Japanese figure as seen from 'Japan Advice Advice' Foreigners living in Japan tell foreign tourists

Aliasis, who has lived in Japan for several years, has summarized things to know about before traveling to Japan for foreign travelers who are about to travel to Japan. Aliasis's advice represents life-sized Japan that a foreigner feels, which also includes an interesting perspective for Japanese.

Things Tourists Should Beware of in Japan | WanderWisdom
https://wanderwisdom.com/travel-destinations/Things-to-Avoid-in-Japan

◆ Sushi and wasabi
As a representative Japanese food, sushi is cited, so most travelers should think about trying authentic sushi since I came to Japan. However, aliasis says that it should be noted that Japanese sushi basically contains wasabi. And, if you are not good at wasabi's spicy, aliasis thinks that you do not need to stick to sushi. Of course it is also possible to order sushi without wasabi, add advice of OK if you ask "Please do not wasabi".


In addition, it is said that the story of Japanese sushi should include "shocking things" unexpected for travelers. And I advise that shocking things should be actively enjoyed.

◆ Monks requesting money
Aliasis who lived in Japan for many years, but he said that he did not know that people like "priests requesting money" do not exist in Japan until they were pointed out by Japanese friends . Even though there are monks who demand money in some countries, in Japan, people who demand gifts other than voluntary offerings do not exist at least in traditional Japanese shrines and temples, so if they meet a monk requiring money It is said to be careful as it is a con artist.

I do not expect police
Aliasis points out that Japanese police officers are encouraging existence, unfortunately for "Japanese people". Although it is a policeman who is very reliable when asking the way by police box etc, tourist traveler as well as aliasis of course, for "Gaijin" including those who stay for a long time, stop police officers at random Is a person seeking identification, aliasis feels that police officers automatically recognize foreigners as members of criminal organizations. And from a foreigner's standpoint, aliasis says he will not hear the good reputation of Japanese police officers.


◆ If in the city you should get an IC card
In Tokyo there are two transportation IC cards, Suica and PASMO, which can be used not only for railways, buses but also for vending machines and so on, aliasis recommends that travelers should be sure to get it. Especially at train stations such as railroads, there is a hard task for travelers to "find the destination and check the exact fee to that point and purchase the tickets", and if the fee is not enough, not only the difference but also the penalty as a penalty We point out that there is a danger that you will be asked for payment and emphasize the convenience of traffic IC cards that can pay accurate fares without having to check fees.

In addition, the name of the card such as 'My Suica' whose name is printed together with information that the traveler is concerned about 500 yen out of the price of 2000 yen is charged for the card, 1500 yen is charged for the fare as the charge Because the card itself is a wonderful souvenir of a Japanese trip, travelers who visited the city have said that it is recommended to get a traffic IC card first after arriving at the airport.

◆ I do not want to buy clothes unless I want to lose pride
The size of clothes and shoes in Japan is said to be made relatively small, unlike in Europe and the United States. Therefore, in the case of a woman wearing jeans of size "8" in the United States, it seems that pride may be hurt because in Japan you have to choose "LL (oversized)" size.


◆ Japan is cash supremacy
There are many foreign tourists who have a future image in Japan, such as a country that runs at the forefront of animation and pop culture in the world's biggest technology power. However, for travelers who imagine the future such as "If you scan the retina at the cash register and pay the instant payment from the linked bank account," surprisingly, Japan is "cash basis". Therefore, aliasis says that there are few Japanese who go out without putting 10,000 yen in the wallet.

Although there are many shops that can use credit cards, for foreign travelers there is a risk of fluctuations in the exchange rate at the time of settlement, so cash is still recommended. ATMs are rich in post offices, convenience stores, and stations, but there are times when there are times when it can not be used such as nighttime and weekends, and it is not always possible to accept cards of foreign tourists. However, since Japan is a relatively safe country and the risk of being robbed is extremely low, I advise that it is okay to carry cash with me during the day.


◆ Japanese only shops
Although Japan is "friendly" for foreigners, it is "a terribly different culture", so it is often said that scenes are subject to restrictions because they are not Japanese. It is very difficult for a foreigner to find a house, and police officers approaching random as mentioned above are also good examples. Of course there are shops that you can not order unless you are in Japanese. "If it is lucky if English is written in the Japanese menu, if you can use chopsticks it might be broken and engaged by Broken English," aliasis says.

◆ Hen ties are really on the train
The crowded Japanese train at the time of the rush is famous, "Although there may be many tourists who know the existence of molesting acts that act as hentai in the train through depiction of animation etc., there are truly existing molested It is not a rare existence, "aliasis points out. According to aliasis, although the crime rate in Japan is very low, sexual harassment is surprisingly large, and the crime rate is underestimated.

There are many people who think that "If you come across Hentai, I will cry out for a punch with a loud voice!", But when the people actually suffering from molestation, the body has become rigid and what to do It seems that it is better not to think lightly, as it will receive a shock that is not understood.

◆ Fear for Japanese people being asked in English
Japanese learn English for many years at school, but I learn little about English speaking, so I do not have confidence in English conversation extremely. Therefore, many people are afraid of being spoken to in English. Even if it is answered in English, it is so-called "Japangrish", and you should not expect native English speaking.


In order to communicate with Japanese who is not good at English, if you prepare "supposed question list" with notation of both English and Japanese beforehand, it will be the last help in the situation that you can not understand English at all, aliasis He is advising. In addition, Tokyo seems to be able to travel without learning Japanese, especially because English translations such as signs, announcements, restaurant menus are overflowing.

◆ Yakuza is real and should be avoided
"Yakuza" is not a problem at all for general foreign tourists. However, those who like the night city like Shinjuku and Kabukicho should be careful. "Yakuza said" According to "rumors", "Yakuza is real, it has influence in the political field, and it is also involved in the operation of chain companies. It is very difficult to distinguish yakuza from ordinary people There is a chance that a man with a "shade" wearing a gorgeous car riding a flashy car, there is a possibility that it is a gangster, there is a tattoo or a missing finger is also likely. " Mr. aliasis. Although Japan is an extremely safe country, we can not say that it is absolutely safe, advising that we should be conscious of the possibility of an incident and that common sense should be worked.