Japan VS Foreign Tourists: A Worsening Situation

[@AbroadinJapan]

NOTIFICATION SQUAD: A step too far or a necessary move? Honestly, it's probably for the best, but let's hope this doesn't lead to a crackdown nationwide in the long run.

[@MinhHieuNguyenChannel-wb7ic]

I hate banned

[@kayenesskorin2588]

I think it's just gotten to a point where they had to do something. These geisha need to be left in peace as they go about their daily business without being harassed like circus clowns.

[@Wooplot]

when will we see Chris dressed as a Geisha

[@soldiergigas14]

This is really sad. I am going to Tokyo at the end of July to beginning of August and i really hope this doesn't escalate any further...😢

[@fivey03]

Hi chris

[@D0MiN0ChAn]

I am honestly digusted that someone would pull *anyone's hair* in public, not to mention that of a Geisha!? Like, *where* in the world would that be okay? Even most 5 year olds know not to do that. Seriously. Wtf?

[@ourlaboroflove]

There was a news that water was pour into some geisha's outfit from behind!

[@lainiwakura1776]

Not even just their hair, just, who touches someone without their permission?

[@tiefblau2780]

Hey have you ever done something that you know you will get away? Same thing , its calculation

[@ShaiyanHossain]

yeah maybe its just me but ive seen it happen in a lot of asian countries (my own included) where touching foreigners as if they're an alien is acceptable (it shouldn't be) @@kansaibeyond

[@edwardfletcher7790]

There's HUGE problems with the group tours of certain enormous Asian countries. The peasants on these tours are infamous for treating every aspect of Japan as a theme park designed for their personal entertainment. Their culture in every way, is the polar opposite of Japan and the subtle qualities Japanese people admire.

[@Carforinus]

Its sad to see a few bad apples spoiling the experience for everyone else

[@DM-kv9kj]

A lot of "bad apples" actually, all of them internet-fuelled, arrogantandignorant young people probably many of whom trying to make "viral content" for social media.

[@MoparAdventure]

Few? Its the entire culture.

[@fmor2779]

This is a problem world wide honestly, I am glad they are doing this. But yes, it sucks for the people who have traveling etiquete. I wouldn't mind if they put higher fines to discourage this.

[@yodamaster202]

Few?..99%

[@robertpatterson2194]

@@yodamaster202I would not say 99%

[@deadpan2866]

i feel like people today dont understand how much of a luxury being able to visit another country is.

[@tdelioncourt1268]

That's the thing actually, travelling has never been cheaper, it's the very problem everywhere. Too many people travel today. Not saying it should be only accessible to rich people, but it has become accessible to a lot more people who have zero common sense.

[@demef758]

@@tdelioncourt1268 "This message brought to you by TikTok, home to all of the world's ill-mannered idiots."

[@ludovica8221]

@@tdelioncourt1268 we need to bring kids up to treat others with respect, as a matter of course in the first instance instead of telling them that others need to earn their respect, which seems backwards to me Surely one should treat everyone with respect until they deserve to lose it

[@SeenThisDoneThat]

@@tdelioncourt1268 Bratty rich kids who go long haul on Daddy's card are probably worse than kids who've worked to pay for the trip of a lifetime themselves and thoroughly appreciate everything.

[@danielwhyatt3278]

Yeah, especially Japan. Which is a country that most people find it very hard to visit due to the high travel costs.

[@D_01I]

It really angers me when people graffiti on shrines, temples, and other sacred/historical places. Especially with shrines. I am Shintō but I live in America, and to be able to go to a shrine is a beautiful experience I could only hope for. That someone would damage any holy place is absolutely insane. So many people hold these places highly. It’s disgraceful.

[@TheSuperRatt]

Americans especially are used to stomping on religions that don't look like theirs. It's a tale as old as colonialism.

[@IcyTorment]

Some people in the West trash famous paintings and are held up by some as heroes for protesting whatever random, unrelated thing they're angry about. Is it really surprising that people would think it wasn't a big deal to carve their names into historical sites?

[@Samagachi]

I wonder if tourists will end up banned from religious sites, too

[@Flower-gi2on]

⁠@@Samagachi If things continue like this, I think Japanese shrines will be closed to foreign tourists. Most shrines in Japan are privately owned and not run by the government. The managing family can freely decide who to invite. Some shrines have already begun to close their doors to tourists. This trend can be expected to increase in the future. In Japan, if you enter private property without permission from the manager, you will be arrested. Johnny Somali was arrested for trespassing on private property. Although most tourists follow good manners when visiting shrines, it is unfortunate that the number of restricted areas is increasing due to some people.

[@Cheolssip]

I hate graffiti. I just can't understand those who think graffiti brings color. It's nothing different from vandalism.

[@RubixKyuub]

This pisses me off. I’ve always wanted to take a trip to Japan and it sucks that people are ruining it for me before I even get the chance to.

[@drinkyourtea]

Yeah I went there and if I saw someone acting like this I would call them out immediately.

[@StevesTutorials]

It's a shame. Equally the more tourists that have gone the more Japan seem to in general accept tourists (Despite these bans). When I was there the end of last year I only ever spoke japanese a handful of times (I can't really speak much other than "Thank you" "please" "No i'm good". So basically just konbini talk.) But yeah most things had english translations and/or a person who could speak english. I was super surprised how accepting the entire country is to english speakers overall. Was a fantastic time. I can only assume this has become more common ground due to tourism being a more popular thing over the years in Japan.

[@kmdreacts]

I share this sentiment. Pisses me orf

[@fmor2779]

I planned to visit the country too, knowing this breaks my heart because those who have traveling etiquete pay the same as those who behave so disrespectfully.

[@johnnydeath2]

Same here.

[@vinny985]

unfortunately so many tourists treat foreign countries like theme parks and don’t even consider that it’s a real place with people living their everyday lives just like them back home, like they think the whole country exists only to entertain them and stops existing when they get back on the plane… the ban might be an extreme measure but i do get the sentiment, like you mentioned here in italy it’s barely any better, we just can’t afford bans because they would tank the economy

[@uslines]

Spot on!

[@Noksus]

That kind of behavior requires some kind of main character mentality which is common in a country where people are taught that their country is the best in the world...

[@rat_priestess]

i sadly don’t think it’s extreme. it’s just sad tourists are acting this way. this is the result of social etiquette being seen as old-fashioned and authoritarian, and us westerners starting to actually disrespect our elders and those older than us, thinking we had everything to teach them, not the other way around. and became a youth culture. young people are notoriously selfish, thoughtless, and impulsive and have a short term grasp on consequences. so is it so much of a surprise that’s the people we see so frequently now?

[@nathanaelwong491]

So sad to hear that. Been given less friendly hospitality during my last trip in Switzerland and I kinda understand why, me being Malaysian Chinese they might have thought I'm from China, considering Chinese tourists give bad impression there (even to myself). I'm planning a trip to Naples or Cinque Terre Liguria. What do you think of the locals there? Are they friendly towards Asian tourists?

[@MW_Asura]

​@@Noksus One that famously has a U and an S as an acronym in its name...

[@indridcold9593]

i feel strong second-hand embarrassment just hearing about this. i can't imagine being so shameless as to treat a place i'm a guest at like it's a lawless playground.

[@Taiyo_Jingu]

I feel you.

[@dannyrpgninetwooak6434]

I feel the exact same thing.

[@prawngravy18]

@@dannyrpgninetwooak6434You only need to feel embarrassment if you would do this kind of thing too. It makes 0 sense to be embarrassed for someone else.

[@Oddragnar]

2nd hand embarassment is very real and you don't necessarily need to think about doing it yourself imo@@prawngravy18

[@DJRaffa1000]

For me its more like second-hand rage. Hearing this incredible level of disrespect gets my blood boiling.

[@yk978]

I was born and raised in Kyoto.The other day, at the highly sacred Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto, a British guide living in Japan, along with his British clients, recklessly rang the shrine bells. When a Japanese woman reprimanded them for it, the guide mocked her inability to speak English by asking, "Do you speak English?" and also hurled rude remarks in broken Japanese. Living in Kyoto, it's unfortunately common to encounter British or other westerners who vandalize historical buildings or show disrespect towards foreign cultures, while also ridiculing Japanese culture. Such behavior may stem from a cynical culture among Britons and a general disdain for Asians. How would you feel if foreigners behaved similarly towards churches that you cherish in your country?

[@Base.s]

as british person sorry

[@pauldethick6175]

I think many of the British and other western nations people have a huge sense of entitlement these days in that many of them see something and automatically assume they can do what they want with it without consequence. I am British and 40 years old and I certainly see this in my generation and younger ones. It's a huge shame.

[@Kav.]

Actually foreigners do come to the UK and do this kind of thing and they should be punished as bad actors. For example in Oxford in the indoor market I waited politely to let some people through, a group of German tourists physically pushed past me. In the RAF Museum in Hendon I saw Middle-Eastern tourists posing on a war memorial (literally sitting on it, not on some steps but on the memorial itself) to take photos. I saw foreign names scraped into castles in Wales as well. The Japanese seem to think this kind of thing only happens to them, no, it happens in every place there is tourism. You have to learn to police it, banning tourism outright just harms the monuments you're trying to protect by removing funding. Now, is any of that an excuse for their behaviour? No. It's abhorrent and should be punished. But please don't go pretending like Japan is the only victim of morons...

[@MsSmartmonkeee]

Unfortunately it is not just in Japan. We have a huge problem here in Hawai'i with tourists who disrespect the locals,the historic areas and leave trash everywhere. It's sad, and the locals are fed up and there are cases of young men going around and mobbing tourists.

[@Dragonfury3000]

Mass tourism is never a good thing.

[@ThroatSlam]

@@Dragonfury3000except for the fact that economies in certain parts of the world literally can not survive without tourism

[@LucksackGames]

Which is so sad as locals are more than happy to have you if you just have an ounce of respect and self control. Hawaii is one of the most chill places I've ever visited. Sorry to hear. :(

[@fmor2779]

Same in Perú, I've seen people trying to put their names in one of Machu Pichu's rocks, this is a problem worldwide where people, for some stupid reason, think it's ok to literally desecrate cultural heritage. We have a strict code in which you could be fined if you do that, so I am happy the Japanese are doing this, people need to learn how to behave.

[@Dragonfury3000]

@@ThroatSlam mass tourism is never good thing nonetheless. Raise the prices if needed but no need to be invaded by tourism. Everything in moderation is best.

[@caocao4731]

"Japan has ettiquete you might not be accustomed to." I didn't realize the simple rule of "If you wouldn't do it at home, don't do it at all," is so difficult to understand.

[@entropybear5847]

I think you severely under-estimate how little respect many people have even for their own homes.

[@drdewott9154]

Oh these people will be the same at home too, they're the ones like "Ooooh I can carve my name into a tree in my local forest, I must carve my name in Japan too to immortalise my visit". These kinds of people are selfish assholes 24/7, on vacation or otherwise.

[@konso3]

If you behave like an arse and couldn't control urself pls don't visit!

[@darkracer1252]

@@entropybear5847 i think you are saying total and utter bullshit. and aren't getting the fact that people simply don't respect OTHER people's stuff. and only think about themselves. and that the way they act out in the world in no way what so ever represents the way they act at home.

[@zenpie5093]

I would have never guessed that vandalism and harassing people wasn’t allowed? (Sarcasm)

[@__OS__]

As a foreigner, many tourists forget we are guests. There must be a respectful way to learn from each other…

[@Hungri_Ungi]

Imagine the UK started banning ‘tourists’ from entering London because of the actions of a a few bad apples … Maybe the UK should learn from foreign countries

[@loluser41]

​@@Hungri_UngiThe tourists in UK are better mannered than the brits 😂

[@bigguy7353]

-tourists- ignorant people who think travel replaces the void that no faith has left

[@bigguy7353]

​@@Hungri_UngiImagine the UK didn't let Islam take over London.

[@Bleed1987]

as a german, many refugees forget they are guests

[@el.CAO.]

Best experience ever at Rome last time - guards forcing Tiktokers at the Colosseum to keep moving or their tripods would be taken away. I shit you not, they were doing their pathetic dances while visiting the Colosseum. They were Australians by the way.

[@Gelato41_]

those people are dumbasses, lol.

[@samueljohnson541]

It’s not just Japan. I’m from Utah and tourist vandalize things in our national parks more frequently than I would like. It is just sad.

[@supremelordoftheuniverse5449]

No no no no in the US you don’t get to protect your country from foreigners, it’s considered natsi

[@chinavirus841]

What would a tourist do in Utah? wtf 💀

[@spdoots]

pretty sure those are just locals 😂😂

[@Johnrigsby]

Chinese tourists in Yellowstone being a good example. Its like they think the Bison and Elk are tame. I've seen them surround them and in an effort to not have anyone in the background of their selfie they compete to get closer. I would see this and turn away hoping not to see the seeming inevitable gouging.

[@AlamoOriginal]

@@supremelordoftheuniverse5449what?

[@gromit576]

Who can forget Logan Paul's shenanigans in Japan? He and his cronies 'threw' coins in the most holy temple; they waved a dead fish and squid at people at the Shibuya crossing; they dressed as Pokemon and ran screaming into malls, streets, restaurants. The worst was when they visited the forest known for suicides. They found a person who had sadly taken his life(hanging). Logan and friends filmed the scene while giggling and narrating it on video!

[@themaskedmagic1783]

His antics haven’t stopped either he’s still making an ass of himself everyday

[@madisonsmith4436]

Literally can’t stand this man

[@SMGJohn]

Yet he was not punished, this sends a terrible message about how much the Japanese police truly cares.

[@MollyHJohns]

And there are people who essentially defended him by saying, isn't that a long time ago so let him be already just forget it! The audacity. History will repeat itself. Reminders like this needs to be told occasionally so no more idiots like him keep terr*rising foreign countries for clouts.

[@MaskedRiderChris]

Then he got all wide eyed and innocent and cried about "OH I WAS JUST TRYING TO DRAW AWARENESS TO *SELF ENDING* WHY ARE YOU ALL SO MAD??" That punk made us Americans look awful from that alone, never mind his other shenanigans. I'm not a fan.

[@Sweat404]

I moved to Japan 10 years ago. When I came here I visited Kyoto and it wasn’t very busy, I saw two Maiko and politely asked for a photo, it was no problem, my Japanese friend took the photo for me, we said thank you and went about our day. I can’t believe how much tourism has changed in just 10 years.. 10 years later, I still live here.

[@humansvd3269]

How life there now?

[@user-weebooo]

@@humansvd3269short.

[@yrobtsvt]

Kyoto has changed so fast it's INSANE. I was there in 2008 and the whole city was virtually empty. Plenty of room to move around at places like Kiyomizudera. You could feel the history on the streets. Fast forward to 2018, it was so crowded it wasn't even fun anymore, felt like Disneyland. I can't imagine what it's like now.

[@wolfgamez9642]

How did you move there id like to live there one day in the future when America falls to the liberals from stealing elections

[@Sweat404]

@@humansvd3269 life here is great, but it has changed so much even in the last decade… except salaries, they’re the same! 😂

[@koromaru3]

私は日本人です。海外の観光者が日本に興味を持って来てくれてることや、楽しんでくれることは嬉しく思います。海外の方も優しい方や笑顔を見ると嬉しいです。しかし、ゴミ箱を置けばゴミがゴミ箱から散乱したり、世界遺産に落書きや傷をつけたり、唾を吐いたりはとても嫌な気持ちになります。ゴミ箱はもともと日本でもあちこちありましたが、地下鉄サリン事件などでテロ防止のために撤去され、ゴミは日本人でもゴミ箱が見つかるまで持ち歩いたり家で捨てたりは当たり前ですが、海外の方は慣れていないのは分かります。しかし、ゴミ箱がいっぱいなら持ち帰ってホテルで捨てようとか考えてほしいです。地面に捨てるのはおかしいと感じて欲しい。 住んでる国は違いますが、他所の家に遊びに行って他所の家の壁に落書きや傷をつけたり、ゴミを床に散乱させたりは普通しないはずです。そういうマナーが守れない人を日本人は許せないだけで海外の方だからとかそういう差別的なものはありません。日本人の中でも日本人が歩きながらタバコしていたり、ゴミ箱に入れずにあちこちにゴミを捨てていたら注意されたり冷ややかな目で見られます。 だから他のルールを守る海外の方が嫌な気持ちになるようなことはしてほしくないですね😊

[@Andersson33]

勇気をもって話してくれてありがとう！ あなたの思いは日本の想いそのもの。 hey you guys, How would you feel if you went to a historic church and you were to act in a disrespectful manner and ruin the important structure in front of God? 海外のツーリストにだけ言ってるんじゃないよ👍✨

[@tabletalk33]

All very reasonable. In any country, people should behave themselves and follow rules, customs, and laws. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

[@senn4237]

I am truly embarrassed for what some American tourists have done in your country. I was able to visit Japan a long time ago and it was a great experience.

[@onemaster8133]

Thanks brother..I admire and respect japanese custom and culture ...similar way any other foreigner should follow too ..must not complain or comment on Japan at any cost

[@HAIRYMAN79]

彼らの多くは何もせず、人々は彼らを嫌い、または彼らを恐れています。

[@cr0wnest]

My last family trip years ago took us to Kyoto. In one of the shops selling souvenirs my mum was unwrapping the gifts to check the item one by one, that would have been ok but then she was not putting them back properly. And I saw the poor young shop lady putting each one back into its plastic wrapper. I had to tell my mum to stop it. Ive never felt so embarrased to be a tourist in Japan...

[@IchGluckspilz445]

Your mum is rude and uncivilized.

[@qwertyqwert2818]

If I were you I'd definitely apologize to the poor lady

[@da96103]

What is wrong with your mom? You can't remove the plastic wrapping until after you buy the item.

[@commondognut]

Where are you from that taking something out of the package without paying for it is ok?

[@lzh4950]

@@da96103 Actually I've heard some people who think that's fine, so that they can verify the product's quality, then they wrap it back. Imagine if such people dismiss their critics as having idiosyncracy

[@Michaelthekiwi]

I went to Japan 5 years ago, with my 5 year old daughter with bright red hair. She got a lot of attention from the locals as they're not used to see young children with red hair (and my daughters hair is very bright) but not once did she get her hair grabbed and pulled, nor was she stopped and asked for photographs, but instead the Japanese were very respectful and looked embarrassed when we caught them looking. The only ones who were noticeably paying attention were (and this is so cliche) were teenage girls, who would fall about in giggles and whisper 'kawaii' to each other. Not that my daughter minded, she worked it out very quickly and would try to attract their attention. The lesson is simple - Japan will be respectful to you as an outsider, so you should be respectful back.

[@rhetorical1488]

@@justtoleavecomments3755 not so much the cantonese as they are quite passionate about hating the trailer trash of beijing literally squatting on every corner of HK. you can always identify a mainlander vs harbor resident.

[@BrotherHood-xh9sg]

​@@justtoleavecomments3755 but a lot of Westerners do this as well. The black streamer guy for example.

[@ravenwraith1017]

not surprised about the red hair thing - probably related to their obsession with Anne of Green Gables of all things lol. L. M. Montgomery's books have a following over there.

[@vonniebunny8049]

I (white girl) went to beijing and had people ask to take photos with me a few times. It was kinda wierd. I also keep having people ask if my eyes are real... (Korea)

[@ocean440]

@@vonniebunny8049 so what? is that gives you permission to harass locals???????

[@ckoejake9966]

This is tragic. I went to Japan recently and one of my biggest fears was people looking at me as a foreigner in a negative way. However, I was treated so kindly that and the joy I felt when everyone I interacted with seemed so excited to meet me and see that I was interested in their culture. I am frustrated that these kind of people give many Japanese people a negative perspective of foreigners.

[@adriancentra]

Thanks for sharing something positive in this comment section! most locals will understand that not every foreign person is an idiot, I hope. And the ones who do, we can do our best to prove them wrong:)

[@lightskitty]

I went on holiday in my own country and the forums by locals were very negative about tourists especially those from the city (like myself). However when I got there everyone was very sweet and friendly, and I didn't feel unwelcome at all. Except for the coach driver on the way out called me some rude names, he must have thought I couldn't hear him over the engine halfway down the coach. 😭 My point is, this stuff happens everywhere, you can't hold yourself back just because you're worried about that one rude man mumbling rude things.

[@jaeusa160]

I suspect that it does not take much in terms of being clearly respectful to not encounter pushback.

[@ルユク-h3h]

Dont get the wrong idea. Japanese do tatemae. They are nice even so they think bad about you

[@vothbetilia4862]

​@@ルユク-h3h that can literally be anyone in general bruh, that's not a Japanese thing.

[@AUCKata]

Before I went to Japan in December last year I did a bunch of research on Do's and Do Not's because even though I heard most people say some Japanese people won't care, I really want (as a foreigner) to show my respect to their ways of life and their culture. I was looking forward to doing things that would otherwise bother me in my own country of New Zealand.....things like holding on to my rubbish because rubbish bins in Japan are scarce, being quiet on public transport etc. So to see this is not only sad but quite infuriating. I hate that respectable foreigners who have the common sense not to carve their names into ancient shrines have to miss out on some of the more fascinating and historical sides of Japan because a bunch off assholes can't help themselves. 95% of me completely understands the ban but man that 5% of me is thinking come on man. Especially when it comes to the treatment of geishas. I really hope this nonsense stops soon.

[@JohnSmith-rr8hp]

Hey ya I'm from NZ too and just visited Jap in Late April and visited the Gion area, I wasn't aware of the ban and didn't see any such sign at the time. Maybe they have already lifted the ban. I saw quite a lot of tourists too. I do think it is absolutely necessary evil in order to preserve their 1000+ year old treasures, even tho it sucks for us. The steam bun story is funny, but yes, they really need English & Chinese characters there. I can totally understand why a rando who just pointed at the bun and say ko re ko re will look super-rude in the eyes of the jap. The problem with that there are a lot of idiots who do stupid things for views on TikT etc...

[@catwalkin-im7yp]

Many tourists don't seem to know the difference between Disneyland and reality. In my former guise as the world's worst tour guide I ended up loudly instructing my overseas language students not to touch the horses or the soldiers at Horse Guards Parade in London. "This is not Disneyland. These are military horses and these are real soldiers." I detected a grin from the soldier on horseback. (They do attack unruly tourists.)

[@GymLeaderPhil]

As a former Disney employee, they shouldn’t touch the horses or security at the Disney parks either.

[@ScooterinAB]

This is generally what I hate about "tourism." I've been to Tokyo a few times, but I put off going for many years. Why? Because it's a really big city where people live and work. Yeah, there are cool attractions, but it is primarily a city where people live and work. I wanted to make sure I was going to appreciate the city, not be Jake Paul and treat people rushing to their trains or offices and theme park employees.

[@mysterioanonymous3206]

I wonder who they talk about when they say tourists, because I bet most people are just fine. You really gotta wonder if there's a specific cohort who is responsible. I bet you 20 bucks that it's Chinese more often than not.

[@RyuNoKami]

The people "named" in this video are americans..

[@DavidCruickshank]

@@RyuNoKami America was never mentioned once, Canada was though.

[@bentuttle9170]

The "dress yakuza as geisha" concept just sounds like a Goro Majima encounter idea. Some random tourist just getting their skull fractured by a mad man wearing an eyepatch

[@RickR69]

Just a giant, muscle bound guy in a tiny geisha outfit trying to blend in and acting naturally.

[@Abedeuss]

KIRYU-CHAN!

[@Spartan-sz7km]

Doesn't this happen in Yakuza 0

[@pogCibi]

this is a good job for Goromi lmao

[@VorpalSnickerSnack]

It'd be quite effective. Majima and Kiriyu on a side mission.

[@skyydoesgames]

Never been to Japan and have always wanted to go. But life continues to get in the way. It makes me sad that there are people in the world who are just okay with ruining experiences for everyone else including those who want to go and haven't been able to go yet.

[@skyjelly9790]

Things are always wasted on the people who least deserve them. Such is the nature of the archontic control grid it seems.

[@J311yStain]

Some people are so selfish it’s appalling. And heartbreaking, I’m honestly embarrassed as a tourist to even be associated with those sort of people in the eyes of the Japanese. Also, I really hope you find the time eventually to visit!

[@MrMuziekman]

im in a similair spot as you are also rly wanna go to japan to see soem themples myself in person and now some off the msot iconnic ones we cant even go see its frustrating

[@J311yStain]

@@MrMuziekman if you want to do Kyoto still, I would highly recommend getting a guide. It’s what I did. Even with the new travel restrictions I don’t think it’s affecting tourist trips with guides! Also as a side note, if it’s in your budget check out steak misono, it’s where teppanyaki was created

[@annemaria5126]

@@MrMuziekman then go now. So many amazing temples... in the midst of crowded towns as silent refuges, outthere in nature, on hills, islands. Allways visited by quiet admiring attentive believing people.

[@ricnew1466]

Thanks for bringing awareness to the problem

[@callumc1208]

The gladiator edit is absolutely glorious

[@AbroadinJapan]

I seriously need to give it a rewatch, my god what a film. Not so sure about the impending sequel...

[@danquaylesitsspeltpotatoe8307]

@@AbroadinJapan Do geisha ever go on the trains? LOL

[@bazza1024]

@@AbroadinJapan theres a sequel coming? Why tf are there so many sequels to movies like 20 yrs later these days, not an original thought left in the world

[@callumc1208]

@@AbroadinJapanyikes didn’t know one was planned. With Russell Crowe getting on, hopefully Ivan gets the call up

[@thatGuyRULES123]

I'm currently in Japan as a tourist, the amount of loud obnoxious tourists is astounding. However the locals are all quite happy and polite as soon as I attempt what I feel is the bare minimum of courtesy , learning please and thankyou and TURNING YOUR PHONE ON SILENT ON THE TRAIN and just in general not being a twat. Honestly back home in Aus I work in tourism related stuff, and the same issues exist, and I don't know if it's just proximity and population, but mainland asia seeems to have the most disrespectful tourists I've ever seen.

[@OM19_MO79]

What the hell are you doing there? You are disturbing their lives and wasting your time. This is the 21st Century, with audiovisual recordings, tours and VR there’s no need to travel to other places anymore.

[@pixpax1720]

Mainland China specifically, they even do it in-country Like 3 times is 3 times too many to see a pic of some mainlander shitting on the train on the news

[@pixpax1720]

@@OM19_MO79cope and seethe lmao, japan is my favourite place to travel

[@dariusq8894]

The last time I was in Tokyo I overheard more English being spoken than Japanese. Partly because the locals are so quiet and partly because tourists are too loud.

[@Saviorsrdenver]

@@OM19_MO79 Speaking as a nerd who spends all their weekends in the gaming chair whenever remotely possible - get out there. Seriously, there is a WORLD of difference between following Chris' channel here and being there. I've hiked mountain trails to remote shrines and temples, enjoyed gyoza and ramen, felt the gentle warmth of the onsen as I soaked in it, and that's just Japan. I love Chris' videos and commentary, but it's just no substitute for waking up at 4 AM and stumbling into Lawson's looking for something 'cuz you can't wait for the hotel breakfast, standing in the mountain valley approaching a shrine, or even waiting uncertainly for a night bus not sure you're in the right place. Y'know, life.

[@LientjeArt]

It honestly makes me quite mad that some tourists can't just behave normally. Anyone with common sense and common decency wouldn't do stuff like carve their names into a temple or shrine etc. Unfortunate that this is also ruining the experience for everyone else...

[@lostsurferjames5]

The brain rot of social media and the desire to stand out as an individual drives people to do the most egotistical shit ever.

[@MetallicReg]

In some other cultures that are less restrained than Japan when seeing such bs, they would have visited the hospital and told the tale to never try such nonsense again to others.

[@ScooterinAB]

I remember leaving Japan after my second trip. I was at a food court in the airport and was standing behind these two young American dicks. There were signs all around the airport saying that stores and vendors weren't accepting US $20. I was impressed that they were even accepting US money at all. Anyways, these two two kids were raising a stink (in English) about why the cashier would take their freedom dollars. Afterwards, I apologized, ordered in Japanese, and paid in Yen. It was just an exercise in shitty people being shitty, and I hated how that reflected on me, having just attended a foreign-heavy Japanese university.

[@r0zugorudo]

Too many people have “main character syndrome” these days. It’s absolutely infuriating.

[@MALUSAKA]

Thanks for making content like this mate. I hope from the bottom of my heart it will teach some people simple manners

[@frnvito]

It especially ruins it for us foreigners who live here indefinitely and aren't tourists because to the locals we're all seen as a tourist. Even my wife who is half but has lived in japan her entire life, went to school and worked in japan entirely is still occasionally treated as a foreigner and has even been asked for a residence card "foreigner ID card" before and is also constantly double checked to actually be the name she says she is.

[@WhatsBliss]

That's my biggest worry with these "foreign tourist bans." Not all Japanese people and Japanese citizens are 100% ethnically Japanese and these bans will increase scrutiny and hostility towards people who don't "look right," in tourist heavy areas especially. I think there a lot of nasty side-effects to trying to ban only foreign tourists from a place.

[@00mongoose]

This sounds more like an issue with Japan than with tourists...

[@frnvito]

@@00mongoose oh most definitely is, but what was once a 30% issue is now somewhere closer to a 45% issue and rising constantly bc these bad tourist incidents are plastered all over japanese news making it worse every year. sometime few months ago i got on the wrong train by accident and two workers came up to me looking angry seeming like theyre assuming im purposely stealing rides like that one youtuber recently did. i kept trying to say it was a mistake how can i pay but the entire time they treated me like a criminal.

[@tigerm8969]

I mean, japanese are kinda xenophobic. I'm not saying we are trying to lower the diffferences by showing good manners honestly. XD I dont think by the way, that this is the right choice, I suppose they would be better off with placing more policemen in the streets. Thats how europe deals with it.

[@7Detailz]

Thats okay. Its for the safety

[@Shrubo]

Honestly if everyone treated different cultures respectfully this wouldn’t have happened.

[@DM-kv9kj]

Weirdly, this was not actually a problem before the internet generation. Never heard anything about tourists going around shoving cameras in people's faces and pulling their hair for "viral content" until recent years. Honestly, as useful as it CAN be, I think on the whole, all things considered, the internet has proven itself utterly toxic to society. It's a sad reality, but it's just true. Everyone is filling their brains with endless information overload, adhd, deliberately anxiety-inducing news and endless endless vapid and regurgitated "content" with less and less actual value to say through art forms. Doing anything for attention, content and clicks online has become an all-consuming craze for so many people and if you actually look into each case, the vast majority of these problems in Japan, among many other countries, stem from "influencers", wannabe "influencers" and social media crazes.

[@LucksackGames]

@@DM-kv9kj Excuse me, as a person with ADHD I feel attacked for literally no reason. :/ Not my fault my brain is this way. Especially as I've been a model tourist while here.

[@LilNrthStar]

It's starts with being raised properly, which many aren't.

[@DM-kv9kj]

@@LucksackGames I'm sorry you feel personally "attacked" by my saying that internet culture has massively increased cases of attention disorders in young people, which it has. Not everything is about you and if you choose to feel victimized when you simply aren't being, that's nobody else's responsibility. I said nothing whatsoever about all people with adhd. Thanks for getting my perfectly factual and reasonable comment removed though, well done.

[@LucksackGames]

@@DM-kv9kj I didn't report it, nice assumption though.

[@Loumax989]

Me and my wife got married at Yasaka Shrine at Gion district. On the restaurant we held the celebration, which was nearby the shrine, there was a option to hire two geishas for 1 hour to entertain the guests, of course we took it. It was a great experience, none of the guests(almost all of them Japanese) had ever talked to a geisha before. Such shame seeing what’s happening there. The restaurant name is 菊乃井(Kikunoi)is surprisingly unknown and quite affordable for a 3 Michelin stars, I really recommend the food.

[@cjpanlaque6128]

@@really2345 To judge the entire character from such anecdotal evidence is quite narrow-minded and rude too, don't you think? Correcting is one thing, doing it with the attitude shown here is another.

[@musicaltarrasque]

@@really2345 If making grammatical errors is rude, then you are being just as rude as the original post. You forgot how to use quotation marks, "Me got married," should have a comma, like how I just wrote it. Although you can use a period to end a quote, in this case you are making, "Is idiotic," into its own sentence, which is incorrect grammar.

[@amannamedsquid313]

@@really2345 Do you know what else is wrong and rude? Everything you just said.

[@really2345]

​@@musicaltarrasqueIt is not the grammatical error in itself that is rude. It is placing yourself before your wife that is rude.

[@PrinceAlhorian]

I call this travesty "Theme park syndrome". Tourists used to the canned spectacle of Disneyland and Universal parks, where the experience is served to them on a silver platter, and they are entitled to their entertainment, now find themselves in a new location and demand the same from people who wish to only go about their business. I see it on a day-to-day basis, I live in Johannesburg, South Africa and the Americans are by for the worst. They come here, expecting Tarzan, Shaka Zulu, Lion King, Wakanda and I don't know what else. I have heard valley girls loudly and obnoxiously exclaim, "I didn't know Johannesburg was a real city, I was expecting huts and naked dudes with spears!" Another favourite of mine: "You can't be from here, you're white..." Damn, like I wasn't born here or can trace ancestry back to 340 years ago when they (my family's founding fathers) had to flee Europe when the Edict of Nantes was revoked. I have seen tourists become angry that we have established infrastructure, decent telecommunications and internet, our own satellite TV network broadcasting THEIR media to half a continent, just because they wanted "savages" oppressed by "colonisers" for their own entertainment. I will not blame Japan for closing their borders to Gaijin like it was in the Edo period.

[@profwaldone]

its a problem everywhere. tulip farmers here in the Netherlands had to put up signs asking people (ineffectually) to not stand in the tulip fields and trample the crops. Unfrotunatly people seem to forget the places they are on holiday in are peoples homes an businesses. they aren't well curated open air museums or amusement parks.

[@Agnes1322]

Plus, even places like museums have limits. I work at a museum and the amount of shit I see people do is insane, just what is wrong with some people

[@takay6502]

The things people are doing just to get an instagram photo is absolutely mad.

[@powerpuff_avenger]

Or randomly trespassing in homes and peeking inside like it´s a goddamn dollhouse as they like to do in Giethoorn.

[@Judge_Magister]

@@Agnes1322like climate activists thrashing old artworks.

[@Norf.F.C.Zoomer]

Japan is a high trust homogenous society, like England used to be, they absolutely need to crackdown on anyone remotely out of line even if it means keeping most foreigners out. We didn't in England and now we're basically a failed state, high crime, high taxes, low trust and the streets are disgusting in our cities

[@YukioKokoko]

I think the best solution would be to actually make examples to deter bad behaviour. Slap a massive fine and deportation, no one likes paying thousands in fines and being humilitated by being escorted by police to the next available flight. I know its hard to babysit every tourist and its sad it has come to as far as banning foreigners. Im half japanese and after the logan paul and that somali guy incident ive become more angrier towards people who make mockery of the privilege of visiting a country and ruin the fun for everyone else.

[@britasha1194]

Drunk tourists don’t care about anything.

[@Capt.Steele]

I completely agree, banning foreigners will only hurt an already struggling japanese economy and the people themselves. The fact that government would rather ban people from one of their only successful economic sectors instead of actually punish people literally breaking the law is not a good sign of things to come.

[@dannyrpgninetwooak6434]

I feel exactly the same thing about this, and I'm not even remotely Asian. It boils my blood that people are becoming increasingly problematic everywhere we go.

[@alphakowaclips]

...like the ban they're doing now? 😅 They're doing it already

[@thelonecabbage7834]

3:20

[@Angels510]

Went to Kyoto a few months ago and can confirm that according to a local guide we got they disallowed pictures in the area because a tourist (he suspected Chinese but not 100% sure) got angry and pulled a Geisha’s hair and threw a lit cigarette down her kimono which burned her because she didn’t wanna take a picture with them. Immediately after the no pictures signs every 30 feet popped up

[@nessus47]

That is horrible, poor geisha.What disgusting behavior towards her!

[@cheesesensei69]

sounds about right, chinese tourists are also a plight in viet nam

[@jocax188723]

It’s always the nouveau riche Chinese hicks ruining the world for everyone else, huh.

[@rachelkling5619]

it was confirm Chinese tourist

[@Minato_Akiyama03]

@@cheesesensei69Can confirm, they are aee everywhere around the world

[@luidiazpodcaster]

Love your take on this and thanks for sharing!

[@ScreamingTc]

This reminds me so much of the tourists who mess with the military guard around Bukingham & St James's Palace. It's frustrating and just plain disrespectful when people do zero research into cultural norms and practices.

[@TheDarksteel94]

Thankfully at least the guards are allowed to stand their ground and fight back, if needed. At least as far as I know. They're guards, after all.

[@VoxxyNZ]

​@@TheDarksteel94 They can kill you if needed. They aren't bouncers, they're infantry.

[@englishatheart]

Is Bukingham Buckingham's cousin? 😛

[@user-zp4ge3yp2o]

I believe their rifles aren't loaded, but their bayonets are very real...​@@TheDarksteel94

[@jdotoz]

Perhaps the tourists learned about respecting cultural norms and practices by going to the British Museum first.

[@nanbourdeu3071]

After 4 trips to Japan (2006 - 2018) and falling in love with the people and their wonderful country, it breaks my heart that anyone would disrespect this absolutely beautiful, clean, orderly place! My kids were taught as I was to respect rules and to know right from wrong. A basic thing that is missing in so many people in the world today. I am from the US and I always felt that I was representing my country as mush as myself while visiting Japan. Chris, so many experiences we had in Japan were gifted us by your awesome channel! While bans will definitely affect those who visit and would never be a problem they are worth that if Japan and the Japanese people can protect their heritage and culture. Thanks for the opportunity to see more of Japan through your delightful eyes!

[@richardtong3907]

My Amerikkkan brother, Amerikkkan politicians send the military not just to pull the hair of geishas. Do you know what happens in Okinawa all the time?

[@DiCarpio-yk9pd]

Anyone and everyone disrespects Japan, didn't you?? Lol

[@ButThatsMuhFreeduhm]

​@@richardtong3907 Can you explain?

[@valis992000]

We were in the Kyoto bamboo forest and it is horrible that people carve in to the trees. We read a translated article from a Japanese news site, authorities were baffled by the behavior because there were signs telling you not to do it, and each language that was used to carve in to the trees had a notice in that language. Such a nice idea, we asked nicely, we know you understood we are baffled why you would still do it.

[@WildBikerBill]

There are many who do not think the rules/laws apply to them. And instead think all the world outside their own front door is a dumpster for them to crap on.

[@greciasoleble]

Americans basically think they own the world

[@lyndseymc]

Wouldn’t be surprised if all those knuckle draggers can read is their own names.

[@anima1996]

Because in other countries there are no consequences of ignoring signs like these. Ppl just don't care and then they come to Japan and bring that type of ignorance with them. Honestly, in order to stop these incidences (mostly) completely Japan would have to issue a limitation on yearly foreign tourist numbers (such as 1mill per year or so...)

[@CrimsonA1]

Is there any fine in that area for doing this? Arizona (US state), for example, has a hefty criminal charge for anyone stupid enough to damage their giant cacti.

[@EchiLoki]

Currently in japan. Spent 5 days in Kyoto. Was super bummed at how many carvings I saw in the bamboo forest. Also in amongst the bamboo around Fushimi Inari. Also while hiking up the mountain found people on two occasions stepping places they shouldn't, just to get their perfect photo. And I was hiking that at 7am. My soul hurts thinking what happens around there at peak hours.

[@sandervankampen8537]

Why is the fine for defiling an ancient monument only 300.000 yen, that's way to cheap for such actions!

[@Iscream4j0y]

I hope they still have to go through the whole month long legal and jail process on top of that as well as being deported

[@AngieBasto]

how rich are you? for me that a lot of money and i want to use that many for anime. $1,981 is a lot

[@sandervankampen8537]

@@AngieBasto for ruing a inreplacable monument 2k dollar is not allot.

[@austinjuh7]

​@@AngieBasto If you took a trip to Japan, 2k isn't that much. Maybe don't defile historic landmarks in a foreign country? Probably the cheapest way to go about it don't ya think

[@AngieBasto]

@@sandervankampen8537 Ohhhh! you were talking about the ancient stuff, sorry, I didn't read your comment through. i was slow and brain fart

[@randomdude4505]

Misbehaving tourists is a major problem all over the world. I've seen tourists steal corn from a farmer's field in Iowa (jokes on them as it was flint corn, not sweetcorn), dump silver carp in the Arkansas River, litter in Yellowstone, and walk in front of a mountain bike trying to cause an accident in Tahoe. Laughing because the rider almost wrecked dodging them. There is a reason I don't travel much anymore.

[@kricku]

Oh god, I just remembered the bus full of Japanese people that stopped here in Sweden and just started pulling potatoes! 😂

[@IndrawanGamingStudio]

Not just Tourists but Also Illegal Immigrants

[@tattisiti]

​@@kricku that's insane 😂

[@tullyDT]

I visited the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland I saw a Chinese tourist take out a metal implement and try to break off pieces of the basalt columns as souvenirs.

[@titheproven954]

As soon as I started to read that tourists where stealing corn in IOWA all I could think is....thaaaaaats not what that is for. Only for you to confirm it.

[@rsquestingandbossing4071]

As an introvert, Japan COVID times were the best time to explore Japan for a tourist like me (military stationed in Japan). There were no loud tourists walking down the streets on the weekends and hotel prices wasn't as expensive. Japanese people were also more friendly because they weren't so busy tending to customers.

[@Gatrehs]

I managed to go to Japan almost directly after they listed the restrictions and besides the extremely popular spots there were almost no foreigners, it was great. Then there was that one time where an entire class of kids said hello to me and my two friends, individually as they passed us. Well at least the kids had fun.

[@JoBlakeLisbon]

By loud I'm guessing you mean American

[@Jakob.Hamburg]

@@JoBlakeLisbonThere are loud and quiet people in every nation.

[@mixswist]

​@@JoBlakeLisbon As a Thai, I am sure he talking about Thai or Chinese.

[@BrandonAEnglish]

Introvert or not, it was absolutely the best time because the cities weren't overrun with a bunch of foreign faces. It really felt more like Japan.

[@imaginasinlimite]

I travelled to Japan in 1997, 2014 and went back this year. I noticed a massive change. I loved visiting Japan each time. However, this time I felt overwhelmed with the amount of people there were there. I can completely understand they are taking the measures to protect their heritage. Miyajima, Hiroshima and Kyoto were packed compared to other times I’ve been there and clearly some of the tourists were not following clear rules *i.e. taking pictures of temples you were not supposed to). I have a feeling the fact that the yen is so low nowadays is also an important factor as why are there are so many tourists lately. Your other videos helped us to understand the Japanese etiquette and taught us useful tips to avoid situations that would make them uncomfortable. We are their guests after all. We try to be mindful of that. During our stay in Kyoto, we came across a maiko in Gion. When she saw us, she turned around. Can’t blame her. I can imagine a few tourists may have been quite rude to this woman.

[@aussiepineapple1st]

It's sad to hear that. When I was over ther in 2015 on exchange for 3 months my host family took me to the same place and I felt so honoured becasue while in a hair pin shop a Geiko came up to me and asked if she could have a photo taken with me. One of the many highlights of my time there. I hate that people don't have the common respect you should have for people and their culture.

[@bradmenpes809]

You've hit the nail on the head, mate. Common respect - which seems to be not so common anymore, unfortunately.

[@OnlyLocus]

​@@bradmenpes809 just the disgusting downfall of humanity.

[@emb21982]

I think part of the reason is that recently Japan has blown up as a tourist destination on social media. A few years ago, most people didn't consider visiting Japan unless they already had some interest or understanding of the country and culture. However now people are going there because they saw it on Tiktok or Instagram, without bothering to do any research. I recently started working for a travel agency and it doesn't help that the tour operators feature pictures of geisha and other women in kimono heavily in their brochures, as if they are some sort of tourist attraction. Sometimes they give bad travel advice as well - one pack I printed out for a customer said "you should ask permission before taking someone's photo and you might have to pay them a fee".

[@mogaman28]

"Most people didn't consider visiting Japan unless they already had some interest or understanding of the country and culture" Here you are talking about nerds and, like in gaming, comics and movies, when normies enter "nerd spaces" they ruin the fun for everyone. This kind of gate keeping is absolutely necessary, well done Japan.

[@sukotu23]

Really? I still think Japan is a pretty uncommon destination. The stories you hear of tourists are just a small handful and being blown out of proportion thanks to the internet.

[@kowboyinkorea]

Significant increases in Japan tourism began in 2014 and had a peak in 2018 and 2019 before Covid shut things down. So I would say a decade ago Japan wasn’t a super popular tourist destination, but people have been considering it for more than just a “few years”. Although it is without a doubt that social media and KZbin is a (if not the) driving factor for Japan’s exposure to the mass public as a tourist destination.

[@emb21982]

@@sukotu23 It is definitely getting more popular, it was in a list of our company's top 20 most popular destinations. When you consider almost all the other places were typical tourist resorts or places you would visit on a cruise, that's quite a difference compared to a few years ago. I think the trouble makers are probably tourists who are used to going to tourist towns / resorts where everything is catered to them and there's no expectation for them to learn the local customs.

[@emb21982]

@@mogaman28 I agree, although I would say it's not just those with nerdy / pop culture interests - I've met plenty of respectful people who travelled to Japan because they have an interest in kimono or Japanese history or were just interested to learn about Japanese culture in general. The point is they bothered to learn a bit about the country before going there.

[@Nariasan]

I am a foreign resident in Japan and this news made me both angry and very sad. I live near Kyoto and spend time in Gion frequently. With the government making that decision, I fear I can't go anymore without attracting ire. I'm very sad, but I also understand the decision. Edit: I also don't think the 10,000¥ fine was ever applied, which didn't help the situation. I've told tourists before that the sign clearly says no pictures, and they felt free to ignore it because there were no consequences (beyond me, another foreigner, berating them). I want to make it clear I have never so much as followed or addressed a geisha or maiko when I've seen one (they are busy and I respect their personal space). I know that's not the case for everybody.

[@kiearawagner7901]

Can I ask something about the photography laws in Japan? In the US, you are legally allowed to take pictures and video of anywhere that is deemed non-private. That you are not owed privacy. IE, personal homes, washrooms, showers, places where you can't expect privacy. But outside of those examples, a person can take photos of anyone and anywhere as long as they are not covered by that area, is that the same in Japan? Or are the laws more strict? Because, yes, technically, you are legally allowed to even take pictures of people's homes from the outside in the US as long as you stay on public property like the sidewalks. But those signs saying "no photography" makes it sound like Japan has a lot stricter laws on photos in general, even in what would be considered public areas, especially in the US.

[@jacksan1]

@@kiearawagner7901Without writing a whole legal treatise on it, basically taking pictures without the subject's permission is an act that infringes on the Japanese law regarding the right of privacy, or more specifically, under something called 肖像権 which is usually translated as image or portrait rights. The Japanese Supreme Court's 2005 opinion on this issue does support the idea that the right of privacy necessarily includes the image/portrait rights of not having one's image taken and/or used without permission. However, as a practical matter, unless the subject can show that damages have occurred as a result of the act, the law doesn't do much if any about that.

[@kiearawagner7901]

@@jacksan1 I see, so it's one of those "yes, technically it's illegal, but we really can't do much about it unless it goes beyond just the act." So, essentially, if you're out on the Shibuya Crossing, and you take a picture of it, and the inevitably hundreds of people around that area, that's technically breaking the law, but practically there's nothing that can be done unless say the photographer does something like monetize that image. Even then, that's not including stuff like foreigners who are back in their home countries, or simple ignorance. I appreciate you explaining it, thank you.

[@jacksan1]

@kiearawagner7901 Correct. And I'm frankly not sure about the 10k yen fine on the Gion ordinance. You can cite people, but if they refuse to pay, there is likely not much the authority can do about it since the portrait rights law is civil, not criminal. They can file a civil complaint for enforcement, but for 10k yen? Besides, all the cited tourists have to do is to get on the plane. Because it's not a criminal penalty, it wouldn't have any impact on their future admission to Japan, either.

[@ibm30rpg]

There is definitely a culture of entitlement when it comes to Western foreigners coming into Japan. There's this notion that if something is done in their hometown but not in Japan, or something that is not done in the hometown but is done in Japan, then Japan is the one in the wrong. Easiest way to confirm this is in any live chat of stream of such foreigner visiting and you have majority of the English comments trying to assert their superiority just because they have cognitive dissonance with the country. It is disgusting.

[@Player-re9mo]

As someone who wants to visit Japan I'm very grateful previous tourists managed to ruin the experience for everyone else!

[@emilyrose9678]

I used to work at the New England Aquarium in Boston MA, and I quit because the tourists were so bad. So many people would throw things into the penguin enclosure that the penguins could choke on, and I even saw an ADULT, not even a child, GRAB the TAIL of a stingray and pull on it. These people are beyond saving

[@amandablake5505]

I grew up going to that aquarium and this makes me so sad, but unfortunately I’m not surprised either :(

[@AmbivalenceIX]

People ruin everything.

[@CryptidFlame]

Americans too self centered

[@Tugela60]

More likely it was a local. That sort of thing is just as likely to be done by local people than actual tourists. Classing all bad behaviour as "tourists" is wrong, very frequently the people doing these things are locals who don't care.

[@amandablake5505]

@@CryptidFlame unfortunately it’s not just Americans, many tourists from around the world go to Boston to see the aquarium and other attractions, and unfortunately treat them very poorly

[@ellorasg4525]

My aunt travelled to Japan a few years ago and told me amazing stories about the country. I really hate when people ruin the experience for others.

[@Alpenmilch]

Japanese people ruin the experience, they could simply use their laws to handle those who break the peace, in any other country in the world this is the case, have you seen what English and German people do in places like Majorca every year, never heard to ban foreigners. Japan is filled with xenophobes that is the issue, they enjoy the money generated with tourism but already during the Olympic games year many were pissed by the gov policy to include more English on signs/stores/ect. How many were at the end happy that Covid reduced the amount of foreigners visiting for the games. There is a strange illusion that people have that Japanese are always welcoming or being the best at hospitality, not the case! I've been around a lot and South Korea and the Caribbean are a far more welcoming place for tourists or globetrotters. Been in Japan in 98, 2002 and 2020 and year after year more people normalized the gaijin label, in most cases overreacting due to one bad experience they had.

[@amirrashidan3047]

My mom too, months before COVID struck and she had a blast. She even bought an MG Hi Nu Gundam kit as a souvenir for little brother.

[@ellorasg4525]

@@amirrashidan3047 cool

[@ruishima2830]

Bro, even as a tourist, I got a taste of the rude apples. I was in Kyoto at Kiyomizu-dera standing on the edge of the path where you could get a view of the pagoda and the temple without fighting a crowd. It was in the afternoon and the balconies within the temple were filled with people. Until suddenly, I was forcefully shoved to the side at Kiyomizu Temple by some random tourists who just wanted a group photo. They didn't ask me to move. That action was beyond rude like I was just an NPC to them. Rather than cause a scene, I just went home after that to cool off. I just went to other Kyoto places insanely early in the morning to avoid these people. Like, I understand the excitement, but you've gotta have even the slightest level of respect. I can't with these people.

[@Diree]

Sometimes I wish I could be like someone like you... I'd have probably lost my shit though. I feel like people are so entitles and arseholey these days, because they get away with pretty much everything. And if you're the one rightfully complaining most people will indeed turn on you, instead of the ones actually causing the issues. It's crazy...

[@GikamesShadow]

@@DireeNah, these people arent entitled. Something you learn when you work in retail is that some people just genuinly do not have manners or were never taught whats right and wrong to do. Thats mostly what it ends up being. I look at our store and it could be the cleanest it was in fricking months. Everything nice and orderly and super clean. If you dont clean up and pack stuff back where it belongs for even 10 minutes with at the very least 10-15 customers in the store, the entire store will change from a super clean and orderly wonderland to an apocalyptic hellscape. (Granted the example takes the worst of the worst into consideration but considering we are talking about them, I think its quite apt). Most of them dont even think about it. Thats the worst part. And dont get me started on kids and families on top of all this bs. Its even worse believe me. Cause the kids dont even think about it cause they are kdis. They are gonna grab whatever they want cause the parents are too... Cant say that... and never taught them any manners and then the parents? Bro the parents are more often than not even worse when they are the bad type. Cause they just reinforce the bad behavior by not even correcting their kids. Kid puts something into the wrong shelf? Mom says nothing. Literally. I still remember one time when I was out in a different store of ours and saw a young girl like... 5-6 years old I think, put something onto the wrong shelf. I had time, saw the mom was nearby and just bowed down to the girl and said nice and calm that it doesnt belong onto the shelf. Mom came over with a smile cause she saw what was going on and also lightly scolded her daughter. Thats how it should be. But most parents dont even pay attention to this crap and tbh even tho the mom did the right thing? She did it AFTER I made her aware of it.

[@DarkSithJawa]

PRC?

[@MaximSupernov]

​@@DarkSithJawa😂

[@Sackura999]

@@GikamesShadow me reading this while getting ready to my retail job, ah the pain

[@Artemisth]

I remember staying in a hostel located near the entrance of Gion. It was such a nice place. The lack of basic etiquette, respect, and just common sense in some tourists is absolutely shocking to me, and often spoils travelling for everyone else as local residents slowly become reticent to tourists.

[@theseamonstersknit]

I went to Kyoto recently and participated in a dress-up/cosplay activity for maiko/geiko/geisha. Part of the experience was walking around Gion in full costume. It's obvious I'm not a real geiko, but there were a lot of people staring, pointing at me, taking pictures, that sort of stuff. What I experienced was just a fraction of what these women and girls go through. Maiko start their careers as professional geisha at 15-16 years. Imagine being that young and harassed every day just trying to go to work. It's scary, and what the city of Kyoto is doing is completely understandable.

[@Emppu_T.]

People need to learn the common idea of respectability.

[@uranomichiaruki1]

Why is it obvious you aren’t a “real” geiko? What a strange thing to say

[@CookieCaty]

My best friend and I also dressed up in kimonos. We received many compliments from the locals, they were all very sweet. Whereas an older American lady was obviously taking pictures of us the whole time and even followed us to our photo spot.. Also, we could spot quite a few Chinese tourists in the bamboo garden who didn't follow the "no trespassing" rules...

[@AbuHajarAlBugatti]

@@CookieCatychinese are one of the main reasons for the Ban anyway

[@CBD7069..]

@@uranomichiaruki1 the hair, lip make up, obi, kimono sleeve size design.

[@HappyBerryCrochet]

I feel honoured to have visited the Geisha district in Kyoto back in 2008 i think it was, hardly any tourists there and it was so atmospheric. I was nervous to even LOOK at a Geisha or Maiko because I thought it was rude, i can't even comprehend what these tourists are doing. It is extremely sad.

[@CHEFPKR]

When my wife and I visited in October, we noticed the "no photography" signs in that area. Apparently, we were the ONLY ones who noticed because it looked like a damn rave with all the flashes at night.

[@SeMDesu]

They did respect (kinda) the signs 3 days ago, so there are some improvements I guess?

[@southcoastinventors6583]

If there is no real enforcement why would you expect anything less. Most western countries have lax laws when it comes to taking pictures. It really on Japan side to enforce their rules because many people were never raised in a culture that values decency rules.

[@unkopower7899]

if there's no actual consequences then easy to ignore a sign

[@renefrijhoff2484]

It's likely more the case that they did notice, but just ignored it.

[@mikaross4671]

@@unkopower7899 That's the issue i have. Where is security for these geisha and maiko? They talk about a fine, but I have heard nothing even happens to these tourists. How did it get this bad? Nothing was being done until it was too late.

[@KittyWhiplash959]

I first visited Kyoto in 2008. There were very few tourists. Then i visited Kyoto again in 2019. You could hardly traverse some of the sites due to the massive numbers of milling visitors. Also there were signs of disapproval aimed at tourists at the time. It was a stark difference and I was very aware of it. Things change and understandable when you have such massive numbers visiting. I will always consider my time in Kyoto (and Japan) as very special.

[@KYLETIBOR]

I live and work in an outdoorsy tourist area in California and it seems since covid people have lost thier minds. Any respect for locals or the natural beauty is right out the door.

[@ThroatSlam]

YUP. It’s insane.

[@LucksackGames]

Is it Joshua Tree? Asking as a local. Haha.

[@gnnascarfan2410]

It sucks because I went to Japan in 2023 for the first time and was excited, yet humble/respectful at the same time. It sucks that if and when I go back in the future there are bad apples ruining it.

[@LucksackGames]

@@gnnascarfan2410 I went in 2023 as well. I'm currently here in 2024. The tourist crowd has increased tenfold, easily.

[@LilNrthStar]

Agree, it's truly disturbing as this is the new normal (it's not normal and it's not alright).

[@kakadu2004]

I believe tourism is not as important as preserving a nation's culture. Visiting Japan is one of my dreams and when I'll get there, I'll do my absolute best to be respectful. It baffles me that some people think a country exists only to entertain them.

[@SeanEpoc]

unfortunately if you (or myself) ever get there, if this trend continues there won't be any heritage sites to witness first hand

[@kakadu2004]

@@SeanEpoc I hope we won't reach that point. This is just another instance of the global phenomenon. Globalization is eating up national identities and heritage. Toxic culture rotting away centuries of human greatness.

[@jamescollins3647]

Let's not forget the way the same people behave at home.

[@Emppu_T.]

Some cultures have devolved into nihilism

[@uranomichiaruki1]

No one cares how hard you try bro chill with the virtue signaling

[@ceard]

At first I was sad when I heard I won't be able to visit that part of Kyoto when I eventually visit Japan. But after some research I learned that those streets are privately owned and the area was never really intended to be publicly available and it only stayed open out of consideration for tourists who might not know that they are trespassing. Even though it's a bit sad I won't be able to go there, I fully respect their decision to close it off so everyone living and working there can do so in piece.

[@puxtbuck6731]

I literally just got back from a 2 week trip there and it went really well for us. I was in a kinda big group but we had a great time. It’s unfortunate that all this is going on.

[@crystepsi]

i think it’s amazing that japan is taking measures to protect its nation and culture, no matter how sad it is for tourists

[@oniemployee3437]

I wish more countries would do it, but sadly tourism here in Europe in an enormous industry.

[@lillysummer3546]

Indians belief of "athithi devo bhava" "guest is God" cost them their lives. Entire country was invaded by foreigners. Today the soul of India is dead. I hope Japan protects itself.

[@barrygormley3986]

Yes, sad as it is for me as someone who loved visiting Japan and hopes to live there someday, I must say that I totally support the government’s decision on this and place 100% of the blame on foreigners who have no respect for other people’s history or culture.

[@philipfirks7755]

Yes it is sad, but whilst 100% of the blame can be laid on foreigners who show no respect, that is a very small percentage of foreigners, all of whom have now been punished.@@barrygormley3986

[@bazza1024]

@@barrygormley3986 same!

[@sofiafett]

in Portugal we had a french tourist lady spray paint red one of our oldest monuments by the river, the amount of money it took to recover the monument to a fairly decent state was quite a sum. Needless to say that after that nobody can come as close to the monument and cops patrol the area even more now. People can't be respectful, if you can't be respectful don't go visit other countries.

[@user-lk2qf4rt3m]

100% this. I live in a tourist city, now the lovely main statue of a famous city son which used to have a nice seating area is surrounded by very imposing 6ft iron bars because people kept climbing it. Thanks... Now less seats for everyone... Plus my tax money has to pay for it. In my town tourists kept removing bricks from the road too to take home as souvenirs. Again, thank you, now my local tax has been raised.

[@alexseguin5245]

Wait, what was the monument? When you spray red paint on something, it is generally because it's a statue of a heinous figure.

[@ValaaronMatos]

i believe it was the discoveries monument, she wrote bye lisbon or something like that because she was leaving....

[@alisons9740]

@user-jz3dq6fi7x Horrible comment. When history that lasts thousands of years can be destroyed in seconds, such extreme events should be put on blast for more than 3 years. Preserve, protect, and use good manners.

[@M4tti456Cento]

You should see what tourists are doing at our Colosseum in Italy

[@ramonburgos6351]

These rules apply everywhere. If you’re a tourist, mind your manners and do some basic preparation on the local culture before traveling. Great video!

[@tiller2473]

It's not often i actually laugh out loud, but that "Ivan + Haley 23" in the Gladiator coliseum got me

[@MonBriella]

Exactly as someone mentioned, it's not only happening in Japan..here in Mexico, one tourist crossed the pass of "not allowed" in one of our pyramids and went up, basically it's not allowed and then she started dancing. She was brought down and ppl started throwing things to her because she broke the only important rule there "dont climb the pyramid" she didnt care, she did it for likes, for the "me me me" culture

[@tdelioncourt1268]

That's the thing really, they are not ignorant, which can be excused, they know they're doing something wrong and just do not care. Sociopathic tendencies.

[@ScooterinAB]

That's exactly the problem. It's all about me. It's all about narcissism. Maybe I'm an idiot because I was in Japan at the start of COVID and sow how it was handled, but I really though COVID would have taught us a little something about respecting other people and places.

[@Semesty]

And not just tourists. Destroying old monuments or painting is also some kind of fucknig protest to raise awareness for climate change now aparrently. Nothing says caring about climate as much as throwing paint at a monument/painting and being an overall asshat.

[@ludovica8221]

@@ScooterinAB I think COVID has taught me exactly how very little people care about others and are perfectly happy to risk peoples lives for their own convenience

[@goldfox177]

Ah yes that’s what I thought of when I first heard this story remembering that to me it was not bad enough they went up the pyramid they had to go that extra mile and mock it. I get almost the want to go up it since it’s such an historic thing and the view would be great but like really what would make you go up it and then be an asshole by dancing aka not having any respect for it

[@burado1974]

That's so sad. Years a go I bumped into a Geisha one evening in Gion, waiting at the lights to cross the road, I asked if it was ok to talk and she gave me a few moments to have a chat about the Miyako Odori, I had tickets the next day and she said she was in the show. It's a moment I cherish from a time when the only other tourists I would see were Japanese.

[@suezcontours6653]

The Japanese are specifically banning because of WHITE tourists. American white people are extremely entitled groups of people

[@LucksackGames]

As I'm currently in Japan - can't blame them. Most tourists I see behave closer to locust than respectful humans.

[@NJ-wb1cz]

People have no obligation to obey your expectations of them and your ideas about respect. Japan is free to close borders and self isolate

[@bachmai4529]

​@NJ-wb1cz and this is why we can't have nice things

[@codym5352]

Meanwhile in the U.S. most foreigners behave worse than that but if we point it out we're called " Racists" aren't double standards great?

[@dariyanvalentine3564]

okay Ron.

[@LucksackGames]

@@codym5352 I live in a tourist town stateside. It's why I believe you should have as little impact with your trip as possible.

[@NintendoDaikaijuFan]

Been there 7 years ago and it was absolutely beautiful. I can’t say it was empty, but it wasn’t overcrowded and you had plenty of time to enjoy the views and take some photos. Except Ginkakuji, that one was already exploding from tourists. This year though, Kyoto was probably the saddest thing I’ve seen all through my one month travel. It was barely impossible to even move at most nice areas. It was unbelievably dirty, I was so shocked - Told my family beforehand how clean it was there and was proud to show it to them. As most of you probably know, Japan doesn’t really have a lot of possibilities to throw away your trash while your outside, except the bins for plastic bottles and cans. Wherever there were such, the place was overflowing with trash - absolutely disgusting. The tourists tried to shove every kind of trash inside, almost clogged every single bin and just threw the rest next to it after that. Everywhere where there was a lot of tourism, I didn’t even want to use some of the toilets. Everywhere where there were none, the toilets were the cleanest place you could imagine - Not comparable to any other country I’ve been to. Altogether I still had another great travel through the absolute nicest country in this world, but I feel so sorry for the Japanese. It’s unbelievable how much has happened since I’ve been there the last time. Since I‘ve been travelling around the whole country for the third time now, I’d like to share some lesser knows places in Japan, where you can enjoy the culture, everything great about Japan, and really feel the atmosphere and feel what Japan is about. But after experiencing the changes and seeing this video, I decided not doing that is probably the better decision. I‘d be devastated if Japan banned tourists from certain places or activities, but if that’s the only way to help the situation, then please do it! I also know that nowadays many Japanese, especially younger people, are more open to foreigners, immigrants, tourists, or whatever and want their country to also be more international and open. But I‘m sorry to say you don’t know what problems it brings, especially in such a well-functioning, respect based society. I, as a foreigner myself, really beg you not to do it and protect your unique country!

[@Sweenus987]

They should do a permit system, where A) you have to pay, which will act as a disincentive and B) have limited number of people who can enter which makes things easier to track so if anyone does misbehave, they can have their permit revoked and forced to leave the area

[@gcanaday1]

And fined.

[@alexshinra6722]

You mean a passport?.

[@SniperPIKACHU]

@@alexshinra6722 *Visa

[@Sweenus987]

@@alexshinra6722 No? You need a passport to get into the country, it wouldn't make sense to also then use it to get into the Geisha district, not to mention it wouldn't disuade anyone, rather it would just be more work for the Japanese.

[@SotheAlbion]

​@@Sweenus987you just suggested what visas are. Thats why he said passeport.

[@Cherub1m]

sadly it is the era of egoists and social media. I am probably too old, but for me i am very greatful when I can admire from afar such wonderful buildings that stayed intact for centuries. When Japan can only protect their culture like this its sad but it has to be done until people can respect other cultures again

[@geekarchivistpearce828]

You're not far off there with your assessment

[@mabus4910]

Limiting the access to cultural sites seems to be a balanced way to go. It preserves the site and the culture is still shared. Plus, only people can visite who did the research and applied for/booked in advance, which means that they show interest in the actual site. It's done in some places in europe as well.

[@Bilbo122333]

I hope they do this so when i do go I can actually visit these sites and not have dipshits around

[@KariHaruka]

One key point regarding tourists being banned from certain streets within Gion. The only areas that are off limits are the smaller private roads, unless you have a reservation at one of the establishments in the area.

[@RobTheDoodler]

As someone who’s always wanted to go to Japan but never had the chance, this pisses me off 😢

[@eliaspanayi3465]

I'm fine with it to be honest. If it means the things I want to go and see one day are preserved then there's always something to enjoy in the future

[@uncleol]

​@@eliaspanayi3465You won't see them though unless the bans are lifted

[@J311yStain]

I got to see the Gion district and various parts of Kyoto this past summer. It was a beautiful and insightful experience. I couldn’t even fathom wanting or even thinking about being disrespectful there.

[@SkiBumMSP]

Same here. I was there back in early March of 2020 (yes, RIGHT before the pandemic - I honestly thought I was going to be stuck in Japan), and made sure I showed respect for both the culture and the area. That was the case everywhere I was in Japan (was there for a month). Beautiful country and plan on going back. Shame won't get to walk around the Gion district again, unless things change in the future.

[@ccggenius]

Considering what people are willing to do in Auschwitz these days, nothing surprises me...

[@zam023]

I was part of a tour group conducted by the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, and I saw a Chinese tourist throw his drink can behind a stack of crates at the Imperial Palace. The fact that he went out of the way to throw it in a hidden spot tells you that he knew littering was not allowed, but he littered anyway.

[@cloned81]

Chinese have another standard

[@Kev27RS]

You have Chinese people who don’t like Japan, so I guess he did it on purpose!

[@kiraaofthedust8123]

littering is generally never allowed but to do it in places of great historical heritage and importance isn't just illegal but absolutely abhorrent.

[@meinelust]

@@cloned81 Mainlanders, Chinese descents who have been living abroad are embarrassed and frown upon for the mainlanders as well.

[@KHANSTER1029]

@@meinelust Don't bother making this distinction, it's embarrassing. most westerners wouldn't give a crap either way

[@aaronwalcott513]

4:27 pay your editor a Christmas bonus this year. That was a stroke of *genius* 😂😅😂

[@NoOne-pe6mg]

been watching on and off for 6 years and haven't subbed *ashamed* doing so now! congrats on almost 3 million!

[@AbroadinJapan]

Haha thanks, we’re almost at the tipping point!

[@Iscream4j0y]

I saw some videos of tourists harassing the palace guards in the UK recently, people genuinely think other countries are theme parks

[@southcoastinventors6583]

If there is little to no punishment it not unexpected but UK isn't a great example of locals upholding the rules either.

[@JonathanEmery-e9d]

At the same time, most of this behavior isn’t even acceptable in a theme park. Even Disney will ban you for life for doing similar things!

[@Norf.F.C.Zoomer]

Japan is a high trust homogenous society, like England used to be, they absolutely need to crackdown on anyone remotely out of line even if it means keeping most foreigners out. We didn't in England and now we're basically a failed state, high crime, high taxes, low trust and the streets are disgusting in our cities.

[@shecklesmack9563]

They think they are the main character visiting strange alien lands.

[@entropybear5847]

@@southcoastinventors6583 what locals exactly?

[@The_Avine_Experiment]

Guided tours though Gion or some other kind of active supervision of tourists would be nice. I understand their reasons completely and I think closing it off completely is acceptable for now, but I don't want it to remain that way forever given its uniqueness and historic beauty. Would be yet another revenue stream to keep those wooden structures standing for years to come hopefully.

[@vallejomach6721]

I think some of this might be getting blown out of proportion. I might have not quite got the full story...but I was reading a Japanese post on the matter and it seemed to be saying that most of the areas that are to be closed off are not intended to be open to tourists anyway...like private access roads to residential areas etc. If that's true, it's probably not as big a deal as some seem to be making it out to be.

[@The_Avine_Experiment]

@@vallejomach6721 That would make a whole lot more sense to do, so I hope that what you're telling me is what's really going on here. Sensationalizing headlines not giving the whole picture is nothing new. We have seen Japan over correcting with stuff related to tourists in the past as well, so I didn't really question the videos message, that the entire district would be locked down.

[@Darmendas]

@@vallejomach6721 Yeah, pretty much. Going to Japan in May for the first time & hearing this kinda got me worried (as I'm really looking forward to Kyoto) It's only parts of Gion that are now off limits. Basically, all the narrow streets (those that are private property, anyway) are now fully closed off. You can still walk around the area itself. (straight from the Guardian: "Kyoto officials said the ban on entering Gion’s narrow private streets would go into force next month, although it is unclear how the restriction will be enforced. “We don’t want to do this, but we’re desperate,” said council member Isokazu Ota, adding that signs would be put up reminding visitors of the new measures. The area’s main thoroughfare, Hanamikoji street, will remain open to tourists.") Felt weird he didn't mention this but rather went for the "TOTALLY CLOSED OFF NOW"-take, lol.

[@JessFromMead]

Honestly surprised it took this long for them to ban tourists from the geisha district. My sister and I saw this kind of behavior when we visited in 2015.

[@lemmiecat]

I'm from South Korea and I also have been noticing some foreigners disrespecting our culture for their influencer business as they say. I know not all foreigners are like this because I have met some that were super friendly! But it's always just so sad to hear that people think disrespect of culture is now just a joke. :(

[@vrguytokyo]

BY FAR.... My favorite channel on KZbin about life in Japan. You present everything so well! As a wheelchair user, there is another element of concern I have (other than the risk of disrespecting anything/anyone in err or ignorance) is if my chair wheels will damage grounds or mess up groomed gravels (wheels really gig in and it's very difficult to navigate through.. paths where I cant stay on the stones or wood plates...and need to go off to the side a bit (I usually ask if ok...if anyone around). Sometimes I need to leave my chair outside and walk (which I can a bit) but then i get concerned about by leg braces marking floors and/or what I can/cant touch trying to climb steps or keep my balance.. SOME place are more accessibility minded and have consciousness to wipe down wheels (it still runs risk of damage so unless they are ok after I make awareness (maybe front casters are too hard... or.. tires might leave tread marks on polished floors etc etc... Its ALWAYS a stress.. because I believe it a responsibility to know the risks my chair presents but also make sure the managers know and approve (not just staff thinking once a specific procedure is followed that all concerns of damage stop there). I know I am a guest.. a visitor and its a privilege to enter many places (disabled or not) and not my right .. that and the fact because I am in a chair doesnt give me the right to assume damage from my chair is to be expected and par for course. I often feel to nervous and will insist my wife go on ahead to experience certain spots and just take lots of photos.. use my vr cameras or even live stream. I must add that of 1000s of places we've been, it is VERY VERY rare to run into complete NO to chair. I find Japanese very accommodating and do most they can to assist in accessibility. Sometimes you get a sense of the inconvenience you are but it's rare. Sorry for the book of a comment... I just really agree with all you're saying here. While I try to do all I can to NOT mark a place with my presence.. Its absolutely obsurd that folks do this intentionally! No doubt you were wrapping this video up too late to include the graffiti vandal/Onigiri thief as of late....

[@Lady8D]

This has been one of my biggest fears anytime my wife brings up the longing to travel - how difficult it's going to be with my wheelchair, oxygen, meds, needs, etc. So far that fear has prevented us going, unfortunately. She doesn't want to go without me, I've suggested that many times but she said she'd rather lay in bed at home with me than tour the world without me, which means a lot coming from some one with the wandering-lust she has 😊 I hope we can move past the fear & uncertainty of it eventually, preferably before it's too late. Hearing that you and your wife have managed & found ways around certain concerns gives me a bit of hope, thanks! 🫶

[@mamihashimoto1429]

I am Japanese. I get annoyed with the attitude of some foreigners in Japan because they act so entitled.

[@bluepandavideos]

I'm currently in Japan and just finished my trip in Kyoto. I saw So many tourists take photos where there were signs saying not to. Being rude to locals. It was embarrassing. I saw locals getting mad at me just for existing there. 😭

[@iyasugames]

I was last in Kyoto almost 10 years ago and it was already packed full of tourists at the famous landmarks. I'm sure it's only worse today. Kyoto citizens seemed angry and I don't blame them

[@holx2895]

Thats a shame, but they need to realise not every tourist is like that and need to be kind to those that are following the rules. I've seen some awful tourists in London but I'm not getting angry at them.

[@nerysghemor5781]

@@holx2895Yeah, plus in the UK you are not allowed to make ethnically targeted policies. Same thing here in the US. If we actually catch you doing or attempting to do something inappropriate then you can get kicked out for your personal actions but other than that, the only choices are open completely or closed completely. You DON’T get to pick and choose. I’m sorry, but the fact that a policy like this can actually pass and stick in Japan is a reason I will not go there. (Happy to meet Japanese tourists and immigrants here in the US though. I tend to assume if you’ve come here that you’ve accepted things are going to be a lot more freewheeling here and you’re welcome to join the party!)

[@John3.36]

After they take your money, then they can get mad. :)

[@bllllood]

should of snag they're photo device and give them to random nearby local....just run away from the person after snagging and seek protection from the locals for doing them a service...person doing it illegaly has no right to complain

[@Wyzai]

Geikuza sounds like a great plan. They should get on that.

[@rachelblair17]

I think your video, and those news articles skip over an important detail regarding the ban. From what I read about the ban tourists aren't banned from the entire area of Gion, only private streets that they weren't supposed to be on anyways. There are hotels, shops and restaurants so you can't actually ban tourists from the whole area otherwise those businesses would probably have to shut down if tourists are barred from entering, which is not what the people who live and work in that area want. Obviously the behaviour of these tourists is terrible and over-tourism is a big problem. Cities still need to figure out the right balance to benefit from tourists while not destroying the thing that people are coming to see. For example, Venice is implementing a 5 euro fee for people who only visit on day trips. I don't think this will really change anything in terms of tourism but maybe it's a nice bit of money they can maybe use for restoration projects and to increase enforcement of tourist behaviour.

[@greed-1914]

I did wonder about that. From what I understand, Kyoto has quite a bit of debt to the point where it cannot afford to ban tourists entirely.

[@emoaf8555]

Yeah basically it's another drama of the week while skipping the boring details

[@Ynno2]

The weird thing about Kyoto is most tourists all go to the same temples, sometimes literally all trying to get into the exact same spot to all take the same selfie, e.g. at Kinkakuji. Meanwhile there are so many temples which are totally deserted. We went into a random temple because we were collecting goshuin. We were actually a bit nervous because we weren't sure if it was open as no one was there. A lovely grandma came out from the back room and greeted us and gave us free apple juice and souvenirs. She seemed so happy we were there!

[@WodkaManostra]

Some people just treat Japan as a big playground. Tho instead of downright banning foreigners they should increase the fines and make sharper controls.

[@Cynirai]

Straight up banning foreigners from some places might be extreme, but those kind of disrespectful people need a hard line straight away. As someone who worked in customer service (hotels, bars, restaurants etc), I've seen and interacted with those kinds of tourists from several different places several times before. They won't learn a thing with just an increase in fines or rules they will never read. Even though it might hurt other tourists who could and would be completely fine and respectful of the customs and rules, it is like Chris said in the video "a necessary evil".

[@southcoastinventors6583]

They are missing out on a lot of revenue that's for sure tourist are cash cows.

[@Norf.F.C.Zoomer]

Japan is a high trust homogenous society, like England used to be, they absolutely need to crackdown on anyone remotely out of line even if it means keeping most foreigners out. We didn't in England and now we're basically a failed state, high crime, high taxes, low trust and the streets are disgusting in our cities.

[@aodoh]

Went to Japan March 2023. It was amazing, but i did notice a lot of Foreigners commenting and insulting a lot of japanese culture. Comments from "Why do Japanese have a 1 cent Yen coin?" Talking loudly on trains. Insulting a lot of restaurants just cause they dont accept credit cards. As a foreigner myself, I felt a disgusted by it. Japan is a really fun, cultural and spiritual travel destination. I think its wise to respect others cultures and not question why they do things the way they do, just common respect.

[@Loki-]

More power to Japan for shunning outsiders. Same to any country. Each nation deserves the right to freely decline movement of outsiders.

[@mathilde1212]

Some tourists are looking at the "attraction side park", not understand the cultural heritage.

[@CrayCrayslab]

"1 cent yen coin" I'm gonna die

[@Negative0ne]

I was JUST there and I was shocked by the average tourist's lack of etiquette. Hardly believed my eyes when I saw the scratched bamboo.. Thank you for enlightening us all!

[@skatr62]

I've always been fascinated with Japanese culture and history as it just felt "different" in a way, but I think what it really is, is their maintaining of cultural traditions and art forms and stuff.

[@twowheelsintokyo7039]

We have a home in Kyoto, and as a foreigner, I am always taken for a tourist. In the past this wasn't a big deal, tourists were welcome. But now that Kyoto is inundated with tourists, the looks I am receiving are less friendly than they used to be. Our home is on Matsubara Street, near Kiyomizu, and from the break of day until late in the evening there is a constant crowd of tourists and taxis carrying tourists up and down the road. When we visit our home, getting the car in and out is enough of a headache that I let out my wife and daughter to walk, as it will usually take me a long time to get the car there, and getting it back out is just as tedious. The city bus stops have become so busy with tourists that old people are having a hard time getting around. Japanese tourists and students coming to Kyoto on field trips are finding the historical sites packed, as well as the restaurants. In addition to this is the springing up of lots of shops selling Japanese souvenirs, nearly all of which are made in China, and these shops are displacing the shops and stores which cater to the local population. I come from a Southwestern American town renowned for its natural beauty. As a kid it was fun to go to the Five-and-Dime store, to the diner, the movie theater, and relax in the town square and listen to old timers tell war stories. But my town became a tourism hotspot, all of the stores and shops, and even most of the residences became souvenir and art galleries. The entire atmosphere of the place was destroyed. And while the tourists do indeed bring lots of money, they destroy the charm. There are many places to visit in Japan, places of incredible natural beauty, with cultural significance and historical value, and most of these places could use more tourism. People who want to enjoy Japan, and not spend their time here in a place where there are more tourists than Japanese should look at other options.

[@missplainjane3905]

How many prefectures you been to

[@akiwiincanada]

Yes. Watching this channel has given me so many ideas for places I want to go on my next trip to Japan. I did the tourist route in 2017 and loved Kyoto, but I don't love being around hordes of ignorant tourists and I'm looking for something different for the next trip.

[@Saviorsrdenver]

Just out of idle curiosity - is it more seasonal or has it just become a constant near-365 headache at this point? Not that I'm likely to do the tourist route again, outside of wanting to hike up Fushimi-inari to the top at some point.

[@SuperCatacata]

Sucks that tourists are ruining so many things for you and other non-Japanese living in Japan. It also brings out the dark side of living in Japan as someone who doesn't look Japanese. These tourists are just reinforce the opinions of those who already discriminate against non-Japanese living in their country.

[@mastercko]

Yeah, I am a foreigner living in Japan and after my last few trips to Kyoto, even though it is a beautiful city that I really enjoy and find so charming at its best, I am probably done with visiting it at this point. Not a small part of which is due to the over-tourism. Back in college, I did a study abroad program in Kyoto and we visited many temples and shrines and learned so much about the city, it is kind of heartbreaking to see how mass tourism has created so many problems with many visitors clogging it all up and some of them not respecting the sites that they are visiting. Going to Kiyomizudera is such a slog now, I can't imagine living near there. There needs to be significantly more crowd control (like higher prices to pull demand down to reasonable levels). I have basically figured that any domestic travel that my family and I do from here on will be more of the "off the beaten path" variety.

[@tbroschat81]

Visiting Japan was something I'd dreamed of since I was a kid, I finally spent 3 weeks in Japan this past July and it was amazing. The only rude people were foreigners, including one who was berating a shopkeeper for not speaking English... I felt secondhand embarrassment.

[@entropybear5847]

Hahahahahaha "WHY DON'T YOU SPEAK A FOREIGN LANGUAGE, YOU'RE SO RUDE!" How are people actually like this??

[@brendanthedreamer]

They can't comprehend that the world doesn't exist to cater to them. @@entropybear5847

[@Jakob.Hamburg]

@@entropybear5847 In many cases they drink alcohol to get into this state of mind.

[@makotohanazawa6560]

​@@entropybear5847they are spoiled by shop owners that speak english. i was blown away when a 90 year old lady who runs a bicycle rental shop spoke english. its too easy to assume anyone speaks english if youre from the west.

[@AllTheArtsy]

its ok there are rude japanese people too

[@jozendesu]

A true return to form from Abroad in Japan, nice to see new videos reminiscent of your original style

[@Nyctophora]

I agree, it's nice to see even though the subject isn't.

[@_CatBug_]

As an American, I can tell you the most disrespectful tourists I have witnessed in Japan were both American and Chinese. No attempts to even respect the social norms.

[@salvi4life310]

I feel so upset that foreigners have to ruin it for people that actually go there to have a good time and soak in the culture and take in every experience. Sucks so bad

[@southcoastinventors6583]

This isn't foreign problem this is an enforcement problem same as crime in much of USA.

[@staiain]

I'm in norway and the cruise INFESTATION is so bad I honestly consider moving inland when I can afford to. Such awful human being pour out of those ships.

[@keiichi8191]

If it's any consolation, these types of people are just as disgusting and hated in their home countries. They're the type I frequently see on the highway chucking their McDonalds bag out their car window, or the type who leave their grocery cart rolling around in the parking lot because they can't be arsed to push it 20 ft to the nearest corral. They're just thoughtless self-absorbed a-holes wherever they are.

[@mysterioanonymous3206]

Tourism is out of control man... People nowadays seem to tie up their whole personality in being a "traveler". When you talk to them you notice real quick that that's the only thing they have going on. People generally are clearly getting ruder by the year, no doubt. That happens when they don't get punched up enough. A lesson most people used to learn in childhood but in our drive to civilise ourselves that's def been lost. I think an awful lot of people would profit tremendously from a good slapping.

[@Ebhen1]

Jag håller med! Samma sak händer i Visby, Gotland som jag nämner i en annan kommentar här. Folk är dumma i huvudet...

[@deechsea]

Hearing about these incidents simultaneously makes me sad and really steams me up. You are much too generous and gentle in this video.

[@jencraw1924]

Graffiti and taking close ups of people without asking are something you shouldn’t do in any country. Just common sense Not touching strangers shouldn’t have to be ever said regardless of location 🙄