JAPAN: Avoid These 12 Uncommon Mistakes tourists make

These mistakes are not Common or mentioned often but I’m sure all tourists will make these 12 mistakes in Japan. After travelling to Japan during the last 10 years, I’ve learnt the hard way, what to avoid and how to best travel the country. So here are some pro tips so that you can plan your perfect trip to Japan and not get caught out!

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00:00 Intro To UNCOMMON Mistakes tourists make in Japan
00:30 Mistake number 12 Hiroshima style Okonomiyaki
01:16 Mistake number 11: Don’t burn yourself with Japanese food
02:03 Mistake number 10: I lost a friend
02:44 Bonus tips for connectivity and deals
03:21 Mistake number 9: Plan the seasons into your trip
04:02 Mistake number 8: Balancing Japanese food costs
04:34 Mistake number 7: Breaking the rules in Japan (The ones you don’t know about)
04:36 Mistake number 7: Go beyond the food in Tokyo
05:12 Mistake number 6: Capsule Hotels might not be for you
05:45 Mistake number 5: Yes or no in Japan?
06:15 Mistake number 4: Don’t be late in Japan (I mean it)
06:51 Mistake number 3: Privacy rules you might be making in Japan
07:14 Mistake number 2: J-Walking at stop signs in Japan
07:43 Mistake number 1: Suica IC Cards might not work in parts of Japan
08:30 Can you help out? and important closing thoughts

Will you be breaking the rules? – theres two   in this list that you might  not even realise youre doing:  Tourists, You’re going to make mistakes in  Japan, It’s the land of intricate customs,   exceptional food and a transportation  system that runs like clockwork. 

After almost a decade of travelling  across Japan, I’ve made my share of   uncommon mistakes that often go unmentioned. So here are 12 uncommon mistakes to be aware of: But before we start .. Subscribing and  liking the video will really help the   channel out and help me continue  making more content like this.

Mistake number 12 is related to food size,  and NO im not talking about tiny portions,   Yes it’s true that Japanese portions are  mostly small in comparison to other countries,   which is exactly why many people make this  mistake when they visit Hirioshima . You  

Might end up Misjudging the Size of Hiroshima  style Okonomiyaki also known as Hiroshimayaki.  I 100% recommend that when in Hiroshima, you  check out the local take on okonomiyaki — a   savory pancake loaded with many  delicious ingredients: it’s a must-try.  But, don’t be fooled, these pancakes are not  only delicious but also incredibly filling.  

And from my experience, a single Okonomiyaki  serving is often enough for two, especially   if you also opt for some sort of starter. Have you experienced Hiroshima style Okonomiyaki?  Mistake 11: Once again related  to food, Let it cool down:  I was caught my surprise by some  incredibally hot japanese dishes (and NO,  

Im not talking about spice level but rather  tongue blistering heat) Yes, Takoyaki,   a famous dish in Osaka and especially Yaki  Shoronpo (Fried Soup Dumplings), are irresistible   and sold in many street food markets across  Japan, but they are often served steaming hot. 

Enthusiastic tourists like myself, may find  themselves with a burned tongue if they’re not   careful. And that’s exactly what happened to me  on various occations. Mainly because the trick is   patience (something I may not have especially  when the food looks so declicious).. let them  

Cool down just a little bit or poke a hole to  let out the steam before attempting a bite! Number 10. The Shinjuku Station Labyrinth Yep maybe mentioned many times,   inflact I’d say that getting lost in  Shinjuku station is a right of passage. 

So the story goest like this. If you are  Planning to meet friends at Shinjuku Station,   Think again. This station is a maze with  around 200 exits that can confuse even the   locals. Instead, choose a specific location  outside an exit number or a nearby landmark  

To meet up. And always have a backup plan, like  a messaging app, to reconnect if you get lost.  On one of my first trips to Japan  I nievely asked a friend to meet   me at Shinjuku Station.. to this  day I don’t know where they are. 

Actually one of my top tip is to make sure you  have a data connection to help you navigate,   translate or stay in contact. Pocket WiFi or  a data sim will really help you unlock Japan,   so please consider using my affiliate link in  the video description or the Qr Code. You’ll  

Receive a trusted product and I’ll receive a  small commission at no additional cost to you..   and best of all you’ll be helping out the channel! In addition if you want to book Japan attraction   tickets, guides and even shinkansen trains  in advance then use klook which has many  

Japan offerings in one place. Using my  affiliate link will help the channel   out and you’ll be purchasing the tickets  you were likely going to purchase anyway! 9. Seasonal Sensibilities Japan is a country that celebrates the seasons,   from sakura in spring to koyo in autumn. Tourists  often overlook this, missing out on seasonal  

Festivals, foods, and activities that offer a  genuine taste of Japanese culture. So when you   plan your trip, do so with the seasons in mind  to fully embrace the country’s temporal beauty.  For me Winter is about illuminations  and snowy onsen and Amezake , Spring for  

Sakura and sakura flavoured everything and  seasonal fruits. Summer for the incredible   fireworks and cultural events and Autumn for the  beautiful colours, sweet potatoes and chestnuts.  Number 8. Stricking The Culinary Balance Yes, Japan’s culinary scene can be expensive,  

But it’s also known for its lunch deals. Don’t  stick to just conbini food, after all Japan is   known for its incredible food options. And  one way to keep costs down is by eating   your main meal at lunch time where there are  usually cost saving set menus, and using the  

Savings to enjoy high-end cuisine in the evening. The trick is to strike the blanace. Not everythign   has to be super expensive, not everything needs  to be budget. I find that sometimes tourists   find it hard to strike that balance. Number 7: Don’t break the rules. 

Wait, I know youre not going to break the rules  on purpouse, but did you know that not carrying   your passport can be more than an inconvenience;  it’s a legal requirement for tourists to have   their identification on them at all times. So,  avoid any issues with law enforcement by keeping  

It with you. You really don’t want to spoil  your day by being escorted to your hotel by a   police officer and potentially being interigated. Not happened to me, but ive seen it happen before.  Plus, don’t forget that having your passport handy  will mean access to tax free shopping for those  

Gadgets or that Dokijote shopping haul. 6. The Capsule Hotel Error,  Capsule hotels might be very Japanese, but  also an error that some tourists might commit.   Firstly they aren’t always the budget option.  Sometimes, business hotels offer better deals and  

More importantly more privacy. So its important to  compare prices and amenities to find the best fit   for your wallet and comfort. But other than that,  planning a whole trip to Japan and only staying   at capsule hotels might not be for everyone. An  experience that might be worth trying out for a  

Short stay but maybe not in the long run. 5. The Nuance of ‘Yes’  In Japan, ‘yes’ doesn’t always mean agreement. It  can be a polite acknowledgment without commitment.   So, pay close attention to non-verbal cues to  understand the true message being conveyed. For  

Example, a nod or a “hai” (yes) might simply mean  “I hear you” rather than “I agree with you.” So   this is where body language, tone of voice, and  the context of the conversation is so important. 4. Punctuality Is Paramount The Japanese transport system is  

Famed for its punctuality. Miss a train or  bus, and there may not be another for some   time. Always plan to be early, as being “just  in time” can sometimes mean being too late.  I once went on a boat trip to a remote  gorge and was told to be at the pier  

At 04:54. Yes 54. Very specific and to cut  the story short, I arrived 10 seconds late   and they had departed without me but I  ended up panicking and waving my arms,   jumping up and down. I caught their attention  and they thankfully returned for me! So.. Yep,  

Punctuality.. Don’t make the mistake! 3. The Shutter Sound Requirement  Tourists are often surprised to learn that in  Japan, it’s a legal requirement for phone cameras   to make a shutter sound. This is to protect  privacy and prevent covert photography. So  

You might actually be breaking the rules every  time you take a photo if you havnt turned the   shutter sound on whilst you are in Japan! Respect  the the culture of privacy when snapping photos! 2. J-Walking: Just Don’t do it Jaywalking is a big no-no. Pedestrians  

In Japan wait for the signal even if the road  is clear. Follow suit to avoid fines or, worse,   endangering yourself and others. It can be  fustrating as a tourist waiting at a stop   sign when there is clearly no traffic, but you  could potentially end up in trouble if you you  

Don’t abide. And after all, as I always say, look  around you and try to fit in, do as the locals do. And lastly, Number 1. Suica is NOT  the all powerful card its set out to   be (YET) there are Suica Card Limitations. While the Suica card and many comparable  

IC cards are incredibly convenient for city  trains and buses, it doesn’t work everywhere   in Japan. There are rural places where it  just simply wont fuction or even cities like   Kanazawa where only part of the bus network  is covered. My recommendation is to do your  

Research or if attempting to use the IC card  on a bus (for example) and it won’t work,   then ask if a day pass is available to help you  remain coin free, and make your trips in and out   of public transportation as smooth as possible. This one can really catch tourists out,  

It’s always important to remember to  carry additional cash just in case. Many of these are mistakes that I’ve  made and I find a lot of videos simply   don’t mention too much off. By steering  clear of these common tourist mistakes,  

You’ll blend in more with the locals and ensure  a smoother, more enjoyable journey through Japan.  Please help out other viewers by  sharing some of your stories and   tips in the comment section! And consider  subscribing to help the channel grow,   it really does take multiple hours  to put these videos together.

For further support check out my patreon,  donate on super thanks or paypal.. Theres   also my second channel the happy gaijin  for more casual livestreams and vlogs!   All links can be found on my website. And if you are Spanish speaker and have  

Watched all the way to the end! … he empesado  un canal nueveo y un instegram en espanol!  I’ve recently started a Spanish  language Youtube and Instagram account!  Till next time stay positive and  be a happy gaijin! Safe travels!