Vendor selling traditional Japanese antiques from the Oede flea market
In Japan, the art of hospitality goes beyond customary gestures: it is ingrained into the very fabric of social interactions and expectations.
As a first-time foreign tourist in Tokyo, I didn’t know what to expect regarding my relations with the locals. I was met with such warmth and respect as I walked around and traveled to all the different areas. How the Japanese show respect to their community and to travelers is incredible, and I am so excited to share what I have experienced and seen.
Japanese culture places a high value on harmony and avoiding conflicts, evident in the swift apologies offered when something happens. There were several times when someone may have accidentally bumped into me while walking, and they would turn around, bow their head, and maybe even say sumimasen – which is a versatile Japanese word meaning “excuse me” or “I’m sorry.”
I compare moments like these to similar ones in America where most people would get flustered or even upset about someone bumping into them. The emphasis is on acknowledging the situation with a quick apology and gracefully moving forward, fostering an atmosphere of understanding and forgiveness.
Before going to Japan, I learned about the emphasis there is on respecting elders and women with children. This is reflected in the priority given to them in various situations, such as offering seats on public transportation or providing assistance when needed, showcasing a collective commitment to care and consideration for vulnerable members of the community.
I actually had several instances where I gave my seat up for an elder, and their reaction was so appreciative for something that seemed like a no-brainer to do. Meaningful thank yous from everyone in their group and a respectful bow made the giving of my seat so worth it for those small interactions. I’m not sure how many foreigners like myself do that, because there were a few people who took my seat, though appreciative, were surprised by the gesture. I believe to fully immerse yourself into a culture, pay mind to how they treat each other and do the same.
Something else that impressed me while in Japan was that even though my Japanese language ability was limited, I never felt like I couldn’t communicate with the locals. The remarkable patience that so many people have to be able to communicate with foreigners that travel to their home is incredible. They have adapted when it comes to communication with things such as using gestures, simple phrases or the use of translation apps. They strive to bridge the linguistic gap with connection and understanding of people that transcends words alone.
A super fun example of experiencing this was when a group of students went to the Oede Antique Market to shop around. Many of the antique sellers were locals who did not speak or knew very little English. I loved interacting with them because they were just so enthusiastic to talk to me, many of them wanting to know where I was from and what I was doing in Japan. The care and true interest that I felt when talking to each of them is an irreplaceable feeling.
I would like to share an amazing experience that my classmate, Cade Gulley, had with a local Japanese man who shows how kindhearted and caring these communities can be towards foreign travelers.
“After a long day of visiting all of the stores in Akihabara, it was finally time to head back to the hotel but we ran into some complicatione,” Cade Gulley shared with me by text. “For a while, we couldn’t figure out where to go for the train we needed and kept backtracking. Eventually, we decided to ask a random man for some help. We were expecting him to just show us on a map where to go, but instead, he told us to follow him, and he took us the entire way. His kindness was a saving grace and really helped all of us out so much.”
This is such a wonderful example of the amazing hospitality that so many Japanese people show. As young travelers, not only is it amazing to know that while we’re passing through these beautiful places, there are also many beautiful people as well.
