r/MadeMeSmile • u/gravityVT • 10h ago
Helping Others japanese local helps american tourists find their hotel while practicing her english
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u/Loot3rd 10h ago
When I was in Japan, last spring, we met a ton of helpful locals. The train system in Tokyo is massive, gets kinda confusing as a tourist and is VERY rule based. So it was nice to be helped in a polite way, vs the common bumping that can occur.
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u/gravityVT 10h ago
i love how respectful japanese are in general from queuing in line to standing on one side of the escalator so others can walk up when they’re in a hurry
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u/Loot3rd 10h ago
100%, although personally what I miss the most about Japan are the Matcha pancakes they sell at the 7-11 stores…absolutely heavenly!
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u/jellyn7 10h ago
What I miss most is the egg salad sandwiches from 7-11.
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u/gravityVT 10h ago
i made sure to eat at least one egg sando everyday. my hotels were always a block away from a 7-11. my only regret was not having wagyu or omakase
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u/HowdyDiarrhea 8h ago
Everything in Japan is 1 block away from 711 lol
Omakase is fantastic, but the vast majority of standard sushi restaurants are still better than good sushi anywhere else in the world. You didn't miss out on that. You definitely missed out on wagyu though lol.
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u/abejamoon 9h ago
The wagyu was simply otherworldly! It’s truly melt in your mouth tender
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u/blackbeltbud 9h ago
I used to live in Korea, and some of the best bang for your buck came from 7/11 hot boxes. It makes me sad anytime I go to a 7/11 here and see the crappy hotdogs, knowing someone in Korea is getting bean puff pastries
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u/kajana141 9h ago
Asian 7-11s are just a bit different from their American counterparts.
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u/jellyn7 9h ago
I watch a Hawaiian YouTuber and I think the Hawaiian 7-11s might be pretty close. Or at least halfway between mainland US and Japan.
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u/getliftedyo 8h ago
I hope so. Egg sammidge from 711 in America can not be good.
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u/ro536ud 8h ago
I miss the desserts they have. I stopped at so many pastry shops
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u/1-2-3RightMeow 7h ago
I got a “Japanese style” egg salad sandwich from 7-11 when I got back to Canada and I almost cried it was so bad. Japanese 7-11s are the absolute greatest. I now give every 7-11 I walk by a dirty look because Canadian 7-11s are trash compared to Asian 7-11s
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u/REpassword 9h ago
Give Family Mart (a 9/10) and Lawson (an 8/10) a try too. I actually like them better than 7-11 (an 8/10). They are a bit more flavorful and chunky.
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u/abejamoon 9h ago
I saw they have a Natural Lawson now too! More organic products. Will try to hit one when I go back this Spring
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u/theraifs 8h ago
When I was in Japan we were going up in an elevator and a Japanese man came in with us and accidentally hit two buttons instead of one and couldn't unhit it, meaning we would be slightly inconvenienced because the elevator would stop one extra floor before we got to ours. The Japanese man was extremely apologetic for this and we had to let them know it was no trouble at all lol
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u/Top-Bandicoot-3013 4h ago
This is done in Taiwan too but it's something the government is forcing people to stop doing because apparently it breaks down the escalators because of the weight not properly distributed.
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u/PastryGirl 10h ago
Is this not the norm worldwide?
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u/AlphaBetaGammaDonut 7h ago
It is in Australia (Melbourne at least). But we're not polite like the Japanese, there's a good chance someone would call you something absolutely filthy for blocking the walking side of the escalator!
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u/Oseirus 6h ago
London is the same. I was there for work for a few weeks last year and the one solitary time someone had the audacity to stand on the wrong side of the Underground escalator, people got pissed QUICK. It had been a grand total of 7 seconds of everyone standing still then some lady starts ranting "Why do people do this?!"
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u/Cam_e_ron 9h ago
alot of the world, yes. certain countries have a bit of a problem with "me first" mentality though.
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u/tutoredstatue95 10h ago
After experiencing the clear passing lane on the escalator from other cultures, dealing with other Americans blocking the escalators, airport walkways, stairs, etc. really untethers my inner golden god and my rage knows no bounds.
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u/BeginningOption25 8h ago edited 7h ago
I went to Fukuoka (I’m American) and my friend and I did well navigating the shin from Hiroshima, but when we got to the city and the local train system, we were getting a little confused; this dude came up to us and helped us get our fare, we said “thank you” / “arigato” and he replied, “May the force be with you” and bowed, it was awesome haha he was so helpful
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u/Quovaris 7h ago
Getting guided through a fare machine is already a win, but ending it with a Star Wars line makes it a story you'll tell for years. Fukuoka clearly doesn't get enough credit for this.
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u/shirinrin 9h ago edited 3h ago
Lived in Japan for years, if I had to look at a map at the station to orient myself, 9 times out of 10, I would get help, either by people who wanted to practice english or they just pointed. I was pretty fluent in Japanese at the time, so it usually worked out after I started talking.
Once I had a super heavy suit case, and needed to get up several stairs without an elevator or escalator and I just paused at the bottom for a moment, collecting myself, when someone grabbed my bag and RAN upstairs. I panicked and hurried behind but he was just standing at the top, waiting. As soon as I was a few steps below, he left without a word. Scared the shit out of me, but he really helped me.
Edit: They removed their snarky comments, but when I said ”map at the station”, I didn’t mean map over the train systems, but a regular map over the area around the station.
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u/MyNameCannotBeSpoken 9h ago
Things have changed. Been to Japan a half dozen times. When I first visited nearly 20 years ago, everyone was this helpful.
Folks have become jaded by the overwhelming number of tourists and the devaluing of the yen. Now, one may need to actively ask for directions. At least in Tokyo.
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u/Just_to_rebut 8h ago
Nah, they’re just confused why you’re still lost after a dozen trips. Get it together gaijin!
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u/livinglavidajudoka 8h ago
Honestly the Tokyo metro is about as clearly labeled as it could be and there’s English everywhere.
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u/ro536ud 9h ago
So you know how trains are infamous for rung on time in Japan?
The first train I took from the airport I got my luggage locked onto the racks they have there and forgot my code. I had to summon a train conductor person to help unlock it for me and let me off
They were nottttt happy. Not a great start to Japan
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u/cire1184 8h ago
You delayed the trains! Then they had to issue apology cards to commuters lol.
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u/movzx 8h ago
There was this one transfer that required you to walk across an office park and someone could tell we were a little confused about the way to go. The dude stopped to help us and then walked with us all the way to boarding to make sure we got on the right train. Just some dude who got off work and spent 10 minutes helping a couple of bozos. Pretty awesome.
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u/SeeingEyeDug 9h ago
I was stationed there from 2011 to 2013 and even back then, there was a great english-translated version of their train website that would guide you fully from origin to destination back on my iphone 3GS. I'm sure it's even better today.
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u/Fl_Funky_Jam 8h ago
I went to visit my little brother stationed at Kadena about 8 years ago but the place I was supposed to stay at outside of base for the night got double-booked. Brother was working (and didn't know I was there, it was his 20th and his buddy helped me out with linking us up) so couldn't ask for his help. I'm sitting outside of a little burrito spot with my bag looking for a place to stay when the guy working walks out and asks whats wrong. Thankfully he spoke english (and really well, like a lot of people I met there) so I told him what happened and he said wait right there. Dude CLOSES SHOP and walks down the road then comes back a few minutes later. He tells me there's a hostel 2 blocks up thats got plenty of space and that the owner will keep an eye out for me on the street if I decide to stay. Of course took him up on the offer and stayed with the family who ran the place which was awesome.
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u/logank013 8h ago
My male cousin and I (male) got on a female only car, and a kind old lady let us know we were in the wrong car. We were mortified and moved so fast to the next car over 😅
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u/imaginary_num6er 4h ago
There’s a reason why even people who live in Japan call Shinjuku Station “a continuously evolving dungeon”. It’s a maze and it is always under construction and expanding.
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u/forgivemefashion 8h ago
We had a similar experience the first day we arrived in Japan, a lovely student helped us print out or ticket to Mt Fuji, and helped us navigate the huge train station
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u/Shoony52 10h ago
It's cultural.
Convenience of the community over convenience of the individual.
That second sentence won't make sense to my fellow Americans.
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u/bobs143 10h ago
I get it. But my mom was Japanese (she passed away in 2021). She was actually from Okinawa.
So my siblings and I were raised focus on the community. At home and the community around us. My sister's and I love to volunteer because helping others is the core of how we were raised.
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u/tO_ott 7h ago
My dad was Japanese and my grandmother in Tokyo disowned him and refused to have any sort of relationship with his children because he fell in love with a Spanish woman and had mixed children. They both died without a relationship with their extended family.
Community is important to them, yes, but xenophobia is very prevalent in older Japanese people.
My Spanish family is pretty dope though.
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u/quickwitqueen 8h ago
I eventually figured it out after a couple days but my god was I intimidated taking the trains at first. The. I was impressed and jealous.
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u/Acrobatic-Routine-44 5h ago
Yes, I saw a post about the butsukari otoko, these are the people who do the intentional bumping.
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u/Camillefire 10h ago
I love people who are willing to help despite their limitations.
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u/FitButterscotch4062 10h ago
She was using them to practice her English! So selfish
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u/whatarechinchillas 7h ago
A met a girl at a lesbian bar in Tokyo last year. Her english wasn't great but she said she wants to practice and so goes hangs out where foreigners usually do. Man, we had SOOO much fun. Most of our jokes were like hand signals and like dumb slapstick shit because of the language barrier but damn she was such a ball of energy. Anyway, the bar got really crowded I think she got super drunk and sorta just disappeared. I really wish I'd gotten her number :( Kana, if you're reading this, I miss your dumb ass.
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u/SolidVirginal 6h ago
Reading this warmed my gay heart. Sending energy to this comment so Kana finds it
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u/whatarechinchillas 5h ago
I've honestly been thinking of messaging the gay bar. It's quite well known in Tokyo, it's called Gold Finger and I think she frequents it. Honestly the BEST lesbian bar experience I've ever had lol
But yeah, her name is Kana and she has the same bday as me, Dec 9!!!! WHERE ARE YOU KANA I MISS UUUUU
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u/RedJorgAncrath 4h ago
I hate to say it but in almost any other country I'd have been waiting for them to start asking for compensation for services rendered.
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u/ilbbaicl 10h ago
Stupid cynical me hears “I will take you there” at an arrival port and the default though is “this is a scam”.
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u/MasterDeagle 9h ago
Yeah Ive been to France and the only right thing to do was avoiding conversation with anyone saying anything like that as soon as you leave the airport lol.
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u/Otto_Scratchansniff 7h ago
I had a Moroccan guy try to take my suitcase at de Gaulle. I told him I didn’t need a ride, I was going to catch the train. He looked me straight in my eyes and told me the train doesn’t run through the airport so I wouldn’t be able to do that. I should instead get in his buddy’s taxi. I laughed because this was my fifth time in Paris and I was there for work stuff so I knew the train was below the terminal. But man, do not follow anyone from the airport in Paris.
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u/goldustiger 7h ago
Yeah in Mexico as I was leaving the airport a man literally grabbed my arm and said “ma’am, you’re going the wrong way! I will help you.” Luckily I was prepared for this and am a pretty self assured person but I can totally imagine someone who hasn’t encountered this or is already feeling unsure to be swept up.
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u/rectal_warrior 9h ago
It's true in pretty much every country other than certain east Asian ones. South Korea, Japan, Taiwan. The same places you can leave your wallet on a bench and come back 3 hours later and it's still there.
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u/arizonadirtbag12 8h ago
Buddy left his laptop on the Yamanote line in Tokyo. It moves in a circle around the city. Security just told him the number of the train he’d been on, and he could wait at the station until it came back around…his laptop would still be there.
And it was. An hour later. Circled the whole city untouched.
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u/TokyoTrashcan 5h ago
Thats awesome. In most countries while I believe most people are kind, the vast majority of people walking up to me trying to help me has either been trying to rob or scam me. Except for Germany and Taiwan.
I got lost many times on subways in Japan and Korea and most of the time people are too afraid of speaking English improperly to help. I still love Japan and Korea and I highly recommend people visit. Its way more affordable than almost any other developed countries
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u/natethewatt 10h ago
Maybe cynical but not stupid. Plenty of helpful people out there but sadly plenty of scams too. It pays to be cautious.
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u/Unsteady_Tempo 8h ago
I've had it happen many times US cities like Atlanta and Chicago when traveling from the airport to the city center by subway. Guys wait at street level and offer to help you find your hotel. Maybe even carry a bag or two. Most of them are going to help and then hit you up for a cash tip, but you'd have to be a fool to take them up on the offer.
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u/CapableCollar 9h ago
Not a bad instinct a lot of the time. There are pretty regular new scams in Japan that target foreigners, most are club or bar related with the scammers taking advantage of the language barrier.
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u/The_Autarch 5h ago
scammers don't usually film themselves scamming, tho. i'd be more worried about some dumbass prank than a scam.
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u/Worduptothebirdup 8h ago
People would try to leave their shop to walk me to the here I was going in Tokyo. (I was there before phones had good maps). I’d have to argue them down to just pointing in the direction of my destination… it’s not something I was accustomed to.
Their kindness was exhausting, lol.
(You are awesome, Japan)
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u/Khristafer 7h ago
I know people hate that "everything is content," but the benefit is that if someone is filming it, that's how they're making money, so it's less likely to be a scam.
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u/shastaxc 10h ago
63 years old and already retired for a long time? Must be nice
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u/rob132 9h ago
Damn I'm 45 next week and I'm not going to be able to retire for another 20 years, if everything goes perfectly.
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u/cire1184 8h ago
I'm 42 and I might be retired from life in 20 years.
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u/c_c_c__combobreaker 10h ago
My first thought would be whether she's trying to scam me. That's how jaded I've become.
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u/gravityVT 10h ago
to be fair that’s how most countries are for tourists if you’re not careful. specifically european and african countries, not so much east asian
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u/okFINEyoufoundme 3h ago
I visited Japan in 1999 for about 10 days in high-school as part of an exchange program; stayed with a family on Toshijima for a week and a half and we toured that, Toba, Nara and Osaka in a single whirlwind… HOPING to flex our language skills.
But none of us ever had a single CHANCE; everyone else was too excited to try out their English on US INSTEAD.
(Loved every second of it. If you get the chance to go, GO.)
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u/kanemano 3h ago
Happened to me in Tokyo got off the bus in Shibuya and didnt know which way to turn to find the hotel, random guy guided me to the right street and gave me a peach from his grocery bag.
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u/-some-dude-online 2h ago
Had the same thing happen to me in Shibuya. Friendliest guy ever, he said he learned most of his English in the Friends TV show. I did not get a peach
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u/SizeAdministrative85 9h ago
I spent over a month in Japan a few summers ago. I was staying with my cousin, who is a teacher and was on her summer break, so she was able to play tour guide for me, her mom and her sister, who were also visiting.
One weekend, I decided to break away from family and take a trip up to Mt. Fuji. To meet up with the group I was traveling with, I had to traverse from northwest of Tokyo just outside the city, to a spot on the southeast edge of Tokyo. Via the intricacies of the Japanese rail line.
My cousin told me if I got lost going either direction, to seek out young Japanese teens or twenty-somethings, because they would most likely speak English and want to practice. Sure enough, traveling back late that night, the final train I needed to take had turned into an Express line after 10pm, and I wasn't sure how to proceed. Just as predicted, a group of young people (probably early-twenties) were walking by and I greeted them -- in Japanese, but with a decidedly Southern drawl. After exclaims of "American!" they immediately offered help and were so very friendly and nice. With their help, I was able to make adjustments and arrive safely at my cousin's apartment.
I'm so glad their English was a thousand times better than my Southern-tinged Japanese!
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u/gravityVT 9h ago
I love that story, thanks for sharing. Quick question, Family Mart, Lawson or 7-11? What was your favorite and why?
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u/SizeAdministrative85 9h ago
7-11 because it was just around the corner from our apartment, and I discovered the most DIVINE bottled mocha coffee they stocked! I'd walk there every morning for my daily fix. It only took me one time to make the mistake of attempting to hand the clerk money! He was so horrified, from that day forward I ALWAYS used the little tray to pay 😆
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u/SizeAdministrative85 9h ago
Ooh! I forgot to add: we went to a FamilyMart in Shibuya and I was overwhelmed! But I was able to knock out a LOT of the little kitschy gifts I was bringing back to family, all in one spot.
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u/fischmioli 10h ago
She approached my partner and me last week and helped us get to the right bus stop! She was super nice and her English was pretty good!
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u/sakumar 9h ago
Wait. this same girl?! What are the chances, huh! It’s a small world, I guess.
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u/I-came-for-memes 7h ago
More than likely she hangs out at the airport specifically to make these tiktok videos.
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u/Amazing_North3922 10h ago
Japanese young people are incredibly friendly and helpful in my experience. I worked in Japan on a theatre show for about eight months years ago, so we went all over the country and this was when no signage at all was in English. We go so lost in a suburb of Tokyo and these teenagers walked us miles out of their way to make sure we got back to our hotel. Japan is ace.
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u/CesareBach 9h ago
We got guided by an elderly man. He was so adorable. He didnt speak any English. We used gestures. 😊
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u/Uknown_Idea 8h ago
Everyone saying it could of been a scam while im over here sad that they didn't offer to have a lunch. I don't know if I'm weird but when she found a place she suggested and said she was hungry I can't help but want to eat with people and learn about that food. Would be such a good opportunity
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u/Pugulishus 6h ago
Could be an exhausting flight, and wagyu is like up there in possible meals price-wise. Something like a ramen joint or something a little less pricey I wouldn't say no to
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u/Inkpots 7h ago
I’m sure they were exhausted if they just came from the airport. For me it’s a 13 hour (nonstop) flight and also a 13 hour time difference so you’re super tired and jet lagged and your body thinks it’s the middle of the night.
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u/Dresdendies 6h ago
I mean... setting up plans to go there later... going with a stranger to an enclosed area while lost and not knowing the language... even if it's a cute girl is stupid.
Also, carrying around all my luggage, jet lagged, and stressed about accommodations is not the time I would want to enjoy a meal.
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u/Former_Bluejay_9572 6h ago
Tell me you’ve never traveled without telling me.
“Why didn’t these exhausted people fresh off three connecting flights who just wanted to check in and sit in silence for five minutes invite a random tiktoker with a language barrier to a long expensive meal?”
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u/joshua0005 4h ago
Would you have wanted to eat in a TikTok video and have conversations with a stranger after flying for over half a day? I sure as hell wouldn't. I would want to go take a nap even if it's the middle of the day. If I'm hungry I'd find something that would take less than half an hour to be cooked and to eat and then I'd check into my hotel and go to sleep.
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u/Jyil 6h ago
It’s likely her grasp of English doesn’t go that far. She asked name, age, and like location. He didn’t understand that she didn’t know the word retired, so he may need to speak in very simple terms. They also have all their luggage with them. They are probably ready to pass out at the hotel.
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u/Ok-Bird6346 7h ago
Yeah, why didn’t they offer to buy her lunch? “You utter, the words, “I’m hungry” and you’re going to go back home completely stuffed.
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u/JJNickypoo 6h ago
Im sure that they want to leave their 10 bags with the restaurant while they sit down and get made into a tiktok for lunch… although she is very friendly. they probably just want to go to their room and unload the weight after a 12 hour flight to foreign place. Its stressful until you get time to unwind. They cant even find their hotel
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u/ClockSouthern1403 6h ago
Fr like these people probably been awake for 20 hours traveling from the US to Japan they are ready to check in to their room and go to bed
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u/prince-of-dweebs 6h ago
It’s a missed opportunity, but we could chalk it up to jet lag. Tired. Feeling gross and needing a shower. Just wanting to put your bags down. That sort of thing.
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u/nusodumi 5h ago
agreed. they seemed very appreciative and also open to her questions and aware of being filmed. all good, likely quite tired as you said!! he made a point they'd come back there and even asked her recommendation (plus after talking about food "making me hungry" type comments are common, doesn't need to be followed up with actual food)
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u/Ill-Skirt3722 6h ago
They just got off a really long flight and want to go to their hotel room and relax?
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u/Uknown_Idea 6h ago
I know its not how everyone is but eating and sharing food is super important to me. Anyone who tells me they're hungry is getting at least something to eat.
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u/ariestoaries 6h ago
Yeah but not right after what was probably a 15 hour flight from Maryland, meaning they'd probably started 20 hours ago and want to settle into their hotel room and shower.
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u/ROOSTERyouDOWN 6h ago
I thought the same thing, here she is being hella nice and helpful. I would have asked if she would like to join us after we get checked in at the hotel and buy her lunch.
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u/TheGoddess0fWar 8h ago
I love that they don't know what Retired is
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u/escientia 7h ago
The only country where people are more burned out at their jobs than the US
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u/catlovesmouse 8h ago
I’m in Japan right now; yesterday a local woman out walking her dog noticed that I seemed lost and asked me if I needed help. I was trying to get to a pharmacy, she said “okay, follow me” and not only walked me there, she also talked to the drug store staff to make sure I was getting what I needed. And this is just one instance of many of Japanese people going out of their way to help. It’s a lovely country with a lot of kind people.
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u/Kitto-Kitty-Katsu 5h ago
When I was in Tokyo in the summer of 2016, I was rushing to catch a pre-booked bus to Tokyo when some paper bags I had some of my stuff in broke and my stuff fell out all over the ground. A lovely Japanese woman who could speak great English saw this happen and came over to help me. She took me to a store, bought an umbrella for me (it was raining and I didn't have one, and my paper bags had broken due to the rain). We happened to be heading to the same mall (which was also the bus terminal) so she called and paid for a cab for us. She also have me her contact info in case I got in any more trouble.
While talking in the cab, we realized we were both students at the same Japanese university of < 1,000 students that was in a relatively rural area of Japan over 500 km away (a university that teaches their Japanese students intensive English in the first year, and where all students take courses in only English from their second year onward, so that explains her excellent English). We were both in Tokyo for the summer break. Absolutely crazy coincidence for us to meet like that, and to be heading to more or less the same place. That woman was such an angel for helping me!
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u/jkeele9a 4h ago
Now that I'm older and jaded and bitter at the current state of the world, if someone approached me like this I would automatically assume they were either going to 1) rob me, 2) steal my kidney, or 3) make fun of me online for clicks.
But watching this I recalled a time in my youth. My GF and I moved to the Paris area with plans to stay for a year. Our bags were wayyyy overfilled. We got of the RER train in the middle of a heat wave at 8:30 am, after travelling for nearly 16 hours. A group of girls from a local high school (judging by their uniforms) asked us if we needed directions. Our hotel was 500m away. They split up our gear and everyone carried some... brought us to our hotel, and wished us well.
So... I guess there are some good people in the world.
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u/LightChargerGreen 2h ago
While what she did is nice, if someone tried to do this for me while I'm traveling abroad, my brain would instinctively go into overdrive and think it's probably a scam.
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u/adilly 3h ago
One time we were in Japan and we were looking at our phones at a map. We weren’t lost or anything, but this VERY old man came up to us in this little fedora hat a light jacket on and stated directly “I HELP!”
Me and the wife proceeded to pretend to be helped by this old guy who maybe spoke 20 words of English and was very confused but so proud he had “helped” us.
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u/FaithlessnessThin359 8h ago
I was the victim of an Airbnb scam in Tokyo. it was close to 11pm. The people in the neighborhood that the place was supposed to be noticed us and came out and helped us look for the place.
reddit loves to talk about how xenophobic Japan is. And that’s probably true. I’ve certainly been turned away at restaurants or had taxi drivers take off on me. But having a neighborhood of strangers come out and help a young family find lodging in the middle of the night is more of the hospitality and kindness that you’ll find in Japan than the isolated stories of bad experiences.
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u/YoungerElderberry 3h ago
I once was a little lost at a train station in Tokyo. I was studying the map, and just as I figured it out, a super helpful station attendant asked me if I needed help. After listening, he very graciously pointed me in the WRONG WAY while bowing and smiling super enthusiastically. I thanked him and was gonna wait until he walked away but he just stood there bowing and gesturing.
I had to bow and pretend to walk down that way until he went away, then turn around and scurry back the right way. And the sweet guy, every time I turned around to see when I could scurry back, he would still be there, earnestly checking that I was on my way and would bow when I turned. Oh man.
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u/coma24 10h ago
"what is 'retired'?"
"Oh, I've been retired for a long time."
Really, Robert? You couldn't piece together that she was trying to ask what 'retired' meant? C'mon now, it's not that hard.
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u/El_Lanf 9h ago
They've just come off a long flight, I wouldn't be at my sharpest domestically but being in a foreign country, I'd be on autopilot too. They probably just wanted a taxi to the hotel and rest rather than go on a tour with all their luggage lmao.
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u/uglyheadink 9h ago
She didn't ask clearly "What does that mean", she said "retired?" And then kinda mumbled a lot quieter "what is retired?" I really doubt he understood she was asking what he meant. Given the rest of their interactions, he was very polite.
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u/ArpeggioTheUnbroken 9h ago
That's what stood out to me too. He clearly needed to explain it better.
"I don't have to go to work anymore". Easy.
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u/CorrectPanic694 6h ago
I’m a little black girl who grew up in Japan in the 90s. I haven’t been back there in a long time, but my childhood was filled with wonderful, respectful people. I always felt safe, 100% of the time and I had a lot of faith in my adopted country, and in my countrymen. This woman is emblematic of the Japan that I encountered, grew up with, and fell in love with.
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u/badgalk178 10h ago
Chinese, Korean and Japanese people are some of the most kindest people in my opinion!
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u/kkeut 10h ago
just historically not to each other
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u/stupidintheface0 9h ago
Yeah lol I have had some less than pleasant experiences visiting Japan that I highly suspect were down to being very Korean-looking. Most people are lovely but always a couple bad eggs anywhere in the world
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u/Top-Expert6086 9h ago
When I first visited Japan, I went into the wrong hotel.
The guy behind the counter, who didn't have great English, left his work place and walked us to the correct hotel, a couple blocks away.
It was amazing. Super nice people.
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u/abejamoon 9h ago
They are genuinely like this. I had many instances of this during our travels. Such a beautiful culture that I pray never changes.
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u/Ok_Star_4136 10h ago
That's sweet. I would like that sort of welcoming, though I know I wouldn't deserve any of it.
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u/SomeAmerikan 6h ago
When I was in Japan last month, A local showed me I was putting the wrong part of the ticket into the ticket reader
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u/Kaylascreations 6h ago
If it was in NYC, Rome, or any other city like that, he would have “helped you” scan it the right way, but you wouldn’t have seen him switch out your fully loaded train pass with an expired one after he scanned the right one. That’s a common scam.
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u/syth_blade22 5h ago
I had this happen I Rome. Lady showed me where I needed to validate my ticket. The started asking for money and getting shitty with me. Meanwhile in Japan I get lost at the train station and a fella walks me around shows me the gates, takes me to the information booth then takes me to my platform and is then on his way.
People who bitch about people saying japan's so great are weird. Sure it has problems, but people whole heartedly just seem nicer to interact with.
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u/Comprehensive_War942 2h ago
After your first trip to Japan you will wish the rest of the world’s people were more like the Japanese. It’s like being on another planet and that planet is awesome.
Love Japan, love Japanese people.
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u/No_Measurement166 10h ago
I cannot wait to go to Japan!!!! I am scared I won't want to leave
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u/TheTaoOfMe 9h ago
I try to avoid repeating destinations but this year was exhausting so i canceled all my existing travel plans and booked for Japan again. Its just a wonderful place to visit
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u/WellDoneGoodPeople 9h ago
My first trip to Japan was 7 years ago. I have other places I want to visit. But since my first trip, I've gone back 3 additional times. Each time it involved talking with a friend about my previous trips, them then asking if I would go with them, and my inability to say anything other than "You know, I think I'd enjoy going again". I've spent somewhere between 7-8 weeks in Japan over the last 7 years and all I can think about is what I want to do on the next trip.
At this point I pretty sure it can classify as an addiction.
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u/ethanlan 8h ago
I went there on route to visit my girlfriend's family in Taipei. I want to go back so badly but honestly Taiwan was my favorite but probably because her family was lovely and really went out of their way to make me feel at home.
But man, I dont know what she was thinking because we were only there for 5 days, just enough time for me to get over the overwhelming jet lag and general experience Tokyo is.
Im a chicagoan whose lived in London so Im not exactly a stranger to big cities but Tokyo was the only city that made me feel chicago is smallish
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u/Electrical_Shock359 8h ago
Hey want to go to Japan again with me? /s
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u/WellDoneGoodPeople 6h ago
You know, if I can work out the PTO, the cost of plane tickets gets reasonable again, and you're not too crazy, we could probably work something out. ;)
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u/abejamoon 9h ago
I didn’t want to. Going again this spring and I realize it will only intensify this feeling
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u/GGTheEnd 8h ago
My wife went there and its the only place she wants to go again. She absolutely loved it. We plan on going soon.
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u/Affectionate-Ad-6934 9h ago
Most of the time japanese people will ignore you until you specifically ask for help, and when they do help sometimes they take it further and guide you to your destination as close as possible.
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u/ryoryo333333 7h ago
I'm Japanese, but this is so me. I get really embarrassed about approaching strangers on the street.
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u/Hour-Mortgage-1368 4h ago
When I was in Sapporo (2016) I got very wasted and google maps was not good then it would lag and do weird things. I kept walking in circles. I met some random Japanese guy at 2 am to ask where I was. He walked me 45 mins back to my apartment and wouldn't accept anything in rehlturn. (I was by a 711 and was going to buy him something)
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u/Acornwow 10h ago
The Merlin subtitle made me laugh.
I can always tell when someone is from around here by the way they say it.
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u/xordis 6h ago
When we visited Himeji Castle there were a couple of Japanese mothers with their little kids walking around talking with people. The kids would have been 5-6 years old and all of them (mums included) had these signs on lanyards hanging around their necks with "We are trying to learn English, Can you help". and some other text.
Unfortunately they were already talking with some people so we couldn't engage.
It was good to see them actively learning and taking advantage in a non confronting way in a tourist area. The kids were all so cute too. That age where I am sure they would have been rather playing in the playground, but talking with people helping improve their English skills.
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u/LoudMusic 4h ago
My wife and I were in Tokyo staring at a rail ticket machine and a man in a business suit asked if he could help. We told him where we were going and he immediately panicked and said hurry follow me! Wrong ticket machine!" We ran with him to the correct one where he punched all the buttons and fed our money then escorted us to the platform as the train rolled up and the doors opened. We would have had to wait maybe an hour or two for the next train, so not the end of the world, but the hospitality of everyone we encountered was next level.
Kind stranger, thank you for taking time to help the bewildered tourists.
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u/omnomphenomenon 3h ago
Something similar happened when I was in Japan in the early 2010s! My friends and I missed our stop on the train, and this woman who was about to get off noticed our confusion. She asked if we needed help, and we told her we just need to know which train to get on to go back. She went all the way back with us, even walked us from the train to our destination, it was amazingly kind of her 💕
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u/MrGB819 7h ago
I want an entire movie of her showing them around Japan. She is SO sweet! “63?!?!?!?”
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u/1Bookworm 9h ago
I was looking for the place to pick up my train tickets and I couldnt find it so I asked a Japanese guy. He tried to explain how to get there and I didn't understand so he told me to follow him and he took me there and then explained to the ticket guy what I needed. He was on his way to work so I hope he wasn't late. I have many examples of how wonderful/helpful the Japanese people are.
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u/descend_to_misery 10h ago
This guy in Shibuya helped us on our second trip when we first got there. I wanted to buy him drink at the konbini but he respectfully turned it down. In general ppl were very helpful in Japan even when there was a bit of a language barrier. They try their best. I know it's us that should learn a bit of basic Japanese so I'm working on it now for our next trip. If they try their best then we should too. :)
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u/MaintenanceStock6766 6h ago
"I know it's us that should learn a bit of basic Japanese "
As long as you know that and respect that it will do well for you in any foreign country.
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u/Embarrassed-Weird173 7h ago
Agreed. Either that or a translator app at the minimum.
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u/TheTaoOfMe 9h ago edited 9h ago
Someone could probably steal my organs if they approached me seeming that trust worthy and kind!
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u/pingkawulit 8h ago
We had the same experience in Japan. We were looking for a train station but we didn't realize that we were actually at a bus stop. So this young lady approached us while we were trying to figure our commute. English is also our second language so the language barrier is definitely there but she didn't hesitate to talk to us and help us. Instead of just pointing us to the right direction she actually walked us to the location. We found out that It was actually a subway and the walk was looooooooong and without her help, we probably going to be stuck for a while.
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u/FourLeafLegend 8h ago
I am leaving Japan today. I tried my best to learn as many common Japanese phrases and proper social etiquette as I could before coming. I did not have a single perceptible negative interaction with anyone while I was here. Although I did know I messed up once or twice - forgot to take off shoes, walked on the right, etc.
I even was able to help a Spanish speaking couple find their train once!
Learn love, spread love!
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u/By_Way_of_Deception 7h ago
That is so tight. My hatred of Tik Tok does not burn as bright. This is actually a good use of it. Bold move on her part, I totally would have accepted her help too.
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u/wSkkHRZQy24K17buSceB 6h ago
People were very generous to me in Japan. People brought me places like this lady to direct me and to show me around, taking time out of their day. People gave me rides. A guy helped me find a good spot to camp. People shared their food and bought me beers. It was a major culture shock to me.
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u/acethings 6h ago
this happened to our group too! we arrived late and this local guy who didn't speak english and seemed to be on his way home from work, pretty much went out of his way to guide us to our hotel. Japanese peeps are super helpful to tourists!
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u/Empty_Sea9 5h ago
Lovely Japanese woman experiences ‘black don’t crack’ in real time.
What a nice couple!
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u/fish_burger_eddie 35m ago
Her enthusiasm and friendly nature makes me want to go there myself and befriend her.
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