Thanks to social media it's becoming more and more difficult to tell the difference between real versus fake. Most of the things that people post and talk about from their travels are very bias or exaggerated. While it's disappointing at times because we walk into things with our expectations set high only to feel hurt or cheated it's also somewhat of a motivator to experience and travel around the world to see things for yourself.
It is impossible to review a country or a city without being somewhat bias or sounding like too much of a snob or a sellout because naturally we put a lot of emotion into our vacations and our hometowns. We associate how good or bad things were based off of how good or bad we felt.
As always the following list is just my own personal opinion which has been formed based off of what I read and watched about/on Japan before having arrived here to see it for myself. I love Japan which is why I have chosen to stay here for years despite being underpaid and somewhat overworked. I enjoy the atmosphere, the food and most of the time even the people. Like any country there are things that are bad and others that are simply overrated. I highly recommend that you come and see Japan for yourself and I hope that you enjoy your stay and experience here much more than I have and do. Please don't let my opinion on Japan changes yours! I am simply giving you a different perspective of this place. Something being overrated doesn't mean that it is bad necessarily. It simply means that it is not as good as it is made out to be.
It is impossible to review a country or a city without being somewhat bias or sounding like too much of a snob or a sellout because naturally we put a lot of emotion into our vacations and our hometowns. We associate how good or bad things were based off of how good or bad we felt.
As always the following list is just my own personal opinion which has been formed based off of what I read and watched about/on Japan before having arrived here to see it for myself. I love Japan which is why I have chosen to stay here for years despite being underpaid and somewhat overworked. I enjoy the atmosphere, the food and most of the time even the people. Like any country there are things that are bad and others that are simply overrated. I highly recommend that you come and see Japan for yourself and I hope that you enjoy your stay and experience here much more than I have and do. Please don't let my opinion on Japan changes yours! I am simply giving you a different perspective of this place. Something being overrated doesn't mean that it is bad necessarily. It simply means that it is not as good as it is made out to be.
25 Overrated Things in Japan
1.) Bullet Trains
The concept seems great but you might have to stand if you are unable to reserve a seat. They’re also not cheap and can cost just as much as a flight. Bullet trains (aka shinkansen) generally only have stops at major terminals such as Shinagawa Station, Tokyo Station, Kyoto Station, and Umeda Station so depending on where you're actual destination is you might pay all of this money and stand for all of that time while still having to drag your luggage onto a few more trains and buses before reaching your final destination. Because of the tickets that usually cost around $150+ USD and the fact that they only make stops at terminals they simply aren't something that you can use as a means of transportation for everyday stuff.
2.) Cherry Blossom Season
While this can be a lot more enjoyable ANYWHERE outside of Tokyo, this is the main place that you see pictures and videos of picnics and trees. While yes the trees are beautiful the weather is usually really bad and it is far too crowded to sit and enjoy the trees. The awful blue tarp blankets ruin the scenery and foreigners and even some Japanese with bad manners pick the blossoms ruining the trees and due to the fact that it is so crowded it is very difficult to even get a spot under a tree yet alone to get a good picture near one. They only last for about 1-3 weeks so you have to plan your dates and parties accordingly.
3.) Super Toilets
Most homes don't have super toilets because they're older and these seats require an outlet which most bathrooms don't have because in Japan it's expected that you'll get the entire room wet and not just the tub so for obvious safety reasons the outlets are located outside of the bathroom thus making it nearly impossible to even buy these special seats. They are also a waste of electricity and somewhat unsanitary in public settings as most people tend to sit bare bottom on the toilet seats assuming that the heat kills the germs or that the disinfectant spray has already been used to clean the seat etc..
4.) Pocky
The taste is okay and I have definitely found some flavors that are a bit addictive but it is not something to be missed and it most certainly isn't something that I crave. I feel like Pocky (just like Kit-Kats and Cup Noodle) is only popular because these are the only few items that are sold internationally so people have convinced themselves that they taste good simply because they are "Japanese"(or course Kit-Kat isn't but America doesn't make these weird flavors). I don't think that I have ever seen a Japanese person buy or eat this outside of a tourist area.
5.) Crazy Flavored Kit-Kats
Just like Pocky except even more overrated Japanese Kit-Kats aren't anything special just like the ones in America aren't. The flavors are fun and interesting but it's nothing something to be craved. I purchase them every once in a while but the most popular ones (the green tea flavor) isn't all that good to me. It's the most "Japanese" so that is why it has garnered so much popularity but honestly I think that their strawberry cheesecake and other flavors deserve the attention that these matcha flavored ones have received over the years. At the end of the day I have yet to try any candy in Japan that was as good or addictive as American candy although technically Kit-Kats are still American haha.
6.) Foreigner Friendly English Services
With the exception of restaurants, hotels, and rental companies try to cut corners and save money while also charging you more simply because they have English speaking staff and you're desperate and anxious. I'm guilty of heavily relying on these services fro my first year in Japan but the longer I lived here the more I felt cheated. The staff can be hit or miss in regards to their kindness and honesty but regardless of how truthful or nicely they treat you you'll almost always end up overpaying or you'll get a good deal on something and get EXACTLY what you paid for and not in a good way. I would still recommend that someone who is new to Japan or that simply plans to stay here for 1 month or less use gaijin services but if you plan to stay for more than 6 months it's a waste or time and money to go through these agencies most of the time. FYI most Japanese hotel and rental offices in major cities have bilingual menus, contracts, and staff already.
7.) Akihabara
It is probably the most overrated thing on this list which means quite a lot coming from someone who worked here, had the best barbecue in Tokyo there, and dreamed of visiting SEGA here for years. Akiba is just a sea full of foreigners, and dirty men many of whom love anime and games and are unfortunately being cheated on the prices of them in this area. the cafes make cute dishes that are either okay or not good at all but that are of course Instagram worthy. There aren't a lot of different places to go to here and like most of the overrated places in Japan the "fun stuff" is within a 5 minute walk of the train station. Electric town has the same arcades, cat cafes, and maid cafes that can be found just about anywhere in Japan.
8.) Shibuya
Shibuya crossing is the only interesting thing that Shibuya has to offer. Its just a swarm of tourists, hookers, fake modeling scouts, and wannabe lowlife rebels hanging out around the station. There's a decent amount of love hotels most of which tend to be sold out, have roach infestations, and are frequented by prostitutes and salarymen that are having affairs. It's very fast paced and while it is a great place to take pictures (just like most of Japan) there isn't really much to do here especially if you walk more than 5 minutes past the Shibuya Station.
9.) Japanese Fashion Street Fashion
Unfortunately all of the cool "Japanese" fashions that we see on YouTube and in magazines aren't what people actually wear here in real life. In Japan when people see someone wearing Lolita, gothic, or punk like clothing and hairstyles they take pictures, laugh, and joke about the person. If you go anywhere outside of Shibuya and Harajuku and if it isn't a holiday (or if there isn't some sort of event going on) you'll stand out and not necessarily in a good way. Real Japanese fashion is comparable to 80's and 90's fashion. Maxi dresses, maxi skirts, jean jackets, overalls, sweaters, loose t-shirts, and boxy looking clothing is what's mostly worn here besides the typical white collard dress shirt and suit that salarymen, careerwomen are known for wearing.
10.) Shrines & Temples
While I wasn't expecting this to be Disney World I did expect for their to be more of an ancient, religious, and historical like presence or atmosphere. Most shrines feel more like scams and street markets. They're flooded with gift shops, fortunetelling, and street food and art vendors all of which have absolutely nothing to do with the shrine. They are beautiful and interesting to look at but you'll feel rather lost here if you go alone without a Japanese friend who can act as your guide. The good thing is that they are 100% free and most of them are always open so you can come to take pictures or to pray at anytime without all of the vendors and tourists in your way.
11.) Japanese Manners
Yes it's cute and you feel honored and really good seeing someone practically shower you and worship you with their kindness but honestly90% of it is fake. Most of the "politeness" that people rant about is done out of formality. It's comparable to Americans asking "How are you?" or saying "It's nice to meet you!". They don’t care about you or mean it most of the time. The excessive bowing and saying "sorry" and "excuse me" is simply a cultural difference and it is their way of avoiding confrontation and unwanted fights and arguments. They don’t want to get embarrassed or have any attention brought onto themselves. They still push and shove people, act entitled during rush hour refuse to give up their seats, pick their noses, scratch their butts, eat buggers, and wash their hands like twice a day (at best) without soap all while talking shit about you to their friend next to them and behind your back at the workplace. They're human after all! What I will say to lighten this up is that they are really good at being the bigger person as I have seen situations were the staff at places weren't being treated nicely yet the cashier remained calm and kissed butt until they were done serving the jerk.
12.) Art Supplies & Craft Stores
They’re small and have very limited supplies, colors, textures, and materials. Most of these stores are even more overpriced than their U.S counterparts and the quality of the materials aren't as good as the ones in America. I haven't been to every store so I am open to changing my opinion on this but I've heard and read a lot about artists and their adventures in Japan and was rather disappointed with my options here. There's no doubt that Japanese people are extremely creative and are amazing artists overall but I would seriously love to know how they manage to make such beautiful creations with such cheap quality materials. Sometimes I wonder if this is the reason why so many artists have switched to digital art. Maybe it's not just out of convenience and simplicity.
13.) UNIQLO
While I personal love to shop here and while they most certainly have been a life saver whenever I've been in need of a new pair of jeans thanks to chub-rub or a mor breathable shirt thanks to the ridiculously hot and humid summers in Japan they simply don’t have a lot of clothing to choose from and most of it is very plain and not fashionable. There are some big stores that sell more and the quality and price is good but they lack variety and I’d honestly rather shop at Walmart. The clothing here is a bit trendy but it looks and feels as though you are shopping inside of an off brand store like how back in the 70/s when generic groceries are sold in plain black and white boxes that simply stated what the item was that's the best analogy I can give you.
14.) Convenience Stores
Yes they’re everywhere and they have some delicious "street food" and bentos, but they’re also expensive and still have a lot less than 7/11, Walgreen's, and CVS in America too. Pretty much everything that you can do at a konbini (with the exception of paying bills) can also be done in America so it’s not really all that impressive. I couldn't live without the convenience stores in Japan but they are overrated and not as "fascinating" as people make them out to be.
Yes they’re everywhere and they have some delicious "street food" and bentos, but they’re also expensive and still have a lot less than 7/11, Walgreen's, and CVS in America too. Pretty much everything that you can do at a konbini (with the exception of paying bills) can also be done in America so it’s not really all that impressive. I couldn't live without the convenience stores in Japan but they are overrated and not as "fascinating" as people make them out to be.
15.) Health Care & Hospitals
While health insurance is extremely affordable here (in my opinion at least) a lot of the equipment here is really old and outdated. You won’t usually wait a long time to be seen which is a huge plus, but the doctors here seem to be a lot less knowledgeable than those in America. It’s like they just use the WebMD to make all of their diagnosis. Hospitals in Japan are far from being bad but they aren't as good as they are said to be. Health care is very affordable in Japan and the staff is extremely friendly and caring, but I guess when it comes to medical care here you really do "get what you paid for".
16.) Roppongi
It looks nice at first but there isn’t much to do there. It’s just a neighborhood with over priced apartments, cafes, and some clubs. Roppongi is coined as one of the most dangerous places in Tokyo mainly which is arguably rooted in racism (both conscious and unconsciously) due to the large presence of brown and black skin Asian and African tourists and workers, as well as touts and several foreign embassies nearby (between Azabujuban & Roppongi). It feels and looks like a more relaxed version of Ginza.
17.) Christmas in Japan
Yes, the light show is fun at first but you can’t really enjoy it because there's long lines and huge crowds everywhere. While a lot of the seasonal food looks pretty it doesn't taste that good. The only fun part is taking the pictures and videos and wearing costumes. People stress out over having a date at a fancy restaurant and ordering a bucket of undercooked KFC chicken for God only knows what reason and as an American I feel cheated to the point that I'd simply rather stick to celebrating Japanese holidays and leave my "American" traditions in the past to avoid tainting them. Christmas in Japan reminds me of what Christmas in an American prison or children's hospital is like... Not that I'd know anything about those things......
18.) American Restaurants
People overseas obsess over the crazy menu items colors and names that McDonald's, Burger King, and Starbucks have in Japan, but it honestly doesn’t taste good. The only things that are still just as good if not better are the fries and McNuggets and of course the fact that the ice cream machine is never down here for some odd reason. Other than that the "cool" menu items simply make good pictures for Instagram but lack in any real memorable (in a good way) flavor.
19.) Themed Cafes & Restaurants
They're nothing more than overpriced food and drinks (aimed at tourists and nerds) that usually don’t taste that great and are being served to you by staff in costumes. These restaurants and cafes make really pretty drinks but the flavor is usually non-existent or bad. It’s great for Instagram pictures, but if it didn’t have Pokémon or Final Fantasy plastered all over it you wouldn’t come back and you’d have probably complained about the cost, taste, and quality of it all if you weren’t so wrapped up in the artistic side of your dish or the scenery of the establishment.
20.) Dating Japanese People
Sure Japanese people can be polite and cute but they’re nothing like your anime husbando or wifu or that J-POP star. They can be really hard to date. Between the overall lack of sex, unexplainable shyness, poor communication, lack of romance, and passive aggressive behaviors it sometimes feels as though it isn't worth even trying to date someone seriously in Japan and based on the divorce rate here when it comes to mixed marriages in Japan I think it's fair to say that the feeling must be mutual.
21.) Cosplay & Anime Conventions
I suck at cosplay and makeup and yet still to this very day I get tons of compliments both in person and online for wearing my cheap D.VA costume. Most (not all) Japanese cosplayers are even worse than myself and are mediocre at best. Most of the really good cosplayers tend to be foreigners from Chinaor some other East Asian country and are simply visiting Japan or they're "Japanese passing" thus they're mistaken for being Japanese. There aren't a lot of costume shops in Japan and cosplay is mostly associated with foreigners hence the reason why the word is written in katakana in the first place. Japanese cosplayers don't usually make their own costumes. Instead they buy them at a shop so unless they're willing to pay hundreds- thousands of dollars they just settle for the bad and cheap $20 ones that can easily be found at DonQuihote or Animate. There aren't a lot of serious cosplayers here. Most are just amateurs enjoying the events which is fine but it was very disappointing to see especially considering that Americans and Europeans act as though they'll have a heart attack if they see someone who isn't white or Asian in cosplay and God forbid you didn't make your own costume!
22.) Japanese Food
Japanese people jokingly say that foreigners just eat meat and potatoes, but all they eat is rice and a "peasants-piece" of chopped up meat topped off with sake and soy sauce which is meant to psychologically fool your eyes and brain into thinking that you're eating more.
While there most certainly are tons of delicious things to eat here (yakiniku, miso ramen, tempura), I’d take authentic American food over Japanese food ALMOST any day. My tastebuds have changed after having been here for years so things that I’d normally find to be too bland, bitter or flavorless I now find to be quite delicious and I am enjoying the weightless from living in a country where portion control is huge (and also used as an excuse to cheat you out of your money). Just like any country in the world Japan is no exception to be a place that has mostly receptive dishes that taste very similar.
23.) College in Japan
It feels just like any other school. You’re not going to get an amazing education here. It feels as though they just want your money and want to brag about the percentage of foreign students rather than hire qualified professors and provide you with a challenging and informative college experience. You can most certainly meet some amazing people here and have a lot to fun but I feel as though America has Japan beat as fast as the whole college experience goes.
24.) School Lunches
They’re usually served cold to room temperature and students don’t usually want to finish all of their food. The lunches consist of mostly rice and a small piece of soggy fish or chicken that could use some reheating.
25.) Japanese Makeup & Beauty Products
They aren't very pigmented and lack in shades. There also isn't a big difference between the price of drug store brands and higher end products. I have only used a few products here that I believe to be better than their "western" counterparts.
Thank you so much for reading!
Have you ever been to Japan? What were some of the things that you heard about it that turned out to be a bit of an exaggeration? Do you disagree with my list?Please leave a comment below and share your options with me.
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