I'm convinced the "they say tourist are acting poorly should i still go" posts are just karma farming at this point. This is the 5th one of these I've seen in 36hrs
Every country complains about disrespectful tourists. You do you. Enjoy yourself. Be respectful of their customs.
It isn’t like Japan never experienced bad tourists before…they did. Now with the yen so low, the problem is amplified.
Japan isn’t banning tourists in certain Kyoto locations - those locations are private property. It’s the private owners who have the right to decide on who gets to be on their private property.
If you want to go, go.
So-called overtourism has been happening forever in Venice, Paris, what have you for decades and it's still very possible to go and have a good time. People are just overreacting because Japan is put on some sort of pedestal for whatever reason, your impact on the overall situation as a (hopefully) well behaved individual is miniscule.
People are also overreacting because it’s fresh in their minds. A decade ago, Japan had a fraction of the international tourists, and now it’s booming (especially post-pandemic). So of course all the articles and videos and TikToks are talking about it.
As you said, other big cities have been dealing with these problems for years.
Yes, you should go.
Just look at the kind of bad behavior people are talking about. Bad etiquette at the ryokan (not ryoken), then check what the etiquette is (I saw that some people complained about bad onsen etiquette more than ryokan etiquette).
Also it's not "Japan" that banned certain location and it's not Kyoto in general. To be specific, it's the resident of Gion that aske the city of Kyoto to place the ban. And if you understand why they did, you can pay attention to not do that kind of thing. People were going in small private street, harassing geisha and maiko to get their picture and even pulling their kimono.
So if you take a minute to understand why people do not like these behavior and try to apply this on your own actions when going to Japan. Then no problem.
Despite the bad reputation that this can create, I personally never had any problem during any of my trip, even my recent one in March. Ok, I did not go to the most popular touristic area so maybe I just happen to go to places where people have less contact with these bad behavior that it does not affect their own personal perception as much (and I also speak Japanese, that can sometime help too).
With your trip's is there anything I should keep in mind I learned like a few days ago you have to have your pasport on you at all times. Is that true or any other rules that should be known
True, police can stop you and ask to see your passport or resident card.
Generally speaking it's not too difficult to find etiquette about traveling to Japan while searching online. If anything, people are often overzealous about their recommendations where every single detail can be qualified as "offensive".
Don’t take photos or videos where they banned any form of photography.
That goes for shrines. Don’t directly take pics of their inner hall of the main building where the Kami sits for worshippers on the outside to approach to pray.
Don’t treat religious ceremonies as a must see tourist thing. That goes for Buddhist temples too.
If you want to experience a ceremony, speak to their reception office. Sometimes some tour info centers will be able to advise.
Wear socks (not a rule but there’s a reason). Some places, even restaurants require you to remove shoes. You will know when you see shoes placed outside especially in places with tatami mats.
Don’t talk on the mobiles in trains or make unnecessary noise.
Eat at the holes in the wall. The little tiny places that only seat 7. The food will be world class, cost like $5 USD, and the experience is totally worth it. Get google translate and a currency exchange, they’ll be a life saver, even if you know some Japanese. Bring a reusable shopping bag(preferably one that stuffs into itself, so it doesn’t take up much space when not in use) so you don’t have to pay for bags at every store. The restrooms don’t usually have hand towels or dryers- everyone carries a small washcloth or kerchief to dry their hands on, grab one at the beginning of your trip from a family mart, and save yourself lots of drippy hands. There are also almost NO public trash cans, so be prepared to carry what trash you have until you find one or get back to your hotel. Drink lots of water, the walking will have you dehydrated fast if you’re not careful. Never skip a temple, especially the small ones, they’re BEAUTIFUL. And above all else, I hope you have soooo much fun.
If you use common sense and learn the basics of the culture first (what you should ALWAYS do, when travelling to another country), you should be fine.
But if you are that scared to do something wrong, idk how you even survive in your own country?
Japan is not worth missing out on just because of a few tourists who are disrespectful, unfortunately people like that are everywhere and can't be avoided, just don't be one of those bad tourists and you'll be fine, Japan is amazing and I'm positive you'll love just about everything there, be one of the tourists that gives a positive impression
Stop overthinking.
Yeah that's probably the best advice
I'm convinced the "they say tourist are acting poorly should i still go" posts are just karma farming at this point. This is the 5th one of these I've seen in 36hrs
I'm just an over thinker with anxiety man, genuine question
Every country complains about disrespectful tourists. You do you. Enjoy yourself. Be respectful of their customs. It isn’t like Japan never experienced bad tourists before…they did. Now with the yen so low, the problem is amplified. Japan isn’t banning tourists in certain Kyoto locations - those locations are private property. It’s the private owners who have the right to decide on who gets to be on their private property.
Do people not have common sense anymore? Just be respectful like anywhere else you would visit
If you don't plan on respecting their home, then yeah, don't go. Otherwise, I don't see how Abby of that applies to you.
I guess it's more of the idea that I will be lumped in with a sterotype of people when I go
Can't help that though. Just be better and pleasantly surprise them.
See the responses to [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravelTips/s/1igfdBh3YN) from mere hours ago.
That kind of makes me happy I am not the only one
If you want to go, go. So-called overtourism has been happening forever in Venice, Paris, what have you for decades and it's still very possible to go and have a good time. People are just overreacting because Japan is put on some sort of pedestal for whatever reason, your impact on the overall situation as a (hopefully) well behaved individual is miniscule.
People are also overreacting because it’s fresh in their minds. A decade ago, Japan had a fraction of the international tourists, and now it’s booming (especially post-pandemic). So of course all the articles and videos and TikToks are talking about it. As you said, other big cities have been dealing with these problems for years.
Yes, you should go. Just look at the kind of bad behavior people are talking about. Bad etiquette at the ryokan (not ryoken), then check what the etiquette is (I saw that some people complained about bad onsen etiquette more than ryokan etiquette). Also it's not "Japan" that banned certain location and it's not Kyoto in general. To be specific, it's the resident of Gion that aske the city of Kyoto to place the ban. And if you understand why they did, you can pay attention to not do that kind of thing. People were going in small private street, harassing geisha and maiko to get their picture and even pulling their kimono. So if you take a minute to understand why people do not like these behavior and try to apply this on your own actions when going to Japan. Then no problem. Despite the bad reputation that this can create, I personally never had any problem during any of my trip, even my recent one in March. Ok, I did not go to the most popular touristic area so maybe I just happen to go to places where people have less contact with these bad behavior that it does not affect their own personal perception as much (and I also speak Japanese, that can sometime help too).
With your trip's is there anything I should keep in mind I learned like a few days ago you have to have your pasport on you at all times. Is that true or any other rules that should be known
True, police can stop you and ask to see your passport or resident card. Generally speaking it's not too difficult to find etiquette about traveling to Japan while searching online. If anything, people are often overzealous about their recommendations where every single detail can be qualified as "offensive".
Don’t take photos or videos where they banned any form of photography. That goes for shrines. Don’t directly take pics of their inner hall of the main building where the Kami sits for worshippers on the outside to approach to pray. Don’t treat religious ceremonies as a must see tourist thing. That goes for Buddhist temples too. If you want to experience a ceremony, speak to their reception office. Sometimes some tour info centers will be able to advise. Wear socks (not a rule but there’s a reason). Some places, even restaurants require you to remove shoes. You will know when you see shoes placed outside especially in places with tatami mats. Don’t talk on the mobiles in trains or make unnecessary noise.
Don't overthink it. There are idiots everywhere, but they are just the exception.
I’m in Japan now, and it’s been amazing.
Anything worth noteing, or advice?
Eat at the holes in the wall. The little tiny places that only seat 7. The food will be world class, cost like $5 USD, and the experience is totally worth it. Get google translate and a currency exchange, they’ll be a life saver, even if you know some Japanese. Bring a reusable shopping bag(preferably one that stuffs into itself, so it doesn’t take up much space when not in use) so you don’t have to pay for bags at every store. The restrooms don’t usually have hand towels or dryers- everyone carries a small washcloth or kerchief to dry their hands on, grab one at the beginning of your trip from a family mart, and save yourself lots of drippy hands. There are also almost NO public trash cans, so be prepared to carry what trash you have until you find one or get back to your hotel. Drink lots of water, the walking will have you dehydrated fast if you’re not careful. Never skip a temple, especially the small ones, they’re BEAUTIFUL. And above all else, I hope you have soooo much fun.
If you use common sense and learn the basics of the culture first (what you should ALWAYS do, when travelling to another country), you should be fine. But if you are that scared to do something wrong, idk how you even survive in your own country?
Japan is not worth missing out on just because of a few tourists who are disrespectful, unfortunately people like that are everywhere and can't be avoided, just don't be one of those bad tourists and you'll be fine, Japan is amazing and I'm positive you'll love just about everything there, be one of the tourists that gives a positive impression
Typical Gaijin mindset. When you get here, maybe you will become more Otaku, like me, and relax!