Hello everybody. Welcome back to Tokyo Creative
I'm your host Emma
And today I'm here with the wonderful Sarah
Hi, guys
Hello again
And today we're going to be going through some common misconceptions about Japan
and *punches everything* Bustin’some myths
I like that energy. WOO!
So yeah.
Let's go through some of the things that we often hear about Japan that -
sometimes I hear things and I'm like,
But yeah, we've lived here for five
I've been here for seven years, at least five.
Yeah. So we we know a few things.
So yeah, I can just tell you what we know and these are our experiences, so.
Yes. Yeah.
All right, shall we get started? Let's get started
Okay
The first one is that there's no English in Japan
I get this all the time where people are like, “Oh, I'm coming.
But I don't speak any Japanese.” Like, you'll be fine
especially in, like, the big cities
Yeah. Yeah
There's so much English help everywhere
Like so many places have English menus
English signs
Yes. If you're going, like to the countryside
Like to the COUNTRYSIDE, countryside, then it might be a little bit of an issue
But if you just want to be polite and everything, learning a few phrases
like “thank you” and like, “excuse me” and stuff, that's good, but yeah you don't
You don't need it
No - and I do feel like Japanese people are so friendly
they want to help you
even if you’re talking them in really slow English
they're going to get their dictionary out and try and help you
So I wouldn't stress
Yeah, but just be humble and, you know, you're in a country
where it's it's not the first language, but yeah, people will try to help
So I think it'll be okay. Yeah. Especially after the Olympics.
They have so much English everywhere. They really went all out. Yeah
Shinkansen, everything's all good. Yeah
So don't worry about it
Japan is expensive
No, not really
I mean, it could be
if you want to live a really bougie lifestyle in Tokyo,
but I think compared to other -
like for Tokyo compared to other major cities (around the world)
it's really not that bad
I think one thing, though, is the ratio of the wages
of average pay compared to how much things are
But If you’re coming here on holiday, it's not too bad
Yeah, especially now with the whole currency like exchange rate
Yeah, it’s really affordable
And also like I'm from Sydney and we have staff, like, Shah (behind the camera), who's from London
It (Tokyo) is way cheaper - You like you can go get a full meal
for $10 like or less and it's high quality
It's not just fast food
Yeah, but even the fast food, even McDonalds and Starbucks
is cheaper than like the US and everything.
So yeah, things in general are quite a lot cheaper, like the
like rent and stuff and what you get compared to other major cities
That's Yeah.
And if you go into like the countryside, very cheap, very cheap
even like car rental is really you can get for like under $100 for a whole day
I feel like Australia
that would not be likely - like, I haven’t been back in so long
I don't have much of a reference point
Yeah - but people tell me I'm like, “oh, it's a little expensive”
and people are like, “no, in my country now it's this.” I'm like, Whoa, yeah
Hotels too
I stay in hotels for like $20, $30 and they're not dodgy
They're good
Like, yeah, the general like caliber of things here is like a little bit higher
So yeah, like when I went to England, I paid so much money
for such terrible accommodation
Sorry, England, but I was like, WOAH oh, you're kind of used to things here
So yeah, not so, you know, I think it's, it's affordable
Come here and spend your hard earned money and then get omiyage - souvenirs for your friends
Another thing
is, it's difficult to get around without a Japanese guide.
Oh, it depends on the kind of person you are
I guess it's nice to have a guide if you want to be shown around like
very local things and stuff
But the best thing about Japan is just being able
to walk around and find things for yourself
you’re not going to be in any really dangerous situations or anything
You just can kind of vibe around and figure it out yourself
I think you'll be okay. I’ve never had a guide
I think like a lot of young people would like to go off the beaten track
and just walk through the streets of Tokyo down that alley, they don't know
But I feel like for older people, they might enjoy a guide
like I've seen quite a few translators with like older people
So many, yeah, when we were in Kyoto
Yeah, Kanazawa - there was
like so many people with just like a - like even just two people with a guide
So they - it can be really helpful if you're completely lost
You don't want to do the research
you just want to like turn up and have someone take you around
It can work, but you don't need it
No, absolutely not
Especially if you’re doing the Golden route - Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto
You're good, like, Yeah, there’s so many other tourists now like
just reach out to them - just follow the people
But yeah, you’re good, you’re good yeah it you’ll be fine this is something that
a lot of people might say like Japanese people don't get irony or sarcasm
And I think that's true to an extent because the way their humor is, the joke,
like the joking style is very different to Western humor,
especially dry British humor. Yeah
So yes, but also no
Yeah, I feel like a it's - it's slapstick
Yeah, yeah, yeah
The humor and the irony and sarcasm
I mean, okay, so I love sarcasm
Like, especially like when I was in high school
I remember I had a Japanese like host sister and she was like,
“Can I go to the toilet?” And I was like, “No.” And then she was like, Oh
And I was like, just joking, like, And then she did not get it
And I feel like I stressed her out and I was like, I'm so sorry
Of course you can go
Yeah, But like, they don't get that kind of,
I mean, it's probably not, it's not even funny
But yeah, Japanese TV, those comedy shows, even with my Japanese language skills,
I don't get what the joke is half the time
Yeah, sometimes the jokes gets said
then I'm like, wait, is that it or is there a deeper level?
that I’m missing, you know, but, but some of it is very funny
Like sometimes they hit it and I'm like, Oh my God
But sometimes I'm like, What?
Hit or miss. Yeah, Yeah.
The next one is Japan is a very technologically advanced country
I hear that one quite a lot
And it's true in some ways, like, Oh my God, I love
my, my bidet, my washlet toilet Ah yes, I do, too
There's a general calibre of, like,
apartments that have these kind of modern fixings
Like if you buy a modern apartment or rent it, there's like
extra levels of comfort that are, like, more common
The spectrum is quite like, yeah, wide. Yeah.
But then there's also things where it's like, Oh my God, what year are we in?
Some of the website designs are just so
intense and my favorite, it's like someone's like Windows 95
They've just like, found things on the internet
They're using like fluorescent backgrounds
And I'm like, Oh, What year am I in?
But I kind of love it
But yeah, there's some things
that are a little bit further behind and something sort of further forward
You get what you’re given, you know
Yeah.
I'm always so impressed though,
with the advancements they have here, because like I went into the conbini the other day
No staff - that's 100% like when I go to Uniqlo I buy my items and
you put your clothes in - you don’t even scan the tag
and it knows what you're putting in there, like how do they do that
Like you just have a basket
You put your whole basket in and it’s like “mmm you got eight things”
and they like scan each item - “It’s 8000 yen”, like what?!
It's so good. Yeah
But then, you know, like
sometimes they're like “we're going to fax this information to you”
- the classic one
And also there's the frustration of like as a, as a foreigner
having like a lot of things that are built for Japanese names
So like if you're inputting stuff online and you put your name
in, like if you have a middle name and there’s nowhere to put it,
there's things like that where it's like, and then they're like,
“This won't work because it's - you haven’t put it in the right format”
- and there’s no way to do it - Yeah, that one.
I'm like, I don't know if that's a technology issue
or if it's just not enough diverse enough
Okay, the next one
I'm not sure how you feel, but it's harder to make friends with Japanese people
I think it depends on your situation
Very dependent on your situation
For me, like I have Japanese friends, but I met them
usually like while they were in Australia or like
if they've been, like, overseas and we've met, like, I don't know
And also I haven't been in a share house or anything
So like living in solo apartments and like going to work
like I have my Japanese colleagues
and everything, like, they’re my Japanese friends
But yeah, I would have to go out of my way
to make friends with specifically Japanese people
I don't know
Also, my Japanese language ability is not up to,
like I've been in groups of Japanese people
and I haven't felt confident to join in because they're all like,
I'm like, I'm like I get what you're saying.
And I would say something, but it takes me 10 minutes to go, Oh
yeah, yeah, yeah
So I really struggle with that
But you, I think you're in a good situation
Yeah, I have so many Japanese friends and I think, like,
you don't even have to understand Japanese,
you have to meet the right people.
So if you're someone -
I've been on both sides, like,
I really love the Japanese language and I tried to use it a lot,
so I have a lot of Japanese friends from that
But also there's a lot of Japanese people who are really good at English, so yeah
Yes. Yeah
But I do find that Japanese, like my, the friends that I'm closest
with have lived abroad
Yeah
Because they have that kind of international mindset
and they’re the kind of like friendships that have lasted for me
But yeah, yeah, you can definitely make them like,
honestly, Japanese people are so friendly.
Like I'm in a bar
and they'll just like, be like, “Hi!”, like I'm walking down the street
I'm in the conbini
Like, there's so many opportunities living here, like, to make a friend
Yeah
So, yeah, it's not hard
It's just about how you go about it
Yeah. Yeah
And being open minded to different cultural backgrounds
Yeah. The next one is
Japanese fashion is crazy
And over the top
Oh, I. It can be - Yeah, yeah - of course
And I love that about it. I loved Harajuku fashion
I think you're the same
We both love Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and that was the fashion that I feel
like a lot of us overseas fell in love with
And also, I like here that you can dress up like that. Yeah.
And you can go outside and can go places
And it's kind of like, accepted yeah, it's just like, yeah.
Whereas like I feel like in Australia or like a smaller
town, people might be like, uhhhh, but I don't know what it's like now
I do feel that fashion has more variety here
Like you have Lolita,
you have Kawaii, you have like now obviously the K-Pop style fashion
Then you have I don’t know... Uniqlo
Like, yeah, I feel like every
so many people in Tokyo
have just such amazing fashion
and even just the general standard of fashion, just like everybody's
just well put together and just like, simple, nice, clean outfits
Yeah. And it all just kind of matches
And then you've got people
going for like extra fashion, like adding something crazy - brands are so big here
But not everyone's dressing super crazy, but everyone's generally put together
I feel like when I first moved here,
I didn't feel comfortable going out in, like, sweats and everything.
But now I am all about it because I've moved past it.
But I do feel like a lot of my
non-Japanese friends still feel like they can't leave without dressing up,
putting makeup on, being proper
Yeah
Because there's that, like, societal pressure
Yeah
No, I feel that
Yeah, but I love the fashion here though. I know I love it, too
And I love
I love being able to just try new things - no one cares
Sometimes I'm like, Oh, I feel a little awkward and no one cares
They just go, yeah - It’s awesome
Try new things
No adults like manga or anime in Japan
That's crazy!
I knew someone from university and they were like “no Japanese
people like it when they're adults.” And I'm like,
all the people I know in Japan over 18 still love it
Yeah, it's huge
Yes. A booming industry
Like all ages, I've seen, like all the dudes with their
backpacks covered in like keyrings of their favorite anime and stuff.
Like it's still huge for all ages
I think the thing is, it’s not anime here
It's just like it is, but it's kind of like just normal
It's like you've got your J-dramas, you've got your anime, you've got the news
Like it's just another type of - Yeah, like, media to consume
Yeah, yeah.
Like people are reading manga on the train that like, you know Yeah, yeah.
And I think it is for all ages.
Yeah, yeah.
100%!
Okay.
Another one is Japanese people only like sushi and Japanese food
There's so many like other food from other cultures is so huge here
Sure, some of them have like a Japanese twist to it
Like the ink pasta
Yeah. Like spaghetti’s so big here
But it's always like one kind of spaghetti
And then it's like, they put, like, fish eggs on it
Or, like, like, make it Japanese style.
But yeah, but
there's so many different kinds of food because it's popular with everyone.
Everyone likes to try new things.
Sure.
Japanese food is very popular because we're in Japan
and there's so much good food here.
So it's like, I get it, I get it.
But yeah, yeah, like at Sushi.
Even at sushi, you know, you get the usual,
you got the raw fish and everything, but then you also have hamburger
at like every sushi place - you know,
you get like a little hamburg steak on the rice with ketchup on it.
We did a sushi challenge and that was not there - was it not there?
It’s in so many different sushi places.
Well, I need to go try this, but.
Yeah, but I feel like, you know.
Japanese people do love Japanese food, but there’s heaps of other foods here.
So everybody loves to try new things.
Next is Japanese people are always quiet and polite.
Oh, I mean, like, in general in public transport and stuff.
People are generally respectful.
If you have a few drinks and you're in a in a club,
my goodness, no.
I do feel they're a lot better behaved than, like, Australian drunks.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
They're not like going punching, you know, just really just lie on the street.
Shibuya Meltdown
“I'm done.” Oh, I feel like.
Yeah.
Overseas, when people drink, I feel like I've experienced
a lot of people getting very, like, volatile and that can happen here, but
I feel like in general people are just like, “I’m done”.
I do think that Japanese people
are really polite and they can be quiet, but I think that's at first.
I think I take a little a little longer to open up,
even when you’re friends with them like,
Yeah, yeah, so get to know someone and then just
yeah, people like it may seem quiet at first, but they...
people can get crazy.
Yeah, I have some friends.
Ah, it's like once you get past the first few levels you like.
Yeah.
So we're all, we're all human.
Okay.
Next one is work life at Japanese companies is tough
So I feel like everyone has a different experience.
I have a lot of Japanese friends, obviously working at Japanese companies
and they're, like, experience and very some of them.
It's awful, like overtime,
but the others they're like, “I'm finished at 5pm - I’m off, I'm done,” So I think
like you can have really insane places like next level,
but then also normal.
Yeah, it really, it really depends.
But I think generally the work culture is like - It can be pretty -
I think it can be brutal.
I do feel like there's a lot of contracts
will require like 40 hours of overtime a month or something.
It's like, like, like it's unpaid and it's kind of like
you have to do it and it's just like the bare minimum.
So I feel like that's something where I don't feel
overseas would be as common where you have to do overtime.
I think pick your company wisely, if you do plan to work here, that's my best advice.
Yeah, if you can. Yeah. Good luck.
Oh, all right.
Next is Japanese cities are really packed and always crowded
Now, that can be true on the weekends.
So I, okay, One that I want to pick up is Kyoto.
So I lived there for a couple of years.
And yes, if you go to Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera,
you go everywhere like that
Yes. You're going to have a rough time because that's where it's a tourist spot.
It's like, what do you expect?
So when I lived in Kyoto I went to like local areas, like and it was not busy.
So I feel like, of course if you're a tourist
and you're going that it's going to be packed.
Because if you go to Shibuya,
that's where everyone's sightseeing and they're doing things.
But if you go to like, you know, the back streets, that's like, I don't know,
Sangejaya, Koenji, Kichijoji, usually like some more off the main like map
you know if it’s Tokyo, you’ll
have a better experience definitely like I went to Shibuya and Harajuku
the other day On a weekend - I saw your photo - It was terrifying.
I was like, Wow, I'm not used to this.
It’s been so quiet during *you know what* and everything?
So yeah, but yeah, but I go on the weekdays, it's totally manageable.
So if you're coming here on holiday,
if you can go on the weekdays, it's totally fine - Wait!
Shin Okubo, weekday, we went to shoot. It was also packed.
It was pretty packed, but imagine what it's like on the weekends
if that was the weekday.
So but as long as you go to certain spots, like anything
that isn't like a very big touristy spot like you, you'll be okay.
The final one is Tokyo is not Japan
Yeah,
well, like Tokyo is Japan and we're busting it.
I think that Tokyo is Japan
in a sense, but there's way more to Japan than Tokyo
because you can't have any country in the world that's just a city.
Yeah, it's just a part a huge part of it because it is the capital, you know?
Yeah, yeah.
I think Tokyo also is like so great because you can access
so many different parts of Japan or like even like different Japanese vibe.
Like if you go from Tokyo, you can just go down to like the beach and
I'll go to the mountains and everything and it's like a good yeah - hub.
And yeah.
But also it doesn't encapsulate everything the Japan has.
Of course, like you can go to different towns
and experience their specialties and like different like history.
And then things that you can see there.
But like it does offer a huge aspect of,
of showing what, what Japan's all about and its culture.
Yeah.
Especially the modern side of Japan and you know, there’s millions of people
who live in the Tokyo metropolitan area and they're Japanese.
So, you know, it's pretty good.
We love it we’re here.
Yeah. Yeah. I'm a big Tokyo fan. Yeah, I do.
I love the countryside too, but.
Yeah, but I like going for a trip and then I come back to Tokyo
Yeah
but I feel like all of these that we just went through,
I think a lot of them are misconceptions, for sure
Yeah. Yeah.
I think a lot of people,
I think for ideas and like, oh, Japan's like this and Japan is like that.
Usually people online like to think it's a very certain way,
but I think it's more gray than you think it is
And it's like it's just a place
everybody thinks differently, showing it's like there's a general vibe
that people in different places, different experiences, different emotions.
But yeah, we love it.
Yeah, everybody has different experiences.
So yeah, just go and have your own experience and see how it is.
Yeah, I'd be curious to see what you guys think like
and let us know in the comments below.
Like what your experience was. Yeah.
And if we should cover more of these in the future - let us know.
But thank you so much for watching.
And yeah, leave us a ‘like’, ‘comment’ and subscribe and we'll see you in the next video
BYE GUYS!