at the progress. Try the 7 day trial: imp.i271380.net/c/2397166/1117678/11472

[@user-ed1ce3nf6m]

Your a genius. Learning korean, japanese, and chinese. Your number 1. Much love towards you muah.

[@sleepywitchcrafts]

Im so excited for you! I dont know how you do it haha

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks so much. I wouldn't say that, but I do work really hard.

[@OrientalPearl]

I guess I'm just a person with a lot of free time lol.

[@RonGee]

OK, I'm visiting Japan next May so I'm going to give Pimsleur a try. Interesting that there's little instruction on grammar and a focus on repeating spoken phrases, but I guess that's how we all learned our first language as toddlers.

[@scottbrandon6244]

My mother was in hospital in Kunming China for heart surgery. The nurses were examining her as she came awake after surgery. My mother had her belly button/navel removed in surgery decades earlier. The nurses thought as a westerner she did not speak good Mandarin. So they gossiped. They said "Look at that Canadian. She has no belly button. I guess all Canadians have no belly button."

[@cyclist68]

Crickey , medical professionals? That's a wee bit worrying 😲

[@ymc_jaytv8888]

Wow I can't believe they gossiped and assumed all Caucasians like that. I'm terribly sorry about that. God bless you and your family! 🙏❤️

[@OrientalPearl]

lol thanks for sharing this story.

[@momonatu4998]

I would be worried about that hospital because of its surprisingly ignorant people. Even worse than a little child!!!

[@cephalonrolli5678]

what a bunch of ignorant nurses wtf hahahahaha they need more anatomy classes if they really think an entire country or region or people have no belly buttons. These are actual nurses....

[@Michaelthekiwi]

My experience (in that we visited for two weeks in 2019) was that the Japanese are used to foreigners in tourist areas. However, they were not used to seeing foreigners like my daughter who was 5 years old and has bright red hair. She would get noticed, but the locals were very polite and wouldn't stare or make a big fuss. The only exception to the non-staring was teenage girls, who would giggle and whisper 'kawaii' to each other. My daughter picked up on that quickly and would be playful for them.

[@OrientalPearl]

Redheads would turn some heads for sure. I’m glad that your daughter turned it into a positive in the end.

[@aj49ers20]

That is sweet, they thought your daughter was cute. Of course people outside of touristy areas tend to stare or look a little longer than areas that tourists or foreigners frequent. I found this happened to me on Awaji Island as opposed to in Tokyo where there are many expats. I have always found this to be endearing when I travel around the world and don't mind when people look a little longer than usual. We are curious beings :)

[@ymc_jaytv8888]

That's adorable! Your daughter is so sweet!

[@TheKaiTetley]

@@OrientalPearl What about middle aged men with long red hair? I ask for a friend.

[@inactiveuser555]

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[@xanperia]

I've had 3 trips to Japan and never got any weird stares. The only time was at the Kansai airport where an huge group of Korean guys stared at me. Staring is a thing in Korea, or so I've heard. So I wasn't suprised. In Japan, people would come up to me and ask if I needed any help (directions), suprisingly all of them were older people who didn't even speak English. They were so nice! And one time me and my friend took a bus to a not-so-touristy location and the buss driver looked as us and asked "are you sure you're on the right bus?" He was concerned and it was adorable. I know there are gaijin haters in Japan, but as a tourist I've personally never felt that.

[@OrientalPearl]

I guess it’s the luck of the draw sometimes. Never know who you’ll run into. Over a long enough timespan like 4 years, you’re bound to have some stories, even in Japan, especially if you’re in the workplace or in a school in Japan where tourists don’t go.

[@kingmaafa120]

You hit it on the nail as a tourist They want $$$$$😁 Stay awhile ya.ll see

[@xanperia]

@@kingmaafa120 I see what you mean, but those people who came up to me and offered help most definitely didn't want any money. I just don't see such friendliness in my own country. People here probably hate foreigners more than they do in Japan. That being said, I have friends living and working in Japan and I know what they have been through. One of them has a gaijin-hater neighbour who sometimes calls a police for her for no reason. And so on.

[@kingmaafa120]

@@xanperia thanks I only speak from the viewpoint of having lived and worked in 🇯🇵for 20+ yrs and owning 4 businesses

[@kingmaafa120]

@@xanperia overall 🇯🇵still high on my list for being one the most ❤️countries Though they try to keep things mysterious Which I like.. ❤️the GEISHA LADY I DATED BOTH EM ANYWAYS😁 Advice I give to all Just be a tourist Even if you live there permanently and speak the language at one level or another 😁 Anyway You get more perks as a tourist Took a while for me to learn that hustle 😁 I’d see some long term expats arguing with Japanese ppl I’AM 🇯🇵I speak Japanese I’ve lived here for x amount of yrs ..and I’d watch..as 🇯🇵person one with a blank face and sly look ..saying nothing but like DID your 🇯🇵mother give birth to you 😁 Tales from 🇯🇵 my 📕 I dedicate to the ❤️🇯🇵ppl published in 2023 or 2024

[@Wemerson97]

When I was learning English, your videos motivated me a lot to continue learning; Today I'm learning Japanese and again your videos are helping me a lot. thank you very much for this channel

[@OrientalPearl]

I’m so glad to hear that you’re learning Japanese!

[@youtubeuser206]

@@OrientalPearl why are the Japanese so fond of Chikan

[@theasianjaywalker4455]

I haven't been everywhere but without a doubt the most 'stares' had to be Changchun, Jilin China where I don't suppose they got a lot of foreigners and ohhhh boy did they stare, stalk, hide around corners staring and sometimes I'd look at the reflection in a large window and see locals standing behind me just staring away. So, ya, it's a strange phenom depending on where.

[@OrientalPearl]

Yeah, I lived pretty close to Changchun too. I was in Harbin and had the same experience daily lol

[@keitaro8626]

Omg what a coincidence！im a Chinese who also live in Changchun Jilin and i really feel bad for that experience.umm what u say is true,there are rare expats in Jilin,i have stay here for about 1 year but i only noticed that a lady with blonde hair riding a bike bypassing me for one time😃hope u have a good time here！

[@riverworld5326]

if you look like the thing in your profile picture, it's really not.

[@theasianjaywalker4455]

@@riverworld5326 it is really hot!

[@mickus85]

Countryside Japanese don’t “stare” and aren’t curious. They’re just friendlier and less guarded than city people. This is from 13 years of experience of living in both very rural and urban places as an Aussie. Also it’s rare to see someone say “Are you American?” They normally ask “Where are you from?” Your accent probably gave it away as I’ve never been asked if I was American.

[@Seishi41]

I've lived in Japan for twenty years and haven't had these expreriences. Gaijins are not starred at in Japan.

[@rayquitana1453]

Countryside people are awesome.. ehhh😂

[@midoriyakumo7531]

SO TRUE! I just came back from Kurayoshi and that's the exact experience there

[@kelly5822]

My husbands family live in a really rural place in Japan. Whenever I walk around town people stop what they are doing and full on stare. A few times at the train station everyone stopped talking and watched my every move. A guy riding a bike fell off as he was gawking at me. It really is unnerving. This has been the past 20 years I've personally experienced it. Now I say konnichiwa when they stare to let them know I see them staring. Most of them are shocked when I do.

[@OrientalPearl]

That’s so crazy that a guy actually fell off his bike. 😂

[@steemlenn8797]

@@OrientalPearl I would have laughed loud and afterwards be called the "gaijin who laughts about accidents". Sigh.

[@ymc_jaytv8888]

I laughed when you said a guy fell of his bike. 😂

[@riverworld5326]

I love it when people fall off their bikes while gawking, that cracking sound when bones break is so satisfying.

[@augustmorris7435]

I would be laughing at the person who falled off the bike

[@SarahandAtem]

My mum got asked to have a photo with a woman, my mum thought they wanted to take a photo of the castle. Nope, she has tattoos on her arms and legs and they wanted to have a photo with her because of it lol, very sweet and super nice to disabled people

[@OrientalPearl]

Tattoos tend to draw eyes in Japan for sure.

[@rd4660]

My son is a merchant mariner and is frequently in China, Japan, Okinawa, and South Korea. He’s a very muscular 6’3” and 275# and stands about a foot taller than most folks in Asia. He’s accepted the fact that he’s a freak over there. He gets a lot of attention, especially from the girls and retired people. He has a good time with his size and like you’ve discovered people are generally very friendly but they do want to touch his big muscles. The always ask if he’s a football player or wrestler.

[@OrientalPearl]

Ha ha, maybe not a freak, but perhaps a rarity.

[@jelle7]

Japan is an introvert paradise. But I'm 6ft3. I'll probably get the stares a lot. I hope someday to be able to live in Japan.

[@jackpatterson7110]

I'm 6 ft 10 😭😭

[@northsouth8928]

im 5ft 9 and really wanna go to japan

[@ABC-48483]

I'm 5"11 wound I fit in Japan okay?

[@wingedbull1257]

I'm 7 feet 6 inches

[@dennischapman8683]

@@ABC-48483 why wouldn’t you? I’ve seen Japanese men over 6ft 1, it’s not uncommon

[@Aaron-kr7rj]

I live in hokkaido. Getting stares is pretty normal for me as a 6'2" big muscular guy. I'm pretty sure my size scares people too. It can feel strange, but there are also plenty of very friendly and kind people here. I've lived here a while and only ever see a foreigner maybe once or twice a month while walking around on the daily so how can I fault them for being shocked seeing a foreigner when I get shocked seeing one too lol. Sending good thoughts your way pearl.

[@OrientalPearl]

That’s so cool! We just visited Hokkaido for our honeymoon!

[@josealmeida1713]

i felt this in Hong Kong. I'm 6'4. People stared a lot ahah

[@riverworld5326]

Wow, look at that. 6'2" big muscular guy over here.

[@davidcamargo9167]

@@riverworld5326 lol

[@wumomodog]

muscular guy alone can get a lot of attention in Asian country

[@leticiahf9653]

My experience after three months living in Japan is that when I go to bigger cities people will just ignore me. However, I live in a small city and I do get some stares which don't bother me at all. As you mentioned in the video, I feel that the more rural the area the more attention I will get.

[@user-vo7kb2pk8b]

日本だけではないでしょ。 人の視線が気になるのだったら、自国からでなければ良いのに。

[@Aodan]

I loved a lot of these interactions, something I didn't think would happen when I first went. I do agree, that as an American, we are typically way over self conscious. What I think is very unique is when you meet Chinese people in Japan and there is like this mutual happiness to see each other and speak Chinese. I wish Japanese were always that warm. Hahahah I love the "classic" ehhhh, got that a lot when I went to Mishima-Kita.

[@OrientalPearl]

It’s ok, no need to be self conscious 😊

[@abnormia]

I get stared at pretty much all the time in Korea. I lived in Seoul and there are a lot of foreigners but because I have blonde hair and tattoos I tend to stick out more. I wore shorts the other day because its so hot and it was insane, like old guys who literally stopped and stared at me the entire time I walked past them and beyond... But its only because its different from what they are used to. and yes, I definitely get more stares once I start speaking korean!

[@OrientalPearl]

That's what I imagined would be the situation over there. That's going to make for an interesting trip when I visit. lol

[@AbuHajarAlBugatti]

Having old farts stare at girls like that is still creepy as hell no matter the country. But yeah me as a blonde bodybuilder aswell. We are being really fetishized by them anyway which is very annoying. Just look how many korean girls get eyelid surgery to look more european and dye their hair

[@plumeetpixels7062]

I ended up on your chanel while digging KZbin for japanese course, tips and stuff... now I'm completely hooked! Your vids are very interesting, from the social and cultural point of view, and a quite good myth-buster about social interaction with foreign people. First I thought it was easier for you, since you are a young woman, then you bring this huge friendly guy... and being the older version of him I talled myself it would be OK. Many thanks from France.

[@jensino]

When I was living in Hokkaido I can't take one step without being the center of attention. Blond curly hair and a height of 1,91 metres always gathered the japanese around me like I was giving away instant noodles for free. I miss this sh*t. See you again, Japan. 😂

[@OrientalPearl]

Lol. Those are the kind of moments that make for hilarious stories.

[@Im-fq1mn]

Hokkaido is rural. And I think pure Ainu get more attention than you.

[@matthewraya4246]

You’ve become a master at secretly capturing peoples expressions 😄. I would assume at this day & age that the Japanese people would be used to seeing foreigners.

[@OrientalPearl]

Ha ha, there’s soooo much I can never capture on camera. This is just a sliver.

[@apacheyt698]

Keep up the awesome work anming you bring us so much great content,thank you!

[@OrientalPearl]

Thank you so much! There’s a lot more coming this summer.

[@UrbanAnalog]

I was in Hong Kong and just ordering bubble tea and saying hello, Thank you, and goodbye, made the day of the older lady behind the counter. Language is so fun. Love your videos... thanks for inspiring and sharing

[@mochiclumsy]

I’m Japanese and I grew up learning more English than Japanese so when I see someone from other country’s I want to talk to them- And I hope people will stop making fun of my country and we don’t learn much English in Japanese schools most people has an Japanese accent when they learn new languages as an adult and yeah I love your videos and I don’t think Japanese people stare at people in an offensive way but yes when I speak English to my friends at the mall or somewhere they stare at me- I’m sorry that some people stare at you in a weird way. But even when you’re Japanese they stare at you so there’s not much of an difference

[@zillyvnuch9201]

You're so inspirational! I've always wondered how it feels to know so many languages well as I only know my native (Russian), English (and even if I know it well, my English seems too formal/polite or modest as people would say to me), a bit of Italian and only a few sentences in Japanese. You inspired me to learn something new, thank you!

[@OrientalPearl]

You’re amazing too! If you want to take on Japanese too, I know you’ll be able to do it because you learned English. 😊

[@angelhowell7760]

@@OrientalPearl it’s really amazing. I head English is the hardest to learn.

[@silentbattousai1]

Well hello there!. Its been a while since you post but I know you just got married and had the best time of your life, and I'm so jealous lol. thanks for yet another amazing video posting. i enjoy the wholesome content you release and look forward to it. Also, thank you so much for the heads-up about the program. I take it seriously although I don't get to study as much as i like, i have finally made it the writing portion of Japanese. I'm in lesson 12 much to my dismay due to time constraints. However, thank you again for showing me this amazing perspective of how my life can be enhanced to a level i was not aware of. I have even gotten a close friend to re-explore her origin countries language (she is fluent already). now I'm rambling. anyways thank you again for such an amazing gift of motivation and inspiration. keep the videos coming!!

[@OrientalPearl]

Ha ha, has it been awhile? Just 3 weeks 😂 I’m glad that you’re studying Japanese now! That’s awesome!

[@tymonjames8577]

I really enjoy your vids. You seem like a genuinely nice person. I'm also American (living in America) and trying to learn Spanish for my second language. Thanks for inspiring me to keep with it! :)

[@OrientalPearl]

Thank you so much! I hope you can enjoy all 127 videos!

[@stephorsmth9854]

I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS! You inspire me so much! Thank you :D

[@OrientalPearl]

I’m so happy to hear that the videos inspire you!

[@elizabethkusce2718]

Looks like you are having the time of your life, I feel if you show Japan respect and like you said learn their language and culture they will respect you in return.

[@OrientalPearl]

Yes for sure! I’ve really enjoyed it here in Japan.

[@elizabethkusce2718]

@@OrientalPearl how is married life

[@riverworld5326]

but you'll never be one of them, no matter how much they respect you.

[@bk6489]

@@riverworld5326 im pretty sure that isn’t Anyones intention

[@remsipstea]

@@riverworld5326 what was the point of this msg 😭😭

[@Fahad_Baig121]

I literally love your videos so much oriental pearl❤❤

[@lizzie7929]

Love your insight to the culture, you inspire me so much! Stay well🍡🌸💗

[@rightuppercut1426]

You guys are having so much fun. Thanks for sharing your experiences and mad respect for your foreign language learning skills.

[@Primevals33]

Your videos are so much fun to watch. Hope you and your new husband are doing well. I miss Japan. Can’t wait to go back very soon . 🙏🏼❤️

[@OrientalPearl]

Thank you! I hope you can visit soon.

[@Primevals33]

@@OrientalPearl We'll if I do visit again, hope I can meet you guys. Be really cool for you to hang out with one of you're groupies, lol

[@dennisluz6453]

You are having so much fun it is contagious. Keep it up.

[@jthesmalls]

So happy. I'm from Michigan too. Midland. I am happy to learn from you. I definitely want to go to Japan and you give me the perfect information. Thank you!

[@OrientalPearl]

Wow. I went to college in Midland. What a small world.

[@melinda_coffee_nerd]

When I was 20, was stationed in Japan in 1988-1990. As a tall, blonde haired blue eyed female, I did get quite a few stares. Everyone was very polite and kept to themselves, unless I initiated the conversation, particularly with people my age - they often seemed excited to practice conversational English and I loved to practice my Japanese! My American friends and I would go to Tokyo Disneyland and the school kids would ask to take pictures and sign their autograph books. Such a wonderful place to live and an amazing culture of kind hearted people!

[@OrientalPearl]

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us Melinda.

[@melinda_coffee_nerd]

I love your videos! I wish you and your husband a long and beautiful marriage!

[@melinda_coffee_nerd]

Ok. Don’t laugh, but when I lived there I would stare in shock & disbelief at the men that would just stop on the side of the highways and roads to go pee! They get arrested for indecent exposure in the United States! Lol

[@Enlightize]

ooooo. I'm here!!!! :D Anming's out here asking the real questions! 😂 Btw, that countryside shot around the 3 minute mark is GORGEOUS! The colors are popping. I also liked how you show the "you have to do something out of the ordinary....like this!" 🤣🤣🤣

[@OrientalPearl]

You're seen firsthand the strange things that happen on a daily basis with me lol

[@Enlightize]

@@OrientalPearl it’s because it’s you! 😂😂😂

[@todestrieb3059]

Thank you for these videos. As a person who has been considering going to Japan in the past, this was one of the things which would have made me pretty anxious.

[@OrientalPearl]

I hope this video encourages you to come.

[@alien7992]

hi anming!! we missed u and thank u for posting ur amazing content! continue to do what u love 😌💞 love from 🇺🇸

[@OrientalPearl]

Ha ha, you missed me. I didn’t go anywhere.

[@whushaw]

A trip down memory lane. The katana kill bill action on the street is still one of the best moments! What a great way to connect and have fun with others 😅⚔️ Also, on the title topic I would like to say it’s normal to be curious about things different than you and try not to get discouraged by the 1% of bad experience if you have it. Try to see the bright side of the 99% 😇

[@OrientalPearl]

I’m glad that you liked that. I wasn’t sure if this audience would be into that. Always look on the bright side. That’s right!

[@KrystalRoseMG]

Hahahaha i got a lot of stares once. I fell backwards into a wall because i didn't see a car coming on an island feeding deer. Everyone noticed me if they hadn't seen the lost person already and after shock they offered me bandaids asking if i was hurt. It was really sweet....i told them it was just my pride in broken Japanese 😆 and they laughed 😅 hoping they remember that

[@OrientalPearl]

Wow, I’m glad you were ok.

[@ryublade8184]

Fantastic content! more of these types of vidoes where you just go around interacting with people...so engrossing!!!

[@OrientalPearl]

I have more lined up now.

[@DrCrabfingers]

This lady really is very lovely. I had the same response speaking French in France....the locals might have been a little desultory knowing I was English to start with, but when they heard me speak French they totally changed and congratulated me on speaking perfect French. By speaking some phrases I had earned their respect...and I think it is true of every nation on the planet...making an effort to speak the language of your host is the greatest act of respect. The Japanese people seem be be very respectful and polite....really they are my favourite nation.

[@Coffee_is_ready]

Visited Japan for a few weeks on a homestay several years ago. I didn't get any weird stares. Although, I didn't speak loud Mandarin in a convenience store without a mask on during a pandemic (as there was none). When I speak my native language in the US, I'll get noticed there as well, and asked where I come from or what language it is. Being different or behaving differently just makes one interesting, I guess, in any country. I don't think this is specific to Japan.

[@OrientalPearl]

That’s so cool that you got to do a home stay! I’d like to try that in South Korea.

[@prestigephoenix8065]

Great video as always!! I feel like Japanese people always judge foreigners, but not necessarily in a bad way!! Life in Japan is a unique experience for sure!! Much Love from America!! 🇺🇸💙 P.S. CAN'T WAIT for the honeymoon video to come out!! Very excited to see more of Japan through your eyes!!

[@OrientalPearl]

I'm glad somebody is excited for the honeymoon video. I didn't make it because I thought it might be boring and uninteresting to you all.

[@Im-fq1mn]

Why do foreigners want to judge foreigners? I have been abused in their language by Australians, Chinese, Koreans and Americans. Maybe they thought foreigners don't understand their native language. But I am tolerant, so I didn't angry.

[@Purple-Kabute]

Saw 1 vlog of yours and I end up subscribing to ur channel 😅 ur so cool and fun to watch🎉

[@shelbybrown4192]

As always your videos are amazing. I fully enjoy them. And I found the peoples responses to you very amusing. 😂 have a wonderful day!

[@OrientalPearl]

Awww, I appreciate that Shelby. Glad somebody gets my strange sense of humor.

[@tg213]

anming, you are so buoyant and ebullient. i appreciate your embrace of the Japanese culture and bringing it to us. you go gajin girl.

[@OrientalPearl]

Thank you so much!

[@mandeep3.14]

The bunch of guys with that Star Wars robot was hilariousss. Never seen that kind of reaction before.

[@OrientalPearl]

That was a good one. They had us cracking up. You can watch the full video of that on my channel.

[@collectioneur]

They certainly did in 1997. I was sitting in a restaurant in Nikko when an entire class of girls passed by outside. Some looked in and warned the rest. At first they passed but the whole class came back, stopped at the window and started waving at me. It was weird but also nice...

[@itiz1]

I missed you videossss Loved this one!! ❤️❤️

[@OrientalPearl]

Ha ha, it hasn’t been very long.

[@jimross7648]

Ah, back to a language inspirational video and cultural video. Although language proficiency immediately puts visibly foreign people into different categories depending each individuals ability to speak and understand the language. However naturally blond hair is unique and unusual. People want to touch it to see what it feels like and often want pictures with what they view as exotic. So Anming you are truly a rarity because of your high degree of proficiency in Chinese, Japanese, and soon to be Korean, with Blond hair. This combination is going to surprise most people because they don't expect to find someone with your look, who can communicate highly effectively in their language. Hopefully, after the new year, Japan will reopen to individual travellers as closely monitored group tours won't meet my needs. The only plus is more time to improve my Japanese, until I can study in Japanese and be fully immersed in the language and culture. As always a great video. Looking forward to your Korean update video.

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks for your comment Jim. I want to keep a mix of different topics on the channel. Studying Korean has been going really well. I’m finally able to hold a simple conversation. It would be fun to make some videos in Korea too. Yeah, the closely monitored tour groups don’t sound fun at all. I would pass on that too. We are trying to get my mom over here by August. It’s been an uphill battle. I have to change my visa status before she can get in.

[@whispersmusic6173]

Bruhhh you actually cosplayed as Uma in Kill Bill?? Lmao You GOATED for that girl 😂

[@jamesescobar8577]

Thanks for the info and the tips.

[@bishnubabu]

Watched so many of your videos and subscribed. I like your positive attitude. For example in one of the video the thing, perhaps some sort of sweet or cake, fell and it touched shoe of the guy who was beating but you said it was perfect seasoning! Congratulations on your wedding and new life ahead.

[@OrientalPearl]

Wow, thank you for binge watching my videos. I’m really lucky to have a positive person like you here.

[@bishnubabu]

@@OrientalPearl Thank you. Love from Canada. ❤️

[@suginami0]

I lived in Japan for many years in the late 80's and early 90's, and I was stared at everywhere I went. I'm American and I think I was only called 'Gaijin'. I stood out because I'm a white guy, I'm over 6' tall, with dark blonde hair and blue eyes. I felt like I was Brad Pitt. lol. I was awfully self-conscious of being stared it. I never got used to it. I'm fairly shy, which is why I think it affected me. Sometimes I preferred to stay at home for dinner instead of going out to avoid creating a scene. I majored in Japanese in college and got very fluent after living there for many years. I still speak it every day to my wife at home. What's strange is Japanese people's assumption was that I spoke or understood nothing, and would talk about me right in front of me. I'm much more reserved than you are, so I would just remain quiet. Even now, when we go to sushi bars here in So. Cal., I avoid speaking Japanese to the sushi chef because it creates a scene. They freak out at my fluency level, and then I have to answer the same 20 questions. lol

[@OrientalPearl]

That’s funny that people would talk about you right in front of you assuming you understood nothing at all. Yeah, it seems like there’s a standard set of questions when people find out you speak Japanese 😂 I had the same experience in China.

[@elteescat]

How did you learn it? How long have you studied it? Did you study it in Japan? Lol

[@suginami0]

@@elteescat I completed the minor in college (about 3 years worth of classes), lived in Japan for 5 years, which is how I really got fluent, and then using it with my wife for about 30 years.

[@elteescat]

@@suginami0 cool!

[@ymc_jaytv8888]

I'm sorry you had to go through that. But I hope your were able to have peace ion other days.

[@JEMCochran49]

A lot of the staring you get is because of your speaking voice, not just the language being spoken. You have a very nice sounding speaking voice and that in itself gets you a lot of attention.

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks! Sometimes people ask if I'm a good singer. I suck at singing, but I'm a decent narrator.

[@no-iu9pw]

Yay I was waiting for another post :)

[@OrientalPearl]

Hope you liked the video.

[@lonewolfffx9940]

Everytime i watch your videos i wanna travel there so bad I love watching your videos! So much insight and intresting convos. Teach me the Japanese language!!!

[@OrientalPearl]

I recommend starting with the audio lessons in the video description. I love Pimsleur.

[@lonewolfffx9940]

Got it 😁 Thank you!

[@talesofmichele]

I don't know how you talk to some of those people. I have had old men corner me against the building just to say 'Hello!' It is just a matter of protecting myself to not reply most of the time. I also had a guy pull the head phone from my ear on the train after i ignored him and he told me to go back to my F ing country. I don't know but being on my 11th year here... I don't know if I'm used to it or just not noticing it. That drunk? perv of a guy is exactly why i don't engage. Espically as a married woman. smh

[@OrientalPearl]

Depends on the situation. Usually I ignore nanpa, there were no nanpa in this video, just some people being silly.

[@karenvonbargen4472]

I was an exchange student in a very rural area on Shikoku and never felt more awkward. The kids nearly fell over themselves when I walked by, all red haired 173 cm of me. I was such an oddity the local camera club hired me as a model a couple of times and I was definitely not model material, just unusual. I both loved it and hated it simultaneously.

[@OrientalPearl]

Yeah, that probably similar to the stares I got in China. It kind of got me down at certain points.

[@travelwithsouthernchick5112]

Wow this is amazing! Just found your channel a must share!! About to travel there for school

[@OrientalPearl]

I’m glad to have you here 😊

[@ChicagoTurtle1]

Yup. There’s a difference between a glance, looking, watching, and staring. And they can have different motivation or even messages.

[@okr6319]

As a Japanese, I guess most people star at you because rather you are filming, not you are a foreigner. Even if some Japanese stare at you, I bet they're just interested and there is no judgement. 日本人でもカメラ持って撮影してたら振り返って見てしまうと思います。カメラを隠して試してみるとよりリアルな検証になるかもしれませんね😊 Thank you for uploading the new video!

[@OrientalPearl]

Nah, I get the same exact reactions without the camera.

[@okr6319]

@@OrientalPearl Oh, really. I still hope that most Japanese people didn't mean anything bad by staring at you and that foreigners can enjoy visiting Japan without feeling offended by that.

[@ExpatNatt]

In China I get stared at all the time. So many people take photos of me, last week a woman in the metro tried to be subtle (usually they aren’t) but I could see the reflection of her phone screen in the window 😂 I also have people point and sometimes come to touch my hair because it’s blond. And this is in central Shanghai where there are loads of foreigners! I’m interested to see what it would be like when I travel to other cities or the countryside with less tourists 😂

[@OrientalPearl]

Yeah, I had the same experience in China. It happened a loooot more than in Japan.

[@je.suis.eva.]

I look forward to seeing your 3 month Korean language learning progress video. Would you say Pinsleur is good for intermediate language learners? I've been learning Spanish for quite awhile now. I can understand it well when I hear it spoken & written. I'm not too great at speaking. You think Pimsleur can help? Edit: I guess she wasn't going to put out a Korean language progress video & that's why she didn't respond to my comment. 😐😔

[@squeaky_window3552]

4:02 the old person pose gets me every time idk why, it’s so universal for no reason

[@adamminichino5731]

The staring has been something that I’m having trouble getting used to. Been living in Japan for only a month, but it’s definitely hard not to feel self conscious when all these eyes are glancing my way.

[@deborahczepiel7883]

In 1954 as a child of 4 I lived over in Japan, I had platinum blonde hair and blue eyes and we lived in Okayama. The Japanese people would follow my parents and I and touch my hair with a look of wonderment on their face. They called out Kimpotsu (I am sure the spelling is wrong) and my dad said that meant blonde. I was always stared at. When we went back to visit our friends in 1965 I was a teen still with blonde hair and I was mistaken for Sylvie Vartan (a French singer) lots of stares and comments.

[@steemlenn8797]

"kinpatsu" = blond kin is gold. And gin is silver, this always confuses me when it comes to the hair color :D

[@OrientalPearl]

That’s a funny story. Things have changed a lot in Japan since then.

[@timetowatch_francois]

WOW! Nearly 600K Subs!!!! 上手 Hope you have continued success! これからもよろしくお願いします。 Thanks for sharing your love for Japanese culture.

[@OrientalPearl]

Just hit the 600k mark yesterday.

[@timetowatch_francois]

@@OrientalPearl - Oh!! I was just at the cusp of seeing it turn to 600K!! I should have refreshed my page after viewing this video. Contgratz!!!

[@RealMayaM]

I love your channel bc it easy to listen English so I can improve English listening skill from this channel and you be inspiration to try to learn other language:)

[@OrientalPearl]

Thank you so much!

[@RespectOthers1]

People in Japan… Intrigued about foreigners. Appreciate pretty ladies. Curious to see non-natives speaking their language. So Anming is the perfect combo for people to 👀 at! :D

[@OrientalPearl]

Awww. Thank you for always being so kind and supportive friend.

[@RodimusPrimal]

First of all, congrats on your wedding! Second, I still think someone will end up making an anime sometime soon about meeting two American women in Japan as heroes! Third, awesome to still see you having fun in Japan! Much love from USA!

[@OrientalPearl]

Thank you! Sending love from Japan to you in the US.

[@garthhunt7238]

I also swear by Pimsleur’s graduated interval recall method. It will get you conversant in your target language faster than anything out there, IMHO.

[@HiKoriNeko]

Just found out that you are from Michigan as well!!🥰love the content. Speak Japanese, a little Korean and working on my Chinese currently. So it's very cool to see I am not the only one with these language preferences.

[@OrientalPearl]

Another Michigander! And we have a lot in common.

[@NewYorksFinest]

I always wondered that actually. When i originally subbed to your channel, like do they stare at Foreigners these days? If they see one walking around & stuff. Also Hello Anming, nice to see you again. Hope you & Tommy are doing well! :D

[@OrientalPearl]

If you visit Asia I think you’ll find it a lot more common in other countries. Japan is pretty used to foreign tourists, but they aren’t used to foreigners at work or at school. So when I walked into the Korean language school here in Tokyo it was pretty funny. Nobody expected that lol

[@carolynwilliams6738]

Hello Anming from Australia!! I am new to your channel and l really love it! My 3 children learn Japanese, so we have all been enjoying the channel, thank you. May l ask if Anming is your real name (birthname)? If not, what is your English/American name?

[@OrientalPearl]

That’s cool that your kids are learning Japanese. My English name is Alyssa.

[@gohan434]

Americans stare at Asians too! Just recently, I was at a grocery store called, Seeds to Tables, in Naples, Florida. There was a lady in the cashiers-line kept turning around and looking at me smiling. I did not feel uncomfortable or anything. I just felt I was a rare human being in that area. The others wanted to look at me but I could tell they tried to refrain from doing so. When I was stationed at Beale AFB in northern California, a buddy of mine and I drove up the beautiful Siera Nevada one day. There was a place called, "Shangrila" but we did not see any houses. There was a small grocery store/post office where we bought cold drinks. As we left the store, the lady in the store ran to the next building. From there, two ladies stared at me from a window. I thought that they had never seen an Asian before. I thought it was really funny seeing the two ladies pointing a finger at me and gossiping. 😀

[@nevin8748]

As a plus sized person, I always wondered if I would be mistreated or judged in Japan. But then again I have to remind myself that not everyone does, and some people will judge you on anything they can find. I recently found your channel and find it so interesting. You're making me wanna start learning japanese again!

[@OrientalPearl]

I’m so glad that these videos are getting you interested in taking up Japanese again!

[@AIKnowYou]

Plus size smh. Ain't no shame in calling yourself overweight. A lot of us are that way and need to work on it unfortunately.

[@nevin8748]

@@AIKnowYou Never said I was ashamed of it. I'll call myself plus sized if I want to but go off lol.

[@stevepan50]

They mainly stare because you seem 5'8 which in Japan is tall for females and then they get awed with that and the long blonde hair. Almost like Uma Thurman in "Kill Bill". Then they are in awe when you speak because most Americans do not go the extra step to learn a language they are visiting or live in.....My free 2 cent analytics =)

[@stevepan50]

I wrote my comment before I saw the end of your video of you wearing the yellow jumpsuit...LIKE UMA THURMAN

[@OrientalPearl]

I wish I was 5’8 😂 sadly I’m 5’5

[@jackpatterson7110]

All those interactions looked like so much fun! Quick question, how do they handle tall people in Japan? I'm 6ft10, so I imagine it'd be plenty of stares 😅

[@OrientalPearl]

Tall people are admired… and stared at lol

[@jackpatterson7110]

@@OrientalPearl I see, ty 😂

[@t3nosanfran803]

Although I had lived in Japan as a bachelor the first time around, staring wasn't a problem for me or my associates. However, when I returned with a wife decades later, she managed to turn-heads nearly everywhere we went. She's a tall (5' 11"), slightly freckled, redhead with blue eyes (blue eyes with red hair is a very rare and unique combination). Along with staring (even in the touristy cities of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto), several Japanese wanted to take a picture with her (only) while others, mainly kids, wanted to touch her. Of course, they asked her first. BTW: We both speak fluent Japanese and understood what they were saying once they came within earshot.

[@centreman3731]

Good to see you new posting again, cheers.

[@OrientalPearl]

Ha ha, I didn't go anywhere.

[@centreman3731]

@@OrientalPearl where your honeymoon video? can`t wait to see.

[@triarb5790]

Our experience of Japan as Australians in our 60s was of frequently being helped, gentle kindness, and a fair amount of shared giggling with lost in translation experiences. In small villages people were polite but shy. I vote Takamatsu as the friendliest place in Japan. We had meals bought for us on several occasions when were standing outside restaurants looking at the food photos, . Locals in an izakaya plied us with sake 😅 to get us drunk and we were walked to our hotel by a lady clearly in a rush, who stopped just because we looked lost ( we didn't have the heart to tell her we weren't lost) Besides, it's a really lovely town.

[@user-vo7kb2pk8b]

ありがとうございます😊 このKZbinrは、勉強不足なのに、自分が日本の事を知っているかのような動画をあげるからびっくり😢

[@scottbrandon6244]

People in some countries are very curious about things like life in Canada, my family, how easy is it to find housing or work there. The odd older woman will play matchmaker, telling me they have a fine woman in their family for me to marry. In some African countries it was common for people to tell me I should be married by age 22. They then offered some examples of women to marry.

[@OrientalPearl]

I used to get asked if I was married a lot by elderly people in China. lol they also asked if I wanted them to introduce me to someone ha ha

[@ViewTifuLKat777]

this was so fun! aw i enjoyed it very much! cant wait to see more videos. new subscriber:)

[@TheworldiseffdUP]

I so look forward to your videos, so fun and creative! :)

[@OrientalPearl]

Thank you so much! I’m really happy to hear that.

[@TheworldiseffdUP]

@@OrientalPearl I hope your new marriage is going well, you are a delightful lady :)

[@theidealist9793]

I love your approach to Japanese people and especially catching the surprised faces.

[@Marvin-ii7bh]

me, a german staring at everybody all the time: its free real estate.

[@OrientalPearl]

lol Germans. Luckily I didn't experience that when I visited Germany.

[@Marvin-ii7bh]

@@OrientalPearl well its more common on the countryside

[@shaunhall960]

You bring lots of happiness to your videos! 🌸💮🌸💮

[@NortheastWa]

You make a perfect Uma Thurman stand in. Beautiful as always! I'm glad that you have the ability to learn other languages, some people don't....LIKE ME

[@OrientalPearl]

Aww thank you. Learning languages is much more about effort and environment than it is about skills or talent. You can do it too!

[@someone-yv2vv]

Hello ^^ I apologize in advance for my English it's not very good but I still hope that you can understand me I wanted to ask you if japan is expensive like is it expensive to live there? i am a student in germany and i love Japan (and i already learn the language a bit) when I'm older or studying abroad, I really want to go to Japan but I am afraid that I may not have enough money for it I love the Japanese culture the most I like kimonos they look so beautiful and there are so many of them (I even have four) but also the normal style of the Japanese I find great! And then there's their food culture ( is it called like that? I don't think so) ramen and all the other stuff, it all sounds so delicious!Also all Japanese look so beautiful I love their eyes and just everything😻🛐 I think when you go out in Japan it certainly looks adorable..i would love to be there

[@OrientalPearl]

Japan is the most expensive country to live in here in Asia. But if you are already in Germany you might not notice that big of a difference.

[@eduardogutierrez4698]

I heard that In Japanese there are at least ten different words that mean "foreigner," and all of them are pejorative. Most are antique and littleused, and many translate literally as "barbarian." Others have more specific meanings, such as "southern barbarian," "hairy barbarian," or "blue-eyed barbarian." The least offensive and most commonly used is the familiar gaijin, which means "outsider." During the feudal period the word meant "enemy." Have you ever been called "Gaijin" ?

[@aaronweiser5421]

Some Japanese people still hate Americans

[@elteescat]

Hairy blue-eyed barbarian! Lol

[@elteescat]

But I'm green-eyed! Can I play too?🙃

[@WhoaNellyJake]

@@elteescat I’m also a green eyed Barbarian 😂

[@user-hq9be2vt8p]

gaijinが差別的な意味で使われてるとは限らないよ。少なくとも今は。japみたいな感じがな。

[@Lion-dq9uj]

My daughter is alot like you I the sense of how you look and speak Japanese. My wife is Japanese and I'm Mexican and my daughter looks white and fluent in Japanese Spanish French and English. People are definitely surprised how well her Japanese is !! Been trying to learn Japanese so hard

[@purgvtxry]

staring like this is CRINGE. you are beautiful and suuuper respectful. love your channel

[@jelle7]

5:17 that part was so hilarious

[@nicojara1]

The kill bill was sick lmao. My friend whose "light skin" said he got stares a lot in japan, but when he stared back they turned away. Apparently he said in South Korea when he caught them staring they would just keep staring. Has it been hard making Japanese friends in Japan?

[@OrientalPearl]

Ha ha, glad I got to reuse my Halloween costume lol

[@rubij1989]

The old man with the hands behind his back as he subtly listens to you speak his language 🤣 nail on the head reactions I get when I start speaking faroese.

[@AJ-nc4vr]

Oh, you're PERFECT for the Uma Thurman cosplay!! :D

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks! This was leftover from Halloween.

[@ExisVR]

From my experience (I'm Japanese and I have a white wife), Japanese people nowadays don't stare at normal foreigners that much since foreigners are not that rare anymore. I'm sure they stared at you simply because you looked very beautiful/kawaii to them. Even if you're Japanese, if you're beautiful or super handsome, people would love to stare at you, haha.

[@OrientalPearl]

That’s true for the tourist locations and big cities. Walking into a place the locals don’t expect foreigners like a bathhouse, office, or school gets a lot of looks.

[@andy2950]

They may be just starring because you are very pretty 😍

[@OrientalPearl]

I’ll take it. Lol

[@5ty75td]

I watched some of your videos and you made me wanna learn more languages but for now I'm learning more english !

[@OrientalPearl]

That’s so awesome! I wish you the best of luck with your studies.

[@5ty75td]

@@OrientalPearl thank you!

[@michaelhughes3273]

Watching this as we take a road trip from our new base to Dayton, Ohio. We miss Japan, especially the small tucked away villages. Hope to be back soon to visit. Arigato.

[@OrientalPearl]

Enjoy your road trip!