Tourist Information Europe
Do Japanese really don’t like tourists?
Hi! I’m a student from Europe, 23, and I’m traveling to Japan soon and looking up for everything useful and the one thing that keeps popping up is that although Japanese are known as very polite, are not really enthusiastic about travelers/foreigners.
I’m researching everything that I can about the country, it’s fascinating and I’m even learning the language but…Is it true? Can I get into trouble there?
Thanks for all the information/answers/advices!
Katia
Well it is not really true but could certainly be mistaken that way.
In general most Japanese don’t feel comfortable speaking to foreigners. They do not feel confident in their English skills and don’t want to be embarrassed or frustrated by this so they would rather avoid provoking a conversation with a foreigner. Some people will likely take that avoidance as dislike but it’s not really correct. Many Japanese are fascinated by foreigners who visit especially in uncommon areas but of course they will mostly just glance at you and reflect on it themselves and maybe discuss it later with friends and family over conversation. If you are in a tourist type of area people are a little more open but don’t expect people to approach you and start talking to you randomly like in some countries.
Another factor is behavior. If you are loud and rude and doing things that are strange then you will of course be disliked.
Hope this helps.
Europe 2007 Part 30 San Remo and Imperia
Visit Britain | Tourist Information UK | Enjoy England | UK Tourist Information Centres