How the Japanese Countryside Reacts to Tourists “OMG LOOK, a Foreigner! Hello!”

What happens when you're the only foreigner in a Japanese town? Today we are taking a trip to rural Japanese to talk to locals and see how they react to foreigners. Will they be shocked to hear us speak Japanese or maybe just a little curious about us?
Below are my affiliate links to learning tools I highly recommend:
FREE TRIAL in 50 LANGUAGES Pimsleur:
imp.i271380.net/c/2397166/111...
SUPPORT CHANNEL ON PATREON:
www.patreon.com/orientalpearl
OTHER JAPANESE LESSONS:
www.japanesepod101.com/member...
CHINESE LESSONS:
www.chineseclass101.com/membe...
Collaboration with Richard: / @funjamjapan8231
My instagram: anming7

[Oriental Pearl]

When I made a similar video last year the comments were overwhelmingly positive. Only a few negative people didn’t want to believe what they saw “you must be breaking rules… you must be really loud… you’re scaring people with a camera…” blah blah blah judgmental assumptions. None of that is true. Yes, you can do nothing at all and get stared at as a foreigner in Japan. I’m not saying it’s good or bad, just that it happens sometimes and that’s about it. Enjoy the video.

[Mon 2_0]

Hi

[szewei1985]

Wonderful

[Xiang Lui]

I know the feeling. I traveled to some small towns in northern California in the early 1990's and people would stare at me for no reason other than me being Asian. It still happens today I recently traveled to Georgia, Arkansas, and Mississippi. I lost count of how many times I got stared at simply for being Asian.

[Conor Maynard]

I think you speaks two languages

[fireflychick1984]

@Xiang Lui that's rather surprising to hear, considering Georgia has a growing Asian population. Where were you in Georgia, if you don't mind my asking?

[Steve Kollen]

I had a Japanese roommate in college for something like 3 years. He had come to the US originally on some sort of agricultural exchange and then learned enough English to enroll in college. I grew up on a farm so he would come stay with my family on holidays and over summer vacation. He invited me to come with him to visit his family in rural Japan in 1974 or 1975 (don't remember). His family had some land with sheds for raising chickens and for gathering eggs for sale. His uncle had a rice farm in the neighborhood. So, being a farm boy, I helped out gathering eggs, vaccinating chickens, and other farm chores after I studied Japanese in the morning. One day I was helping harvest rice. My friend would run a small combine to pick the rice and I would carry the bags full of rice to the edge of the country lane to be hauled away by a truck. One afternoon, I just happened to be at the edge of the lane putting down a bag of rice when a woman walked right by me down the lane. I said "konnichiwa" to be polite. When I got back to the house , his sisters were howling with laughter because the woman had called all over the neighborhood to find out where the "woman with a mustache" was staying. It was because I was wearing a Pendleton wool shirt against the chilly weather (October) and the color was mostly blue with thin yellow and red stripes. To her only a woman would wear those colors. At the train station when classes of kids would get off the train and see me, they would start jumping up and down yelling "gaijin, gaijin, gaijin" and shooting me with imaginary rifles. I really liked 99% of the people I met. They were thrilled to talk to a foreigner and I was invited out to dinner all the time. The people who had studied English at the university were ecstatic to be able to practice. I did get tired of being taken for some sort of non-human by some people who would tug my hair and pull down my eyelids to see my green eyes. The retired school teacher who tutored me in Japanese was one of my favorite people in my life in the world.

[Oriental Pearl]

Wow, thank you so much for sharing your story!

[Jimmy Bobsap]

I was down with everything until the end. Lil Japanese man getting punched grabbing my eyelids. Im not big (6ft) but big enough to hit hard lol

[ImtheONE Hero]

Wowm must be nice to be white every where you go lol.

[Percy Faith]

@ImtheONE Hero What do you do, change your skin color, like a chameleon wherever you go? What a strange comment.

[Ziiphyr]

@ImtheONE Hero I wish YT shows the number of dislikes on your comment

[liz adams]

i love that laughter is a universal language. I’m just learning Japanese so I heavily rely on the subtitles but hearing people laugh is something that anyone can enjoy and relate to

[Oriental Pearl]

I hope one day you can understand without subtitles. 😊

[yakuzachicharron]

@Oriental Pearl Like Elizabeth I rely on subtitles, but I learn new words mainichi. Today I discovered your channel. Thank you for doing this and for being so positive. Otsukaresama!

[Simulation K]

@Oriental Pearl for a second i thought you made a joke, to understand laughter without subtitles.

[whushaw]

Rural Japan is often missed out on by tourists when it has lots of hidden gems to be found! The people you meet along the way are some of the best friends you could find :)

[Oriental Pearl]

Thanks for your support whushaw! I always love to read your comments on KZbin and Patreon. I’ll be releasing bonus footage from this video on Patreon next week.

[Daenack Dranils]

they're too lazy to learn languages

[Sparkey Jones]

Rural Japan is wonderful. I normally spend my summers there. But, due to the pandemic, I haven't been able to for the past two. I miss the heat, and sounds of cicadas, and the slow paced lifestyle.

[Daenack Dranils]

@Sparkey Jones masochist

[Sparkey Jones]

@Daenack Dranils lol, why do you say that?

[Ruby Duran]

Learning Japanese to your level and living there... goals 🥰🇯🇵

[Ohenrico [17ACR]]

是非あなたはできりますよ！

[Ruby Duran]

@Ohenrico [17ACR] ありがとうございます 😊

[JoshBoston]

@Daenack Dranils--what a wonderful positive person you are daenack!

[Darkbroks]

@Daenack Dranils --what a wonderful positive person you are daenack!

[Hokaho 多倫多房地產]

Great video! It’s hilarious when that old lady responded saying “your parents must be lonely” when you told them you lived abroad for 9 years. I guess you weren’t expecting that type of response. But a lot of Asian cultures still has that multi-generational bond where the grandparents lives together or visits are very often.

[Kayef]

I noticed this too, lol. She checkmated her lol

[Trelleborg]

As it should be. I would trade the life of convinance we live now for that of a huntergather or traditional village where I belong to a family. I will have to start such a village.

[Tee up]

Well, actually, "Your parents must be lonely" is a mistranslation. What she said was "ご両親、寂しいでしょう", which is much more like "Your parents must miss you".

[Kim M.]

@Tee up That's my thought, too.

[Sheneedsme]

@Tee up Thank you for that clarification because it takes on a much different meaning.

[クレマンせやちゃん]

I love how she introduces herself at the start and adds some tips for non-Japanese people. I don't like people who say ''Japanese are shy(or cold)'' without knowing our culture. The tips help them change their own values(prejudice) ​​and think about Japanese culture better. Excellent!!

[ElLoco182]

I like Japan and I´d like to visit it in the future. I like the food, Gyokuro and I ride a great japanese motorbike. ;) cheers from germany

[Laura]

I love Japan and cannot wait to get back one day. The people I met were some of the nicest I've met on any of my trips.

[Dane Miller]

When I was stationed in Japan during my time in the Marines, the locals were very.... well.... they didn't like us. Lol maybe you can help me understand. Do japanese people have a distaste for a military presence from a foreign nation like the US?

[Dane Miller]

@Miss Plain Jane 1) japan is no different than america in terms of advancement. Id say we are pretty equal, Japan may even be ahead of us. 2) thats not a question I can answer considering I lived on a military base and didn't experience their standards of living an average citizen or tourist would. However I can say they are the cleanest country I have ever seen. So to the best of my knowledge I would rate it a solid 8.5/10. 3) for the most part Japanese people are awesome... but myself and other military members experienced our fair share of discrimination just because we were American. 4) clean, beautiful, fun.

[Dane Miller]

@Miss Plain Jane not even close. I know simple phrases.

[PIERCED6966]

This is the world I wanna live in, each culture respects the other.

[Jack Patterson]

Awww everybody was so nice😭 the "hello!" from across the road was hilarious😆

[Oriental Pearl]

I know right. I didn’t expect that at all.

[Sean Q]

It gets old fast in reality. Once you start to realize why more.

[Kai]

I have a funny story to tell about "meeting a foreigner", although no actual meeting was involved. I made a phone call years ago to a shop in South Africa that made historical pith helmets and dialed the number incorrectly. An elderly sounding man with a British accent named Bill answered the phone, told me that I had the wrong number, and then asked me where I was calling from. When I replied, "America", I heard him yell to his wife, "Effie! It's a call from someone in America!" "Oh, let me talk to him!" I heard her say. He put her on and we chatted for a few minutes about the time difference and the weather, then we said goodbye. As odd as it sounds I will always remember them:)

[Vyxen Violets]

That's really sweet! People from other countries (at least when they don't get any foreigners) are generally quite excited to make new friends and/or meet new people. Especially when you can speak the same language!

[kafka]

Don't give me ideas ( to dial a random number 😂)

[Furry Fury]

If they’re elderly British, they must be lonely and you just made their day! I live in the UK and a lot of the elderly choose to live on their own to maintain independence but also at the expense of loneliness. I’m quite sure they’ll never forget you too!

[Crackalacking_Z]

I'm studying Japanese for close to a year now. This video gave me a lot of hope, because I was totally able to follow the conversations and interactions. I still got a lot to learn tho. I'd love to visit Japan's countryside some day.

[Yabs96]

Idk how well you do with heavy culture shock, but I went full immersion method and got a job in japan only knowing the basics and forced myself to talk in Japanese only using English when they didn’t have a word for it or it’s proper to use English words. You learn VERY QUICKLY how to speak because your life depends on it. I could speak pretty fluently in a year but reading was still a nightmare. Only knew how to read essentials or something that pops up everywhere without a lot of kanji

[Crackalacking_Z]

@Yabs96 I've already been two time to Japan, but only metropolitan areas. Zero culture shock, loved every second of it. I only knew hiragana, katakana and a few kanji, but survived pretty gracefully. Mainly due to Japanese people being really kind and helpful. That said, I'll do my best to learn more. I'd love to talk to people.

[jawzzo]

@Crackalacking_Z ive been studying japanese for about 2 years now but still suck really bad at it, i always have a month or so of going really hard working at it and then lose motivation from getting no where :( got a ticket to japan for june 2022 so im really hoping i can get it together in the 6 or so months before i go

[It's shrimp in a bag!]

You are doing really great if you can understand so much after only 1 year. I have been studying for 5 years and can only just now begin to understand like that.

[Raul Garduno]

I wish i could attained that level of fluency in speaking Japanese, and visit Japan someday🙄🙄

[TheDimsh]

Awww when that woman said "your parents must be lonely" it broke my heart, bless her soul

[Jun Jun Gatbos]

Yup..ol mama shut the whole thing down with that😄

[Tee up]

Well, what that lady said was "ご両親、寂しいでしょう", which is much more like "Your parents must miss you" and "Your parents must be lonely" is a mistranslation.

[TheDimsh]

@Tee up I would say that's the same thing, what's a parent without their child, a part of them is missing, my mother cries everytime I leave for work to another city. I always tell her "Don't worry, I am not going to war" and she smiles through her tears eveytime. Any person that has seen that will understand what I mean. Even if the message is mistranslated, it still hits home, you know? :)

[Spider Man]

@TheDimsh That's really sweet man 👍

[CooManTunes]

I agree, but first make sure to marinate the teriyaki in your grundle, before cooking.

[Global Locals]

We always think of Japan as these huge and densely populated cities. This is an awesome little dive into something we rarely get to see. And the people are so kind.

[Steve Williams]

This is one of my favorites from you. It's amazing when a person can connect with people and make them feel the world is small and that we are all the same. Please do more of these small town/city videos. It inspires me to make more connections on my next visit abroad!

[Oriental Pearl]

Thank you so much! I plan to take a lot of weekend trips all over Japan over the next few months.

[Steve Williams]

@Oriental Pearl That's so cool. It changes the perception of "foreigners" when you get to connect with folks!

[Zoë Holloway]

I've been living abroad for a while too. When that countryside Japanese woman said, "your parents must be lonely," I felt the emotional manipulation. It felt like home. Happy Holidays everyone ❤

[Luv Life]

You have a lovely Christmas my friend,god bless you, lots of love from an old granny from Britain,

[DIRTYshizno]

You have a warm and easy going nature, which definitely seems to translate well. One day i hope to be fluent enough to explore Japan like this. Keep the informative vids coming!

[Soi Dog Cowboy]

Your parents must be lonely. That is such a rural reaction. I spend a lot of time in Thailand and many of the rural thais say the same thing to me. Taking care of parents is a priority in many cultures

[Oriental Pearl]

Local people used to say the same thing when I lived in China too.

[For The Time Being]

Baby Hunn this is a really sad thing. We should be learning from them instead. Taking care of our elders should be common sense. And its of great benefit for children and grandchildren to grow up with grandparents.

[Gavin R.]

I can’t stop watching Seven Hunnid on KZbin

[Tee up]

Actually "Your parents must be lonely" is almost a mistranslation, though. What the old lady said was "ご両親、寂しいでしょう", which is much more like "your parents must miss you."

[Soi Dog Cowboy]

@Tee up oh that definitely softens it. Thanks

[bt_Tama]

Watching this is so cool for me. About 8 years ago I went to Japan and travelled from Tokyo to Osaka by bike, only knowing a little Japanese. It was the best time of my life and I met so many nice people. Everybody offered me their help wherever I went, even if it was on the countryside and even though I couldn't really talk Japanese and English wasn't an option, either. Thanks for giving me this nostalgic feeling! :D

[Oriental Pearl]

I’m glad that this video brought back good memories.

[Law Traf]

Sound about white

[Daenack Dranils]

he doesnt know their culture.

[Marvin Acklin]

I have traveled off the beaten path in Japan and found the people, food, and geography beautiful. I love Japan and cannot wait to go back. Want to use one of those new digital translators.

[Alan Toy]

This was one of my favorite episodes. I loved your interaction and their responses. So willing to engage with you.

[Dale Greer]

I went to Japan in 1981, my friend was teaching English in Tokushima on Shikoku. I spent two weeks traveling before heading for Tokushima, feeling like a rock star almost every step of the way, in the way the Japanese people treated me. One of my favorite experiences was on a ferry from Kyushu to Shikoku, I went to the observation deck to enjoy the fresh sea air, and after a little while I saw a group of school kids come up the stairs on the other side of the deck with their teacher. They were probably 8-9 years old. I could see them excitedly pointing to me and looking at their teacher. He looked at me like "What do you think?" And I looked at him like "Sure." Then he told his kids it was okay and they all came running to see me. I spoke a tiny bit of Japanese, and they spoke a tiny bit of English, so we communicated some. I told them my name was "Deru Goriru", and they giggled at that. I showed them a $5 bill and asked them who that was, they said "Aburahamu Rinconu!" After a while their teacher looked at me, checking to see how I was doing, then thanked me and told the kids it was time to go, and they all thanked me and over to the other side of the deck. It was really a wonderful encounter not only for the excitement of the kids making me the center of attention, but also for the immense respect displayed to me by the teacher and the kids, and by the teacher to the kids, and the kids to their teacher.

[Laurel Silberman]

While it’s been about a decade since my travels, I’d say you’re very correct about the disproving stereotypes of Japanese being unfriendly to foreigners. I felt very warmly welcomed, especially in Kyoto and many of the less urban areas we visited. I’m from the Midwest and I’d say people were very hospitable and kind and like you said, it doesn’t take much effort to make an effort, and a little bit goes a long way in helping bridge that cultural gap.

[KLIU]

Its so respectful and endearing how willing locals in Japan are willing to help people. One day I was trying to find a subway station with my family in Osaka, a very kind gentleman just walked up to us unconditionally and helped with directions. Can really take a piece of their kindness and treasure it

[WhiteTiger333]

"I have lived abroad for 9 years". "Your parents must be lonely, then". I'm sure your parents are not lonely, but I'm curious how you answered her. :) I understand how her pov would be so different. I love the "wall of fame" offerings at the restaurant! LOL - the R2D2 encounter with the two young men was so fun!

[Oriental Pearl]

I told her I have 2 younger sisters living at home so they are ok. My parents are young too. They are both just 54. They still work.

[Benson Troy]

@Oriental Pearl which Detroit suburb are you originally from Oriental Pearl?

[阿弥陀佛]

😃

[Tee up]

Wow, seems like many people have misunderstood what that old lady said. "Your parents must be lonely" is not the correct translation. What she said was "ご両親、寂しいでしょう", which is much more like "Your parents must miss you".

[tomattime]

Another delightful and captivating episode. Your respect and warmth in chatting with more "senior" people is wonderful to behold. As always 👏🏽 🤗

[Brian Bailey]

Loved this - when I went to live in Japan for 6 years back in 1990 there were even fewer foreigners like maybe a quarter of the number now. I moved to the countryside after a couple of years and one of my best stories was the taxi driver who kept looking at me through the rear-view mirror instead of watching what was ahead of him. We rear-ended the car in front of us and I had to walk to complete my journey. Or the time a guy was so intent at looking at me that he rode his bicycle off the road and straight into a water filled rice field. Or the time two drunk guys were fighting on the Joban-Sen and everyone was pretending not to notice but when I told them to shut up, they stopped fighting and apologized and I had to leave the train at the next stop because it was too hard not to laugh and if I laughed they would lose face and probably end up dismembering me. Ah, glad to see Japan hasn't changed one bit in 30 years when it comes to gawking at foreigners. It is kinds neat though, isn't it?!😂😂👍

[Derp]

My experience in Japan was that they are intensely curious but terrified of being rude, so they never want to make the first move out of a sense of caution.

[Che]

You really are one of the most genuine, down to earth people on here. Really enjoy catching up with your adventures, thoughts and knowledge learnt from a cultural perspective whilst living in Japan. Keep up the amazing work!!

[Jen Bram]

Honestly. This is so cool. I feel like this is the same in the rural Southern US. We just don't see a lot of foreigners here so it's natural for us to be curious about people that don't look like us. It's so funny that you mentioned about rural Japanese people having the same reservations about bringing up conversations with strangers. I would honestly feel the same way if it were the other way around. It's so awesome to see the similarities that I share with people halfway around the world!

[Mano Rueda]

Great video! I found this channel some time ago while looking for Japanese language content, but the thing I like the most is your positivity and your ability to integrate, to share the moment with people around you, and to get lots of smiles from all these people.

[Oriental Pearl]

Thank you so much! I love to go to a new place and try to make friends from scratch.

[Mano Rueda]

@Oriental Pearl and I enjoy a lot watching! 👍

[Makala Beckerleg]

It’s a shame that not everyone gets the chance to travel ,, it’s a big and amazingly beautiful world,,, it’s an education everyone should have.... ❤️

[Ryan Willings]

Wow! The world could use a whole lot more people like this young lady. She’s just a little ball of happiness and love

[Kevin Reily]

Your language skills are impressive, but you have such a positive attitude people can really feel it. I speak some Thai, and live in Bangkok and Thais' love it when you can chat with them. They are so friendly and welcoming.

[Yabs96]

i LOOOVE this video cuz it reminds me of my time in Japan! I grew up as a old school farmer, so when i go to rural japan and talk to the locals I always wind up helping them out and staying the night at someones house or their whole family takes me out to eat at a local restaurant. I find rural areas remind me more of american friendliness than in cities. especially if you grew up similarly.

[Adam Cogan]

This is so damn wholesome and you are so charismatic and loveable! Really inspiring to make me want to get out of my comfort zone and meet more people!

[Bestrafung]

I hope you continue to do more of these, they're really interesting! The only downside I guess is the videos aren't long enough like Xiaoma's videos where he speaks to people in their language lol. I would happily watch a 20+ minute video from you.

[Oriental Pearl]

Thanks for watching the whole thing. The average watch time for this video is 4 minutes, so you watched a lot more than most people.

[Bestrafung]

@Oriental Pearl really? I don't understand how people could subscribe but barely watch any videos. They must have bad attention spans lol

[thatgirltamii ttt]

@Oriental Pearl i just watched the whole video and i love your channel!

[Jon Hubbold]

How wonderful to share laughter and joy, as you say language and understanding is the stumbling blocks. I worked for about 12weeks in China and felt so ignorant I hadn’t learned anything properly. Would love to learn Chinese. Fantastic viewing

[starry]

The 2 boys and R2 are the most random encounter anyone could've imagined. Even an AI wouldn't be able to generate such a random encounter. It's literally unbelievable. Moreover it's in a rural area and it really opens a question, why is there a Droid in the first place? Hah this video was amazing and hilarious!

[Oriental Pearl]

I know right. I never would have saw that coming in a million years.

[Ardi]

I couldn't stop smiling. this was so wholesome. I want to visit Japan even more now

[Dave Cech]

Your video is totally on point. I have visited Japan many times on business and made some great friends there. While I do not speak Japanese anywhere near fluently, I made an effort to learn a bunch of common phrases during my travel and that helped me connect with people immensely. Japan is my favorite country outside of the United States. It is so unique culturally and has so much to offer, not to mention the amazing cuisine. On my last trip to Japan (2 week trip with my son as a reward for him graduating high school), I had a very pleasantly surprising experience after exiting at the metro station in Kyoto nearby where my hotel was. During the train ride, the train jerked suddenly and the woman next to me lost her balance. I caught her from falling, and she was both thankful and a bit embarrassed; she showered me with both a few arigatos and sumimasens after I had helped her; I replied with a quick mon-dae-nae that it was OK, and she was immediately relieved that I understood and had responded. After exiting the train, I went to the restroom before starting our almost mile hike to the hotel...and when I emerged, the woman was standing by the exit gate, and presented me with a sweet pretzel from the shop that was located in the station, thanking me again. I was really touched by this, and I'd have to say that this something that probably would only happen in Japan or maybe a handful of other places.

[Cath E]

The truly international expression at about 3:31, that woman thinking of your parents so far away, possibly missing you. Your language ability is lovely. I've tried studying a half dozen languages but they never stick because I never stick at it.

[BassoonPlatoon]

I would love to live in rural Japan. Dunno whether I would like the city or the countryside more though. Thanks for the video! I'm learning more and more everyday :D

[NewGameTag]

I feel your editing style, presentation and content is super underrated! you Deserve way hype then you already have. good luck on your journey, you are doing something right 😀

[Oriental Pearl]

Thanks! I’m still a newbie KZbinr, so I have some catching up to do.

[Man's not Bot]

Our perceptions of Japan in the west are often of sprawling, techy metropolises. So this look into the countryside is wonderful. Thanks.

[Sean Smith]

I'm so jealous of your language ability and travels. I remember flying to the Philippines by way of Seoul and flying over Japan, and looking down on the island and wishing I could just parachute down and visit.

[Only Facts]

As she is saying "it just goes to show you can meet nice people randomly " 8:19 A truck basically slams on it's brakes in a polite gesture for the biker that was slowing down and most likely in any other country would have had to wait. Amazing timing 👏🙌👌

[Oriental Pearl]

What crazy timing!

[chettonex]

In Argentina (and other countries in South America) we also let pedestrians and bikers cross, as they have the right to do so. Yet, since there are no fines for those who dont respect this many drivers just dont do it. When it happens, the driver usually makes a head nod or a hand gesture telling the pedestrian that its safe to cross.

[The Hater]

I had this stereotype when I went to Japan and I was proven wrong! Very friendly and kind people.

[Austin somogyi]

I went to Japan when I was in middle school because I wanted to learn more about jiujitsu ( am a black belt now) and Martial arts in general the discipline they have over there is unreal

[Drew]

One of the main goals I’m shooting for is to interact with more rural areas when I travel to Japan finally. From what I’ve seen In popular media, even ethnic Japanese people are easily spotted and singled out if they’re not from the area. Nuances in dialects, clothing and mannerisms are immediately obvious to close knit communities. City mouse vs Country mouse I guess, which is the same all over the world. But let me watch the video and shut up already!

[Oriental Pearl]

You’re right. People also have regional accents different from the locals.

[Captain Nemo]

I heard a lot of prejudice stories as well, but I must say, from my experience travelling there a lot as a tourist mostly a bit off the typical tourist places, I never had any negative encounters with locals. But I can, tell many stories of extreme kindness that I have experienced. For example, once I was travelling with an old friend around some small villages. We both didn't speak any Japanese apart from "Arrrigatoo". We spent the night in a hostel with only Japanese people. And they instantly started communicating with us, although none of them spoke any English. One guy saw that we traveled without a car, so he insisted that he took us to some restaurant that we could not reach otherwise, so he drove us there and payed everything, no strings attached. He just seemed really excited that we were there. Another time we were hiking a mountain through some forest and there were no other people for a while. Suddenly we meet this elderly guy who also starts talking to us. He was a retired businessman and spoke very broken English. But also he was so excited and invited us to a restaurant later. Once in Nagasaki we got quite lost and a lady left her small shop to walk with us and show us the way. I could go on.... But now, I am really excited to go back to Japan , since by now I speak pretty useable Japanese and I surely understand most everyday convo, even when spoken fast. But I have only been there without understanding a word so far, so this will be an interesting experience.

[Hector Murrieta]

I was in Sasayama & other little towns around the area, which are quite different from Osaka & Tokyo. The people were so warm & welcoming, it floored my heart. I’m glad I got to experience that too, as it’s really different from the big cities (which are basically “western-ized”, imo), & gave me a broader perspective of Japan, & our humanity as a whole. Nice video too, my friend. 🙏🏻👍🤗

[BassOutcast]

Can we just appreciate how these guys just laughed and hugged when they said "I thought you guys were together"? I love their energy!

[Michael Salomon]

Nice video reaction. Japan is literally a close country, but once you win their hearts, it’s a good place to stay.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Lynda Grace]

My favourite countryside memory was a solo train ride from Kanazawa where I was visiting friends to Wakura Onsen in Ishikawa because it was a filthy, rainy day and sitting on the train for a couple of hours to enjoy countryside views instead of walking in the rain seemed a much better idea. When I got there the train back left in 2 hours and much as I love onsens I was simply not in the mood to bother with a bath, so I opted for a coffee shop near the station to enjoy lunch and writing in my journal to pass the time. A group of men my age were at the other end of the shop and one of them worked up the nerve to satisfy his curiosity about me and "practice his English" with this only foreign lady. In turn I practiced my very limited Japanese. Surprisingly, we had a very nice chat and his buddies who could hear everything were visibly jealous. Well, he was a charmer. I'm sure it wasn't the first time they'd sat by and watched his game. After a while he reached over to pull out a glossy brochure about a wedding train that was "famous" in the area. I couldn't resist teasing him. "Is this a proposal?" I asked all deadpan. He blushed deep red and his buddies laughed like crazy. Of course, noting his shock as that's not what he was expecting I immediately said, "Joke, joke," and he looked immensely relieved. But it was a great laugh all around and I'm sure his buddies didn't let him forget it. You just have to open yourself to whatever happens and try to make other people feel good about who they are and where they live. It's not difficult. Not most of the time.

[Keima Hane]

You are so correct when you say Japanese are often waiting for you to break the ice. I have lived in the Kanto region for many years and I am still amazed at how easy it is to have a great conversation/time by just saying hi.

[DancingKirby]

I fell in love with Japan and never want to leave. I have lived here for the past 4 years and enjoy how nice people are here.

[Pencil Jockey]

I love the first interaction with the old woman. "Your parents must be lonely" made me laugh out loud. LOL! I love it!

[crows rvr]

Go to the Philippines next and you will have this type of encounter 100 times more, because the filipino people are naturally friendly and very helpful. Those instant friendships happens alot and they are genuinely curious. Plus there is no language barrier, because most speak english even in the rural countryside because english in the philippines is our second language it is taught in our schools from kindergarden all the way to college. But if in your own case you seem to like to learn the local language it will blow their mind if you can speak filipino to them, cause it is not often they hear fluent tagalog being spoken by a foreigner. Only difference from chinese or japanese language is the philippines has over 100 different dialect depending what region you are in, but the main country official language is tagalog.

[David C]

You’re awesome and I love what you’re doing. You’re very impressive at mastering these languages. I just came across your videos. Please do more of what people are saying when you’re out and talking to them. Happy holidays.

[james b]

When I visited Japan in 2003 it seemed there was significantly less English on signs, and far fewer foreigners. I stayed in Ikebukuro, and went all over Tokyo and rarely saw any other non Japanese folks. It's awesome that Japan seems to be opening up a lot more to tourism now.

[J Manstein]

I agree with the premise. I was stationed in Japan for a year and I had a chance to go out into the rural areas. The friendliest people you could ever meet. This was back in the 1980's. Great people.

[Doreen Daykin]

Wow….love her videos for many reasons. Her positivity, her kindness and her intelligence!! Love the way she interacts with those she encounters and leaves a smile behind. This is the first time I have been inspired to learn a second language….. Gratitude Oriental Pearl…and Merry Christmas from Nova Scotia, Canada. 🙏💗🙏🎄🌲🎄

[nismo300zr2]

as an American ive had the pleasure of spending a week touring Japan. as ive found with other countries as well, i echo what you said- learning even just 2-3 greeting phrases goes such a long way in how they receive you. I love the culture and people there, cant wait to go back!

[曹永晅Jerome Tso Wing Huen]

It is so happy to see that the Japanese locals in agricultural areas are friendly to foreigners, Miss Anming.💖

[monicasm]

I just started learning Japanese and it is so nice to watch videos like this and be familiar with some of the things being said! Like when the lady said “nana juu san sai” I could understand what she meant. I’m bilingual since childhood and haven’t tried to learn a new language before, it is so fun! I hope I can be fluent like she is one day!

[TeamViolin]

I have been to rural areas quite often when I visited Japan in the past. Being a foreigner I was always self-concious and nervous when people would approach me. Seeing your positive attitude, I should have been more like you!

[Joey Armstrong]

I was in Kushiro-shi in Hokkaido because my wife was from there. I spoke little to no Japanese and them no English. They were so excited and curious I felt like a celebrity or maybe like a science project. Their hospitality made me feel right at home. I'll never forget that.

[Oriental Pearl]

I’m glad that you were welcomed with open arms.

[Joey Armstrong]

@Oriental PearlSuch wonderful people. I couldn't believe how interested they were in me. They wanted to know all kinds of questions. They don't get many gaijin up there. My wife did all the translating, god bless her. This was before smartphones, so all I had was a pocket Japanese phrase book I picked up in Tokyo. Believe me, it got it's usage and some and I still have it. Everytime I come across it it makes me miss Japan and the beauty of Hokkaido.

[Pablo]

Great to see this. I never ever imagined Japanese were so kind once you talk to them in their language. Life is easier there if you arrive speaking their language.

[Clockworkgirl (Tabitha)]

Anming, you are a sociable and friendly person. I think that helps with interacting well with rural and city people anywhere in Japan. It is interesting how the rural people were eagar to interact with the foreigners and start conversations. I am learning Japanese and would love to get at your comfort level with speaking to people in the language.🙂

[Stevie De Stefanie]

SO ENJOYING this. Did realize how friendly and especially what a great Sence of humorous they have . ❤️👍👍👍

[peter sparshot]

I've watched 3 of your videos so far. What an amazing human being you are . Your family and friends must be proud of you. Your parents done well with you.

[Christa Swint / ShawolOT5]

I absolutely love and adore rural Japan. I lived in Misawa for six years many, many years ago and the comparison of people I met there was more than 99 nice to less than one rude person. My family and I loved exploring the countryside and would often take the back roads when traveling (we loved camping on the shores of Akita-the red lava rock with the pristine blue Sea of Japan is quite a view). I’d be happy to live in Japan fully.

[Flexxen 🎥🌍 散歩]

Learning about the age of the woman around 4:15 reminded me of a similar story I have to tell from Japan. When I was there in 2019 with very little japanese vocabulary, I went to a small town called Kamikawa in Hyogo, north of Himeji and it was off-season really. We sat down in one of the very few places that were open during that time of the year and ate something, while being the only ones there. The owner had a very basic English conversation with us and she was also the one preparing and serving our meal. Shortly before we've finished eating, this older-ish looking woman with an appearance unlike anyone I've ever seen before enters the place and sits opposite of us and starts to talk with the owner. The old lady's English actually was not too bad and we could understand each other fairly well. Still, more than Hi, How are you, Where are you from and weird looks, there was nothing more really. The old lady was very small, had pink hair and laughed about every word we've said with the widest smile I've ever witnessed. In the end and to our shock, she told us she was 93 years old. I don't have any words for this except wow.

[Oriental Pearl]

93 years old! That’s amazing. Thanks for sharing your experience in Japan.

[Morgan Chetty]

This woman's so lucky to have being learned so many foreign languages. Keep up your excellent work and great job.

[E.J.]

I feel so lazy now doing this with Spanish 😂. You take it to the next level. I was so proud of myself for traveling alone to Mexico this year to a non tourist area and just make friends. It's amazing how many questions they have for you when you are the visitor with different perspectives.

[Kendrick Tong]

Great video, the countryside looks so beautiful. So true understanding local languages truly can help open doors to new adventures and experiences.

[Madel Gamer]

I totally agree. Japanese people are very humble. Their own language shows it.

[Building with Todd]

I have always wanted to visit Japan, I pray that one day I can go there and try lots of foods. Thank you for sharing this with the world, it was fun to watch your interactions with locals and their reactions to you speaking the language.

[Oriental Pearl]

I recommend trying real Japanese ramen.

[Leznar Secre]

My first trip to Japan was in Fukuoka. I visited all the places such as Yufuin , Kumamoto, Oita, Hakata City and many more. Cant wait to re visit them. I love Fukuoka. Btw great vid again 😁😁

[Oriental Pearl]

Wow, we went to the same exact places!

[beet]

If I ever go to Japan I'll use this as a mental checklist

[ocystella]

Same! I went to these places too! Kyushu is awesome

[TeamViolin]

I miss Fukuoka and Kyushu overall, my favourite parts of Japan 🥲

[Custer]

I only knew a few greeting phrases and such when i went there but as she says in the video, if you break the ice by just greeting someone, you might actually start talking to a person who really wants to test their own vocabulary in english or even talk fluently with you. it happend from time to time

[Jim Shackelford]

Happened to me a lot.

[Top]

I wanted to take a trip up to Tohoku but cut it for cost reasons, and fear of not having a grasp on the language enough, but I've been dying to get out into the countryside and just absorb all the nature and beauty and small shops and old villages and sweet old ladies. On my trip back from Shikoku (2nd Japan trip) for the Awa Odori, a young woman struck up a conversation with me on the train asking where I was from and what brought me to Shikoku and excitedly telling me she played the flute in the parade and showing me her wooden hand carved flute. That conversation really was a highlight of my trip. My first trip to Japan ever, I went to Universal Studios for a One Piece floor show and dinner, after we all got to take photos with the cast and return to our tables, these ladies were giddy and I smiled and said "doki doki" and fluttered my hand against my chest, they nodded and laughed and said something like "kincho". It was a very beautiful bonding moment where despite the language barrier, we both were just huge fans having a huge moment of excitement and being joyous together. Lovely memories.

[Zoe]

As an Australian...Im use to lots of space. I've been to Japan 5 times & spent the majority of my time in the countryside. Beautiful! Same went for most of Asia... most of my was spent countryside.

[MedicCrawler]

Man I miss Japan, was stationed in Okinawa in 2004, I loved the commute to mainland and traversing the countryside and finding temples. Most of my best memories are from Japan

[Markus William]

Nice video ! I’m in Japan as well and hope to be able to communicate to the locals as well as you … but also realize any effort goes a long way… I “attempt” to communicate but the speaking part seems difficult.. but will continue on! I really like the evolution of your videos recently it seems you are finding your stride ! Kudos !

[Oriental Pearl]

Keep going and never give up!

[Santiago Sosa]

What an amazing video! I loved you showed how wrong those stereotypes are, if you speak the local language and you're a friendly person, it shouldn't be that difficult to interact with people around you.

[Oriental Pearl]

That’s right! I’d love to make more videos to prove those stereotypes wrong.

[Daenack Dranils]

that's why some would be jealous iof her videos.

[-ana-]

Your videos are really motivating me to go and travel, meet other cultures and have great experiences, thank you 😢🙏

[LIANA PRENDINGUE]

I lived in Japan for 3 years and Japanese people are the nicest people! Very kind and will always help you out if you need help. They are also very honest. They get excited when they see foreigners

[Stnrntmr]

I was bored and looking thru youtube. Came across one of your videos and i got hooked. Ur videos are amazing they show how different the cultures are i like how u can easily strike up a conversation everybody seems so friendly and i like ur laugh LOL keep making videos they are sweet and funny! Very cool

[Brandon Lott]

Definitely learning q new language now. I have been inspired to not only visit but COMMUNICATE with the communities I visit! Very inspiring stuff.

[WastedCarnage]

What great personality people have there. It makes Japan more convincing to visit. Also, nice to find other Americans there that speak Japanese.

[Mike G]

The mountains around Yufuin are amazing. Great place to tour with a convertible. At 6'4" I was considered a giant when I lived nearby :) But the people all over Kyushu are lovely. The only reason they don't talk to you is they don't want their poor English to be displayed. The film of obachan in the small restaurant is what they are like when they're not scared of the language barrier - nicely done.

[Oriental Pearl]

Wow, you’re lucky to have gotten to live there!

[Jason H]

Much respect and glad I stumbled across your videos. Very educational and helpful to me as I'm looking to plan a visit in the next year or 2. I'd love for you to be my tour guide/translator. I have so many questions

[La Das]

It's amazing how many doors you can open with a smile and a positive attitude.

[SleepyKiing_]

Amazing😍 Rural places are so beautiful and the people from there is so nice👏🏻

[shiver me timbers]

Their reactions bring a big smile to my face 😆the way their face light up when they see a foreigner is so cute

[Ethan A]

What lovely sentiments! I sure love Japan and the Japanese people.

[Sho]

I'm Japanese, living in the US for over 10 years (mostly in the south), this is somehow relatable. And also I wish I will get to spend the last few years of my life in the countryside of Shikoku island. Not sure why (I've lived in Shikoku for a while, that's probably why).

[Oriental Pearl]

I haven’t been to Shikoku yet, but I really want to go there soon.

[Boycott❌No❌K国]

@Oriental Pearl shikoku is the least explored of Japanese main islands even less foreigners.

[Daenack Dranils]

boring life in perspective.

[Kaiokened]

Can’t wait until you blow up on KZbin. You’re amazing and hopefully more people will be inspired to learn a second language

[Subseventeen]

Watching your videos always makes my day and empowers me to keep learning.

[Maya Luevano]

Japanese people have always struck me as people who have so much to say but the language barrier just gets in the way. I studied Japanese in the past in hopes of visiting the country and this video just makes me want to get right back into it.

[Oriental Pearl]

You should start learning it again! It’s fun.

[Maya Luevano]

@Oriental Pearl I think for me the hardest part was understanding the grammar system; using nouns, adjectives and verbs in completely different places really messes with the mind lol but I think that is the point. The language is as much a part of why Japan is the way it is.