What Do Japanese Think of Foreign Tourists?

Generally speaking, Japanese people tend to think of foreigners as potentially troublesome and often feel that people from foreign cultures are unable to understand the Japanese way of life.

If you would like to share your ideas or opinions about the topic related to this article, please be sure to leave a comment below, in the comment section.

1. Is Japan Racist?

I personally don't feel that Japan as an overtly racist society. Of course there is racism in Japan, just like anywhere else around the world. However, outspoken racism is not common in Japan and usually only characteristic of right-wing national extremists.

Systemically racist policies do exist and have specifically targeted Zainichi Koreans (Korean nationals who moved to Japan during the Korean occupation, 1910-1945) for decades and are still being fought against today.

In Japan, xenophobic related discrimination against foreigners is more common than straight-out racism. Often when you do experience xenophobic behavior in Japan, it is often expressed in a passive aggressive manner. For example, entering an empty bar and being told that the bar is fully booked out, so you cannot stay. Some places are more direct and might just tell you that they only accept Japanese people as customers.

As a country, Japan experienced hundreds of years in isolation. Therefore, although Japan does not have a long history history of systemic racism, it does have hundreds of years of built-up xenophobic tendencies has been imprinted on the Japanese psyche.

2. What Do Japanese People Think of Foreign Tourists?

Although Japanese people perceive anyone not from their homeland as drastically different from themselves, foreign tourists are ultimately seen an important part of the nation’s changing economy and are generally welcomed warmly.

However, recent tourist overcrowding due to overtourism has lead to critical news stories about badly behaved tourists, which has caused feelings of concern amongst the Japanese population.

3. How Are Tourists Treated in Japan?

Overall, Japan is known for its hospitality and politeness, and many Japanese people are welcoming and friendly toward tourists. Tourists are generally seen as guests and are treated with respect and courtesy. This means that visitors to Japan are often left with the positive impression that Japanese people are super friendly. As Japan views itself as a homogeneous society, Japanese people are generally quite curious of people who come from other countries and will often ask about where you come from.

4. Are Japanese People Friendly?

This is a difficult question, as the answer is not straight forward. I am answering this question based on 30 plus years of experience with Japanese culture. If you don't agree with my opinion, I encourage you please leave a comment below. I'd like to know how other people feel about this.

It can be said that Japanese people are generally a very friendly people and will treat you well. This is especially so, if you show politeness and kindness towards them or the people around you. As I mentioned before, as a tourist, you will most most likely be left with the impression that the people of Japan are very hospitable, friendly, and welcoming.

In Japan, it is important to understand the difference between politeness and friendliness. Although these are two distinctly different concepts of behavior, they are difficult to separately identify in Japanese people. So much so that I would argue that much of the friendly attitudes and behavior that you may experience as a foreign tourist, or resident, is actually just politeness directed towards you.

This behavior is related to the concept of 'self', honne (本音, the true self) and tatemae (建前, the self you show to others). If you want to know more about the Japanese concept of self, check out our article on honne (本音, the true self) and tatemae (建前, the self you show to others).

5. A Positive View of Tourists in Japan

Many people assign Japan’s economic success to its technological and automotive industries. However, it's important to understand that in the 21st Century, Japan’s growing popularity as a tourist destination plays a crucial role in the country’s economy. In 2019, Japan welcomed nearly 32 million tourists, making it one of the 11th most visited country that year. These numbers underscore the importance of tourism in bolstering the nation's economic stability.

Japanese people love their country, and they want people from other cultures to come and enjoy it, too. Therefore, many Japanese people welcome foreign tourists and encourage them to learn about Japan’s language, history, and culture. Since the 1980s, the Japanese government have viewed foreigners who come to Japan as unofficial ambassadors of their nations who can spread positive news about Japan. The country is home to 25 World Heritage Sites and Kyoto is home to many of those famous temples on that list. Japan has a huge amount to offer those who are interested in Japanese culture.

Unlike many Western countries, Japan is not a multicultural society. Only 2.3% of the population are foreign residents (about 3.2 million people). For many Japanese people, their exposure to people from foreign cultures may very limited. This means that there are many people in Japan who are interested in meeting travelers from other countries. You may find that Japanese people have questions about where you are from or what you think about Japan.

6. Negative Views of Tourists

You will likely have a pleasant experience in Japan if you respect Japanese customs, behave appropriately, and avoid drawing unnecessary attention. However, some foreign tourists have shown a disregard for Japan’s laws and customs, which has created a negative impression within the Japanese population.

In some cases, it has not been a disregard for the law, but rather a lack of understanding about basic Japanese manners that has caused social irritation. Here are several examples:

1. The issue of tourists overcrowding popular sites and local infrastructure has prompted locals to complain.
2. Video content creates have caused social disruption. With the intent of creating viral video content, young social media influencers are being accused of giving foreign visitors a bad name.
3. In Fukuoka, at Nanzo-in Temple, tourists often take photos for Instagram in front of a larger-than-life reclining Buddha. Overcrowding has been a problem for the temple for more than ten years. However, the situation became a problem when tourists began to behave in a disrespectful manner. This included sticking chewing gum to the feet of the giant Buddha, bathing in the sacred waterfall reserved only for the temple’s monks, and tourists blasting loud music. 
4. In July 2023, a 17-year-old Canadian tourist was questioned by police after scratching his name into the Toshodaiji Temple in the city of Nara. The temple is a 1200-year-old building, from the 8th Century, and is an important UNESCO World Heritage site. The teenager’s actions violated the Cultural Property Protection Law, which can bring a punishment of up to five years in prison or a fine of 1 million yen (about US$7,200 at the time of writing this article).
5. In 2019, a 23-year-old Australian man was arrested after being caught scrawling the tag, “Ghost” on a sign owned by the city of Kyoto. The man was charged with multiple cases of property damage after his tag was found at a total of 36 locations around Kyoto.

7. No Confidence Using English

Japan produces very low proficiency scores for the English language ability. In 2022, Japan was ranked 80th out of 122 countries measured for English proficiency, which was shown to be even lower than previous years.

Additionally, Japanese people, on a cultural level, are already socially reserved. Therefore, many Japanese people can feel very anxious about the idea of having to speak English publicly, not to mention with a stranger. Shops that do not allow foreigners may be trying to prevent their customers from feeling uncomfortable or awkward around English speakers.

8. Essential Etiquette for Tourists

To ensure a pleasant and peaceful experience, Japan, tourists should adhere to certain etiquette, in respect of Japanese culture and to avoid offending the locals.

• Don't speak loudly in public places: Japanese people are generally soft-spoken; to avoid drawing awkward glances, try to keep your voice down when in public spaces.
• Don't spit or litter in streets: Japanese streets are impeccably clean, and littering or spitting is considered a public offense. Since 2001, there have been very few public rubbish bins. If you are out and need to dispose of some rubbish, carry it with you until you find a bin.
• Don't stare at people: In Japanese culture, staring at someone for a prolonged period is considered rude. Even making eye contact for a long time while talking can make a person feel uncomfortable.
• Don't tip servers: Unlike in the West, tipping is not a tradition in Japan. In fact, it can be seen as disrespectful.
• Bow when greeted with a bow: Bowing is a common greeting tradition in Japan. If someone bows to you, return the gesture as a sign of respect. The deeper the bow, the more respect you are giving.
• Conceal your tattoos: Tattoos are often associated with the mafia (yakuza) in Japan. If you have tattoos, cover them up to avoid making locals feel uncomfortable or being denied entry into certain public places like restaurants or public baths.
• Carry cash with you: Not all establishments in Japan accept card payments. Digital app payments (e.g., Apple Pay) are becoming very common. However, it's best to carry cash for smoother transactions.

9. A Final Word

Japan is a country of incredible beauty and rich cultural heritage. The claim that the Japanese people dislike tourists is generally unfounded. Japanese people are usually friendly and helpful towards tourists. Tourism is a significant contributor to Japan's economy, so the locals tend to treat tourists in a positive and respectful manner. While there might be some challenges due to language barriers or cultural differences, the overall experience in Japan is likely to be overwhelmingly positive if you respect the local customs and traditions. However, they do expect tourists to respect Japanese culture.

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