There are certain things that you realize about where you come from when you visit a different culture. I learned a lot about Hawaii when we recently visited Japan. One of the biggest takeaways for me was the challenges that not speaking the language presents and how it must be hard for Japanese tourists in Hawaii sometimes. While there are Japanese speakers in some of the tourist locations, not all places have Japanese speakers or translations. I can’t imagine how hard it must be for some Japanese tourists, especially with some of the Hawaiian names and places.
Intro and feeling lost in Japan – 0:00
The challenges when buying glasses in Japan – 1:01
How do some Japanese visitors navigate things in Hawaii? – 2:50
The challenges when buying a pen for my dad – 3:17
About Japanese visitors shopping in Hawaii – 4:47
The challenges when getting a haircut in Japan – 5:50
What these experiences made me realize about Japanese tourists in Hawaii – 7:22
Filmed using the DJI Osmo Action.
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31 Comments
Nice hair cut !
Mahalo for sharing ❤
I speak Japanese relatively well, but felt slight discomfort getting a haircut there too. (The discomfort had to do all with me and not with the barber, he was great)
Did you get a shave and a massager too?
Mahalo from the mainland! I'm comforted by the fact that I was not the only one with the feelings you experienced in Japan. I was born in the mainland and lasted one day in Japanese School as a 4 year old. I'm a lefty, and the back of my hand was slapped numerous times for trying to write with my left hand. I never learned how to converse in Japanese as a result. Obviously, I went to Japan as a tourist, and couldn't read any of the signs at train stations or even street signs, but the politeness of the people saved me, when they obviously realized I needed help. They could have thought that I was simply an idiot.
There are people that don't realize how much a person can grow traveling outside of their normal surroundings, another good video.
Thumbs up on the hair cut. Your son looks just like your wife. So cute! That view was amazing! How much does a room like that cost?
Growing up with my Japanese American brothers in Gardena. I remember they always say, we are Japanese American,but your from Hawaii…. They said, we are out Hawaiian . Then, one day we were working on a constructing job. I asked Hawaiian boys to help. They said, “were busy!” Wow, now I now. Downey California
Cool vid bro. All around the world not just Japanese have this ability with different languages. English most of all. Makes sense right. I REMEMBER! watching you carry your boy…. I'm glad that's in the past. Your turn! Good video . Good dad.
Great video! It's funny (coincidental, not "ha-ha") that in a previous video you purchased shoes there in Japan, so you've both figuratively and literally been walking a mile in their shoes, as to Japanese tourists acclimating while in Hawaii. I've been to Japan, and can totally relate to the culture and language barriers while there- thankfully the people there tend to be nice, and maybe more importantly, patient. These videos of your stay in Japan are both fun and interesting! 👏👏👏
Mahalos for sharing! 🤙🏽 I’m a local to Mainland transplant (Central Oahu to the Midwest)—I definitely feel the exact same way as you after I visited Osaka twice this year for two weeks each (Mar and May)—my Japanese wife was back home in Osaka to take care of family matters and she 100% planned our trip/travel/dining activities and was my translator even though I can read/write some basic Japanese. Mindfulness of others is what impresses me the most about Japan and that’s what I took away when I came back. I try to apply it to the utmost in our lives here in the Midwest and will definitely reinforce it when I return to Oahu to visit family and friends. Keep up the great posts sharing your amazing experiences, Bruddah👍🏽
To be clear, luxury items are more expensive in Japan. Every day items like food, kitchenware, toiletries are more expensive in Hawaii.
Surprisingly a lot of Japanese do speak and understand English somewhat decently. When I visited japan, I was completely lost as well. So I definitely understand the feeling.
Stationed for two tours at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni (south of Hiroshima) taught me a lot. I gained a much greater respect and admiration for Japanese culture and its people. I recall losing patience with Japanese drivers not turning at red lights and waving and honking to go… later learned why they would not turn. I recall a number of times I made turns at a red light while driving around Iwakuni and receiving waves of stop and “what are you doing looks.” I later asked my Japanese friends why they were waving at me to stop or blaring horns, I learned that turning on a red light was not allowed and could be ticketed. Needless to say I quit turning at red lights and upon returning home I had much more patience and understanding when I encountered those still trying to comply with US driving laws. Mahalo for sharing your journey in Japan. 😊🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼
You seem to be always on point – at least to me. Japanese, with their very limited English are so helpful. A lady once went beyond her train station and stayed with me until she is able to help me out and made sure I didn't get lost. Looking for my AirBNB, a group of high school students took me to the front door of my host! I stayed in a couple of farms using Google Translate. I have the most beautiful experiences visiting Japan, I went back to Japan six more times. My last visit was 2 months before COVID hit.
I had the best haircut experience in Okinawa. This even without much conversation between me and the barber. Although it made me feel guilty afterwards because I know I was not supposed to tip him. "Arigato gozaimasu" seems inadequate. Besides the people, Japan also has the most beautiful and tough collection of eyeglass frames (I dropped mine many times but they're still fine), besides them being able to get them ready according to your prescription within an hour or two – that is if your glasses are single focal. And their stationery! The pens! Sorry, I can go on and on.
BTW, I don't have Japanese blood. I visit Hawaii more often because of family ties. I think as a tourist, I would say Japan will give you the best experience. However, I think Japan life is very regimented that the pressure of everyday life is not very ideal.
How about every other day when talking to your wife in your own home you only speak Japanese ? Of course you will struggle, but make a game of it. She will laugh at you but just keep trying. Your baby will automatically assimilate the language also.
There are many kinds of gifts you can give…
…some you give once…
….some will give for a lifetime ✨️
That was really a heartfelt and realistic issue. I feel we can all relate on some level anyway. Thank you for a great video and how adorable is that baby! That's a big head of hair already and so sweet! I wanted to just have the privilege of holding him and hopefully get a snuggle from him! Thank you! Merry Christmas and may God bless you and your family!
Please do a video about why Hawaii has alot of japanese tourist and why they come there. Because I being a loco myself I don't see no reason.
Did you also have instances where cashiers speak Japanese to you automatically until you try to reply? How long were you in Japan? When you got back to Hawaii, did you bow to anyone out of habit? When I returned from a 2 week trip Japan (before COVID), I could not wait for coffee so I went to the Starbucks in Honolulu airport. Amazingly, no one was in line to I went straight up to the cashier and bowed. Noticing that, she asked me what I wanted in Japanese! LOL! I realized what I did and replied, "Oh sorry, I'm actually from here!" 😄
Love what you got out of your trip Chris. I moved to Yokohama from Hilo almost 30 years ago and still live here. Your insight reminded me of what it was like when I first got here. This video took me back to the Autumn of 1993. Aloha and mahalo from Yokohama🤙🏽
I love how you bring so much kindness sincere aloha on your videos. Your comforting voice and talking story is a place for me to come to relax and be swept away from crazy news on the mainland. You’ve got great hair and the cut compliments your already handsome young face. Thank you. Two fold, you let me relive my time as a
kama’ aina and you bring peace to my home on the mainland. Mahalo Nui
When I first retired to Japan, I purchased a Pocketalk. This is a portable language translator that translates both voice and text messages. It really helps people like me that speak no Japanese. It's easy to use and I highly recommend it. Also it translates about 70 languages like Korean, mandarin, or French as examples. I do wish I could speak and read Japanese, but our parents didn't teach us. Glad you had a great time!
The baby is so adorable! 💕
Nice video! I wish I knew what hotel that was, it looks amazing!
In my recent trip to Japan, I had a question about getting back to Kyoto from Nara so I asked the train employee, who seemed to be getting off work or just coming on. He walked me to the right platform, looked up the time on his clipboard when the next train would come and reassured me I didn’t need a seat reservation for this train. He went out of his way to help me. Japanese people are so gracious when helping tourists. . Sometimes, I feel sorry for Japanese tourists in Hawaii as I am sure, not all locals will show the same kind of grace and hospitality to our visitors because they have not experienced how the Japanese do it back in Japan. I wonder if Japanese tourists find our food, shopping and transportation expensive in Hawaii. Another great video! Thank you!
Always enjoy your considered content. Thank you. By the way, I really love your video intro jingle. So beautiful. Mele Kalikimaka to you and your family from New Zealand.
I tell you what I noticed as being a hawaii born filipino american is japanese tourists donʻt like filipinoʻs….
Dude, this local boy has been feeling ackward and inadequate for the past 34 years and counting!!! Kanagawa and Shizuoka are nice places compared to Tokyo but Tokyo is the heart of Japan!!! I keep telling people in Hawaii, the Japanese people may look wimpy but they're tuff!!! Beautiful hotel or onsen that you're staying at!!!
This was a beautiful mindful video 🌺
Chris, what I really like about your videos, besides things things I learn, is that, no matter what the topic, they are very thoughtful, and I mean that in a literal sense….full of thought. And in that way I think they cause the viewers to think, rather than just react. Just my two cents.
Hi Chris. Reminds me of when I was travelling in Europe and there was another American family in Germany asking questions, they seemed to expect everyone to speak/understand them. They just kept asking tge
This was such a feel good vlog, and a good reminder to have grace. Your haircut looks really good on you, your wife was right, you look very handsome!